Secret Life Of Machines - Internal Combustion Engine (Full Length)

/ carlthepianist
The first internal combustion engine was made by a Frenchman called Etienne Lenoir in 1859. He simply modified a steam engine to suck in and ignite the inflammable gas from his gas lights. Unfortunately the explosions were very violent and the engine was very inefficient.
Accompanying Sheet:
www.secretlifeofmachines.com/i...
Please see www.secretlifeofmachines.com for more information
Thanks to Tim Hunkin the creator for allowing these excellent videos to be freely distributed on-line.

[@steviebrochdale]

I wish they still made programs like this.

[@lar4305]

+Stevie J Bracken What, you don,t like the Kardashians ? lol

[@will89687]

The Kardashians operate on the same principle: suck. squash, bang and blow...

[@georgedennison3338]

Five years ago, we didn't have Uncle BumbleF AvE! Now we watch him. That was who I thought of when I saw the presenter. {{{This guy's gonna get into some s$&@!}}} LOL

[@unclerojelio6320]

George Dennison +AvE

[@richgg2]

Me too!

[@SirPhartsUhlot]

Notice this - this video is the perfect example of how you don't need all the FX razzle Dazzle to make a great instructional video series. The cartoons are GREAT! Ha!

[@BobWidlefish]

Right, you just need thousands of dollars in exotic prototype machines made by real-life Macguyvers over the course of years. :)

[@garystuart2333]

I loved this show as a kid. It was so corny but Tim was so enthusiastic I couldn't help but rush home from school to watch it.

[@mjg263]

What a wonderful series this was! RIP Rex Garrod, true genius.

[@robinwells8879]

Middle aged men in sheds are the best hope for the future!

[@Pedroisanickname]

Well put. Check out the American bloke called, Mustie1. He's on YT. Cheers!

[@JLanc1982]

Yes indeed!

[@Hammerhead547]

This was one of my favorite shows on TLC years ago when they were actually an educational network.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

Indeed. All those stations have lost their way: "Ancient Aliens" on the History Channel and even professional wrestling on the Sci-Fi network? I guess it all started when MTV stopped being a music video channel and became a "what's trending this week" reality show channel and then whatever the heck it is now.

[@5roundsrapid263]

@@JustWasted3HoursHere I remember when they launched as “The Learning Channel”! They had wonderful shows like this and Connections. I was a young boy, and learned so much.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@5roundsrapid263 Ah yes, Connections was great too.

[@bokhans]

And it has been downhill ever since. Imagine science compared to fantasy like Qanon, Brexit and Trump. Sad the market for BS is so big and educational is so low. Internet could be a university for all but most people use it for hate your fellow man or watching cats being cute.

[@hasanbahjat2605]

@@JustWasted3HoursHere ععععععععععععععععغععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععععع///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////@/@'

[@SirPhartsUhlot]

This show is SOOO low budget and SOOOO cool. The guy explains things in such a a clear way. Wish there were more shows like this.

[@gabrielsroka]

Tim Hunkin's back. Check out his yt channel.

[@SirPhartsUhlot]

@@gabrielsroka How cool. THANKS MUCH.

[@adolflenin4973]

@@SirPhartsUhlot You're welcome

[@glibbis]

One of the best tv shows ever, anywhere. A treasure!

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

Never miss an episode back in the day

[@TheSpazModic]

As a kid, this was easily my favorite program when it was briefly on American PBS in the 80s. It probably contributed to my later appreciation for British Comedy.

[@scopex2749]

Tim should still be making TV films! This series was pure education and explained so anyone can understand it. I am a lifelong engineer I started off as an aircraft engineer but have worked on planes, boats, trains you name it! I am just like Tim always building weird inventions in my dads shed until I had my own years later! The man desreves a knighthood for his contribution to engineering and knowledge! Love the CARHENGE at the end!! Thanks Tim

[@coolwhip455]

Tim Hunkin a true Engineer and Scientist.

[@Cutter1018]

WOW! I remember watching this show while falling to sleep on school nights in the early 90's... LOVED this show then and still enjoy it today

[@petrichor649]

Not seen it since it was broadcast, it was, and is brilliant.

