Diesel engine principles are {pretty|quite} {straightforward|simple|direct|easy} for the experienced mechanic but what about {regular|routine} everyday {people|individuals} who have never {taken the time|made the effort|put in the time} to {find out|discover|learn} more about a diesel engine and how it works?
In this {article|short article|post}, we are going to {explain|discuss|describe} in {layman|layperson}’s terms the {basic|fundamental|standard} principles of a diesel engine. Let’s {begin|start}, shall we?
What’s the {difference|distinction} between the petrol engine and a diesel engine?
The first thing you should {know|understand} is a petrol engine and a diesel engine are {totally|completely|absolutely} different. A Petrol engine is {constructed|built} much lighter than the {heavier|much heavier} {built|developed|constructed} diesel engine and {runs on|operates on|works on} an air/fuel {mixture|mix} {combined|integrated} with a high energy spark that is timed to {ignite|fire up} the air/fuel {mixture|mix} inside each engine cylinder at the {precise|accurate|exact} time {creating|producing|developing} power and torque [turning force] which drives your {vehicle|car|automobile}.
A diesel engine {uses|utilizes} high compression [intake air that is compressed/squished] into {a very|an extremely|a really} {small|little} {space|area} inside each cylinder {causing|triggering} {extreme|severe} heat! This is called ‘Heat of Compression’ which {ignites|fires up|sparks} {a very|an extremely|a really} {fine|great} high-pressure mist of diesel fuel that is injected into the cylinder at the exact time.
So you now {know|understand} that a gpetrol engine needs a high energy spark to run while a diesel {uses|utilizes} ‘Heat of Compression’
The four-stroke principle
Every engine today {runs on|operates on|works on} {four|4} strokes or {four|4} cycles- both these terms mean the {same|exact same|very same}. Here is how the four-stroke diesel engine {operates|runs}.
1. Intake Stroke:
Intake valves in the cylinder head open {allowing|enabling|permitting} pressurized air to {enter|go into|get in} each cylinder while the piston is traveling downward.the the pressurized air supply is {made possible|enabled} by the TURBOCHARGER which {pushes|presses} air into the intake system {giving|providing|offering} the diesel engine {a boost|an increase} of air to {keep up with|stay up to date with} {an instantaneous|an instant|an immediate|a rapid} injection of fuel
2. Compression Stroke:
When the piston {starts|begins} to make its way back {upward|up} the valves close which traps the intake air in the cylinder which {allows|enables|permits} compression to {take place|occur|happen}, the HEAT OF COMPRESSION is reached when the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, the diesel fuel is then injected into the cylinder at the {precise|accurate|exact} time.
3. Power Stroke:
After injection {takes place|occurs|happens} {an explosion|a surge} {occurs|happens|takes place} in the cylinder because of the {combination|mix} of heat and atomized diesel fuel. This {causes|triggers} the piston to be forced downward which produces torque and the {horsepower|horse power} {required|needed} from {a typical|a common|a normal} diesel engine.
4. Exhaust Stroke:
After the power stroke, the piston moves upward once again while the exhaust valves open {allowing|enabling|permitting} the {previously|formerly} {ignited|fired up|sparked} gases to escape to the {atmosphere|environment} out the exhaust system.
As {mentioned|discussed|pointed out} before, each cylinder goes through this {exact|precise|specific} {sequence|series} over and over in a set firing order. {For instance|For example}, a 6 cylinder diesel engine has a firing order of 1- 5- 3- 6- 2- 4 which is the order that each cylinder {goes through|passes}, following the 4 strokes {mentioned|discussed|pointed out} above. This {sequence|series} has been {engineered|crafted} to {allow|enable|permit} the diesel engine to run {smoothly|efficiently} {with no|without any} imbalance.
There is much to {learn about|find out about|discover|learn more about} diesel engines and {a ton of|a lots of} {information|info|details} online. If you have ever {considered|thought about} {buying|purchasing} {a vehicle|a car|an automobile} with a diesel engine you have made a prudent decision! The {extra|additional} cost will be to your {benefit|advantage}, so it is recommended that you {find out|discover|learn} more about {diesel engines|diesel motors} before you {decide|choose} which one to {choose|select|pick}.

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