Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: zuluf on 08 January 2012, 19:44:52
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I've been searchin arround the net but could not find anything that provided an answer that would satisfy me. Mostly because I don't know how to form the question or simply because English is not my native language I lack the knowledge of terms.
From time to time it popped in my mind but eventually I forget it. Was bored so here it comes.
These 2 videos are just for presentation so that I'm understood clearly.
inline six:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=5Yl8nqZofrk
inline four:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eWCjMHWA2k
On these videos you can see clearly that in l6 engine 2 pistons travel in pair. On l4 same stuff.
I know it has something to do about engine balancing, harmonics, etc.
BUT!
What I don't understand why then inline 6 when you in the end get up with "3 cylinders"?
Same goes for 4 pot. You get 2+2 or "2 cylinders".
Except for balancing what are the other reasons for pairing up? Too much mass or space for 2 (or 3) big pistons?
Just curious :)
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The petrol/diesel engine is commonly referred to as a "4 stroke" (Ottoman) cycle .. suck, squeeze, bang, blow ( or for the posh people .. induction, compression, combustion (power), exhaust)
The simple reason for the pistons travelling in "pairs" is that they are at different parts of the cycle, for example, if one is traveling down under "induction" then the other is travelling down under "combustion (power)", so in effect, one is giving the motive force for the other...
Very simple answer, but combined with the balancing issue, it is why .. :)
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Dumb of me, forgot about the firing sequence :S
Anyway, thanks :)