If you have a thing for engines, vehicles, and automobiles, we are sure you must have this question in mind. Do diesel engines have spark plugs? What are spark plugs? How do they differ from glow plugs and diesel tuner?
Well, answering the fundamental question, No, diesel engines do not have spark plugs in them. Due to the physics at work in an engine running on diesel, they don’t require spark plugs. They have another accessory called glow plugs.
Don’t worry; we have tried to break down the entire process in simple words here for your understanding. Starting from what spark plugs are, we explain why you don’t use them in diesel engines. In the end, we answer some more questions which might provide you a satisfying answer.
Spark Plugs
We all know the importance of the best radiator fans in an engine but do you know why spark plugs are important? It becomes essential to understand the need for a spark plug in the engine before proceeding further.
What are Spark Plugs?
Spark plugs are one of the most critical components of any petrol-powered vehicle. Spark plugs keep your engine in motion to keep your vehicle moving.
Since spark plugs play such a crucial role in the vehicle, let us understand their use.
What is the Use of Spark Plugs in Vehicles?
Spark plugs transmit the electric current from the ignition system to the combustion chamber of an engine with a spark-ignition design. It ignites the compressed air and fuel mixture through an electric spark. It bears the combustion pressure within the engine, and the fuel’s combustion moves the vehicle in motion. In simple terms, the spark plug turns the gasoline fuel into action for the vehicle to move.
Do Diesel Engines Have Spark Plugs?
We have understood why sparks plugs are useful. If they are so important, why does the question arise – do diesel engines have spark plugs?
No, diesel engines don’t have spark plugs. Now let’s consider how diesel and petrol engines work differently to study the conclusion.
The main reason for the diesel and petrol engine to work differently is – Compression. Besides compression, listed below are reasons why diesel engines do not have spark plugs.
Compression
Diesel vehicles work on a compression ignition system, while petrol vehicles work on a spark ignition system.
We use an inlet manifold to supply the air and fuel(petrol) mixture to the engine in a spark ignition system. It uses carburetion to mix the air and fuel before passing it into the cylinder for compression. After being compressed, it ignites with a spark, and combustion takes place.
However, in diesel vehicles, the air is injected directly into the cylinder and compressed at high pressure and high temperature. The temperature is very high and does not need a spark plug to ignite the fuel at the end of the compression stroke.
The compression ratio for a petrol engine is between 8:1 and 12:1, while for the diesel engine, it is 14:1 and can be as high as 25:1. The compression ratio of diesel engines is much higher than petrol engines. The higher the compression ratio, the higher is the air compressed, and the higher is the ignition of the injected fuel during combustion.
Now let’s look at a few other reasons why diesel engines do not need spark plugs:
Auto Ignition Temperature
Auto ignition temperature, as the word describes, means the temperature at which the fuel starts burning itself. Diesel has a low ignition temperature, due to which it can easily ignite. That is another significant reason why the air compressed in the cylinder in the diesel engine ignites the fuel without the need for a spark plug.
Additionally, the risk of pre-ignition and engine knocks is high in petrol engines due to the spark ignition process. That may require some extra maintenance.
Further, this makes diesel engines a more popular choice than petrol engines. It has a low-ignition temperature and burns quickly. Further, the low risk of the explosion makes it an efficient and safe option.
Less Volatility
Diesel engines have different infusion ratios for air and water when compression takes place. The compression may lead from a ratio of 14:1 to 25:1. However, in petrol engines, you cannot have such a high compression ratio due to the risk of pre-ignition. Therefore, due to the reason of low volatility, it needs low ignition temperature to auto-ignite.
So What Do Diesel Engines Use If Not Spark Plugs?
Diesel engines use glow-up plugs or glow plugs. It is a heating device used to raise the temperature when the diesel engine is cold, and the air temperature is not high enough to ignite the fuel. They act as tiny heaters generally found in small diesel engines.
FAQs
Still, trying to satisfy your curiosity? Here are a few more questions you might be thinking about after this.
Do gasoline engines use spark plugs?
Yes. Gasoline engines require spark plugs to light the fuel. Without a spark plug, a gasoline engine cannot work. A bad spark plug can reduce the efficiency of a gasoline engine due to incomplete or late combustion.
Can I insert a spark plug in a diesel engine?
No. diesel engines are not designed to incorporate a spark plug inside them. It is already a useless part if inside the engine. Even if it fits inside, it is possible to cause some problems. Hence, it is recommended not to insert a spark plug inside a diesel engine.
What are glow plugs?
Glow Plugs are electrical heating devices inside diesel engines. They are located in the cylinders of the engine and inside the pre-chambers. It is a device used to aid ignition.
How do glow plugs help?
Diesel engines do not require spark plugs as they can heat relatively better than other fuel-based engines on their own. In places where the temperatures are high, self-ignition becomes even smoother in diesel engines. Problems occur when the temperature outside is not high enough to heat the engine.
Due to low temperature, improper ignition might happen. That causes the vehicle to release more residues or emissions. Glow plugs solve this issue by providing proper heat in all temperatures when required.
Can a diesel engine start without a glow plug?
No, diesel engines cannot start without glow plugs. There might be adequate heat, but there will be no compression. In addition to heating, glow plugs maintain the required compression ratio for starting the engine.
Final Words
We hope this provides you some insight into the question of the day – Do diesel engines have spark plugs? Diesel engines don’t have spark plugs, and neither are they designed to have one.
A lousy glow plug or spark plug can cause problems in the engine if not tended to soon enough. Apart from fuel economy, it’s important to know which type of engine powers your car. It’s one of the crucial decisions you must make when buying a vehicle.
