Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 21:15:42 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 88 GL - Failure to Start - but now it does!! Hip Hip Huzzah!!
The cost of Diesel Fuel.
In-Reply-To: <CAFnDXk3vwePf371nD5LxT0NpQbQpO_-npq9-QFtG59r8MdKqKg@mail.gmail.com>
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Keep in mind you are running older technology and supporting it yourself. Imagine paying dealer or even shop rate for labor and parts to keep that rig going. BTW for modern engine using the computer controlled injectors when I need 2 for the motorhome they listed for $678 each, rebuilt! The Cat dealer wanted to replace all 6 plus the pump for a cost approaching $7k. That was at 57k miles.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jim Felder
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2014 8:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 88 GL - Failure to Start - but now it does!! Hip Hip Huzzah!! The cost of Diesel Fuel.
Dennis,
I don't drive 55. I drive 60 and 65 (it's a 5-speed NA, there is a TD in my engine stand being built as we speak), and I get 26-27 miles to the gallon.
That's not but 5-10 mph slower than a gas vanagon (remember it's a westy, a tiptop would get 30 MPG), but about a third better mileage. The turbo that I'm building with give me a lot more power and 1 more MPG. Plus virtually no problems, troubleshooting, ECU, hall sensor, plug wire and weird sensor problems. None of that. It just goes and goes, has 360,000 miles on it (not on one engine) I have not replaced an injector in 11 years of driving, and have replaced one exhaust system for a total of less than $200 for new parts.
I've had both new and used gas vanagons. I'm not looking back. If it didn't pay off for me, believe me, I would not be driving it.
Jim
On Fri, Jun 13, 2014 at 7:11 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> As some of you know I have a Diesel powered motor home. With a 100
> gallon tank I get to pick where I get fuel when traveling. I prefer
> truck stops and in particular the FlyingJ as they tend to be the most
> RV friendly. Before a trip I go to their web site which posts real
> time fuel costs for most of their stations. I then plan for the lowest
> cost to get fuel.
>
> Typically when I fill up I see the Diesel is anywhere from $.40 to
> $.80 more than regular gasoline. I have seen the difference close to
> $1.00. This is painful.
> As for economy my 39' RV does about the same as my first 27' class C
> motor home with the Ford 460. What has been surprising though is the
> increased cost of maintenance and repairs. Oil change time is 20
> quarts as compared to
> 7 and filters cost much more. I am getting ready for exhaust #3 and
> have had to replace 2 injectors and the cooling system including
> radiator. If it was
> 2007 and later I would also have to deal with the special fluid for
> the exhaust.
>
> Luckily the engine is in the back. It is a dirty sooty mess. A few
> times towing Fun Bus I forgot the close the fresh air intakes. What a
> mess inside the van.
>
> From folks that have Diesel and turbo diesel Vanagons I think one of
> the ways they get better fuel economy is that they drive slower.
> Slower acceleration and lower top or travel speeds. Driving 55 will
> take ~25-30% less fuel than 70 no matter what you drive.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Jim Arnott
> Sent: Friday, June 13, 2014 7:04 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 88 GL - Failure to Start - but now it does!! Hip Hip Huzzah!!
>
> The data's all on fuelly.com
> Go examine it yourself and draw your own conclusions.
>
> FOR ME: Diesel is about 30% better mileage. Diesel's cost in NE Oregon
> is about a 10% premium.
>
> I didn't say it was scientific. It's just my observed data. I didn't
> track the distance with anything other than the odometer. Gas rig:
> about $45 to fill every 200 miles. Diesel: about $50 every 300 miles.
> Each driven over the exact same route. (Daily commute = 15 miles each
> way. 5% city, the rest
> 55 mph.)
>
> Visit fuelly.com The emperical data from many is right there. Draw
> your own conclusions.
>
> For me, the diesel is significantly cheaper to drive.
>
> Jim
>
>
> On Jun 12, 2014, at 10:00 PM, OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
>
> > Comparing the MPGs of a Westy to that of an AW is In&OfItself
> > a Grossly Unequal Example & then throwing in 66K Mi's to 12K Mi's
> > makes the Comparison
> >
> > Absolutely Irrelevant ( unless those miles were all RackedUp during
> > a TimeFrame when the FuelPrices DidNotChange ) ~
> >
> >
>
> > ORR ~ DeanB
> >
> > On 12 Jun , 2014, at 9:06 PM, Jim Arnott wrote:
> >
> >> Fuel economy.
> >>
> >> Diesel Westy average cost over 66k miles: $0.127/mile ABA gas
> >> powered Adventurewagen average cost over 12k miles: $0.189/mile
> >
>
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