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Inside the Diesel Engine: Diesel Mechanics in Action

With gas prices increasing on a regular basis, more and more people are looking for alternatives to their gasoline-engine cars. One great option is a diesel-engine car. Cars that run on diesel are more economical than gasoline-engine cars because diesel has better fuel economy compared to gasoline. This means that cars running on diesel go longer distances with a single tank of fuel compared to cars that run on gasoline. In addition, diesel is generally less expensive than gasoline, except in places where high emissions standards as well as taxes are imposed on diesel fuel.

How exactly does a diesel engine work? A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that takes in air and compresses it. The compressed air is then injected with fuel. The fuel will then light up and burn due to the heat of the compressed air. Unlike gasoline engines, which usually use carburetion or port fuel injection, diesel engines use direct fuel injection, which means that diesel fuel is directly injected into the cylinder.

Direct fuel injection is one of the most vital components of any diesel engine system. The injector is the key to the whole process because it must be able to deliver the diesel fuel accurately while keeping itself together against the 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.

Learn the basics of diesel mechanics with this online guide.