University Makerere: End of Semester II 2017/2018 Examinations

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, DESIGN, ART AND TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
End of Semester II 2017/2018 Examinations
MEC4209: AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
Monday May 07, 2018
Duration: 3.0 Hours (0900 – 1200 Hours)
Instructions:
• The Examination paper contains Seven Questions.
• Attempt ALL Questions in Section A and any FOUR Questions from Section B.
• Each Question Carries 20 Marks
• Marks for each section are indicated in parentheses.
• Indicate the attempted questions on the top page of the answer booklet provided.
SECTION A (Multiple-choice Questions 1.1 – 1.10; 20 Marks)
1.1 What is the advantage of an automatic transmission over a manual one?

A. It reduces driver fatigue.
B. It provides an extra high gear without increasing the complication of
the gearbox
C. It prevents slipping on slippery surfaces by utilising the limited slip
differential unit
D. It is less noisy
1.2 What does the viscosity index of lubricating oil indicate?
A. The viscosity of the lubricant relative to that of water at 0°C

B. The effect of temperature change on the kinematic viscosity of an oil
C. The number of additives in the oil
D. The tendency of the oil to resist flow under normal operating
conditions
1.3 Which of the following reasons favour use of direct injection

combustion chambers to other designs of chambers?
(i) They have less heat losses due to low surface area-to-volume ratio
(ii) They do not need heater plugs for cold starting due to less heat
losses during compression
(iii) They have higher thermal efficiency
(iv) They develop more speed and hence more power
A. (i), (ii) and (iv) only C. (i), (ii) and (iii) only
B. (ii), (iii) and (iv) only D. All of them
1.4 What is the advantage of using a sealed system in engine cooling?
A. It is pressurised and can operate under conditions of varying

atmospheric temperature and pressure
B. It eliminates loss of cooling water through evaporation
C. It is only possible to use a coolant when the system is sealed
D. The system improves engine cooling even with insufficient water in
radiator
1.5 What is the major difference between a four-stroke and two-stroke

engine?
A. The former completes cycle in four crankshaft revolutions, while the
latter in two revolutions
B. The former is used for cars while the latter is employed in motor-
cycles only
C. The former completes cycle in two crankshaft revolutions, while the
latter in one revolution
D. In the latter, there are no valves – it uses ports only
1.6 Why are disc brakes not normally used for hand break application?
A. They are very inefficient
B. They lack the self-servo action and hence will need higher operating
forces
C. The discs can easily break if subjected to the higher forces required to
operate hand breaks
D. The disc brakes are never fitted at the rear wheels where hand brakes
are fitted.
1.7 How are the harmful combustion emissions controlled in an automobile?

A. By using fuel with high Sulphur content together with high
compression ratios
B. By using multi-grade oil, e.g. Shell Helix, together with high grade fuel,
e.g. Formula Shell
C. By use of systems such as EGR, catalytic converters, PCV and
ensuring the correct A/F ratios
D. By using multi-valve engines, twin-cam drives, OHV, Automatic
transmission and turbo-charging
1.8 What is the purpose of the outlet manifold on a four-cylinder SI engine?

A. To cool the air entering the cylinder
B. To allow oil to enter the cylinder for lubrication
C. To create turbulence for proper combustion
D. To let out the combusted charge
1.9 State one function of the clutch.
A. Absorbs power during power stroke and releases it during idle stroke,
hence smoothening the drive
B. Converts reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotary motion of the
crankshaft
C. Together with the speed governor, limits the maximum engine speed
D. Helps to achieve smooth gear shifting in Manual transmissions
1.10 In an electrical ignition system, what advantage would a transistor-

assisted system give?
A. Eliminates need for coil, condenser and contact breaker points
B. Better spark timing since there is no need of advance and retard
mechanisms
C. Less arcing of breaker points since only a small current is passed
through the points
D. Cheaper and smaller battery since voltage is amplified thousands of
times by transistors
SECTION B (Questions 2 – 7: 80 Marks): Attempt any FOUR Questions from this
Section.
Question 2 [20 Marks]

