Gas VS Diesel Boats

As you may know, diesel engines aren't something
you should take lightly. There are good reasons
why the rush to put them in cars back in the 70s
flopped. Diesel isn't the ideal power source for
all applications.

Engine speed

Diesel engines gained the reputation for long
service life early on in the history of the
engines, mainly from engines that were used in
commercial operations. These were big, very
slow to turn engines that were usually in the
600 - 1,000 RPM range.

The long service life of the diesel engine isn't
really a myth when used in the proper application.
It's only a myth in pleasure craft, where the
engines are operated in-frequently at high and
low speeds, normally under very heavy loads and
adverse conditions.

Fuel consumption

If you plan to engage on some serious long range
travel, especially if fuel stops aren't available,
then fuel consumption will become an issue.
Diesel engines will normally burn 1/3 to 1/2 the
amount of fuel as their gas equals. Considering
the cost of the engines versus the amount of
fuel you'll burn during the time you own the
boat, fuel savings isn't really important.

Dilemma

Most questions of choice arise for boats that
are in the 28 to 34 foot range where either type
of engine is available with adequate horsepower.
Gas engines do have the advantage that they are
cheap to buy and also cheap to repair.

Diesel boats are just the opposite, as for the
price of one you could buy three gas engines.
For the price of a smaller in-line 6 cylinder
diesel, you can buy two gas engines.

Therefore, cost wise, unless you really need
diesel power, diesels aren't very practical.
The advantage to diesel comes only at the
point where the extra torque is needed because
a gasoline engine would simply be under too
much strain to have an adequate amount of
service life.

If you have a choice of gas versus diesel,
your first concern should be to determine
whether or not you can really afford to own a
diesel, as the initial price is only part of
the cost.

If you simply can't afford to write a big check
for routine maintenance, then you will probably
be better off going with gas. On the other hand,
if you have a lot of money, diesel would be
your best bet. Diesel engines are great to
have, although they cost a lot of money to
up keep and they generally aren't the way to go
for those on a budget.

Gas Versus Diesel

Cost

Due to the high compression ratios and resulting
high cylinder pressure in diesel engines, they
must be built to withstand a lot more punishment
than gas engines. The parts that are spruced up
include a thicker block and cylinder heads,
pistons, crankshaft, and valves, which can be
very costly indeed.

When it comes to the price, gas wins this one by
far. Diesel costs a lot more to own than gas,
which is one of the main reasons why people tend
to choose gas over diesel.

Fuel cost

Diesel fuel is easier to refine, taking less
time to get from raw petroleum to final product
from gas, giving it a lower price than that of
gas. On the other hand, within the United States,
diesel is priced the same or just a bit below
regular unleaded gas.

Noise and vibration

Despite many improvements in noise isolation and
engine noise technology in trucks over the last 10
years, diesels are still much louder and shake
more than gasoline powered vehicles. At idle, the
clatter and shake of diesel vehicles are clearly
noticeable, while it can be hard to tell if the
gas engine is even running.

Cold weather

If you've tried to start a diesel engine on a
cold day, you know that gas is by far easier to
start. Diesels don't have spark plugs like gas engines
do, as the fuel is ignited once it's injected into
the cylinder that is already under pressure.
When it gets cold, the air isn't hot enough to
ignite the diesel fuel.

Maintenance

Maintenance on a diesel vehicle is more expensive,
thanks to many things including the larger volume
of oil in the engine and the fact that fuel filters
and water separators must be serviced more often
than gas vehicles. Gasoline engines have a bigger
advantage due to extended service periods on spark
plugs, engine oil, and even antifreeze.

Making that final choice between gas and diesel comes
down to what you'll do with your vehicle and where
you live. If you use your vehicle for quick, fast
acceleration and rarely ever haul heavy loads, and
don't plan to keep your vehicle past 100,000 miles,
you may want to consider buying a gasoline vehicle.

Gas runs smoother, fuel is easier to find, and
they are easier to start in cold weather. On the
other hand, if you plan to tow, value good fuel
economy and plan on racking up a lot of miles, then
you'll want to buy a diesel.

