Two Stroke Internal Combustion Engines *How a two stroke engine

Two Stroke Internal Combustion Engines *How a two stroke engine works *Advantages/Disadvantages From foukeffa.org GA Ag Ed Curriculum Office To accompany Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Lesson July 2002

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Introduction to the Two Stroke Engine This type of engine is commonly found in applications such as; – lawn and garden equipment – dirt bikes – small outboard motors

Introduction to the Two Stroke Engine Two stroke engines have advantages over four stroke: – simplified construction (no valves) – fire once every revolution for a significant power boost Great power to weight ratio

The two stroke cycle The two stroke engine ignites every revolution of the crankshaft. These engines overlap operations to reduce parts while maintaining power.

The two stroke cycle After the fuel air explosion, the piston is driven down. As the piston reached the bottom of it’s stroke, the exhaust port is uncovered. Most of the gases are driven out.

The two stroke cycle When the piston has bottomed out, the intake port is uncovered. The new fuel enters and is ready for compression and combustion.

The two stroke cycle When the fuel mixture is being compressed a vacuum is created in the crankcase. The vacuum opens a reed valve and sucks air/fuel/oil in from the carburetor.

The two stroke cycle Simply put, in a two stroke engine you have only: – Compression – Combustion Thus, Two Strokes.

2 stroke compared to 4 stroke In two stroke engines the crankcase is a pressurization chamber to force fuel/oil/air into the cylinder. Here you mix oil and gas to lubricate internal parts. In four stroke engines the crankcase is separate from the compression chamber. This allows the use of heavy oil for lubrication.

Disadvantages of a two stroke The engines do not last as long due to poor lubrication. You have to mix two cycle engine oil with gasoline. The engines do not use fuel efficiently. These engines produce a lot of pollution.

Summary Two stroke engines are great for the power to weight ratio and their simple design, however, due to there pollution concerns these engines will be harder to find.

Source www.howstuffworks.com