Questions Re: Diesel Engines....

[CosaNostra]

If anyone can help who drives a diesel or mechanics who know about them, it would be much appreciated.

I'm leaning to make my next new car a diesel, but have some reservations. First, cold weather starts. I understand diesels have no spark plugs, but use high compression to ignite fuel. Has anyone had any problems?

Next, Drive Clean tests. The U.S. is tightening emissions standards in 2007 to a point where present diesel engines won't meet requirements, European carmakers are hoping new technology not yet available will help diesels meet these standards. Anyone know if our governments are also planning to tighten emissions standards? Anyone having trouble passing a Drive Clean test with a relatively new engine?

I'm attracted to the diesels because of the high fuel efficiency available, but these concerns are making me hesitate. Again, any advice would be appreciated.

 

[papasmerf]

go for it

between the blends and glow plugs in TO you should have no real problems. But a block heater is suggested for extereme cold like Buffalo.

as for polution all you need do is keep it tuned

 

[CosaNostra]

I park underground as I live in a condo, but I'm outside at work. No access to a block heater there.

 

[papasmerf]

can you say portable jump unit? (if needed)


http://order.harborfreight.com/EasyAsk/harborfreight/results.jsp

Also is you are worried you can add kerosene to the mix

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

between the blends and glow plugs in TO you should have no real problems. But a block heater is suggested for extereme cold like Buffalo.

Extreme cold in Buffalo???

Buffalo average temperatures http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/USNY0181_f.html

Toronto average temperatures http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/CAXX0504_f.html


Looks like Toronto is colder than Buffalo to me.

 

[stang]

Emissions tests are grandfathered to the standard when the car was built and new.

 

[BiggieE]

Deisels last about 4 times longer than a gas engine.....There are semi's running around with over a million miles on them......Because of the compression firing, deisels are built much stronger than gas engines. Mercedes, and Volkswagon have some of the best. During the colder months, they blend kerosene into the fuel, to keep it from jelling. If you try to do it yourself, it might go BANG.....hehe...Deisels also require closer attention paid to oil changes at the proper interval. The sulfer buildup from combustion builds in the oil, making it rather abrasive....

 

[Perry Mason]

I have been driving a diesel Benz for -- would you believe it? -- 24 years! More than 350k on the engine, it has never needed any repairs (the engine, that is!) and it still runs like a charm.

Block heater and battery in good condition are very important. A good set of cables in the trunk for emergency jump starting, extemely useful. Regular oil changes a must. And, since I switched to synthetic oil for the engine, I have had much less concerns or problems starting up, even in very cold days.

Good luck!

Perry

 

[ThePunkPanther]

biodiesel is your friend

biodiesel fuel is environmentally friendlier, and can reduce your costs. its a blend of common diesel fuel and vegetable oil. [finally a use for all that soy stuff]

i've been driving diesel for a very long time and swear by it.

block heater? absolutely!!! good thing [goto princess auto]

enjoy

 

[danmand]

I used VW diesel Jettas for 12 years. I liked the torque the engine has, and I only had problems with starting once when the glowplugs had burned out. But I mostly used a block heater with a timer on in the winter.
I had the head gasket blow once, which is expensive. I guess it is more prone to happen on a diesel because of the higher compression.

 

[thighspy]

Stinky--it is

Ontario burns the worst Diesel in Canada.The grades in Ontario,will not pass in either B.C. or Alberta.(To much Wax)
The added benefit of Diesel,is the fact that there are no Sparkplugs,and hence no leakage of Current into the Body of the Vehicle hence not as much rust,and deterioration.Been driving Diesel all my Life.If there is a problem,it almost always is WATER,keep it clean.If you keep your car a long time,do your car a favor and drain the fueltank of water at least every two years.I have taken as much as a Quart of water out of there.
Life is too short to hurry.

 

[xarir]

A general comment on diesels

I really like the new diesel engines they have in Europe - wish a few more would make their way here. I find though that buying diesel is still problematic in North America. Whenever I go to a gas station I look for a diesel becuase I'd like to have a diesel car some day. Sadly, many stations don't sell diesel.

But whenever I get to drive a diesel car in Europe, I just love it. You still get about 1000km to one tank and new engines don't really sound like diesels when you're inside and they don't feel like diesels either. The new engines are very smooth and perform quite well throughout the RPM range and at all speeds.

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

I have heard that diesel fuel in Europe is much different and burns a lot cleaner than the sludge here, that they call diesel.

 

[BiggieE]

If you have a hard time finding deisel fuel, just look in the phone book for the nearest truck stop....I know they'll have it.

 

[xarir]

If you have a hard time finding deisel fuel, just look in the phone book for the nearest truck stop....I know they'll have it.

That's the trouble - I live (& work) downtown. Most truck stops are out on the highways surrounding the GTA. There are a few stations in town that sell diesel - just not that many.

 

[johnfoxx]

I've had a couple of Diesels but dont get one thats not got a turbo as the power range at low revs will just about let you overtake a pedestrian.
I would rate Japanese diesels better than German at the moment.

BUT!! On the gas subject - why is the octane rating here so low?

 

[Mufflicker]

What is the octane rating there. I'm from NYS and never payed attention to the rating on a pump while in canada. What method they use also determines the number they post. In the US they use am average of research plus motor methods.

 

[Gentle Ben]

Octane ratings in Canada are an average of the Motor method and the Research method
Gasoline is subjected to two testing methods to establish its octane rating: one, called the motor method, runs the gasoline in an engine under load; and a second, the research method, runs the gasoline in a free running engine. The research method gives slightly higher ratings, and the octane number displayed on the pumps is an average of the two methods

regular gasoline is 87 octane r/m

 

[casey22]

Anyone who has followed a diesel will know how much they STINK, especially when accelerating. Even the newer ones are smelly and I'm sure all that smell makes it's way into the cabin. Anyone with a good stereo will never enjoy it because of the constant clanging engine noise. If the newer ones from Europe are better, I'd wait

 

[xarir]

Anyone who has followed a diesel will know how much they stink, especially when accelerating. Even the newer ones are smelly and I'm sure all that smell makes it's way into the cabin. Anyone with a good stereo will never enjoy it because of the constant clanging engine noise. If the newer ones from Europe are better, I'd wait for their arrival.

That's the (well earned) sterotype of diesel engines. The new European ones are not like this at all. From the outside they sound a bit like diesels except they're very muted. On the inside of the car you can't tell you're in a diesel unless you leave the windows open and listen carefully. And the new ones don't belch black smoke either. If you're not paying attention, you'd think you're driving a gas engine as the performance is quite similar.