Future in Diesels?

[GRG55]

Re: Future in Diesels?

If individualism was better than looking out for the greater good of society, then why are Americans (as seen by many of the post on this forum) and as displayed during those silly ass tea parties crying foul? Those in power are doing what naturally comes with a individualistic society. They are doing what they feel is necessary to keep money in their pockets and the pockets of their friends (self preservation). I guess individualism is great for its practitioners as long as the negative effects of individualism doesn't affect them.

When a system based on a foundation of equality of opportunity is abused and perverted to the degree we've seen in recent decades none of us are surprised at the widespread calls for a "new" system based on equality of outcome.

Doesn't mean it's good for the country or its citizens.

[flintlock]

Re: Future in Diesels?

That's Imperial gallons I presume? An Imperial gallon is about 20% greater volume, so you have to adjust for that. Someone earlier in this thread pointed that out.

[flintlock]

Re: Future in Diesels?

I've got an 89' 4-runner with a broken odometer that reads 240,000 miles. This piece of junk still pulls our steel horse trailer with no problem!

A brother in law of mine had a similar age 4 runner with over 300,000 miles.

[GRG55]

Re: Future in Diesels?

A brother in law of mine had a similar age 4 runner with over 300,000 miles.

Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear program in the UK did a humorous series trying to "kill" a Toyota truck. After much abuse including hammering it with a wrecking ball, setting it on fire, and finally perching it on top of a multi-story building that was then demolished with explosives, they gave up. The truck was still able to run and propel itself forward.

[flintlock]

Re: Future in Diesels?

Ha, I lost my reply to your reply.:mad:

Yes, it was very helpful thanks.

[snakela]

Re: Future in Diesels?

As a driver of a tdi in europe. These are great cars. but it is not the future. Toyota, is in my opinion an inferior brand, with inferior quality to the VAG concern, VAG is also the best make, when it comes to RUST.. It is also in the part details. Things like shock absorbers, and different details, that nobody does like the Germans. It's the same thing with shaving machines, like BRAUN. The future is something that use even less. Most cars that are sold here, is better than 45 mpg I think. 55-60 mpg is no problem on many cars.

The reason to choose diesel over gasoline, IMO, is saving money. Thats where VAG bites it. The over-complicate the cars from a design perspective then try to bring the costs down by using inferior materials. For example, the TDI ECU measures resistance of the glow plugs at power up. A few milli-ohms of difference across them causes a fault and a car that won't start. Sounds slick in theory but then they go and use aluminum connectors that corrode and will strand you unless you make a point to de-oxidize and protect said connectors. Same thing with the MAF sensor.

Then there's all those crappy plastic parts inside that break. $70 for a knob? Give me a break.

Around 50 % of new cars sold here are diesels, I am not sure, but i think they are 15-20 % more efficient than a gas car.

Rule of thumb is 30% more efficient than a similar size gasoline engine. Until recently diesel was about 25% more than unleaded around me....so its about a wash.

What I dont like about older TDI's is the timing belt. Other makes, in the older cars, use chains. That are much better.

Agreed!

Generally a TDI will do around 300000 miles, before there is any significant engine wear. They are much more durable than gasoline engines.

They'll go that long IF they don't die in the first few thousand miles. The previous owner of my TDI had to replace the entire engine because VW didn't follow their own procedures for locking in one of the tensioning rollers on the timing belt. Belt jumped a few teeth-> goodbye engine! This is not an isolated incident. The TDIclub forums are full of stories like these. Its not just a single generation of car either. This kind of crap happens on the last 3 generations of engine.

Thats why I will never buy another VAG product. Every single person I know that has a VW or audi runs into these kind of issues along with very poorly trained dealer mechanics. My VW is more fun to drive than my wife's honda, but I'm wrenching on that VW every few weeks it seems while that honda just keeps going and going.

[Starving Steve]

Re: Future in Diesels?

The reason to choose diesel over gasoline, IMO, is saving money. Thats where VAG bites it. The over-complicate the cars from a design perspective then try to bring the costs down by using inferior materials. For example, the TDI ECU measures resistance of the glow plugs at power up. A few milli-ohms of difference across them causes a fault and a car that won't start. Sounds slick in theory but then they go and use aluminum connectors that corrode and will strand you unless you make a point to de-oxidize and protect said connectors. Same thing with the MAF sensor.

Then there's all those crappy plastic parts inside that break. $70 for a knob? Give me a break.


Rule of thumb is 30% more efficient than a similar size gasoline engine. Until recently diesel was about 25% more than unleaded around me....so its about a wash.
Agreed!

They'll go that long IF they don't die in the first few thousand miles. The previous owner of my TDI had to replace the entire engine because VW didn't follow their own procedures for locking in one of the tensioning rollers on the timing belt. Belt jumped a few teeth-> goodbye engine! This is not an isolated incident. The TDIclub forums are full of stories like these. Its not just a single generation of car either. This kind of crap happens on the last 3 generations of engine.

Thats why I will never buy another VAG product. Every single person I know that has a VW or audi runs into these kind of issues along with very poorly trained dealer mechanics. My VW is more fun to drive than my wife's honda, but I'm wrenching on that VW every few weeks it seems while that honda just keeps going and going.

So far, with 109,000 miles on it, the total outlay of repair on my 2001 Toyota Echo has been two windshield-wiper rubbers for a cost of about $30, each. I did have to replace the set of Michellen (sp?) tires at 80,000 miles. And except for the odd and very rare oil change, I never service anything on a car. <-----period

If a car-make calls for servicing or a servicing schedule (which has been common in German cars), run, don't walk, RUN-AWAY from any purchase of that make.

