1. General DescriptionThe spark-ignition system for a gasoline engine provides each spark plug with a precisely timed high-voltage charge to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. The system also makes adjustments to the ignition timing in response to changes in engine speed and load. The diesel engine by comparison has no ignition system, but rather an ignition assist system. To start a cold engine, the glow plugs pre-heat the combustion chamber to assist combustion. Once the engine starts running and becomes warm, normal diesel compression-ignition takes over, air and fuel being ignited by the heat of compression. |
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