Date:         Wed, 17 Mar 2004 15:14:56 -0500
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: User friendly fuels (was you fixed it..)
Comments: To: Gnarlodious <gnarlodious@EARTHLINK.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <BC7DE737.39CF8%gnarlodious@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Wed, 17 Mar 2004, Gnarlodious wrote:

> Entity Robert Keezer spoke thus:
>
> > [diesel] is not user friendly. It evaporates slowly and stains
> > permanently.
> The former? That's a big advantage.

Yup, means less chance of fire for one thing.  A puddle of gasoline,
because it turns to vapor so easily, creates an explosive air/fuel mixture
around it.  Diesel does not.  This also means that diesel sits there
waiting to be cleaned up instead of polluting the atmosphere with
hydrocarbons.  Additionally, diesel vehicles don't need complicated vapor
recovery systems -- a simple vented tank is good enough.

Next time you're at your local gas station, think about this -- gasoline
is combustible at a wide range of concentrations.  If you can *smell* gas,
there's a good chance you're standing in a flammable atmosphere!

BTW, my local gas station has a box of disposable vinyl gloves next to the
diesel pump.

> > Remember how as a kid you loved the smell of gas at the pump?
> Eh? Always hated gasoline. Instant headache.

Same here.  I found out the hard way that it's even worse if you spill a
significant amount on your skin.  It can absorb through your pores.

> > 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.
> One mans noise is another mans music.

Also, a properly tuned, *modern* diesel is not that loud.  The Jetta TDIs
I've seen are only slightly louder than a gas engine...they sound a bit
like a gas engine with a mild case of piston slap.  Often I don't notice
it's a diesel until I hear the turbo spool up.  No visible smoke, either!


David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon