EVOC 518 WR4

System for Classroom Management for

MSJC class AuMe135 Engine Performance Level 1

What is Engine Performance Level 1 all about?

Engine performance level 1 is an entry level class without prerequisites designed primarily to provide aspiring auto technicians with basic knowledge and skills relating to automotive engine drivability and base engine performance. (Students who have had high school auto shop or ROP or have first taken Engine Repair will likely derive greater benefit.) Secondarily, it is also applicable for students who desire to know more about the concepts of automotive engine performance from a non-professional (hobby) viewpoint.

What career pathways are possible with Automotive Engine Performance?

This course is an entry-level course which would provide a student with sufficient knowledge and skills to gain employment in an entry-level position at an auto service facility offering maintenance type services such as spark plug replacement, spark plug wire replacement, fuel injection cleaning, and similar type services. It is also helpful for persons seeking employment in service writing positions as a knowledge enhancing course. It should not be considered as sufficient for obtaining employment as a journeymen technician. For those seeking a career as an auto technician, this course should be considered part 1 of the engine performance series.

What will students learn in Automotive Engine Performance?

1. Information about base engine systems. This will include the basic functions of the internal combustion engine, principles of combustion, valve timing, timing chains and belts. Students who have already taken Automotive Engine rebuilding will be able to add to their existing knowledge of base engine functions.

2. Information about starting and charging systems. This will include information about starters, alternators, drive belt systems, and diagnostic procedures.

3. Information about ignition systems. Beginning with the basics of point type ignition systems, the theory and operation of spark discharge systems will be covered.

4. Information about fuel systems. This will briefly cover carburetion (obsolete technology in automotive except racing) but will primarily focus on various electronic fuel injection systems.

5. Information about computer control systems. This will include the basics of feedback systems, computer sensors and actuators.

6. Critical thinking patterns and skills. In this area of automotive service, diagnosis of customer complaints about drivability is very necessary. In order to excel in this area, students will need critical thinking skills. This course is written with logical thought processes as applied to automotive diagnosis in mind.

What is the course outline for Automotive Engine Performance?

Course outline and unit plans for Automotive Engine Performance Level 1

Course overview for Automotive Engine Performance:

Automotive Engine Performance is a course designed to acquaint students with the basic principles of engine performance, its theory and operation. The theory, and principles of operation will be taught, including lab exercises to give practice in hands-on application of the theory. This is a 102 hour course that covers 12 different study units and meets for 3 hours, twice a week for 16 weeks. The following units will be covered in this course:

Unit 1: Introduction and course requirements; This two hour unit will cover attendance expectations, grading requirements, course content, instructor expectations, and the instructor’s theory of teaching. By the end of this unit, the student should be able to answer questions regarding the content of the course and what grade he/she should expect to receive in the class. A five question quiz will be given to insure the students have grasped the course objectives and expectations.

Unit 2: Base engine theory; in this twelve hour unit, chapters 1 and 2 in the text will be covered, which the student will have read prior to the beginning of the unit. Valve timing, compression, the four stroke cycle, and potential failures in these systems will be covered. A ten question, multiple choice, five point quiz will be given at the end of the unit.

Unit 3: Base engine practical; in this nine hour unit, students will practice the adjustment of valve timing, valve clearance, and compression testing, plus interpretation of vacuum gauge reading. Two worksheets worth five points each will be assigned during this lab exercise. A five question, five point short answer quiz will also be given.

Unit 4: Starting and charging system theory; in this twelve hour lecture unit, the theory of operation of starters, alternators, batteries, and related circuitry will be covered. Students will be expected to have read chapters 3 and 4 in the textbook prior to the unit. By the end of this unit, the student will be able to describe in writing the principles of voltage drop, current draw, and the use of the volt/amp tester. A ten question, fill-in-the-blank quiz will be given covering these principles.

Unit 5: Starting and charging system practical; in this six hour unit, students will practice the use of the volt/amp tester. Two five-point worksheets will be assigned, one on starting systems and one on charging systems. By the end of this unit students will be able to demonstrate competency in the use of the volt/amp tester. A five point, short answer quiz will also be given.

Unit 6: Ignition system theory; in this twelve hour lecture unit, covered in chapters 5 and 6 of the textbook, principles of spark ignition, waste spark, coil-on-plug, and distributor ignitions will be covered. By the end of this unit, students will be able to describe in writing the theory of inductive discharge ignition systems. A ten question, fill-in-the-blank quiz will be given.

Unit 7: Ignition system diagnosis practical/demonstration; in this nine hour unit, the instructor will demonstrate the use of the ignition diagnostic oscilloscope and current probe, covered in chapters 7 and 8. Students will practice adjusting spark plug gap and spark plug torque. Two work sheets will be assigned, one covering scope patterns and the other covering spark plug replacement procedures. A five point, short answer quiz will also be given.

Unit 8: Fuel system theory; in this twelve hour lecture/simulator demonstration unit various fuel systems will be covered, including a very brief carburetion review, covered in chapters 9 and 10. Primarily, throttle body and variations of multi-port fuel injection will be covered, including fuel supply systems and fuel rail delivery systems. By the end of this unit the student will be able to identify the various components in a fuel injection system and describe in writing their basic operation. A ten-question, five point, multiple choice quiz will be given at the end of this unit.

Unit 9: Fuel system demonstration/guided practice; in this twelve hour unit, the instructor will demonstrate the use of the fuel pressure gauge, the fuel injection cleaning machine, and the fuel volume flow tester. Students will practice fuel pressure testing on the simulator with non-flammable fluid (for safety reasons) and fuel volume testing using an injection pulse tester. Two worksheets will be assigned in this unit, one covering fuel pressure and volume testing, and the other covering fuel injector balance testing. A five point, short answer quiz will also be given.

