The intake and exhaust valves in an engine control the flow of air and fuel into and out of the combustion chamber. During the intake stroke, the intake valve opens, allowing a mixture of air and fuel to be drawn into the cylinder. When the compression stroke begins, the intake valve closes and the piston moves up, compressing the air and fuel mixture. At the top of the compression stroke, the spark plug ignites the mixture, creating an explosion that drives the piston down. This is known as the power stroke. At the bottom of the power stroke, the exhaust valve opens, allowing the hot exhaust gases to escape from the cylinder. As the piston moves up during the exhaust stroke, the exhaust valve closes and the cycle begins again.
The proper functioning of the intake and exhaust valves is essential for the efficient operation of an engine. If the valves are not opening and closing properly, the engine will not be able to produce the correct amount of power and will run rough. In addition, the valves can become damaged if they are not properly maintained, which can lead to costly repairs.