Price is also an important consideration, as diesel
vehicles can be a bit more expensive than gas. If
you aren't worried about price, then diesel may be
your best bet. For trucks, diesel is by far the
superior choice for those who like to haul heavy
loads on a frequent basis.

Gas Trucks Versus Diesel Trucks

If you plan to use your truck like a car, desiring
quick, quiet acceleration and rarely ever haul a
heavy load and don't plan to it for a long time,
you may want a gasoline engine. Gas engines run
smoother, fuel is easier to find, and gas
engines start easier in cold weather.

If you plan to use your truck for towing, value
good fuel economy and plan to put plenty of miles
on it, you may want a diesel. The price to buy
a diesel truck is really high, although they can
offer you a lot in return.

Below, you'll find the leading vehicle manufacturers
and what they offer you.

Dodge
The 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty trucks are
the newest 3/4 and 1 ton trucks on the road. Back
in 2002, the Ram didn't have enough power with
the 245 HP 9.5L. Dodge promised more powerful
engines for the 2500/3500 platform and they
delivered on that promise.

The new base engine is the 5.7L gasoline V-8
that's not only the most powerful engine of the
group at 345 HP but also revives the well known
and historical Hemi name.

Ford
Ford helped push the 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck
market to where it is today when it introduced
it's international engineered power stroke
diesel back in 1994. Before 1994, these diesels
were poorly built and no match for the big
inch gasoline engines.

From 1994 to 2002, over 70% of super duty Fords
were sold with the optional 7.3L V-8 diesel
engine. This engine helped to put Ford among
the leaders in diesel trucks, as they had more
than they needed to dominate the market.

Chevrolet/GMC
The GM 2500/3500 twins Silverado HD and Sierra
HD both come standard with GM's 6.0L gas engine
V-8. This engine is ideal for 3/4 ton trucks
where towing isn't a concern. The upgrades
start with the 8.1L gas V-8 that's based on
Chevrolet's venerable big block engine.

Over the years, diesel trucks have proven to be
effecient with mileage, great for towing, and
easy on maintenance. Unlike gas engines, diesel
engines do not have spark plugs, which means
you won't need to get them tuned up near as
much as gasoline engines.

For those who like to haul heavy loads on a
frequent basis, diesel is the way to go. You
can get quite a few miles per gallon, and
diesel trucks are built to go 250,000 miles or
more before the engine needs to be rebuit,
making them a purchase that is more than worth
your money.

Gas Tractor Versus Diesel Tractor

There are many different reasons as to why a diesel
compact tractor is superior to a gasoline garden
tractor.

First of all, the diesel engine doesn't have the
parts that normally wear out or give problems. There
are no spark plugs, rotors, points, or distributor
caps like the garden tractor. There is no carburetor
either, that will gum up and be hard to start after
being stored for a long period of time. Diesel engines
can be stored for long periods of time and still start
right up.

Secondly, diesel engines in most tractors are water
cooled. This will allow the engine to run at a more
consistent and cooler temperature, which will extend
the life of the engine. The typical properly
maintained diesel engine can run thousands of hours
without breaking a sweat - and without having to be
rebuilt.

Diesel engines will also make more power. Even though
gasoline tractors may be a little quicker to start
with, they can't begin to match the power and raw
torque that diesel engines offer.

Another reason why diesel tractors are better than
gas is the available attachments. Most gasoline
tractors are equipped with a belly mower and don't
normally have a three point hitch. This will severely
limit the type of implements that you can use and
also limit the tractors expandability.

Most blades and scoop implements won't work with a
gasoline tractor. The drive train will also limit
the type of implement you can use with a garden
tractor. The typical gasoline garden tractor is
belt driven, while a belt drive won't pull as much
load as a diesel powered tractor. You would probably
not be able to use a box blade or tiller either
with the average gasoline powered tractor.

Gas Saving Tips

Are you tired of the continuing rise in gasoline price?
If you are, you're not alone. In this article, you'll
find a few excellent tips designed to help you save
a bit of your hard earned money.

First, its always best to purchase your gas either
first thing in the morning or late at night. The
reason for this is because gas is denser at a cold
temperature, so you'll basically be getting more for
your money.

Secondly, check your local gas prices to find the
best price available. You can check your local gas
prices online as well, which will prevent you from
wasting gas while driving around to look for the
best price.

