Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:01:09 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?
In-Reply-To: <550725.91101.qm@web50510.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi Dave, I'm willing to agree that the Zetec might be a great conversion
package, and probably is.
I'm just wondering what do you base your 'head and shoulders above' all
the rest comment on. Personal experience, or hearsay , or ?
What I wonder..........I've been aware of Zetec conversions for a year or
two. I have yet to see any owner raving about it.
I'm sure they're satisfied, but I also get the impression there are
very few of them. But why have I not seen ONE Zetec owner raving about how
smooth it is, how reliable, how powerful etc. And I am all over the
internet too. Surely there have been some, but I sure haven't noticed any.
And I see other engine conversion owners waxing ecstatic all the time over
their conversion they just got running. What's up with that anyway ????
Just take this list, it's a bit anti-conversion sometimes, but there are
all kinds of vanagon people on here, diesel ones, soobie ones, tdi ones
some........( I prefer not to mention tiico's .....an embarrassment to the
vanagon community as far as I'm concerned, particularity the attitude of the
head guy ) .......but how come no Zetec fanatics carrying on ???
That one thing would really lend credence to Zetec conversions. They are
'almost' a myth to me, since I only hear from the creator/founder about
them, and not any owners ever. And you know they have to be hard core
vanagon fanatics and you'd think part of this community.
Anyway.........it's all fun and we are so lucky we even get to play like
this !
scott
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dave Mari
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 11:54 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?
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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