Some of the absolute--- beyond belief--- worst cars that I have ever owned: VW 1968 beetle automatic, 1977 Jeep Cherokee, and the 1979 Olds diesel. And for poor quality and engineering in general, I would say all VW beetles.

In my opinion, car quality has improved greatly over the years in all makes, and Toyota is simply: excellent.

Oh yes, one head-light lamp burned-out on my Echo, probably because British Columbia law insists that head-lights are to be on all of the time, day or night, rain or shine. That lamp was very inexpensive to replace at Wal-Mart, I think $20 or $30, installed.

[metalman]

Re: Future in Diesels?

So far, with 109,000 miles on it, the total outlay of repair on my 2001 Toyota Echo has been two windshield-wiper rubbers for a cost of about $30, each. I did have to replace the set of Michellen (sp?) tires at 80,000 miles. And except for the odd and very rare oil change, I never service anything on a car. <-----period

If a car-make calls for servicing or a servicing schedule (which has been common in German cars), run, don't walk, RUN-AWAY from any purchase of that make.

Some of the absolute--- beyond belief--- worst cars that I have ever owned: VW 1968 beetle automatic, 1977 Jeep Cherokee, and the 1979 Olds diesel. And for poor quality and engineering in general, I would say all VW beetles.

In my opinion, car quality has improved greatly over the years in all makes, and Toyota is simply: excellent.

Oh yes, one head-light lamp burned-out on my Echo, probably because British Columbia law insists that head-lights are to be on all of the time, day or night, rain or shine. That lamp was very inexpensive to replace at Wal-Mart, I think $20 or $30, installed.

toyota and honda make cars for 3rd world living. need i say more?

[Starving Steve]

Re: Future in Diesels?

toyota and honda make cars for 3rd world living. need i say more?

Welcome to the turd world: http://www.eastsooke.com

[GRG55]

Re: Future in Diesels?

Welcome to the turd world: http://www.eastsooke.com

Nothing like a bit of hydrocarbon powered "ecotourism"...

[big67]

Re: Future in Diesels?

Here in Italy (and Germany + France) we have a practical alternative to diesel that is Compressed Natural Gas (methane).
1 Kg methane = 1 liter Diesel (as far as energy content)

FIAT pioneered this technology in Italy and markets in Europe a full range of methane powered cars and small vans.
Volkswagen has recently put on the road the new methane VW Passat (and is marketing a good range now, with the Passat, the Touran and the small van Caddy).
GM Opel is marketing the monovolume Zafira.

There are almost 1000 methane gas stations in Germany and about 700 in Italy.

I own a methane powered car. It has no pollution emissions. I run around 43 miles per Kg. The engine is a modified gasoline engine = low maintenance cost and very long overall mileage as methane is extremely clean.

I am saving both on maintenance and on the fuel itself.

The very interesting thing about methane is that it is very safe, and it is good also for public transportation (here in Italy in many towns all the buses are methane powered) and for small vans too.

I believe there are around 300.000 methane cars running in Italy now.

[Starving Steve]

Re: Future in Diesels?

Nothing like a bit of hydrocarbon powered "ecotourism"...

The carbon-dioxide emissions from the radical-environmentalists--- from their eco-tour boats here in East Sooke and Victoria or from their filthy wood-stoves here, whatever--- is never an issue with them. They can cut trees or do whatever they want.

Feminists are the other bunch that can do no wrong, and they live here, too. They have all the good jobs in the BC government, especially with the Capitol Regional District (CRD) in planning.

[nero3]

Re: Future in Diesels?

The reason to choose diesel over gasoline, IMO, is saving money. Thats where VAG bites it. The over-complicate the cars from a design perspective then try to bring the costs down by using inferior materials. For example, the TDI ECU measures resistance of the glow plugs at power up. A few milli-ohms of difference across them causes a fault and a car that won't start. Sounds slick in theory but then they go and use aluminum connectors that corrode and will strand you unless you make a point to de-oxidize and protect said connectors. Same thing with the MAF sensor.

Then there's all those crappy plastic parts inside that break. $70 for a knob? Give me a break.


Rule of thumb is 30% more efficient than a similar size gasoline engine. Until recently diesel was about 25% more than unleaded around me....so its about a wash.
Agreed!

They'll go that long IF they don't die in the first few thousand miles. The previous owner of my TDI had to replace the entire engine because VW didn't follow their own procedures for locking in one of the tensioning rollers on the timing belt. Belt jumped a few teeth-> goodbye engine! This is not an isolated incident. The TDIclub forums are full of stories like these. Its not just a single generation of car either. This kind of crap happens on the last 3 generations of engine.

Thats why I will never buy another VAG product. Every single person I know that has a VW or audi runs into these kind of issues along with very poorly trained dealer mechanics. My VW is more fun to drive than my wife's honda, but I'm wrenching on that VW every few weeks it seems while that honda just keeps going and going.

It's a problem with the dealerships in the US, even here, in the sense that they are not up to the task, the MAF should had been a recall, but you also have the german engeneering pride and other issues clutterings things. If something works in theory, it's difficult for them to adjust, and admit it, if it dont work. There is also some stupid solutions, such as the timing belt, there are however other diesel cars, such as the BMW and Mercedes, they are just not as efficient. Interior like, I really like the german cars compared to a japanese one.