Preheating system (diesel engines only)

10.5.1 Preheating system

Starting the engine, regardless of the fuel used in its fuel system, in the winter, especially in climatic zones where the temperature can drop to - 25 °C, can truly be some heroism. Gasoline in this respect is better than diesel fuel, in addition, it is ignited by a spark plug, which simplifies the entire process. But it’s much more complicated with diesel engines. The fuel-air mixture ignites in it as a result of air compression. At low temperatures, the fuel simply does not have time to mix with very dense cold air, and a very strongly frozen engine and transmission oils are added to it. This all together creates such a huge resistance to the rotation of the crankshaft that the starter can hardly work. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to install an additional device that would heat either the engine oil pan or the intake air.

At the moment, a system, which heats the air in the intake manifold with the help of special glower plugs, is commonly used. Glower plugs are installed inside the intake manifold opposite the intake valves. These spark plugs are able to heat the air to a decent temperature in a very short period of time. In case if this system of preheating is installed, then on the instrument panel of car there is a corresponding signaling device, which lights up at installation of an ignition key in ignition position. As soon as it goes out, you can turn on the starter and start the engine.

Note
It is worth mentioning that there are systems for preheating the engine coolant.