By keeping your car well maintained, you can help
improve fuel consumption. By simply tuning your car,
you can decrease your fuel consumption by up to 20
percent. Also, you should keep your tires properly
inflated and aligned. Tires that are under inflated
will cause fuel consumption to increase by 6 percent.
You should also make sure that you change your oil
and air filters on a regular basis as well.

Other tips to keep in mind are to drive by staying
in the posted speed limits, as the faster you drive
you will use more fuel. Whenever possible you should
use overdrive, as this will help fuel and also
improve the wear on your engine. You can also
combine your errands by making a list of things that
you have to do, as the more you cold start your
engine, the more fuel you'll be using.

By taking the time to do these tips, you'll be
amazed at just how much fuel you can save. Gas
prices are becoming ridiculous these days, which
is why you want to do your part to converse little
drop that you can.

Gasoline Engines

Gas engines are known as internal combustion engines
and are divided into two general classes, specifically
two cycle and four cycle engines. A cycle of an
engine represents one stroke of the piston or one
half revolution of the crank shaft, as a complete
revolution represents two cycles. With a two cycle
engine, the power impulse occurs at each revolution,
while with four cycle engines it occurs at every
other revolution, hence the terms two and four cycle
engines.

Both classes have their own specific advantages and
uses. For autombiles, the four cycle engines is
most used. For motor boats on the other hand, the
two cycle engine is most often used.

The horse power of gas engines is designated as HP
and also brake test HP. The IHP is the theoretical
HP, which is found by figuring different formulas,
in which the diameter of the bore, length of the
stroke in inches, and number of revolutions per
minute form the basis for calculation. The results
are found by the use of such formulas.

The BTHP on the other hand, is the power the engine
actually develops in service, and is considerably
less than the IHP. Keep in mind, this depends upon
the degree of the mechanical perfection attained in
the construction of the same. If both the compression
and construction are good, the engine may actually
reach 80 - 88% of the intended IHP.

With gasoline engines, high HP and high RPM ranges
are what makes them popular. Gas engines have always
been more popular than diesel vehicles, for the simple
fact that they can achieve more speed. If speed
is what you are after, gasoline vehicles are what
you should be looking for. Although they may lack
in torque and raw power, they make up for it with
speed and tuning options.

Gasoline Credit Cards

With gasoline getting more and more expensive, you've
probably found yourself wondering what you can do.
Even with the rising costs of gas and fuel, you
still need it to go places. No matter how you look
at it, you are at the mercy of these prices.

If you own two credit cards, changes are that you
will use one of them to pay for your gas. Gas credit
cards are now starting to shine. There are many
individuals who are planning to apply for a gas
card. Most cards are either issued by a leading
credit card company or by a major retailing gas
station.

Along with that, there are some of the gas credit
cards that give you a great deal like having
discounts on gases such as unleaded, premium, and
others. Gas credit cards also give you an
assurance to have more approved gas bonus.

If the credit card is approved, the owner of the
card will not only save money on gas, but he'll
also get an extra allowance for car equipment and
accessories. Gas cards can also help you save
a bundle on repairs as well.

Keep in mind that there are some things to consider
when you apply for a gas card. When you plan to
apply for a card, the conditions should always be
known. The benefits of the gas credit cards
available should also be studied and researched
in order to compare rates, features, and
benefits.

As the popularity of gas credit cards continue to
increase, so will the offers. Gas cards also
offer a positive effect for gasoline retailers as
well. The customer will also earn additional
incentives as well. If you plan to stick with
one brand of gas, this card can generate some of
the best rewards.

When looking for the best type of gasoline credit
card, the most important thing to do is review
the terms and conditions. The present status
of the card should also be reviewed in order to
avoid a bad credit record.

There are also several gas credit cards that will
give you extra rewards and point systems. What
this means, is that the card holder can earn
cash back on certain purchases. The more points
you get, the bigger product you can receive.

The ideal purpose of applying for gas credit cards
is to help eliminate the gas expenses. The
credit card should help you to have a deal with
gas expenses. Low interest premium cards can be
the best if you can maintain the proper balance.

The best thing about gasoline credit cards is the
fact that you don't have to pay for them now and
you can just pay later. Just don't forget to pay
the bill, as you could end up getting a bad credit
rating.

