Engines are a wonder of engineering. They consume fuel and air and, in return, produce mechanical power. But how do they work exactly? Well, we won't explain all the in and outs, but below we will go through the two main types of engines and how they work. Continue reading to find out more!
Gasoline Engines
Gasoline engines, as their name implies, consume gasoline. They are usually seen in sports cars, newer vehicles, and a lot of other vehicles. They are also commonly paired with hybrid powering systems, but let's stick with the normal internal combustion ones. Here are the main processes that occur in a gasoline engine:
- Air - Air is intake through all the holes in the vehicle, then filtered and sent to the engine's cylinders.
- Fuel - Fuel is mixed with the air in the cylinders, making the mixture extremely flammable.
- Compression and ignition - The mixture is compressed, then ignited by a spark given by the spark plugs located at the top of the cylinder.
- Exhaust - All of the gasses from the explosion are exhausted towards the catalytic converter.
Diesel Engines
Diesel engines are more robust because of the difference in the ignition of the fuel and air. They are found in trucks, heavy rigs, and other heavy vehicles that need a lot of torque. Here are the processes that happen inside a diesel engine:
- Air - Just like a gasoline engine, air comes from the outside and goes to the engine.
- Fuel - Fuel is mixed with the air and then compressed.
- Compression and ignition - The mixture is compressed, resulting in it igniting due to the high pressure and temperature.
- Exhaust - Gasses are pushed to the exhaust system or turbo if there is one.
Key Differences
The key differences are quite a lot, despite them being so similar in operation. The main difference is the ignition source; one uses a spark plug, while the other uses compression. Here are a few other things they differ in:
- Diesel engines are more durable because of the combustion process.
- Gasoline engines produce more power.
- Diesel engines are more reliable and fuel-efficient.
- Gasoline engines have bigger displacements.
Engine Repairs And Diagnostics At Advanced Auto Care Center Florida!
Engines are one of the most complex components in your vehicle. That's why we offer some of the best maintenance, repair, and diagnostics procedures in the state. We want to make sure your engine works at its best for as long as it can! Our team will be happy to help, so make sure to stop by!