Which phenomenon limits the maximum Carnot efficiency of a gasoline combustion engine nearing stoichiometric conditions?

💡 Explanation

When gasoline combustion happens nearly stoichiometrically, incomplete combustion increases heat loss during the isochoric heat addition, effectively lowering the high-temperature reservoir which reduces the maximum possible Carnot efficiency. Therefore, heat loss during isochoric combustion limits the engine, rather than issues with friction, exhaust, or adiabatic index alone.

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