[@JohnSmith-sf8gj]

Thank you so much for putting these on KZbin. It was a favorite then and I still enjoy it.

[@KMac329]

Another brilliant episode. Tim and Max are running on all cylinders. The internal combustion engine is so central an element in the modern world, and yet how few of us could clearly explain its components and workings. Thanks to all who made this series possible. This is both informative and entertaining. I'm in total admiration of these guys' knowledge, imagination, and skill in clearly demonstrating the fundamentals of the ICE, and in such a playful and memorable--and conscientious--way.

[@DieselDucy]

This is back when TV was actually good!

[@nigelcarren]

Great upload thank you, what a thoroughly engaging chap. This video was more akin to a gentle and soothing float downstream... Unlike all noise and nonsense we see today. BRAVO Tim Hunkin 🏆🇬🇧

[@turboslag]

So interesting to see once common sights now gone. Like a Mobil filling station with 4 star petrol! My favourite part is the demo of fuel injection with blow lamp!

[@mikegaisser4527]

I have to watch this series for a class. The animations are killing me 🤣

[@donaldasayers]

This is still the best demonstration of what a carburettor actually does: The carb does not, as is usually stated in the text books, atomise most of the petrol, it slurps most of it straight onto the sides of the inlet manifold, where it either evaporates or creeps along the walls to the inlet manifold. I loved Tim Hunkin's videos of the "Secret Life Of..." and used many of them teaching in the 90s.

[@QuantumRift]

What you saw was when the 'gas pedal' was pushed and the extra squirts of fuel into the barrel of the carb occur. If you understood how a carb works you'd know that the fuel enters the bowl, where it is regulated by JETS that allow atomization to occur. The float then controls the flow of gas into the bowl.

[@donaldasayers]

@@QuantumRift Er did you see the demonstration with the vacuum cleaner and the coloured water? Have you watched a real carb at work?

[@QuantumRift]

@@donaldasayers That's a really, really simplistic 'example' of a carb. I have a BS in aeronautical engineering and WELL versed in fluid flow dynamics and thermodynamics. I designed jet engines for a while. If you want to 'see' what a carb does, then WATCH a carburetor at work. There's a lot more to it than a vacuum and colored water. Things like inlet temperature, air velocity thru the venture, vaporization temp of the fuel, and the amount of metered fuel via the JETS all factors in. Gawd it's more complex than a damn vacuum and colored water. That's basic, basic venture principal demonstrated. Oh yea, I've also owned many carbureted chevy muscle cars that had very nice quadrajet carbs that I am intimately familiar with. So have you watched a 'real carb at work'....LOL

[@donaldasayers]

@@QuantumRift Yes but have you actually looked down a down draught carb actually working? The effect is much more like someone dumping spoonfuls of petrol down a pipe than a nice atomisation.

[@QuantumRift]

@@donaldasayers NOT the carbs I've rebuilt, repaired and modified. The ONLY time 'raw' gas was dumped into the venturi body was when the accelerator pedal is depressed, thus actuating the small pump to squirt gas into the venturi body. This is about as good as it gets, and the atomization takes place as I noted - when the two additional barrels are kicked in as in stomping the gas pedal, a small amount of raw fuel is dumped down the barrel.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6m5eYuCid-fnLs So prob our definitions of what constitutes dumping raw gas means..... ;) OLD carbs operated pretty inefficiently.

[@minustaco42zero24]

I learned so much from these two in my younger years and I loved the animations

[@zvisger]

I really love this show. I want that guy to know that what he did is absolutely awesome, and so entertaining. Just found this show and I'm 31

[@mpabromley]

I used to love this as a kid. Thanks for uploading.

[@dandorman69]

I love love love that you have these on your channel. My dad and I used to watch them when I was a tiny kid. I could never remember the name of the show.

