There are two types of engines, spark ignition engines and compression ignition engines and my area of training was on compression ignition engines which are diesel engines. The diesel engines are four stroke engines. The strokes in the engines are the mechanical process that goes on in the combustion chamber to ensure that constant burning of diesel and running of the engine. These four strokes are as follows:

• Induction stroke
• Compression stroke
• Power stroke
• Exhaust stroke

Induction Stroke: The induction stroke is the stage at which diesel and air is supplied in to the chamber. At this stage, the piston moves downward to take in the fuel and the required liters of air for combustion.

Compression Stroke: At this stroke, the piston moves in an upward motion compressing the mixture of the diesel and air. The motion charges the air and diesel increasing their temperature for combustion.

Power Stroke: It is in this stroke that the burning of the fuel through the compressed air takes place. This happens in an explosive pattern that sends the piston downwards again.

Exhaust Stroke: It is in this stroke that the burnt diesel is ejected from the combustion chamber by the upwards movement of the pistons. The outlet valve opens to the exhaust manifold for the gas to escape. 

These entire strokes must work efficiently one after the other in other to make sure that the engine does not shut down.