By Jasvir
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Updated On: 16-Oct-2023 11:55 AM
Diesel truck engine are categorized into two types: 4-stroke diesel engine and 2-stroke diesel engine. Both these types have a variety of pros and cons.
Trucks in India these days don’t use 2-stroke diesel engine at all. So if you buy a diesel truck in India, it will have a 4-stroke diesel engine.
Diesel truck engines come in two main types known as 4-stroke diesel engines and 2-stroke diesel engines. In India, 2-stroke diesel engines are almost extinct. Trucks in India these days don’t use a 2-stroke diesel engine at all. So if you buy a diesel truck in India, it will have a 4-stroke diesel engine.
India boasts a thriving transportation network that heavily relies on diesel trucks for the seamless movement of goods throughout the country. These trucks are equipped with two types of diesel engine, each meticulously designed to cater to specific needs and ensure maximum performance. We will discuss the types of diesel truck engine, and the ones commonly used in Indian trucks. So, let's embark on this exploration and uncover the driving forces behind India's efficient goods transportation system.
The story of the diesel engine begins in 1892 when a German inventor and mechanical engineer Rudolf Diesel made its design. It took five more years and finally, in 1897, he patented the first prototype of the diesel engine. Of course, the name diesel engine comes from Rudolf’s surname. At that time, the petrol engine was already invented by another German engineer named Nicolaus Otto. Still, diesel engines had more advantages over petrol engines that made their survival successful up till today.
Diesel engine trucks are used worldwide today. Even after the use of electric trucks, most of the trucks in India use diesel engine due to their efficiency and long lifespan. That is all for the history of diesel engine, let’s move on to the types of diesel truck engine.
Diesel truck engines are categorized into two types: 4-stroke diesel engine and 2-stroke diesel engine. Both these types have a variety of pros and cons. All of these are explained in detail below.
4-Stroke Diesel engine
4-stroke diesel engine are the only diesel engine used in trucks in India these days. In present time in India, only 4-stroke diesel engine are manufactured for trucks with diesel as fuel. The most popular diesel truck engine are listed below:
Working
Let’s understand how a 4-stroke diesel engine even works. The first thing you need to know is a 4-stroke diesel engine completes the process in four steps. Let’s understand these steps in detail:
Intake: In the first stroke of this full cycle, the piston moves downwards and it draws air through the intake valve. Fuel is drawn downwards.
Compression: In the second stroke, the piston moves upwards, with which fuel and air are compressed. This stroke increases the temperature and pressure inside the cylinder.
Power: In the third stroke, fuel is injected into the cylinder and it ignites. The combustion moves the piston downwards.
Exhaust: In the last stroke, the piston again moves up the cylinder and pushes exhaust gases out through the exhaust valve.
So once all 4-strokes complete this cycle the whole process starts again, until you turn the truck off.
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Pros
Let’s discuss the advantages of a 4-stroke diesel engine. These are explained in detail below:
Better Efficiency: 4-stroke diesel engine offer better efficiency than 2-stroke diesel engine. 4-stroke diesel engine consume less fuel and thus have better mileage. It will save you money on fuel.
Less Noise: 4-stroke diesel engine make less noise than 2-stroke diesel engine. Choose a 4-stroke diesel engine if you want your truck to make less noise. Less noise will also make your truck more comfortable.
Less emission: 4-stroke diesel engine produce less emission compared to 2-stroke diesel engine. Less emission is eco-friendly thus it's better for the environment.
Better Life: 4-stroke diesel engine have a longer lifespan than 2-stroke diesel engine. Your truck will also have a better life if it has a 4-stroke diesel engine.
Cons
Now, let’s discuss the disadvantages. The 4-stroke diesel engine also have some cons:
Costly: 4-stroke diesel engine are more costly than 2-stroke diesel engine.
Heavier: 4-stroke diesel engine are heavier compared to 2-stroke diesel engine.
2-stroke diesel engines are almost extinct in India. They were once used in Indian trucks but nowadays 2-stroke diesel engines are replaced with 4-stroke diesel engines completely. These days no truck in India uses a 2-stroke diesel engine. 4-stroke diesel engines are more efficient and eco-friendly than 2-stroke diesel engines thus every truck in today’s age uses them.
A two-stroke engine works in two steps. These steps are explained below:
First stroke or downstroke: In the first stroke, the piston moves downwards, draws the air and fuel through the intake port and pushes exhaust gases through the exhaust port.
Second stroke or upstroke: In the second stroke, the piston moves upwards and compresses the air and fuel mixture. When the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, fuel is ignited. Combustion drives the fuel downwards, turning the crankshaft.
Once the piston reaches the bottom of the cylinder, the intake and exhaust port open again, thus the cycle begins from start again.
Pros
There are some advantages of a 2-stroke diesel engine over 4-stroke diesel engine. These are explained in detail below:
More Power: 2-stroke diesel engine produce more power compared to 4-diesel engine. For the same displacement, a 2-stroke diesel engine will provide more engine power output than a 4-stroke diesel engine.
Less Weight: 2-stroke diesel engine have simpler design and fever parts so these are lighter in comparison.
Cons
The 4-stroke diesel engine also have many cons like:
Less Efficiency: As mentioned above, 2-stroke diesel engine are less efficient so a two-stroke engine truck will provide less mileage than a 4-stroke diesel engine truck. Inevitably these are more costly.
More Emission: A 2-stroke diesel engine produces more emissions thus they are not eco-friendly.
Shorter Lifespan: They have a shorter lifespan and if an engine doesn’t last long, neither will your truck.
Comparison
To better understand these diesel engines let’s do a comparison between them. Here’s a detailed comparison of both diesel engines:
| Specifications | 4-Stroke Diesel Engine | 2-Strike Diesel Engine ||:--------------:|:----------------------------------------------------------:|:----------------------------------------------------------------------:|| Efficiency | More Efficient, provides more mileage thus saves you money | Less Efficient, provides less mileage thus more money is spent on fuel || Emmision | Less emission so more eco-friendly | More emission so less eco-friendly || Weight | Heavy | Lighter in comparison || Power | For same displacement these produce less power | For same displacement these produce more power || Lifespan | Longer lifespan | Shorter lifespan || Noise | Less noisy | More noisy |
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Conclusion
Lastly, there are two main types of diesel truck engine namely 2-stroke diesel engine and 4-stroke diesel engine. In India, 2-stroke diesel engine are no longer used in trucks so every truck you buy will have a 4-stroke diesel engine. 4-stroke engines are preferred more because of their advantages like efficiency and eco-friendliness. Get all the information on truck types, latest prices and specifications on CMV360.