What Temperatures Do IC Engines Operate At? Find Out Here!

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the operating temperatures of internal combustion (IC) engines, specifically focusing on the engine block temperature under normal operating conditions and the peak in-cylinder temperatures during operation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the general operating temperatures of IC engines.
  • Another participant suggests a wide temperature range from -20 deg C to 1500 deg C, depending on the context of the question, including coolant temperature and peak in-cylinder temperature.
  • A follow-up clarifies the inquiry to focus on engine block temperature under normal conditions and questions the plausibility of in-cylinder temperatures reaching 1500 deg C, noting concerns about the melting point of steel.
  • In response, it is mentioned that peak cylinder temperatures can exceed 1500 deg C, but these are peak values rather than average temperatures, implying that the materials do not reach melting points during normal operation.
  • It is noted that engine block temperatures typically run between 80-100 degrees C, as they are cooled by thermostatically controlled water.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the peak temperatures of IC engines, with some asserting that peak temperatures can exceed 1500 deg C while others emphasize that average temperatures are much lower. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these temperatures on engine materials.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on specific conditions such as engine type, operating conditions, and the distinction between peak and average temperatures, which may affect the interpretations of the temperature ranges provided.

chhitiz
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can someone tell me what temperatures ic engines generally operate at?
 
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-20 deg C to 1500 deg C, depending on whether you mean coolant temperature on a cold start, or peak in-cylinder temperature when under load. Or anywhere between.

If you rephrase your question to be a little bit more precise (what component or fluid or system, what kind of engine, what operating conditions) then you might get a more precise answer...
 
what i meant was engine block temperature under normal operating conditions. does the in cylinder temperature really reach 1500? isn't that really close to melting point of steel?
 
Peak cylinder temperatures can readily exceed that, and yes it's above the melting points of several of the components involved. But those are peak temperatures, not average temperatures, so the metal doesn't get that hot so doesn't get chance to melt.

Block temperatures typically run at 80-100 degrees C (as they're generally cooled by thermostatically controlled water).
 

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