Whats the Difference Between Diesel and Gasoline Engines?
Both are internal combustion engines designed to convert the chemical energy in fuel into mechanical energy. However, diesel and gasoline engines differ in the way combustion is accomplished. A gas engine takes in a mixture of gasoline and air, compresses it and ignites the mixture with a spark plug. A diesel engine takes in air, compresses it—raising the temperature past 800 F—and then injects fuel into the cylinder. When the fuel contacts the hot air, it ignites. This process is possible because diesel engines produce much greater compression ratios and diesel fuel is more stable than gasoline. Typically, a gasoline engine compresses at a ratio no higher than 12:1 to avoid preignition, which can damage vital components. A diesel engine compresses at ratios of 14:1 to as high as 25:1.