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

15:40 WD40 Ignites. Tin grinned like an idiot LOL

[@Boodlemania]

Awesome. Thanks for posting. I'd forgotten about these old gems.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

It's amazing that it didn't occur to the early designers to reuse the oil in the lubrication system rather than just let it drip onto the ground. I'm sure when that aspect of the internal combustion engine was figured out they said to themselves, "Why didn't we think of this earlier?" But, hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

[@1pcfred]

Not that amazing really. They did the best they could. Conceiving of an idea is all well and good but you have to execute it too. Just the design is a considerable investment in time and labor. Early on there were just not that many man hours into the entire industry. That car was probably built by a handful of men in a small shop. They had to design then hand make every bit of it.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@1pcfred Still, none of them thought, "Gee, this oil is just running onto the ground and making a mess. I wonder if we could capture it and reuse it."?

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

On a prototype car I can see not worrying about that, but on a production car?

[@1pcfred]

@@JustWasted3HoursHere Production was a bit different back then. They probably made 12 cars in total. Each one hand made and unique. In 1902 there weren't 55,000 cars in the whole world. Let alone of the same model and color. Henry Ford had not even mass produced a car at that point.

[@1pcfred]

@@JustWasted3HoursHere we used to spray roads with oil to keep dust down. That practice kept up into the 1970s. Oil soaked dirt roads were very much a real thing in rural areas. Made clay turn dark and solid.

[@mrwassman]

Best explained and most educational internal combustion video on KZbin. They actually get the message across and use demonstrations to the full extent. A+

[@micromachine7954]

What a wonderful series! I would have loved this as a kid! In fact, when my son is old enough to appreciate how things work and is ready to learn about the "secret life of machines" I look forward to watching all these episodes again with him.

[@testmonkeyy]

These guys and this show are brilliant! One of my favorites! Definitely the best explanation show ever!

[@RWBHere]

I really miss these series. Thanks for uploading them, and for the ongoing resampling ad improvements to the episodes. It's a great shame and loss for everyone that TV programmes have been dumbed down to beyond the point of inanity. We need a serious campaign to return useful educational qualities to public broadcasting. Let's have a return to technical information, instead of having it deleted simply because the producer cannot understand it. We don't want flashing graphics which often detract from what is being said, And while we're at it, let's cut out the pointless music which competes with the presenters' and narrators' voices. O.K., I'm sounding like a Grumpy Old Man to some, but broadcast television has enormous potential for widening the education of its audiences, whilst not being burdensome to them. We have plenty of channels, so why not reserve a healthy percentage of them for good quality broadcasting? Be honest, when did you last see some relevant equations along with explanations of what they mean, in programmes which are based on science or technology? When did you last see a proper explanation of how a car engine works? Probably in this video, and very likely on the internet, for those who want to learn, but only very rarely on television. End of rant. 😉 Thanks for reading.

[@Dave5400]

Couldn't agree more, but somehow there doesn't seem to be much of an appetite for making proper educational programmes anymore. I would also add that such programmes shouldn't be all about the presenter making jokes and laughing at themselves. Nor should they have the same hackneyed presenters that present every other series on the telly. BBC 4 has a run of doing interesting documentaries and educational series every now and again like the old series with Fred Dibnah, but the main terrestrial channels and few others put interesting documentaries on, if any. Let alone any interesting and non-partisan new ones.

[@johnlucas2037]

great show.... very informative and mostly historically correct.

[@shanepython]

This show is the entertainment version of "comfort food" to me. Growing up in the United States I was not fortunate to view this series growing up but it has given me so much pleasure as an adult. Perfect topics, cartoon additions, and hosts. SO love this series!

[@cmsracing]

Learned a lot from this show when I was younger!

[@BetamaxFlippy]

Hope they will do such documentaries again!

[@gchav002]

Thanks for posting

[@coolrelax82]

great post, learned a bunch. entertaining too. have to watch the others in the series now. thanks.

[@lochinvar00465]

Wonderful series. Last I heard this was still available for download online. Released into Public Domain by the author. Same thing happened with the computer game "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy"(available on BBC website)

[@thatciggaweed]

brilliant documentary, very good! thank you.

[@donaldasayers]

13:35 still the best visual representation of a carburettor ever. As can be seen most of the petrol just hits the sides of the manifold. That's why the manifolds used to be heated with water jackets and even little electric heaters for cold starts.

