Mercedes-Benz vehicles and premium performance go hand in hand. The experts at our Mercedes-Benz service center in Silver Spring often get questions about all that power. Mercedes-Benz of Silver Spring details the major components of an engine to provide an inside look.
Cylinder Block
The cylinder block (or engine block) is the main component of an internal combustion engine. It’s composed of holes (cylinders) and cylindrical components (pistons). When your engine's fuel-air mixture ignites in the cylinders, the pressure pushes the pistons down. Then, the crankshaft essentially converts the linear motion into rotational motion.
Cylinder Head
The cylinder head and valvetrain control how air and fuel move into, and exhaust moves out of, the cylinders. The cylinder head sits on top of the cylinder block and seals the cylinders to create a combustion chamber. The valvetrain uses valves, camshafts, and other components to open and close the intake and exhaust valves.
Additional Components
Spark plugs are threaded into holes inside the cylinder head. They emit the electrical spark needed to ignite the compressed air-fuel mixture. The timing chain is another key component, which keeps your crankshaft and camshaft synchronized so your valves open and close at the appropriate time.
Supporting Systems
There are also important systems that support your engine’s operation. The fuel and air delivery system ensures you get the right mixture of fuel and air. These components include the air intake system, air filter, fuel pump, fuel injectors, throttle body, and more. The engine lubrication and cooling systems are responsible for minimizing heat and friction with engine oil, an oil pump, a water pump, and coolant.
