Inside the Diesel Engine: Diesel Mechanics in Action | Trucks

By DarkSith
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With the skyrocketing gas prices at the pumps, more and more people are looking for alternatives to their gasoline-engine vehicles. The most common alternative is a diesel-engine vehicle. Diesel-engine vehicles are more economical than gasoline-engine vehicles because diesel has better fuel economy compared to gasoline. This means that they can cover more miles with a single tank of fuel compared to gasoline-engine types. Moreover, diesel is generally cheaper than gasoline, except in places where taxes and/or high emissions standards are imposed on diesel.

Have you ever wondered how exactly a diesel engine works? A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that takes in air and compresses it. Inside the engine, compressed air is injected with fuel. The fuel then lights up and burns because of the compressed air's heat. Unlike gasoline engines, which usually use carburetion or port fuel injection, diesel engines use direct fuel injection. Diesel fuel is directly injected into the cylinder.

Direct fuel injection is one of the most important components of any diesel engine system. The injector is the key to the whole process because it delivers the diesel fuel accurately while it keeps itself protected against the high pressure and temperature within the cylinder.

Most diesel engines operate through a four-stroke process. The first stroke involves drawing air into the cylinder. The air is then compressed by a piston, which heats it up. The next stroke is called the compression stroke, in which the air is pushed all the way to the top of the cylinder, creating an immense compression that heats up the air.

The third stroke is called the power stroke. The stroke starts when fuel is injected and combusts due to the compressed air's high temperature. The piston is then pushed downward because of the burning gases, creating power that is sent to the crankshaft. The last stroke is the exhaust stroke, in which the burnt gases are pushed out of the car through the exhaust port. The cycle then begins all over again, making the vehicle move.

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Learn the basics of diesel mechanics with this online guide.

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