What is an Engine?
The heart of the car — where fuel becomes motion.
Simplified animation — not to scale.
In plain English
The engine is a metal block of cylinders where a controlled mixture of air and fuel is ignited thousands of times a minute to spin the crankshaft, which ultimately turns the wheels.
"Think of it as a tiny, very fast fireworks display happening inside a metal box — except the fireworks push the wheels instead of going bang in the sky."
How it works
Air comes in through the intake, fuel is injected, a spark (petrol) or compression (diesel) ignites the mixture, and the resulting explosion pushes a piston down. The pistons turn the crankshaft, sending rotation to the gearbox and on to the wheels.
Signs of trouble
- ⚠Knocking, rattling or ticking from under the bonnet
- ⚠Loss of power or rough idle
- ⚠Blue, white or thick black smoke from the exhaust
- ⚠Burning oil smell or visible oil/coolant leaks
- ⚠Check engine light staying on
£1,500–£7,000+ for a full engine replacement
Always get a written quote. Prices vary by car, region, and parts brand.