Question

If the clearance between the starter pinion and the engine flywheel is too great, what will happen?

1) The starter pinion will not engage with the engine flywheel properly
2) The engine won't start
3) There will be excessive noise during engine start
4) The engine may be damaged

Answer 1

If the clearance between the starter pinion and engine flywheel is too great, it can lead to improper engagement, engine startup failure, excessive noise, and potential engine damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the clearance between the starter pinion and the engine flywheel is too great, several issues may arise:

1. The starter pinion might not engage with the engine flywheel properly, leading to inefficient or unsuccessful starting attempts.
2. The engine may struggle to start or fail to start if the pinion cannot effectively transfer the rotational motion needed to initiate combustion.
3. There could be excessive noise during the attempt to start the engine, as the gears might grind or fail to mesh smoothly.
4. In severe cases, if the issue persists without correction, it could potentially lead to engine damage due to improper synchronization or abnormal stress on components.

The flywheel in conventional piston engines helps to smooth out engine vibrations. It achieves this by acting as a reservoir of rotational energy, countering the uneven power delivery that happens during individual piston firings.