On Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 12:51:53 PM UTC-5, Paul Wolff wrote:
> On Thu, 1 Dec 2022, at 15:39:27, J. J. Lodder posted:
> >The thing is still called some equivalent of 'explosion engine', in
> >many languages.
> >A much better, and correct name is 'interal combustion engine'.
The ordinary term (almost) in AmE.
> Correct, there are no small explosions in a properly regulated internal
> combustion engine. When they occur, the audible detonations are called
> 'pinking' (or 'knocking') in BrE. As I recall, relevant factors are
> incorrect ignition timing, too great a compression ratio, and perhaps an
> incorrect fuel/air ratio too.
Aha -- now I know what to tell the mechanic. (I had no idea what
either "pinging" or "knocking" was.) It does it, primarily before
being properly warmed up, occasionally when shifting from 1st
to 2nd or from 2nd to 3rd (but not, yet anyway, to 4th or 5th). I
think my gas mileage has gone down significantly, but the odometer
died years ago (the speedometer remains accurate), and the tach
seems to be at a higher level than usual for ordinary speeds.
> I'm pretty confident as regards petrol engines, but I don't properly
> understand how diesel engines differ. Adiabatic heating by compression I
> think, but where's the controlled ignition initiated?
Seen this morning: gas is down to $3.37/gal.! (~84c/liter).