Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) is the temperature of the exhaust gases as they leave which components?

• A. The intake valves
• B. The cylinders of a reciprocating engine or the turbine section of a turbine engine
• C. The exhaust pipe
• D. The muffler

Answer: (B)

Exhaust gas temperature is measured from the gases at the point where combustion products still reflect the heat from the burning process. In a reciprocating engine, that means as the hot gases leave the cylinders and enter the exhaust manifold. In a turbine engine, it’s the temperature of gases as they exit the turbine section. This location matters because it captures the actual combustion temperature and is affected by the fuel–air ratio and how efficiently combustion is occurring. Downstream components like the exhaust pipe or muffler come after cooling and expansion, so their temperatures are lower and not representative of the combustion temperature. The intake valves are before combustion, so they don’t reflect exhaust gas temperature.