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AUT 121 - Automotive Engine Performance
This course is designed to provide the student with theory design, construction, inspection, and service of the automotive engine. The purpose of the course is to review engine operation and performance, the creation of vacuum during engine operation, comparison of engine vacuum to low voltages use with vehicle engine management computer. Concepts such as computer programming, diagnosing, and troubleshooting internal circuit boards will be presented. The purpose and operation of critical sensors in fuel economy, emission control and electronic spark timing will also be presented. Catalytic converters, their purpose in controlling exhaust gas emission and the use of two or more O2 sensors will also be covered. Case studies of the vehicle engine, spark and fuel malfunctions, the use of scan tools, AC and DC test instruments, and dynamometer operation to simulate on-road conditions will be explored. Moreover, the use of OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) to determine malfunctions within the overall engine fuel and electronic management parameters will also be reviewed. Hands on skills to determine malfunctions in the operation of the modern vehicle in real life scenarios will be practiced.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Identify engine operation and performance, vacuums, and electronic devices.
- Perform computer programming.
- Process malfunction retrieval of diagnostic trouble codes.
- Test sensors and activators performance.
- Define the relationship of fuel management to electronic engine control.
- Utilize scan tools.
- Repair emission control and electronic spark timing.
- Utilize exhaust dynamometer operation to simulate on-road conditions.
- Recognize internal circuits malfunctions.
- Identify results using two or more O2 sensors.
- Define operation of exhaust analyzers and dynamometers.
- Solve case studies describing malfunctions of engine parts.
- Apply AC and DC test instruments.
- Define OBD.
- Determine malfunctions within the overall engine fuel and electronic management parameters.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Automotive Electricity and Electronics (AUT 101), Automotive Engines (AUT 102), Automotive Ignition Systems, Identification and Diagnosis (AUT 151), Automotive Computer and Emission Diagnosis (AUT 152), and Computer Power Train controls (AUT 123).
1 hour lecture, 2 hours laboratory each week 3 credits