Gas Diesel Hybrid War

These days, gasoline prices may be crimping your
your household budget. You may like to reduce
the U.S. dollars that flow to the Middle East for
oil, or perhaps you are motivated by your concern
for the environment, or even the nagging reality
that oil is a depleting resource that shouldn't
be wasted.

Fuel economy

To put it into prospective, the fuel economy are
the numbers posted on the window sticker of a new
vehicle. Studies have shown that the average
driver only receives 75 percent or so of the
mileage figures that are on the sticker.

You can use these numbers to determine the best
type of vehicle for your purchase. The numbers
will let you know how many MPG your vehicle will
get, so you can compare vehicles and then go
from there.

Hybrid pricing

The gas electric hybrid vehicles are normally
priced higher than non hybrid counterparts,
anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to
several thousand dollars.

Hybrids can get a lot of miles per gallon,
some averaging around 45 - 55. This is great
for those who want to save money on gas, as
hybrids can go many miles on a full tank of
fuel and they come with extended warranties
as well.

Diesel efficiency

Diesel powered vehicles are yet another fuel
efficient option. Diesels are known for getting
extra mileage from every gallon of fuel. They
offer much better torque than many gasoline
engines. The price differential they have
over gasoline engines are usually much smaller
than that of the hybrid.

With plenty of options available, you're sure
to find what you need to help conserve fuel.
Before you make a purchase, always remember
to shop around and find what's best for you

Diesel Versus Spark Engine Ignition

As you may already be aware of, diesel engines are
more efficient than gasoline engines of the same
power, resulting in much lower fuel usage. For an
efficient turbo diesel, the average is 40% more miles
per gallon. The higher compression ratio with
diesel engines help to raise efficiency, but diesel
fuel also contains around 15% more energy per unit
volume than gas.

Diesel engines that are naturally aspirated are far
more massive than gasoline engines of the same power
for two reasons. First, it takes a larger capacity
diesel engine than a gas engine to produce the same
amount of power. Essentially, this is because the
diesel can't operate as quickly. The rev limit is
slower, because getting the correct fuel to air ratio
into a diesel engine fast enough is more difficult
than a gas engine. The second reason is due to the
fact that a diesel engine needs to be stronger to
withstand the higher combustion pressure needed for
ignition.

Diesel engines also produce very little carbon
monoxide as they burn the fuel in excess air except
at full loading capacity, where a full quantity of
fuel is injected per cycle. They can however,
produce a black soot from the exhaust, which consists
of unburned carbon compounds.

Often times, this is caused by worn injectors, which
don't atomize the fuel sufficiently enough, or a
faulty management system that allows more fuel to be
injected that can then be burned with the available
air.

For commercial use that requires towing, diesel
engines tend to have more desirable torque. Diesel
engines tend to have their torque peak quite low
in their speed range which provides smoother control
over heavy loads when starting from rest, crucially
allowing the engine to be given higher loads at low
speeds than a gas engine.

The lack of an electrical ignition system in diesel
engines improves the reliability. The high durability
of diesel engines is also due to the overbuilt
nature as well as the combustion cycle, which will
create a less violent change in pressure when
compared to a gasoline type spark ignition engine.
Diesel fuel is also a better lubricant than gasoline,
so it is less harmful to the oil film on piston
rings and cylinder bores - making it routine for
diesel engines to go 250,000 miles or more without
having to be rebuilt.

For several reasons, diesel proves to be better than
spark engine ignition. Diesel engines last a lot
longer, they offer more torque, and they are also
more reliable. They are also more expensive as well,
although you get what you pay for. If you have
never owned a diesel vehicle, you owe it to yourself
to see everything they offer you - and you'll find
yourself a very satisfied customer.

Diesel Versus Gasoline

A diesel engine will go much farther on a gallon
of fuel that the standard gasoline engine
because of their designs, and due to the higher
energy density of a gallon of diesel fuel. But,
it also takes a bit more oil to manufacture a
gallon of diesel than a gallon of gas, with
the production and refining processes for
diesel producing more gases that trap heat.

