Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:12:05 -0800
Reply-To: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?
In-Reply-To: <550725.91101.qm@web50510.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
dear all ??
those questioning the sense of diesel over gasoline might ask themselves
even though diesel is seemingly more expensive than gasoline ...
what will you use when there is no more fuel station open
(think mad max) ....
the gasoline vehicle will be idle ...
the diesel will be using almost anything containing fat
yes even jersey cow milk ... the cream rich diesel alternative
yours
On Jan 11, 2008 11:54 AM, Dave Mari <vw4x41987@yahoo.com> wrote:
> The diesel option sounded real good to me until I looked into all of the
> cost; such as diesel fuels is 15 to 20% higher than gas in the NE, and the
> TDI are 10 time the cost of a Zetec and E85 is more available than Bio and
> becoming more so in this area.
>
> Then it was a choice between and higher milage non turn key oprtion such
> as a Subie or the very questionable Tico kit, until the Bostig kit came out
> which is head an shoulders above the other options.
>
> GO PATS!
> Dave
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Gary Bawden <goldfieldgary@GMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 11:07:51 AM
> Subject: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?
>
> Hi Phil,
>
> The Diesel vanagon is a great machine, but there are a few caveats:
>
> Fuel mileage: Most people get around 28 mpg. If you don't mind driving at
> 52
> - 55 mph (recommended anyway, as you will substantially reduce the life
> expectancy of the engine by trying to keep up with normal traffic flow),
> you
> can get around 32 mpg. I should mention, these numbers are for the
> passenger
> van models (which I have), and not the Westy, which has more frontal
> surface
> area.
>
> To really enjoy your new lifestyle, you must already be accustomed to
> "life
> in the slow lane". If you've ever driven a splittie, it's not a whole lot
> different, except with a gas engine you can get a pretty good run at the
> hills. Don't try it with a Diesel, 60 to 62 max for short periods only.
>
> On hills, you will really enjoy the subtle nuances of the scenery. I like
> to
> tell people, I only stop to pick up tools laying on the side of the
> road when I can clearly see that it is a Snap-On, or maybe a Proto!
>
> As for parts availability, there are so many diesel Jettas and Rabbits,
> with
> almost all the same engine parts, it's not a big problem. What is a
> problem
> is the reduced sulfur fuel now available, which shortens the life of
> critical, big-ticket items such as the injector pump. You must now add a
> quality Diesel fuel additive every time you put fuel in the tank. This
> adds
> a few cents per gallon to your fuel cost.
>
> Also, be aware that Diesel-grade engine oil is not the same as the stuff
> you
> get off the shelf at your local FLAPS. Only use a good-grade Diesel engine
> oil - - I use Shell Rotella-T, because I can buy it at any truck stop
> across
> the country. Other good contenders are Chevron Delo 400, and the Mobil
> synthetic one, can't remember what it' called.
>
> Also, I should mention they really do best in flatter locations, although
> if
> you don't mind using your gearbox and finding the proper, relaxed speed
> for
> each gear, you'll get there eventually. I pulled Tioga Pass (the one over
> the Sierra Nevadas going into Yosemite National Park) comfortably in
> second
> gear.
>
> Some will say that they are unsafe on today's roads - - I think that a
> defensive driving attitude will go a long way to mitigate this, that and
> some of the red-and-white reflective tape applied across the back of the
> vehicle.
>
> Hope you find this helpful, and I just KNOW there's going to be dissenting
> opinions. That's mine, and I'm sticking to it. :o)
>
> Gary
>
>
>
>
>
> > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:57:26 -0800
> > From: Phil Cappellini <philcappellini@HOTMAIL.COM>
> > Subject: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?
> >
> > Hello,
> > =20
> > With high and even higher anticipated gas prices, I am considering
> getting
> > =
> > a diesel vanagon. The loss of going to a sluggish 1.6L diesel motor
> > compare=
> > d to my peppy 2.1L gas motor doesn't bother me....... that much. But I
> do
> > h=
> > ave several concerns:
> > =20
> > 1. The availability of diesel vanagons - There aren't many of them
> around
> > a=
> > nd the ones that are around are Westy's. I love Westy's but as a daily
> > driv=
> > er, over the long-run, I find them tiresome. The seven seater version
> > seems=
> > to be very rare.
> > =20
> > 2. The availability of parts - Since there aren't many diesel vanagon's
> I
> > a=
> > m led to believe that parts are scarce; thus very expensive.=20
> > =20
> > Any comments supporting or refuting my concerns are appreciated?
> > =20
> > =20
> > Anyone in the Vancouver BC area know of any for sale?
> > =20
> > Thanks, Phil.
> > _________________________________________________________________
> >
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
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--
roger w
There are two kinds of jobs in the world:
Picking up garbage and telling people things.
Successful people do both, with the same good attitude. (riw)
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