Diesel engines are internal combustion engines that work quite differently from gas engines. We see many of these engines in SUVs, pickup trucks, cars, and vans. In order to fully understand a diesel engine, we’ll break it down into several different parts. While the main features of the engines are very similar such as the general makeup, there are many key differences to understand when operating a diesel vehicle. Please note that you cannot use regular gas in a diesel engine, or vice versa, as it will cause significant damage to your vehicle.
What is the difference between a diesel engine and a gas engine?
The primary difference between a diesel engine and a gas engine is that a diesel engine has fuel that is sprayed directly into the combustion chambers through these devices called fuel injectors. Airflow is crucial in a gasoline engine, making it easy to explain how gasoline and diesel engines vary with "air" and "fuel." In a gas engine, you are throttling air. The complete opposite is a diesel engine. Which throttling the amount of gasoline injected is the basis for its operation; the air merely follows suit. As a result, it is unnecessary to throttle the entering air. Due to this, a diesel engine does not produce a vacuum.
How does a Diesel engine work
An injection of fuel is compressed and then injected into compressed air by a diesel engine. The fuel spontaneously ignites due to the heat from the compressed air. Diesel fuel is injected directly into the cylinder in diesel engines via direct fuel injection. Only air is compressed in a diesel engine, allowing for a significantly larger compression ratio. The more power is produced, the higher the compression ratio. In contrast to gasoline injectors, diesel fuel injectors must endure the pressure and temperature inside the cylinder while still delivering the fuel in a fine mist. Some diesel engines come with unique induction valves or pre-combustion chambers to ensure the mist is dispersed uniformly throughout the cylinder. Additionally, diesel engines do not contain a spark plug but instead have something called a glow plug, which is a wire that is electrically heated and helps the fuel ignite when the engine is cold.
What to do when you need diesel engine repair
When you need diesel engine repair, take your vehicle to our diesel repair shop, where our expert technicians have the knowledge and experience to handle your diesel engine problems. Our technicians are equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostics and equipment to handle your repair needs. If you notice any issues or sense any strange or unusual sounds or smells, don’t let the problem fester into something significant; take your vehicle to our diesel repair shop so we can determine the best course of action for you and your vehicle. Call us today or visit our website to schedule an appointment.