Unit 10: Computer control fundamentals and feedback systems; in this 9 hour lecture unit, covered in chapters 11 and 12, the fundamentals of sensors, actuators, and computer systems will be covered. A ten question, five point multiple choice quiz will be given at the end of this unit.

Unit 11: Special project presentations; the final two, three hour class sessions will be composed of the presentation and discussion of student special projects.

Unit 12: Two hour time period for final exam; the ten point final exam will include only questions from already given on the eight quizzes.

How are the students accepted into the program?

Students enroll in the AuMe135 class during regular semester registration hours at admissions and enrollment services. If there are seats left in the class as of the first day of the semester, students may add the class on the first meeting only. While Engine Repair or high school ROP are recommended, they are not required as a prerequisite. New students will be required to take the college English and Math preadmission testing.

What Classroom Facilities and Equipment are provided?

All tools and equipment relating to the course will be provided by the tool room in the automotive department, with the exception of safety glasses. Each student will be required to purchase his/her own approved safety glasses and to wear them at all times when in the shop. Safety glasses will be available for purchase in the tool room for $2.

What do students need to know about classroom operations?

• Class schedules: Any variation from the schedule passed out on the first day of class will be posted on the board at least one week in advance.
• Notebooks and handouts: Students will be expected to maintain a notebook with handouts and task lists from the workbook. The instructor will initial the task sheets of each student as completed worksheets are turned in so each student can keep track of exactly where he/she is in relation to possible points versus points earned.
• Quizzes and Exams: As noted above, a short quiz will follow each unit. Students that score 100% on nine of the ten quizzes will be exempt from the final exam.
• Grades: Grades will be based on points earned as follows:
• Ten short quizzes worth 5 points each (50 points total) will be given.
• Eight lab exercises worth 5 points each (40 points total) will be completed during the semester. Lab exercises will be scored as follows:
• 5 points: Student has demonstrated competency in the lab exercise. Worksheet was filled out completely and turned in on time. Results indicated for the exercise are filled in on the exercise. Student has documented on worksheet his/her findings and the skills acquired as a result of the exercise.
• 4 points: Student has demonstrated competency in the lab exercise. Worksheet was filled out completely and turned in on time. Results indicated for the exercise are filled in on the exercise.
• 3 points: Student has demonstrated competency in the lab exercise as observed and initialed by the instructor but worksheet was not turned in.
• 2 points: Student has observed the lab exercise and has filled and turned in the worksheet.
• Special Project: If the student desires an “A” grade, special project will be required. A great deal of flexibility is offered in this exercise and it may be done online, using the school’s computer information system, or performed on the student’s own vehicle. The only criterion is that it be something the student has not done before related to engine performance. The project is worth ten points, but a bonus score of up to five points is available if the student presents his/her findings to the class. The plan for a special project is due by the ninth week of the semester.

Overall Grade for the Course

Of the 105 points that are possible, grades will be awarded as follows:

90 to 100 points earns an "A" grade (requires completion of special project. Regardless of points earned, no “A” will be given without a special project.)

80 to 89 points earns a "B" grade.

70 to 79 points earns a "C" grade.

60 to 69 points earns a "D" grade.

Below 59 points earns an "F" grade.

Make ups: All lab exercises may be made up, provided make ups are completed before the 15^th week of the course. Quizzes may be made up but only on the class session immediately following the missed quiz. The final exam may not be made up.

What is the Assertive Discipline plan?

This is a college class. All students are here as a result of selecting the course of their own free will and no one is required to stay in the class. As a consequence of this, adult behavior is both expected and demanded. Lest there be any confusion as to what this means, the following rules are set forth:

1. Respect will be shown to fellow students and the professor at all times. This includes not talking during lectures unless called upon to answer a question, or by raising a hand to ask a question.

2. Cell phones result in unacceptable class interruptions. Cell phones may be used on breaks, but must be shut off during lecture and lab time.

3. Safety glasses will be worn at all times in the lab.

4. Smoking and tobacco chewing is not permitted in the classroom or in the lab per state law. Smoking may occur in the designated areas on break time.

5. Name calling and similar immature behavior will not be tolerated.

6. School policy discourages food in the classroom for hygiene reasons. However, this instructor realizes that many of the students are also holding down jobs and time for eating can be hard to find. Food and drink may be consumed in the classroom prior to the start of class provided it is not carried into the lab.

7. Computer usage and internet access will be in accordance with college rules; in a nutshell this means no file downloads without prior approval and no accessing of websites not specific to the class.

8. In accordance with college policy, a zero-tolerance policy towards cheating and the use of controlled substances applies in this class.

9. Fighting or racial slurs are intolerable and will result in expulsion from the class as per school rules.

Consequences: As is appropriate for adults, consequences for rule breaking are either very mild or very severe. In sixteen years of teaching, this instructor has never needed to proceed beyond consequence number 1.

1. Violation of rules 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 will result in a verbal warning on the first violation.

2. Repeat violations will result in a conference with the department head, the student, and the instructor as to whether or not the student should stay in the class.

3. Violation of rule 4 will result is loss of lab privileges until safety glasses are put on.

4. Students caught cheating will receive a “zero-credit” on the assignment or test.

5. Violation of rule 9 will result in referral to college administration for possible expulsion.

Student: I have read and understood the rules of conduct. I agree to behave according to the above set of rules and to conduct myself as an adult.

Signed: ________________________________ Dated: ___________________