4 Stroke Diesel Engine

SUCTION STROKE: With the movement of the piston from T.D.C. to B.D.C. during this stroke, the inlet valve opens and the air at atmospheric pressure is drawn inside the engine cylinder; the exhaust valve however remains closed.

COMPRESSION STROKE: The air drawn at atmospheric pressure during the suction stroke is compressed to high pressure and temperature as the piston moves from B.D.C. to T.D.C. Both the inlet and exhaust valves do not open during any part of this stroke.

POWER STROKE OR EXPANSION STROKE:

As the piston starts moving from T.D.C to B.D.C, the quantity of fuel is injected into the hot compressed air in fine sprays by the fuel injector and it (fuel) starts burning at constant pressure.

At the point 3 fuel supply is cut off. The fuel is injected at the end of compression stroke but in actual practice the ignition of the fuel starts before the end of the compression stroke.

EXHAUST STROKE: The piston moves from the B.D.C. to T.D.C. and the exhaust gases escape to the atmosphere through the exhaust valve. When the piston reaches the T.D.C. the exhaust valve closes and the cycle is completed.