Get to Know Your Diesel Engine

While bringing your vehicle to a car engine mechanic in Santa Clara, CA can be important for proper repairs and maintenance, knowing more about your vehicle’s diesel engine can give you insight into how it works and why tune-ups are important. Watch this video for an introduction to your diesel engine.

During the intake stroke, the piston moves downward, the intake valve opens to allow fresh air into the engine cylinder, and the exhaust valve remains closed. As the piston pushes downward, this creates a partial vacuum inside the cylinder that pulls air molecules in. At the end of the intake stroke, the intake valve closes. Then, during the compression stroke, the piston moves upward, compressing the air and raising its temperature. Also, both valves stay closed to isolate the combustion chamber. At the end of the compression stroke, fuel is injected into the cylinder by the fuel injector.