[@davidbliss1721]

This series can teach youngsters more in a short time that they learn in several years at school! Today I would think that doing all the necessary risk assessments would take longer than actually making the whole series..

[@5roundsrapid263]

23:31 This is just as valid today as it ever was!

[@cadman10000]

Except that in 1990 coal power plants were generating well over half the electricity in the US and now it's less than half of that number and dropping.

[@BoboZimbabwe]

I love Rex. RIP buddy!

[@jonminnella2168]

nice video engine have come a long way since this was made

[@davidrobert2007]

I met Rex Garrod earlier this year!

[@colleenflattery4755]

Nice! I'm not sure if you heard but he sadly passed away in 2019. I'm sorry 😞

[@davidrobert2007]

@@colleenflattery4755 Thanks for the update. RIP Rex. The world has lost a great creative force, and a good man.

[@tiscitatascit]

Its all top notch. From beginning to the sweet music at the end.

[@mikewiedl1991]

Miss this show!

[@conantdog]

Amazing illustrations and storylines 👌

[@LorgioPieper]

First time watching "Secret Life of Machines". Amazing and funy too.

[@jfan4reva]

I always loved the demonstrations, because you could try them at home (but shouldn't!)

[@clayz1]

Good show. Again. One of the things about internal combustion engines, and which is critical, is the fact that engines don’t gall themselves to destruction in a very short time. The different materials used between cylinders and pistons, and the addition of a very small amount of lubrication, are why engines are possible at all.

[@halesworth01]

Tim Hunkin Top man!!!

[@corruptelites5600]

brilliant series

[@apjbuilder]

Best series ever !!!!❤

[@jc-d6179]

only 980 views for this amazing programme!!!!

[@spencer19811]

Weird how this is on my suggestions! Not complaining though it's class!

[@jan10n]

Fantastic!

[@ukorganist]

I'm pleased it could be of use to you ! :)

[@mariorodriguez653]

Among the many things I learned in this video, I was particularly amazed at how the camshaft looked in the cut away engine. I guess that’s what’s called a “push rod”? Never seen them like that. I’m used to the overhead design driven by chain or belt.

[@mikedarr6968]

My Favorite episode. The oil filter scene is Brilliant!

[@jlucasound]

Thank You Carl !!! :-)

[@markae0]

The series has just been remastered March 2021, look for Tim Hunkin in KZbin search

[@vachevyguy]

Great show used to love watching it

[@MrWarhead16]

Me too! Just saw this now and I very much liked it!

[@oscarmuffin4322]

Lager can.... Classy.

[@testingbeta7169]

golden content

[@delysid111]

Holy Motor. This science show is the greatest !

[@kurtbjorn]

Haha! Love this show because they do fun dangerous shit like blow things up and burn stuff "to prove a scientific point."

[@robertvermillion6816]

Sound like anyone you know? *cough cough* Mythbusters *cough*

[@kurtbjorn]

Robert Vermillion These guys PRE-DATED Mythbusters. So MB was copying this show. Oh yes cough.

[@robertvermillion6816]

KurtB Pre-dated them by a decade or so, having laid the groundwork for them, both starring geniuses who are incredibly talented at working with unusual mechanisms and at making curious and quirky machines ;).

[@kurtbjorn]

Robert Vermillion Agree - but not understanding your somewhat snarky first posting here.

[@robertvermillion6816]

KurtB I just meant to say that I felt that this show was a predecessor to the Mythbusters in that both starred a two-man team of geniuses that could make the most glorious contraptions out of the most unlikely and unassuming materials. My initial comment was just a sly wink and a nod to the connection between them ;).

[@TheFLOMAN76]

Love this stuff

[@mrmatt2525able]

Love this show

[@flaplaya]

Love the animations, you know?

[@broncojonnes]

28 years later and nothings changed

[@kevinlane1219]

I believe Etienne was actually Walloon, meaning he came from the southern part of Belgium, otherwise known as Wallonia.

[@timblock3483]

Great tune.

