Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 09:22:24 -0800
Reply-To: warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: User Friendly?? (was " you fixed it with what?!")
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
For all the merits of Diesel, it has some big drawbacks still. I like the
economy and versatility(ie, veg oil etc.)
However, it is not popular here in the US for several reasons that have
nothing to do with economy or big oil conspiracy.
I don't work for big oil, but if it wasn't for "big oil", we wouldn't be
having this discussion I might point out.
First, the fuel. It is not user friendly. It evaporates slowly and stains
permanently. So if you spill some on your shoes or dress you will smell it
all day .
Gasoline evaporates faster and yes, you will smell it a long time also but
the smell will wash out easier .
The noise of Diesel.
When I hear Diesel pick-up truck coming down my street my first thought is
where's the fire?
Some are as loud as firetrucks.
Diesels are noisy beasts though VW has made theirs relatively quiet.
Yet, when my sister's New Beetle TDI arrives here I can hear it out on the
street through double insulated STD 35 rated glass windows. I can't hear the
gas Jetta.
Since I work on my own vehicles ,if I had a Diesel here my neighbors would
be all over me just starting it up top run to the store after ten.
I can barely get away with idling a gas engine as it is now.
Not the kind of neighbor you can tell to "get used to it" either.
And finally the smell of exhaust-much more noticeable in Diesel than a
optimized air/fuel ratio FI gas engine.
Your neighbors who have Diesel engines that let them idle like they were
truckers- let's hear just how much you love them.
I bet you are like most of us- we don't like the noise and smell of Diesel.
Most of us(75 %) of Americans live in an urban /suburban area. You on the
farm will disagree.
Take this to the other choice of fuels, like veg oil.
Now what if your Diesel neighbors smell like McDonalds is next door, and you
don't eat hamburgers or French fries?
You're a veg head or on a low fat , low carb, low protein no fun diet?
Furthermore, Diesel is not very available here. Out of five local gas
stations near my house, only one has Diesel. And only one pump out of ten
for gas.
Which means I have to waste that fuel mileage Diesel offers looking for a
pump.
Notice that I did'nt down the Diesel engine itself - just the affects.
Maybe this has more to do with why we don't like and drive Diesels. The
price of Diesel is'nt so hot either, and there is no guarantee it will be
any more affordable is the demand goes up.
And though the first Diesel was made by a German named Diesel, the first
automobile was invented by by a Frenchman named Cugnot.
And the steam engine no one wants to see make a come back -no matter what
the economy!
Your comments and opinions pro or con are welcomed.
Robert
1982 Westfalia
----- Original Message -----
Wrom: OBUZXUWLSZLKBRNVWWCUFPEGAUTFJMVRESKPNKMB
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 8:23 AM
Subject: Re: " you fixed it with what?!"
but america is about the only country in the world where we rely on gasoline
more so than diesel!--so that sounds alil fishy to me. I for one am planning
a tierra del fuego trip--and diesel is on my list of wants for vehicle
support (although it looks like the subi syncro is gonna be the one). I'm a
big bio-diesel advocate though. actually have some friends over in india
right now who are importing a diesel royal enfield motorcycle if all goes
well. diesel will run on what ever kind of crap you put in em as long as
there are no big particles flooating around.
gotta remember rudolf diesel originally designed his motor to run on peanut
oil. for some strange reason he disappeared on his way to america with his
invention (think that is right). hmm--almost sounds like some kind of oil
company/government conspiracy dont it--better shut up now.
but yes--VW does frown on running bio-diesel or pure vegetable oil--they
dont ever really have to know do they? as much as i like bio-diesel--I'm
leaning more towards pour vege oil--all you do is dump it in and your ready
to roll
now--if we could just get the visions of really poorly designed 80's
american black smoke billowing diesels ou tof everyones heads and let them
see that diesels really can be clean burning machines. not much has changed
here--does anyone really need a 7.3L diesel to get grocery's with?
ok--quiet now
