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Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies > Travel & Transportation

Test Your Car Engine Knowledge with Our Engine Parts Quiz!

Ready for the engine components quiz? Test your car engine IQ now!

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Igor FlystaUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for engine parts quiz on a sky blue background

This engine parts quiz helps you spot and name the parts of a car engine, from pistons to belts, so you can check gaps and build real-world confidence. After you play, try our engine systems quiz or go big with the full car parts quiz to keep your skills sharp.

What is the primary function of the crankshaft in a piston engine?
Pressurize the fuel rail
Regulate coolant flow through the engine
Ignite the air-fuel mixture
Convert reciprocating motion into rotational motion
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Which component connects the piston to the crankshaft?
Connecting rod
Rocker arm
Pushrod
Cam follower
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Which part stores engine oil when the engine is off?
Valve cover
Timing cover
Oil pan (sump)
Oil filter
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Which device initiates engine rotation during starting?
Fuel pump
Starter motor
Alternator
Idle air control valve
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In gasoline electronic fuel injection, which part primarily regulates airflow into the engine?
Throttle body
Fuel injector
PCV valve
MAF sensor
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Which part controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves?
Crankshaft
Camshaft
Flywheel
Balance shaft
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What is the primary purpose of piston rings?
Reduce exhaust emissions by catalysis
Control coolant temperature
Seal combustion gases and control oil on cylinder walls
Pressurize the fuel system
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What does the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve do?
Measures throttle angle
Controls turbo boost
Increases fuel rail pressure
Routes blow-by gases from the crankcase back into the intake for reburn
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Which sensor measures the mass of air entering the engine?
IAT sensor
MAF sensor
Knock sensor
TPS sensor
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What is the function of the fuel rail?
Store oil for the lubrication system
Vent crankcase fumes
Measure exhaust oxygen
Deliver pressurized fuel evenly to the injectors
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What is the role of a harmonic balancer (crankshaft damper)?
Meter fuel into the intake
Dampen torsional vibrations of the crankshaft
Control idle speed
Increase engine compression
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What does a hydraulic lifter (tappet) do?
Controls the timing belt tension
Automatically maintains zero valve lash using engine oil pressure
Measures oil pressure for the ECU
Filters contaminants from engine oil
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In an overhead valve (pushrod) engine, which component transmits motion from the lifter to the rocker arm?
Cam phaser
Timing chain guide
EGR tube
Pushrod
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What is the function of a rocker arm in a valvetrain?
Regulates fuel pressure
Transfers cam or pushrod motion to open a valve
Seals the combustion chamber
Measures knock
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What does a valve spring do?
Controls turbocharger speed
Closes the valve and prevents valve float at high RPM
Dampens crankshaft torsion
Pressurizes the fuel rail
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What component changes camshaft phasing in a variable valve timing system?
Throttle body
Harmonic balancer
Fuel rail
Cam phaser
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What does a VVT oil control solenoid do?
Directs pressurized oil to the cam phaser to alter cam timing
Filters oil to sub-10 micron levels
Measures crank angle
Activates the starter motor
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In a direct-injection gasoline engine, where are the fuel injectors located?
In the fuel tank
Upstream of the throttle body
Directly in the combustion chamber
In the exhaust manifold
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What is the purpose of swirl or tumble control valves in some intake systems?
Increase exhaust backpressure to warm the catalyst
Enhance air-fuel mixing at low load by inducing in-cylinder motion
Pressurize the fuel system
Adjust ignition timing
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Which cylinder block design provides the most support around cylinder bores?
Semi-closed deck
Wet liner only
Closed-deck
Open-deck
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify major engine components -

    After completing the engine parts quiz, you'll be able to recognize and name key components such as pistons, camshafts, and valves under the hood.

  2. Describe each part's function -

    You will understand the role of every engine component in powering, cooling, and timing, enhancing your overall engine knowledge.

  3. Differentiate between engine systems -

    You'll learn to distinguish intake, exhaust, lubrication, and ignition systems and how their parts interact to keep your car running smoothly.

  4. Apply troubleshooting insights -

    By identifying component functions and locations, you can pinpoint likely causes of common engine issues and make informed repair decisions.

  5. Assess your knowledge gaps -

    Your quiz results will highlight areas for improvement, guiding you toward focused study or hands-on practice.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The Four-Stroke Cycle -

    Master the intake, compression, power and exhaust strokes - often memorized with "I Can Power Everything." A simple P-V diagram helps visualize pressure changes, reinforcing why each stroke is critical for engine efficiency (source: MIT OpenCourseWare).

  2. Piston Dynamics and Compression Ratio -

    Review the compression ratio formula (CR = Vmax ÷ Vmin) to see how 10:1 or 12:1 ratios affect performance and knock resistance. Visualize the swept vs. clearance volume in the cylinder for your next engine quiz question (source: SAE International).

  3. Camshaft and Valve Timing -

    Understand cam lobe profiles, overlap and duration - key for peak torque and emissions. Use the mnemonic "OVAL" (Overlap, Valve lift, Angle, Lobe shape) to recall the main camshaft specs on an engine components quiz (source: University of Michigan Automotive Lab).

  4. Fuel Injection and Ignition Timing -

    Compare port-injection vs. direct injection and remember ignition timing is set around 15° BTDC (before top dead center) for most gasoline engines. Sketching a timing diagram can cement this for any car engine quiz challenge (source: Bosch Technical Bulletin).

  5. Lubrication and Cooling Systems -

    Learn oil-flow paths from pump to bearings and coolant flow through the radiator, aiming for optimal 5W-30 viscosity in most climates. Recall "HOT COOL" (Heat Out, Thermostat Closes, Coolant Out) to ace the lubrication section of your engine parts quiz (source: SAE Peer”Reviewed Journal).

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