[@rossr100]

Love the opening music

[@turboslag]

Although this is a fun and entertaining explanation of how the internal combustion engine works, there is a better description in a BBC trade test transmission from the late 60's, I think it was called The Car.

[@michaeljames4904]

9:55 Note the careful thumb wrapped in palm cranking technique so it doesn’t get shattered if the handle spins round!

[@sissonsk]

TIL not to poke a hole in the oil filter of a running internal combustion engine.

[@rcjbvermilion]

Kevin Sissons "This might be a bit messy" - understatement of the century there!

[@mysock351C]

Im surprised they didn't discuss Otto's first engine: the atmosphere engine. That ran on lamp gas and had no compression. The combustion would force the piston up and the work stroke was based on vacuum.

[@PacoOtis]

Uhmm? I see some of your commenters slept through science class. Thanks for the video. Well done old boy and we saw through your window that is was raining. That is much more realistic!! LOL

[@simonruszczak5563]

They didn't miss much if they did sleep through science class, most of modern science is false anyway. It would have prevented being brainwashed. Oh you believe in the man-made global warming scam, I.e. you're a libtard.

[@Pedroisanickname]

You sir are among the many the brainwashed wonders of their times know as, Trump supporters. Nobody worth a salt cares for his or your opinion on science so plant that in your flat earth, @@simonruszczak5563.

[@TTbelis]

Love this educational content easy to understand and funny

[@flaplaya]

can't believe I remembered this show: I will never forget, the gunpowder vs. gasoline experiment. some day, in the not so distant future, people will say: what a waste, of such a versatile compound. peace,i hope

[@SuperCholdi]

I even love the theme tune.

[@paull2815]

Noah: "Looks like rain...".

[@mrpapparappa]

There could be such a thing as a clean running car, at least (manufacture is another tory), if the electricity came from hydro electric power ;)!!! Awesome series btw n thanx a ton for uploading!!!

[@theophilusthistler5885]

This series got into my recommended list a few days back. Cool yes though seems familiar. Was this series ever on ABC Australia?

[@Ivorbiggin]

I don’t know, as I am a import, I watched the series in 🇬🇧 UK but I can ask a good mate who was born here in Aust

[@danielsenger6649]

Those security measures made me laugh. Industry standard hearing protection and "safety step" at 3:16 ;-)

[@stephenwest9757]

I love the Carhenge at the end.

[@fredflintstoner596]

Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view!" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment?

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Thanks Lenoir.

[@SPOOKSTR]

1:58 Up from the ground came bubblin' crude. Oil that is, black gold.

[@cmonkey63]

I had exactly the same thought! Tells you what era I grew up in.

[@JohnDoeRando]

@@ItsMrAssholeToYou damn. Beat me by a day.

[@sidecarbod1441]

Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea. Well the first thing you know ol Jed's a millionaire, The kinfolk said "Jed move away from there" Said "Californy is the place you ought to be" So they loaded up the truck and they moved to Beverly

[@Basilzaharoff1]

This guy is amazing,,,,,,he's like a cross between Alan Heart Davis and jackass,,,,,,where has he been all my life

[@rorypenstock1763]

I love how they used real car parts to demonstrate things.

[@lestergillis8171]

It has been said that the gun is the simplest form of the internal combustion engiine.

[@christianpatriot7439]

The Brits must have had some wild TV a generation ago.

[@christopherhulse8385]

Anyone know the name of the reggae music used in this excellent show?

[@m9078jk3]

Some power stations are extremely efficient at producing large amounts of electrical power like hydroelectric dams. Producing electrical power from coal plants is being phased out in many areas due to CO2 emissions and other pollution.

[@MasterYota1]

Looking for the song to this shows name. Does anyone know it? Would like to see this song played live.

[@HPPalmtopTube]

Good old TV ;) Let's see kendall jenner explain the details of the internal combustion engine ;)

[@georgedennison3338]

"This might get a little messy." No kidding? LOL.... I saw 'coking' in old engines I tore apart in the '60-'80s. It would be in exhaust passages and open areas in the engine where blow-by would accumulate. I assume it's still happens, havn't tore a motor apart in years.