Diesel Engines

Question 1

Why do deisel engines not have spark plugs?

Answer 1

Because the compressed air in the cylinder is hot enough that as soon as the fuel is injected it auto-ignites

Question 2

What are the ‘four strokes’ of a diesel engine?

Answer 2

Suction (pure air gets sucked in by the piston sliding down)

Compression (piston compresses the air by going back up. Compresses to very high pressure and temp)

Power (fuel is injected, auto-ignited)

Expulsion (of exhaust)

Question 3

What other fuel can you put in a diesel engine?

Answer 3

Jet A

Question 4

What are some of the advatages of a deisel engine?

Answer 4

-They can use the lower cost Jet A fuel
-100LL is becoming hard to find in some countries and expensive
-Up to 35% more fuel efficient
-More durable engine because it needs to be built stronger to handle the higher compression ratio

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of a diesel engine?

Answer 5

Engine is much heavier
Getting it started in cold temps is challenging