How does an engine work – gasoline vs diesel

The two most common types of engines in cars today are gasoline engines and diesel engines. Gasoline engines run on gasoline. While diesel engines run on a type of oil called diesel fuel.

What is the difference between gasoline and diesel cars?

The main difference between gasoline and diesel engines is that fuel combustion occurs outside the engine, while diesel combustion occurs inside the engine. This is because the fuel needs pressure to ignite and burn inside the engine, while a diesel engine does not need this additional step to ignite.

How do you know the difference between a gasoline engine and a diesel engine?

Gasoline engines are usually cheaper, more fuel efficient in the city and have a higher power-to-weight ratio. Diesel engines are more powerful, have a longer life but are less fuel efficient off-highway. Diesel engines can use many types of fuel, while others are limited to using only gasoline.

Diesel engines:

• They are internal combustion engines in which ignition occurs due to the high temperature of the air in the cylinder due to mechanical pressure.
• Only air or air with exhaust gases is introduced into the cylinders during the intake stroke and is compressed during the compression stroke.

Gasoline engines:

• They are also internal combustion engines in which ignition occurs via spark plugs. Fuel and air are often mixed before compression. Some modern engines use direct cylinder injection as well.
• Modern cars come with electric gasoline pumps installed inside the fuel tank. While a carburetor is used in some older engines, fuel is supplied via a mechanical pump instead.
• Pros and cons of gasoline and diesel engines

Pros and cons of gasoline and diesel engines:

Diesel engines:

• More Mileage — One of the main selling points of diesel engines is their fuel efficiency. Diesel engines can save 25-30% more fuel than gasoline engines.
• More torque — Diesel engines can handle heavier weights because they have more torque and a better power-to-weight ratio.
• Lower emissions — Modern diesel engines produce less carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide than their counterparts.
• Higher fuel cost — The cost of diesel fuel has been an obstacle to the widespread acceptance of diesel cars.
• High price — Purchasing a car with a diesel engine is usually more expensive than its gasoline-powered counterpart.
• Noise — Modern diesel engines are less noisy than before, but still louder than gasoline engines.

Gasoline engines:

• More midrange power – Gasoline engines have plenty of midrange torque and higher rpm.
• Greater engine capacity – makes it run at high speeds.
• Fewer repairs — Because gasoline engines are so popular, they are less expensive to repair and service than their counterparts.
• Limited Life — The gasoline engine spins twice as many RPMs as the diesel engine during highway driving.
• Lower thermal efficiency — A diesel engine is up to 20% more thermally efficient.
• Fuel combustion — Fuel combustion affects engine starting, warm-up time, fuel distribution, and engine performance.