Which engine is better and more reliable – gasoline, diesel or gas powered? You can’t tell at once – you need to know “who’s the best for what”.
Gasoline engines
Until the middle of the last century, the gasoline engine supply system was dominated by a carburetor, and the power was dependent on the working volume.
But carburettors fell into oblivion, and gasoline engines of different types appeared on the market:
- aspirated motors with injection in the intake pipe (atmospheric motors);
- motors with direct (direct) injection;
- inflatable engines;
- direct injection engines and turbocharged engines
Inflatable motors have a reliable control system. Modern 1.6 liter engines provide 125 – 130 hp. To improve specific performance it is necessary to increase the speed of the crankshaft to 7-8 thousand rpm. However, this requires a “near-sports” engine and an improved transmission.
Direct injection
It improves the engine’s power and eco-friendliness, but its design is more complex: it requires special nozzles and a high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP).
Direct injection engines are not very common, as they need high quality fuel. In our country you already do not know what kind of gasoline you will get, and here the engine is also demanding.
Direct injection and turbocharging
It’s even more powerful and sophisticated than direct injection only. At the same time, its sensitivity to fuel quality is so high that after refueling somewhere under Taganrog, it is better not to start the engine.
Surface motors
A supercharger increases or decreases the working volume while maintaining the same power. The 1.5 liter engine is capable of developing power from 150 hp and more.
Maximum torque supercharger, in contrast to the atmosphere, is achieved earlier at a speed of crankshaft 1600-1800 rpm. The “shelf” of high torque reaches 4000-4500 rpm.
The most powerful and fastest versions of the car with an inflatable motor:
- BMW 5 series
- Toyota Land Cruiser 200
- Jaguar F-Type
- Range Rover Evoque.
Diesel engines
Some experts believe that the golden age of diesel engines has passed. But this statement is controversial. In terms of complexity and capriciousness, a modern diesel is like an inflatable petrol engine. The key reason is the common rail power system: it pumps up a high pressure and provides better dynamics.
Except for a slightly inflated price, among the disadvantages of the diesel engine:
- complicated repair;
- soot clouds that electronics release because of a urea and particulate filter design;
- the need to stay alert: if the fuel is out of season, wait for problems with starting the engine in the frost.
But for some drivers, these drawbacks pale in the face of benefits:
- excellent power performance;
- excellent pulling power;
- economical fuel consumption.
Gasification
The car is converted to gas only in one case – to save on fuel. However, such cost optimization is accompanied by difficulties.
Installing the gas equipment and further disadvantages of operation:
- you can only put a gas cylinder into a spark-ignition car. But keep in mind, if after that the engine breaks down (and it is likely to break down), even a professional will have a hard time getting it back to life.
- a diesel engine can only be converted to gas at the factory. At the same time, the installation of equipment itself is not cheap, and prices for further maintenance of the car are increasing;
- serious engine modifications invariably reduce the acceleration dynamics (by 15 – 20%) and the level of safety of the car;
- methane or propane-butane cylinder takes up half of the trunk and breaks the “weighing” of the car, adding 60 – 90 kg in the most unfortunate place – behind the rear axle. If two passengers sit at the back, the car will start to cling to those parts of the road that you used to fly fast;
- you’ll have to breathe gas every time you refuel. And such a filling station gives you additional anxiety: even at the same station gas can smell differently, which indicates unstable fuel quality;
- the gas is dangerous to catch fire from leaks and explode from behind. A frontal collision is also fraught with a sad outcome: in the event of an accident, the car could slow down by 15 g, with a 90 kg cylinder weighing already 1,350 kg, easily break all the fasteners and hit the strapped driver with about a ton of force!
What do we have in the end?
According to the carmaker, the most trouble-free variant is an inflatable petrol engine with fuel injection and chain-driven timing instead of a belt. For heavy SUVs, pickups or small trucks, a diesel is better.
Each engine has its pros and cons. Which advantages are particularly important to you and which disadvantages you can tolerate – decide for yourself and choose the best option for yourself.
