Course Outline for Automotive Technology 201
Automotive Engines

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 03/03/2021
Catalog Description:

ATEC 201 - Automotive Engines

144.00 Hours

May be repeated 99 time(s)
Automotive engine fundamentals including; configurations and designs, operation, diagnostic tests; disassembly, inspection, thread repair, broken bolt removal, precision measurement, assembly, timing chains and belts, valve adjustments, cooling systems, introduction to engine machining, proper use of shop related tools and equipment, and safety practices. This course is free and students may repeat this course until mastery of the skills is met. This course is a noncredit course that is equivalent to the ATEC credit course of the same title. Both options cover the same content and students will be enrolled in the same class at the same time. If a student chooses to move from noncredit to credit courses, please meet with ATEC faculty to discuss assessing equivalency and credit by exam. This course is part of a Certificate of Completion. Available Certificates can be found in the Chabot College Catalog.
Prerequisite: ATEC 250 or ATEC 50 (same as APAU 9724) or equivalent (May be taken concurrently)
0948.00 - Automotive Technology*
Pass/No Pass/Satisfactory Progress
Type Hours
Lecture 45.00
Laboratory 99.00
Total 144.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. verify and interpret engine concerns, and determine necessary action;
  2. inspect an engine assembly for fuel, oil, coolant, and other leaks, and determine necessary action;
  3. perform cooling system, cap, recovery system tests (pressure, combustion leakage, and temperature), and determine necessary action;
  4. inspect, replace, and adjust drive belts, tensioners, and pulleys;
  5. test coolant; drain and recover coolant; flush and refill cooling system with recommended coolant; bleed air as required;
  6. inspect, test, remove, and replace engine cooling and heater system hoses, radiator, thermostat and housing, and water pump;
  7. inspect, and test fans(s) (electrical or mechanical), fan clutch, fan shroud, and air dams;
  8. inspect, test, and replace oil temperature and pressure switches and sensors;
  9. inspect oil pump gears or rotors, housing, pressure relief devices, and pump drive; perform necessary action;
  10. diagnose engine noises and vibrations, and the cause of excessive oil consumption, unusual engine exhaust color, odor, and sound; determine necessary action;
  11. visually inspect cylinder head(s) for cracks, check gasket surface areas for warpage and leakage;
  12. install cylinder heads and gaskets, and tighten according to manufacturer’s specifications and procedures;
  13. inspect and test valve springs for squareness, pressure, free-height comparison, valve spring retainers, locks, and valve grooves and replace as needed;
  14. inspect valve guides for wear, check valve guide height, and stem to guide clearance, recondition or replace as needed;
  15. check valve spring assembled height and valve stem height; service valve and spring assemblies as needed;
  16. inspect pushrods, rocker arms, rocker arm pivots and shafts for wear, bending, cracks, looseness, and blocked oil passages (orifices), and perform necessary action;
  17. adjust valves (mechanical and hydraulic lifters);
  18. inspect and replace timing belt(s), overhead cam drive sprockets, and tensioners, check belt tension, and adjust as necessary;
  19. verify camshaft(s) timing according to manufacturer’s specifications and procedures;
  20. inspect camshaft drives (including gear wear and backlash, sprocket and chain wear); replace as necessary;
  21. inspect camshaft for runout, journal wear and lobe wear;
  22. establish camshaft(s) timing and cam sensor indexing according to manufacturer’s specifications and procedures;
  23. disassemble engine block; clean and prepare components for inspection and reassembly;
  24. inspect engine block for visible cracks, passage condition, core and gallery plug condition, surface warpage, and determine necessary action;
  25. inspect and measure cylinder walls for damage/wear, deglaze and determine necessary action;
  26. inspect crankshaft for end play, straightness, journal damage, keyway damage, thrust flange and sealing surface condition, and visual surface cracks; check oil passage condition; measure journal wear; check crankshaft sensor reluctor ring (where applicable); determine necessary action;
  27. inspect and measure main and connecting rod bearings for damage, clearance, and end play; determine necessary action;
  28. replace camshaft, main and connecting rod bearings using manufacturer’s recommended procedures;
  29. inspect, measure, service pistons and pins, and install piston rings;
  30. assemble the engine using gaskets, seals, and formed-in-place (tube-applied) sealants, thread sealers, etc., according to manufacturer’s specifications;
  31. prime engine lubrication system;
  32. confirm engine operation.
Course Content:
Course Content (Lecture):
  1. Automotive safety and shop practice
  2. Proper care and manipulation of basic hand tools
  3. Engine fundamentals, types, construction, operation and identification
    1. Four stroke cycle
    2. Flathead, OHV, SOHC, DOHC
    3. Valve timing relationship
    4. Ignition timing
    5. Cooling system operation
    6. Lubrication system
  4. Engine condition diagnosis, inspection and repair
    1. Compression tests
    2. Cylinder leakage tests
    3. Engine vacuum tests
    4. Oil pressure tests
    5. Engine combustion four-gas analysis
  5. Engine Components
  6. Engine precision measurement, proper care, and operation of precision measurement tools
  7. Engine disassembly, cleaning techniques and procedures, and assembly
  8. Cylinder head diagnosis, disassembly, testing, and inspection
  9. Valve guide, valve and valve seat inspection, and servicing
  10. Cylinder head reconditioning, reassembly and inspection
  11. Camshaft, timing belts, timing chains and valve train service
  12. Hazardous waste handling
  13. Hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel safety
  14. Hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel applicable systems awareness
  15. Soft Skills

Course Content (Laboratory):

  1. Demonstrate proper safety practices including hazardous waste handling
  2. Demonstrate the proper use of basic hand tools
  3. Demonstrate the use of basic shop tools and equipment
  4. Access vehicle service information
  5. Apply the knowledge of engine fundamentals, types, construction, operation and identification in servicing and repair of automotive engines
  6. Diagnosis of engine problems as a result of conducting engine test
    1. Compression tests
    2. Cylinder leakage tests
    3. Engine vacuum tests
    4. Oil pressure test
  7. Demonstrate broken bolt removal and thread repair
  8. Properly disassemble engine for inspection
  9. Measure and evaluate the condition of internal engine components
  10. Perform visual inspections of engine components
  11. Properly assemble engine for operation
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Demonstration
  3. Guest speakers
  4. Laboratory
  5. Field Trips
  6. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Read chapter on Cylinder Heads.
  2. Complete review quiz at the end of chapter.
  3. Complete laboratory assignments using service information, lecture materials, and text.
  1. Class Participation
  2. Laboratory exercises
  3. Homework
  4. Quizzes
  5. Midterm Examination
  6. Final Examination or Project
  7. Practical Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. demonstrate proper use of an outside micrometer to measure valve stem wear;
  2. demonstrate proper use of a straight edge to measure cylinder head for warpage;
  3. demonstrate the proper steps for performing a timing belt replacement and setting the timing belt, crankshaft, and camshafts in proper positions.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Halderman, James (2018). Automotive Engines, Theory & Servicing (9th). Pearson.
  • Safety Glasses
  • Shop/safety clothing
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Automotive engine fundamentals including; configurations and designs, operation, diagnostic tests; disassembly, inspection, thread repair, broken bolt removal, precision measurement, assembly, timing chains and belts, valve adjustments, cooling systems, introduction to engine machining, proper use of shop related tools and equipment, and safety practices. This course is a noncredit course that is equivalent to the ATEC credit course of the same title. Both options cover the same content and students will be enrolled in the same class at the same time.
Prerequisite: ATEC 250 or ATEC 50 (same as APAU 9724) or equivalent (May be taken concurrently)