2.1 Briefly explain the following terms mean as used in automotive
technology.
a) Steer by wire (3 marks)
b) Steering ratio (3 marks)
2.2 Describe how effective steering is achieved in a recirculating ball

gear steering system.
(6 Marks)
2.3 Give four reasons why most vehicles use a rack and pinion steering
system. (4 Marks)
2.4 Describe two types adjustable steering columns.
(4marks)
At an automotive garage a Toyota SUV was diagnosed for overheating

due to a faulty thermostat.
3.1 As an automotive engineer, suggest four other possible causes of
engine overheating (4 Marks)
3.2 Describe the significance a thermostat in the cooling system of a
car.
(3 marks)
3.3 Using a diagram describe how the pressurised cooling system
components in a car interact to achieve ambient engine
operating temperatures
(8 Marks)
3.4 Explain why water is preferred in cooling automotive engines to
the other fluids. (5
Marks)
4.1 A Nissan SUV has a 6-cylinder C.I engine of the V-type that uses
an electronic fuel injection system (EFI).
At its 4th servicing, it was reported that the engine fuel efficiency had
reduced due to incomplete scavenging.
a) Explain what incomplete engine scavenging means giving two (2)

possible causes and two (2) adverse effects this has on the
environment
(6 marks)
b) Using a diagram, describe how the car’s fuel injection system works
(6 marks)
4.2 A diagnosis report from another service center revealed that the
Engine power had reduced to almost that of an in-line Engine type as
per the power stroke readings.
a) Describe the power stroke of this Engine and give 2 possible

causes of engine power drop. (5 marks)
b) Geometrically explain why a V-engine produces more power

and torque compared to an in-line type with the same number of
cylinders. (3
marks)
5.1 What is an internal combustion engine (ICE)? Distinguish between

an ICE and an external combustion engine, giving one example
for each. Give four broad bases for classification of ICEs.
(8 Marks)
5.2 State two functions of each of the following engine components.

(i) Crank shaft (2 Marks)
(ii) Cylinder head (2 Marks)
(iii) Piston (2 Marks)
(iv) Cam shaft (2 Marks)
(v) Injector pump (2 Marks)
(vi) Gudgeon pin (2 Marks)
6.1 Discuss three merits and three demerits of an air brake system
(6 Marks)
6.2 With the aid of diagrams, explain how the Antilock Braking
System (ABS) works. Give two reasons why it is necessary to have
an ABS in a car.
(6 Marks)
6.3 Using diagrams, explain the operation of an automatic car

transmission system.
(8 Marks)
Question seven [20 marks]

7.1 With the aid of diagrams, explain the operation of the coil
ignition system in a SI engine. Give two advantages of the
electronic ignition system over the conventional coil ignition
system.
(10 Marks)
7.2 With the aid of diagrams, describe the operation of the charging
system. What are the advantages of the AC system over the DC
system in charging? (10 Marks)
END

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MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, DESIGN, ART AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

End of Semester II 2017/2018 Examinations

MEC4209: AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING

Monday May 07, 2018

Duration: 3.0 Hours (0900 – 1200 Hours)

1.1 What is the advantage of an automatic transmission over a manual one?

1.2 What does the viscosity index of lubricating oil indicate?

A. The viscosity of the lubricant relative to that of water at 0°C

1.3 Which of the following reasons favour use of direct injection

1.4 What is the advantage of using a sealed system in engine cooling?

A. It is pressurised and can operate under conditions of varying

1.5 What is the major difference between a four-stroke and two-stroke

1.7 How are the harmful combustion emissions controlled in an automobile?

1.8 What is the purpose of the outlet manifold on a four-cylinder SI engine?

1.9 State one function of the clutch.

1.10 In an electrical ignition system, what advantage would a transistor-

Question 2 [20 Marks]

a) Steer by wire (3 marks)

b) Steering ratio (3 marks)

2.2 Describe how effective steering is achieved in a recirculating ball

Question 3 [20 Marks]

At an automotive garage a Toyota SUV was diagnosed for overheating

a) Explain what incomplete engine scavenging means giving two (2)

a) Describe the power stroke of this Engine and give 2 possible

b) Geometrically explain why a V-engine produces more power

Question 5 [20 Marks]

5.1 What is an internal combustion engine (ICE)? Distinguish between

5.2 State two functions of each of the following engine components.

6.3 Using diagrams, explain the operation of an automatic car

Question seven [20 marks]

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