What is 4 valves in motor? Or, What is 4 valves per cylinder? Why do some engines have 4 valves? How does a 4 valve engine work? What is the purpose of the 4 valves? Which type of valve has best performance? What are the benefits of a 4-valve engine? Which engine is better, 2V or 4V? What is the difference between a 3 valve and 4 valve engine? Find details about the 4 Valve engine in motorcycle with its purpose, function, benefits, comparison, etc.
What is a 4 Valve Engine in Bikes?
A 4-valve engine in a motorcycle represents the engine that has 4 valves, with 2 large intake valves as well as 2 small exhaust valves. The engine requires a DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft) setup that has 2 camshafts. This setup is currently the most common type of multi-valve head. Actually, 2-valves are used for air-fuel mixture inlets. The rest 2 do the exhausting outlet job from the cylinder. With a pair of inlet valves, the system offers the area to suck the air-fuel mixture. Hence, enables the engine to make better combustion to get more power output. In other words, the alluded design enhances the amount of air than its other counterpart designs.
What is the Advantage of a 4 valve Engine?
Here are the benefits provided by a 4-valve engine:
- Provides more area for air to flow through, on the cylinder head. As a result, guarantees more power and better efficiency.
- Intense intake and exhaust and able to provide the optimum performance.
- The design enables the system to use 80% of the area inside the engine.
- The spark plug is located right at the center of the cylinder head. Thus more effective combustion is available.
- Indeed, with the expense of the same amount of fuel, it ensures more power and cleaner burning.
- The better air-fuel mixture as well as the cleaner burning provides the user with better mileage. Thus the oil cost decreases.
- Lesser emission is associated with less air pollution or harmful elements injected into the environment. So, doesn’t only provide you with a safer engine but also a safer environment.
What are the Disadvantages of a 4-Valve Engine?
There are some crucial drawbacks as well. Those are:
- 4-valve engines have higher manufacturing costs. Also expensive option when you purchase it.
- Higher consumption of oil and hence more cost behind gasoline or petrol.
- Maintenance cost is also higher.
So, actually, the budget is the major issue for such type of engines.
Why do some Engines have 4 valves?
Because it enhances an engine’s breathing. How? Well, by providing more air and fuel into the combustion chamber. It also expels exhaust gases more efficiently.
Which is Better, 4-Valve or 2-Valve?
Let’s take a comparative look at the both types.
| 4-Valve Engine | 2-Valve Engine |
| Comprises of 2 large intake valves and 2 small exhaust valves. | There is 1 large intake valve and 1 small exhaust valve. |
| Uses a DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft) setup. | Features a SOHC (Single Overhead Camshaft) setup. |
| Pumps in more air-fuel mixture into the cylinder. | Unable to pump in as much air-fuel mixture into the cylinder. |
| Ensures lesser unburnt fuel and better mileage. | More unburnt fuel and hence more wastage. |
| More fuel efficient and less emission. | The emission is comparatively more and the efficiency is less. |
| Able to travel freely and at a higher frequency. | Doesn’t travel that much freely or frequently. |
| The valves are smaller in dimension and lighter in mass. | Comparatively, weighs more and larger in dimension. |
| Used in most modern and advanced motorcycles. | Mainly used on budget-friendly motorcycles. |
| Sports and Premium bikes have this sort of engines. | Commuter bikes have this sort of engine. Although these are also seen in Harley Davidson bikes as well. |
| More complex manufacturing process. | The manufacturing process is simpler. |
| The maintenance is also relatively complex. | Much easier to maintain. |
| More expensive option. | Overall more cost-effective and budget-friendly. |
| Able to produce more power. | Ample torque at low revs. |
| Only uses 50% of the area inside the engine. | Able to utilize 80% of the area inside the engine. |
Which is better 2 valve or 4 valve motorcycle engine? Both have their own benefits. 2-valve engines are more budget-friendly but 4-valve engines would provide comparatively better performance. But considering the budget, 2-valve engines are also not a bad option for the users.
What is the Difference between a 3-valve and 4-valve Engine?
| 3-Valve Engine | 4-Valve Engine |
| Each cylinder has 3 valves. | Each cylinder has 4 valves. |
| Features two intake valves and one exhaust valve. | Comes with two intake valves and as many exhaust valves. |
| The performance is a bit mediocre relatively. | Enhanced performance at higher RPMs. |
| Lack or airflow relatively. The breathing ability of the engine is less. | Guarantees better airflow into and out of the cylinder. Enhances the engine’s breathing ability. |
| The fuel efficiency isn’t that good enough. | Better fuel efficiency is guaranteed. |
| Lighter in weight but more compact. | Weighs more and the compaction is less. |
| Offers better low-end torque. | The generated torque is a bit less. |
| With fewer components, it comes with a relatively simpler design. | Comes up with a more complex pattern and more components. |
| Unable to provide sheer power as smoothly as its counterpart. | Smooth power delivery is provided at high RPMs. |
| Found in older or budget-oriented vehicles. | More advanced and expensive automobiles feature this type. |
| Production is cheaper while maintenance is easier. | Expensive production and maintenance costs. |
Yet again, 4-valve engines have the upper hand in terms of performance. But it’s the most expensive option between the 2.
Is 4 valves per cylinder good?
Yes, for overall a better performance, the 4-valve per cylinder bike engines are really good.
