A compression-ignition engine that relies on highly compressed, heated air to ignite fuel injected directly into the cylinder. Because they lack spark plugs and throttle bodies, they control speed entirely by fuel delivery. They operate at much higher compression ratios than gasoline engines, resulting in greater thermal efficiency and massive low-end torque.
Heard on the job
You have to bleed the fuel lines on that diesel engine or it will never start.
Also heard as
- oil burner
Related terms
Diesel particulate filter
An exhaust component that traps and periodically burns off soot from diesel emissions.
DEF
Diesel exhaust fluid is a urea-based solution injected into the exhaust stream to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
Compression ratio
The mathematical ratio of cylinder volume at the bottom of the piston stroke compared to the top.