Therefore, when you consider the relative merits
of diesel and gas cars, try knocking the MPG
estimates for the diesel car down by 20 percent.
A diesel vehicle will cost you a bit more,
so you'll get more bang for your buck from a
gasoline vehicle.

The nasty rumors you hear about diesel are
true as well - diesel is less refined than gas,
or in other terms it's dirtier. Diesel
vehicles also emit more particulate matter and
NOx, both of which are serious health hazards
and air pollutants. Current diesel engines are
more polluting per each mile they are driven
than gas engines.

Using biodiesel on the other hand, will improve
this situation. If biodiesel is available in
your area, you'll still need to examine
whether a diesel is the right vehicle for you.

When you consider the facts, you have to ask
yourself which models you can afford, what is
the MPG, will engine be succifient for you,
and the number of passengers the vehicle will
accommodate. Then, given your budget, you can
go from there.

There are numerous gas and diesel vehicles
available, all you have to do is decide which
one is right for you. If you research carefully,
you'll have the perfect vehicle for your entire
family.

Diesel Vehicles

As you probably already know, diesel engines get
better fuel economy than gas, simply because they
don't need to burn as much fuel as gasoline engines
to get the same amount of power. Diesel engines
are built heavier than gas engines, to help sustain
the added stress of the much higher compression
ratios.

Diesel engines don't have an ignition system either,
so you'll never have to tune them up. The exhaust
systems will last longer as well, as the exhaust
on a diesel isn't as corrosive as an exhaust on a
gasoline engine.

With diesel engines, it isn't unusual to see them
with 400,000 or even 500,000 miles. There are some
out there that have even went beyond 600,000 miles!

When it comes to maintenance, 3,000 mile oil changes
are a must. Diesel fuel isn't as refined as gas,
so the oil will get dirtier faster. You should
also replace the air and fuel filters at least
once a year.

If you live in a colder climate, you'll need to
switch to a winter blend of fuel to prevent fuel
gelling. There are several additives that you can
put in the fuel as well, to help prevent your fuel
from getting gel.

It's also recommended that you replace the glow
plugs every two years. If the temperature drops
below 10 degrees, a block heater is something you
should have. This will ensure starting in cold
weather, especially with the heavy grade of oil
that a diesel engine requires.

If you take care of your diesel vehicle, you can
count on it to be around for years to come. Unlike
gas vehicles, diesel engines are built for the
long haul, and will last you for miles and miles
if you take care of them.

Diesel Passenger Vehicles

Both diesel cars and light trucks are receiving a
lot of attention in the United States as a near
term strategy to achieve fuel economy and climate
change goals.

The renewed interest in diesel as of late stems
from its potential to improve passenger vehicle
fuel economy. The best diesel passenger vehicles
of today are more efficient on fuel than their
gas counterparts, helping to reduce carbon
emissions by 30 percent or more.

There are some auto makers that are talking about
re-introducing diesel into light duty markets as
a solution for reducing global warming pollution
from both cars and trucks. Another important
reason is that the higher efficiency of diesels
will provide a quick fix for manufacturers who
are struggling to meet federal fuel economy
standards for light trucks.

Even if the efficiency benefits of diesel do
yield real world improvements on the economy, the
potential climate change benefits are modest.

Even though diesel achieves more miles per gallon
than gasoline, many are concerned about the
impact that diesel passenger vehicles have on
the economy. From time to time, the combustion
in the engine can cause black emissions to spit
from the exhaust, which is actually very bad
for the economy.

While gas is actually the worst, diesel is taking
strides to improve engines and the impact on
the economy. Diesel is getting more and more
popular these days, as gas prices continue to
rise and rise.

Although diesel engines can have an impact on
the economy, they are the way to go for those
looking to conserve mileage. Diesel vehicles
cost more than gas vehicles, although they will
offer you more than you can expect. If you are
looking for a quality ride, diesel is the way
to go.

Diesel Or Not

Diesel is often looked at as being smelly, noisy, and
many think the only place for it is in a tractor. The
truth to diesel vehicles is that they are slow, noisy,
smelly, although they are cheaper to run than gas.

Diesel engines aren't as powerful as gas engines, as
gas engines produce more horsepower than that of a
diesel engine. Diesel vehicles however, offer more
torque than gas. Therefore, it is a very thin line as
to which one is better.

