What is the structure of the engine compartment?
4 Answers
Engine compartment generally includes: Engine: The heart of the car, bearing the important mission of power output, is the core component that drives the car. Air filter: The air filter is the main component that provides clean air for the engine. Battery: Electrical equipment includes all the circuit components of the car. Engine starting also relies on the power from the battery. Exhaust system: After the cylinder completes the work of four strokes, the exhaust gas generated by combustion needs to be discharged from the cylinder. Throttle: The main control component for engine intake. Main radiator: Its main function is to replenish coolant and carry the coolant that overflows from the main radiator after high-temperature boiling. Relay box: The main fuse box of the vehicle. Vacuum pump: It is the bridge between the driver's control and the operation of the brake system. Throttle cable: The other end is directly connected to the throttle pedal and has a certain lifespan.
Every time I open the hood to repair my car, it feels like unlocking a treasure chest. The largest metal block in the middle is the engine itself, surrounded by densely packed components. The most prominent parts are the radiator and cooling fan at the very front, with the air filter housed in a plastic box nearby. The battery sits like a small square box at the lower right, and caution stickers are pasted on the hood. Color-coded caps indicate different functions: blue caps usually mark the windshield washer fluid reservoir, yellow ones are for the oil dipstick, and pink caps identify the coolant tank. Hidden near the chassis are the power steering pump and alternator, connected by belts that make them rotate together. I recommend beginners memorize the locations of major parts to avoid confusion during inspections.
After twenty years of repairing cars, I feel engine compartments are becoming increasingly compact. At the core is the metal engine block, with various pipes connected on both sides. The intake system starts from the air filter, passes through the throttle valve, and enters the cylinders. The radiator is hidden at the front, connected to the water pump via rubber hoses and metal pipes. Battery placement isn't fixed - German cars often place it on the right, while Japanese models prefer the left. Modern vehicles now include turbochargers and complex wiring. The most practical tip is memorizing fluid reservoir locations: the flat container holds brake fluid, the translucent tank is for coolant, and the plastic reservoir is specifically for windshield washer fluid. Regularly checking fluid levels can prevent major breakdowns.
Last time I learned car repair from the master, I finally understood the engine bay structure. The engine sits in the center like building blocks, with various parts revolving around it. Behind the front grille are wavy heat dissipation fins, and the plastic pipes on the sides are the intake ducts. The round battery is about the size of a lunchbox, with two thick wires on top. Three conspicuous tanks each have their purposes: the smallest contains orange-red brake fluid, the medium one holds green coolant, and the largest open tank is for windshield washer fluid. Beneath the metal bracket hide the generator and power steering pump, connected to the engine via belts. New car owners should mainly familiarize themselves with the locations of these fluid tanks; leave the rest to professional mechanics.
