Differences Between Gas and Diesel Engines

You have a car, and you have an engine. One is powered by diesel and the other by gasoline. Can they really be that different?

Gas and diesel engines are really quite similar. Both a gas and a diesel engine require internal combustion to convert the chemicals inside (fuels) into chemical energy to power your vehicle. The subsequent converted energy works by moving pistons in your car in an up and down motion inside of long tubes called cylinders. 

These cylinders are connected to a part known as a crankshaft. The movement of the pistons creates the momentum necessary to turn the wheels of your car, making your car go forward. In a nutshell, that is how any engine works, whether powered by gasoline or diesel engine.

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Converted fuel requires a series of small combustions to work properly. The way in which combustion, sometimes referred to a series of minor explosions happens, is the primary difference between gas and a diesel engine. 

Gas Engine Combustion

In a gas engine, fuel mixes with air. This compresses the pistons, causing them to ignite by spark plugs.

Diesel Engine Combustion

In a diesel engine, the air is first compressed or pushed together, and fuel is then poured into the compressed pocket. Prior to compression, the air heats up, causing it to ignite.

Four Stroke Combustion

Both diesel and gasoline engines use four-stroke combustion cycles. These include an intake stroke, where an intake valve opens to allow air in and move the piston down.

Next, a compression stroke must occur to allow the piston to move back up again and compress the air. 

The combustion stroke consists of a movement that injects air into the piston right at the top, where the fuel is ignited, forcing the piston back down again.

Lastly, is the exhaust stroke, where the piston, having been forced back down, moves back up again, forcing out any exhaust created from the combustion.