Before discussing the difference between gasoline and diesel engines, it is important to understand first the principle behind how these engines work.
A typical car’s engine is composed of several pistons (usually four) housed inside the engine’s cylinders. The space between the pistons and the cylinder head (the roof of the engine’s cylinder) is called the combustion chamber. This is where the mixture of air, heat, and fuel combusts, creating a propelling power that pushes the pistons down. The mechanical energy produced puts the crank shaft into motion. The moving crank shaft, which connects the engine to the wheels, rotates the wheels and puts the car in motion.
Gasoline Engine Explained
The air and the fuel enter the combustion chamber. The piston then pushes up, compressing the mixture up to ten times its original size. The spark plug will then
create a spark and ignite the compressed mixture. The compressed mixture combusts, pushing the piston down and putting the crank shaft into motion.
Many cars in the U.S. use gasoline engines. In addition, gasoline engines are known for its eco-friendliness compared with its diesel counterparts.
Diesel Engine Explained
In a diesel engine, a different process happens. Only air enters the combustion chamber in a diesel setup. The air is then compressed by the piston, usually 15 to 20 times smaller than its size.
As increased pressure means increased heat, the compressed air is hot enough to combust when mixed with diesel fuel, even without sparkplugs. The compressed, hot air will then be injected with fuel, creating a combustion that would push the piston down.
Making Diesel Engines More Earth-Friendly
A diesel setup would provide you more power and fuel economy because air in diesel engines is compressed more tightly than in gasoline engines. Diesel engines, however, have the grimy reputation of not being environment-friendly.
Fortunately, DEF fluid pumps reduce the pollutants from a diesel engine fume. DEF, or diesel exhaust fluid, is sprayed onto the diesel engine’s steam to break down hazardous pollutants into harmless substances. This makes diesel engines more eco-friendly, without trading its efficiency and economy.
By knowing how these two types of engines work, you get to have an idea what works best for you. Choose the one most suitable for your everyday car needs.
