Date: Thu, 13 May 2004 13:13:38 -0400
Reply-To: Jonathan Farrugia <jfarrugi@UMICH.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jonathan Farrugia <jfarrugi@UMICH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Diesels on NPR
In-Reply-To: <035c01c43904$88013750$0300a8c0@donald>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
i share these same thoughts but, most americans don't. my logic comes
from the fact that it was just reported that truck and suv sales are
continuing to grow even with the higher fuel prices. on a vanagon note
emissions and fuel consumption were one of the reasons that i chose to
convert my van to a inline digifant II engine. i did the conversion
myself and have been very pleased with the results. this summer i will
be building another inline engine van but this time using a diesel engine
which i plan to run on biodiesel or grease.
jonathan
On Thu, 13 May 2004, Donald Baxter / Iowa City, Iowa wrote:
> We should also consider the impact of the environmental implication of new
> vehicles being built. New cars create their own environmental effects by
> their very construction. Keeping an old car somewhat offsets the deleterious
> effects of their filthy engines... The old vehicles may pollute, but
> they're already here and the materials are already consumed. Putting a new
> inline four VW gas engine is a great way to clean up a Vanagon (but I'm
> probably not due for this transplant for a long time).
>
> I'm a big supporter of high density communities where walking, cycling and
> transit are useful. If we keep insisting on trying to live "rural" lives in
> urban areas we're not looking at anything remotely sustainable. New high
> density communities are being built where you can't hear your neighbors and
> frequently offer the sort of individualistic privacy Americans seem to
> require.
>
> Or we can just all live in our Vanagons and park them very close together.
> :-)
>
> DB
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steven Dodson" <steven@EPOCHDESIGN.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 10:13 AM
> Subject: Diesels on NPR
>
>
> > Don had the answer; we need a good, nation-wide mass transit system.
> > Even if each one were state run and connected together, like the European
> > system, we'd get more than half the cars off the road. It would save all
> the
> > wear and tear of daily driving on our Vanagons and keep them in better
> shape
> > for camping and adventures.
> >
> > A statement was made about using animal fat. Fact is animal fat makes a
> pour
> > and dirty fuel.
> > I'm not saying it doesn't burn well; the problem is it's very sooty, just
> > like petrol-diesel. Maybe because it comes from an animal (dino) base like
> > crude. It also makes a pour fuel because it solidifies at room
> temperature.
> > Bio-diesel suppliers in CA have at times laced theirs with small
> percentages
> > of rendered grease (because it's free), making the fuel unusable at temps
> > below 50F without custom fuel heaters.
> >
> > There will always be those who love gas and those who love diesel. The
> > problem here in the USA is we love our cars too much. We need to get past
> > that and learn to love the earth (and mass transit).
> >
> > -Steven Dodson
> > Kneeland, CA
> > "Inga" the 87 Syncro
>
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