Pros/advantages of the diesel engine:
- Greater efficiency. Up to 40% less fuel consumption than a gasoline engine with similar performance. This is due to its much higher compression ratios and the fact that diesel oil has a higher energy content than gasoline.
- Greater torque at low speeds. This is very useful when towing heavy loads or climbing hills, making acceleration easier. This is due to their longer strokes, which exert greater leverage on the crankshaft.
- More than double the longevity. Diesel engines generally cover more than 600,000 km (400,000 miles) without rebuilding. Of course, oil and filter changes are mandatory. This is because diesel engines are manufactured with stronger components to withstand high compression ratios and temperatures. There are recorder diesel engines that cover more than 1 million km (750,000 miles) without rebuilding
- They do not have a high voltage electrical ignition system, resulting in high reliability and easy adaptation to humid environments.
- Although diesel fuel burns in open air using a wick, it does not release a large amount of flammable vapor that could cause an explosion.
- Diesel engines can accept super or turbo pressure without any natural limit, limited only by the resistance of the engine components. This is different from gasoline engines, which inevitably detonate at higher pressures.
- It emits around 27 times less carbon monoxide than gasoline engines.
diesel engineCons/Disadvantages of Diesel Engine:
- The average diesel engine has a worse power-to-weight ratio than a gasoline engine of similar displacement. This is because the diesel engine must operate at lower RPMs due to heavier components and heavy rotating parts; however, modern diesel engines are on par with or have greater power than gasoline engines of similar displacement because they accept unlimited turbocharging. For example, the BMW 320d has 180 HP and about 50–60 MPG (4–6 L/100 km) compared to the Smart Fortwo. It has a tiny 70 horsepower and consumes more fuel.
- On average, a new diesel car will cost around 5 to 15% more than the same car with gasoline engines
- They are noisier. I'm sure you're familiar with the distinctive noise of diesel. This is due to its combustion cycle which introduces high pressure fuel into highly compressed air and sudden combustion.
- The average cost of repairs costs more than gasoline engine repairs.
- Despite lower CO2 emissions, diesel engines emit more sulfur, NX1 and particles that affect human health. Some particles are even known to cause cancer.
- Difficulty starting in cold weather. This is due to the lack of spark ignition, relying solely on the heat of compressed air for combustion. Below -15 it can be very difficult to start diesel engines. However, some modern diesel engines are equipped with engine heaters that mitigate this problem to some extent.
