Diesel Engines

PhiPsiRuss · #1 05-21-2004, 05:25 PM

What are the advantages, and disadvantages of modern diesel engines? And why do they cost so much more than gasoline engines?

Tom Earp · #2 05-21-2004, 05:44 PM

The only advantage is that they run longer for less cost per mile! ????

But now, for the cost of fuel oil, the people such as us are taking it into the shorts as food costs will also rise for transportantion costs!

Disadvantage,

diesal cost more at the pump. Diesal also has a additive that will in freezing weather make it into jello! Keep the truck, bus running!

Polute the air, cough, gag, choke!

#3 05-21-2004, 07:04 PM

My dad has a 4-door Ford 4x4 Diesel. He gets appr. 17 miles/gal. in the city and appr. 20 miles/gal. Here in SC, high test gas is averaging $2.05/gal, mid-grade $1.95/gal, and low-grade $1.85/gal. Diesel averages about $1.80/gal. The fuel maybe cheaper by looking at the cover but when comparing it to my car, which is a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, my car gets 25-30 miles/gal in the city and 30-35 on the Interstate. I spend maybe $17-$18 every week and a half. My dad spends between $25-$35 every week! Also, the pollution is terrible from a Diesal engine. I choke everytime I am outside and near his truck when it's running.

thermobryan · #4 05-21-2004, 07:31 PM

The cost of a big truck diesel engine is a greater cost because of the displacement of the engine. A diesel engine is a different design that a gas driven engine. I could go into a long, long explanation of this, cause I'm a mechanical engineer, but I'll spare the engineering lingo. Basically, it depends upon what type of engine you're going to be comparing. If its a small car and a 4X4 truck, then yeah, youre going to have a lot worse gas mileage. Mostly, diesel engines in large trucks produce a higher torque output due to the the higher compression ratio of the engine (diesel's dont use spark plugs, they need to). Disadvantages are that depending upon where you're operating the engine, ie cold weather. Also, gas prices are depending upon the area you live in.

thermobryan · #5 05-21-2004, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ztawinthropgirl
My dad has a 4-door Ford 4x4 Diesel. He gets appr. 17 miles/gal. in the city and appr. 20 miles/gal. Here in SC, high test gas is averaging $2.05/gal, mid-grade $1.95/gal, and low-grade $1.85/gal. Diesel averages about $1.80/gal. The fuel maybe cheaper by looking at the cover but when comparing it to my car, which is a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, my car gets 25-30 miles/gal in the city and 30-35 on the Interstate. I spend maybe $17-$18 every week and a half. My dad spends between $25-$35 every week! Also, the pollution is terrible from a Diesal engine. I choke everytime I am outside and near his truck when it's running.

My dad has the same truck, but in a gas driven engine and he gets about 9 miles/gal. Theres another advantage...

#6 05-22-2004, 01:18 PM

Thermobryan,

Diesals burn fuel differently, and I don't really consider 17 miles per gallon "good" gas mileage, especially comparing it to cars. SUVs get even worse gas mileage. My friend's dad's Suburban gets 12 miles/gal in the city and about 9 on the Interstate. The Suburban is, of course, gas fueled, not diesal. Either way, the gas mileage sucks.

lauralaylin · #7 05-22-2004, 02:10 PM

I had an 85 VW diesal in college, and I don't know the exact numbers, but it got great gas mileage. I seemed to never get gas. A big disadvantage was the bad pickup, going up hills on the highway was almost impossible. I hear that VW has fixed that problem now though. Another disadvantage is that they are loud, but that's never bugged me.

thermobryan · #8 05-22-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ztawinthropgirl
Thermobryan,

Diesals burn fuel differently, and I don't really consider 17 miles per gallon "good" gas mileage, especially comparing it to cars. SUVs get even worse gas mileage. My friend's dad's Suburban gets 12 miles/gal in the city and about 9 on the Interstate. The Suburban is, of course, gas fueled, not diesal. Either way, the gas mileage sucks.

Yes, I know they burn fuel differently. As for a One ton truck, that is good mileage. U can't compare a one ton truck vs. a geo metro for gas mileage, its like apples and oranges. Look at a comparison between torque output, engine displacement, vehicle weight, primary usage of the vehicle.

Kevin · #9 05-23-2004, 12:58 AM

If you live in Oklahoma right now, gas is WAY cheaper on Diesels -- I saw it today for $1.52/gallon. Regular unleaded I was able to find today for $1.83.

SSS1365 · #10 05-23-2004, 10:36 PM

Gasoline around here is running from $1.99 (VERY hard to find) to $2.27. I filled up today at a station where it was $2.09 and noticed that diesel was only $1.80. All the more reason I want my next car to be a VW Jetta TDI!!!

ISUKappa · #11 05-23-2004, 11:38 PM

My husband could answer this better than I (spent his internship with Cummins and has a love affair with diesels) but with the engineering done in some of the modern diesel engines, they are more fuel-efficient and burn better than the old ones do. In diesel vs. gas engines in the same models of automobiles, the diesels get better milage and have higher output (I think?)

Diesel fuel is much cheaper here, too, (Iowa) than regular gas. About $1.65/gallon vs. $1.98 for unleaded with ethanol (the cheapest gas here.)

Mr. ISUKappa and I want to get a diesel Jeep Liberty in 2006 or so, after they've been out a year or two. We take a lot of road trips and the milage sucks in his truck (2001 3/4 ton Chevy Silverado) and we won't be able to comfortably fit us and future kidlets in my car (2001 Grand Prix). Actually, we'd love to get a TDI Touareg, but we are poor so that won't be happening!