WHY ALTERNATORS HAVE REPLACED DYNAMOES

Alternators replaced dynamos as the way of replenishing the power of the car's battery.
They provide more amps more quickly.

POWER ASSISTED BRAKING.....
Brake calipers are the small hydraulic units which grip the brake disc and stop the car when you press the brake pedal. This force applied to the brakes is increased with the help of the brake vacuum pump.

and POWER ASSISTED STEERING.....
The wheels are turned to provide steering by the rack usually a power steering rack.
This is, once again hydraulic and uses fluid pushed into it by the power steering pump. (Some are now electrically operated)

THE DIESEL ENGINE THE DRIVING FORCE

Meantime over at the engine department ! if yours is a diesel car it probably used glow plugs to help with the starting from cold.

The starter, of course was used to turn the engine fast enough to get it going and this is before you engage the gears in the gearbox to get you on the start of your journey!

When the engine is running it needs fuel; this is supplied to it by a diesel pump and injectors.
If it's a petrol engine it will get fuel from a carburettor or petrol injectors.

In addition the petrol engine, unlike the diesel, will require a coil or a coil pack to provide the spark for ignition.
While this ignition is going on lots of heat is being generated in the engine; coolant (water and glycol) is pumped around the engine by the water pump and disperses the heat through the radiator into the external air.

MAINTAINING CONSTANT TEMPERATURE

The thermostat regulates the flow of water so that a constant, optimum temperature is maintained (and just as important - the internal heater can provide warmth for the occupants)....and then there's the gearbox and the turbocharger...but that's another story...

© Andy Hewing B.Sc. 2010