Diesel engines may look complicated from the outside, but most of their major systems work together toward one goal: turning fuel, air, compression, and heat into usable power.
Unlike gasoline engines, diesel engines do not use spark plugs to ignite the fuel. Instead, a diesel engine pulls in air, compresses that air until it becomes extremely hot, and then injects fuel into the cylinder. The heat from compression ignites the fuel, forcing the piston downward and turning the crankshaft.
That process is called compression ignition.
Modern diesel engines are more advanced than ever, but the basic systems remain the same. Whether you are working on a Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, International/Navistar, Paccar, Mack, Volvo, John Deere, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Chevy/GMC, Dodge, or Perkins engine, the major parts all have specific jobs to do.
Continue reading Diesel Engine Basics: The Main Parts of a Diesel Engine and What They Do
