Diesel engines are largely recognized as the force behind monstrous 18-wheelers and farming equipment. They are also used in various foreign made vehicles, such as BMWs and VWs. Why was the diesel engine created? Rudolf Diesel, a German mechanical engineer, explored the topic of combustible engines after he researched the inefficiencies of gasoline engines. When gasoline engines were first invented in the 1800s, only about ten percent of the fuel used actually moved the vehicle. The rest of the heat escaped. Rudolf Diesel saw an opportunity to make a better, more efficient engine.

How Do Diesel Engines Work?

There isn't much of a difference between diesel and gasoline engines. At their simplest, both are combustible engines that create mechanical energy. In every combustible engine, energy leads to pistons moving back and forth. The motion of the pistons moves the crankshaft and that creates the motion needed to move the wheels of the car.

Small explosions power both diesel and gasoline engines. There is a difference, however, in how those explosions occur. Gasoline engines mix fuel with air that is then compressed by pistons and ignited by sparks. Diesel engines compress the air first and then inject the fuel. Because air becomes hotter when it is compressed, the process of compression creates the spark.

Diesel Engines Today

In the United States, diesels are mostly found in heavier vehicles. Europe boasts many models of cars that are powered by diesel. As people in North America become more concerned with oil prices, diesel is looking more attractive.

Christian Brothers Automotive Westgreen Services

If you own a diesel engine in Katy, take it into Christian Brothers Automotive Westgreen for maintenance, repairs, and tune-ups. Our mechanics have been thoroughly trained to repair diesel engines, foreign cars, and more.