Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardFuel and Air Intake Systems

In a turbocharged automotive engine, intake air travels through several key components before entering the engine cylinders. What is the correct sequence of airflow from the atmosphere into the combustion chambers?

  1. 1Air filter element
  2. 2Turbocharger compressor housing
  3. 3Charge air cooler (intercooler)
  4. 4Throttle body assembly
  5. 5Intake manifold runners

Answer

The correct sequence of airflow is: Air filter element, Turbocharger compressor housing, Charge air cooler (intercooler), Throttle body assembly, and Intake manifold runners.
Ambient air must first pass through the air cleaner to eliminate particulate contaminants before entering the high-speed turbocharger compressor. The compressor pressurizes the intake charge, which substantially increases its temperature. The hot compressed air then travels through the charge air cooler (intercooler) to reduce temperature and increase charge density. From the intercooler, the dense air reaches the throttle body, which regulates flow volume into the intake manifold plenum before distributing it into each cylinder.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Filter ambient air
Clean air enters the induction tract
Air drawn from the atmosphere must pass through the air filter first to prevent abrasive dust and debris from damaging high-speed compressor blades.
2
Compress the intake air
Pressurized, heated air discharge
The turbocharger compressor wheel spins at high speeds to force a greater volume of air into the engine, raising its pressure and temperature.
3
Cool the compressed air charge
High-density cooled air charge
Hot air from the compressor flows through the charge air cooler (intercooler), which extracts heat to increase air density and prevent engine knock.
4
Regulate airflow volume
Metered air volume based on engine load
The cooled boost air flows to the throttle body, where the throttle valve regulates the total airflow entering the engine based on throttle position.
5
Distribute air to individual cylinders
Balanced air delivery to intake ports
The metered air enters the intake manifold plenum and splits into individual runners leading directly to the cylinder head intake ports.

Key Concept

Turbocharged Air Induction Flow Path
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Rate this question

Topics

Fuel and Air Intake Systems

More questions from this topic