This paper deals with the theoretical prediction and cyclic variation of combustion characteristics in a four stroke, single0cylinder, diesel engine. Theoretical calculations employed a simple empirical model of analysis of energy equation for the thermodynamic system of engine cylinder. The cyclic variation of combustion characteristics is investigated, in term of frequency distribution and standard deviation of peak characteristics, as obtained by combustion analyzer system. The results of theoretical prediction are shown to be in close agreement with the experimental data. The effect of fuel injection timing, engine speed, cooling water temperature, and the compression ratio on the cyclic variations of combustion characteristics were discussed.