How does a diesel engine start?
A diesel engine has no spark plugs. Because the air is so compressed and hot at the top of the stroke, the fuel ignites right away when it is injected. This is why a diesel engine is called a “Compression Ignition” engine and gasoline engines are called “Spark Ignition” engine. This also means that there are no ignition breakers, ignition coils, distributors and ignition wires to go bad. This allows diesel engines to start no matter if it is dry or rainy and wet. The immense compression creates the heat that ignites the fuel. On cold days a glow plug may be necessary to heat the combustion chamber enough to start the engine.
