1. Ignition Method:
* Petrol (Gasoline) Engines: These engines use spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture. The spark plug provides a hot spark that quickly ignites the mixture, creating an explosion that drives the piston.
* Diesel Engines: These engines use compression to ignite the fuel. The air inside the cylinder is compressed to such a high temperature and pressure that the fuel ignites spontaneously when injected. No spark plug is needed.
2. Fuel Properties:
* Petrol: Has a lower ignition temperature, meaning it needs a spark to ignite. It's also more volatile and evaporates easily.
* Diesel: Has a higher ignition temperature, allowing it to ignite from the heat of compression. It's also less volatile and less likely to evaporate.
What happens if you try to use the wrong fuel?
* Petrol in a Diesel Engine: The petrol won't ignite properly under compression, leading to a lack of power, misfiring, and possible damage to the engine.
* Diesel in a Petrol Engine: The diesel fuel will not ignite from a spark, and it's too thick to be effectively atomized by the petrol engine's injection system. This can cause a buildup of fuel in the combustion chamber, leading to poor performance, stalling, and potentially even engine damage.
In short: The different ignition methods and fuel properties make petrol and diesel engines incompatible. Using the wrong fuel can lead to serious problems.
