What are the four pipes on top of the engine?
3 Answers
The four pipes on top of the engine are exhaust pipes, typically one pipe per cylinder. Pressure reduction: They expel the exhaust gases produced by the engine, reducing pressure, which is a crucial factor in ensuring the continuous operation of a vehicle. Noise reduction: In the entire exhaust system, there are two noise reduction systems. The first is the exhaust manifold that utilizes the engine's expelled exhaust gases, and the second is the main muffler at the tail end of the exhaust pipe. These two steps of noise reduction can generally bring the sound of exhaust emissions down to a reasonable range. Exhaust filtration: They help reduce the pollution caused by exhaust emissions to the air.
After working in an auto repair shop for a long time, I often see car owners asking about this. Those four pipes are usually the fuel supply lines connected to the fuel injectors on the engine cylinder head. Their function is to deliver gasoline from the fuel tank through the fuel rail to each cylinder's injector, ensuring precise fuel injection into the engine combustion chamber. If you touch them, you'll notice they're mostly made of metal or plastic, which can age and crack over time, leading to fuel or air leaks and causing the car to run rough and lose power. I've repaired many cars where the issues stemmed from worn seals or loose pipe connections. It's important to keep the engine bay clean to avoid dust clogging and regularly inspect the pipes for oil stains or cracks to prevent breakdowns. Additionally, these pipes are designed for the standard configuration of a four-cylinder engine; six-cylinder cars may have more. During maintenance, replacing a new pipe only costs around a hundred bucks—don't skimp and risk bigger problems.
When I first bought my car, I was also curious about those pipes on the engine. Later, a mechanic told me they were fuel injector lines, specifically responsible for supplying fuel to each cylinder. My current car has a four-cylinder engine, so there are four pipes connecting the fuel pump to the injectors, helping the computer control fuel injection for better efficiency and lower consumption. If there's an issue with the pipes, like aging or leaks, the car's acceleration becomes sluggish, and fuel consumption spikes—I once experienced the engine warning light coming on. I recommend regularly popping the hood to check the pipes for integrity and having a technician inspect them during every 5,000-km maintenance to prevent carbon buildup. The design is quite clever, ensuring even fuel distribution and stable performance. Avoiding dirty roads can also extend their lifespan. Simply put, these are key components for smooth engine operation.