When it comes to power, diesel is the more expensive
of the two. Diesel powered vehicles are normally more
expensive to buy than gas, and the parts are a lot
more expensive than gas vehicles. The diesel however,
is more reliable due to it being less complicated
internally and heavier to build, therefore it normally
lasts longer than gas engines.

Economy is always a factor as well, as will fuel
prices being what they are. Now days, it costs a
small fortune to fill up a gasoline vehicle, especially
the bigger engines. When it comes to fuel, diesel
is generally less expensive. You can fill up a diesel
vehicle for less of a price, and the fuel will
normally go longer than gas will.

Appearance is also important. Diesel is generally
loud, with the exhaust emitting black smoke when the
vehicle is throttled. You can normally tell when a
diesel pulls off by the black smoke it leaves behind.
Keep in mind, this isn't a problem with the engine,
just means that the fuel is dirtier.

Tuning is also important. Gas engines are more
tunable than diesel, as you can get better power
increases from gas than you can with diesel. The
major thing diesel owners tend to go for is turbo,
as it is one sure way to match gasoline in terms
of power.

A turbo charged diesel can and will match a standard
gasoline engine for power, if not slightly better it
a bit. This is why most diesel cars come turbo
charged, as its a way to keep up with the modern
diesel engines of today.

When it comes to making the choice, you really have
to choose what is best for you and your needs. If
you want power with plenty of tuning options, then
gasoline engines are what you want. On the other
hand, if you want power and torque, then a diesel
vehicle is what you want.

The choices are entirely up to you, as there are
certainly plenty to choose from. Always check out
the vehicle you are interested in, and find out
if it will match your needs. Before you know it,
you'll have a diesel or gas vehicle that will perform
well beyond your expectations.

Diesel Fuel Quality

The designs of diesel engines striving to increase
performance have made a lot of advancements in engine
fuel delivery to the combustion chamber. The diesel
engines of today are much quieter, smoother, and
also more powerful. The quality of diesel fuel on
the other hand has not advanced at the same rate as
the improvements of engines.

As soon as it is produced, diesel fuel begins to
deteriorate. Less than 30 days of refining, all
diesel fuel, regardless of the brand, goes through a
natural process called oxidation. This process forms
varnishes and gums in the fuel by causing the
molecules of the fuel to lengthen and start bonding
together.

Now, these components will drop to the bottom of the
fuel tank and form diesel sludge. The fuel will
begin to turn very dark in color, smell bad, and
cause the engine to smoke. The engine starts to
smoke as some of these clusters are small enough to
pass through the engine filtration and on to the
combustion chamber.

As the clusters begin to increase in size, only a
small amount of the molecules will get burned, as
the rest will go out the exhaust as unburned fuel
and smoke.

Its estimated that eight out of every ten diesel
engine failures are directly related to poor quality
and contaminated fuel. The build up of contamination
in the fuel systems and storage tanks can clog
filters, thereby causing the engine to shut down,
and damage to the engine to occur.

The number one reason for bad fuel is due to the
increasing popularity of diesel power and the
accompanying increased demand for more diesel fuel.
Long ago, diesel fuel remained in the refinery
storage tanks long enough to naturally seperate and
begin to settle, allowing the clean fuel to be
drawn apart. Now, with the demand getting higher
than ever, the fuel is never stationary long enough
to settle, and the suspended water and solids are
passed on to the person buying the fuel - you.

The changes in refinery techniques is also a
problem. In order to get more products, diesel
fuel is being refined for more marginal portions of
the crude barrel. This results in a lower grade
product that is thicker and also contains a lot
more contamination.

As time continues to pass and technology gets better
and better, one can only hope that the quality of
diesel fuel improves. As it stands now, the quality
isn't good at all. If you run diesel fuel, all
you can basically hope for is that the fuel you
are getting isn't contaminated.

Diesel Engines Forgotten Treasures

There are very few engine configurations that promise
increased fuel economy and power. There are few
engines that offer this in addition to reliability.
Today, those across the ocean are enjoying the
fruits of diesel technology revolution.

Diesels have experienced a great history here in the
United States. In 1980, General Motors modified
their 350ci gas V8 to run on diesel fuel. The result
however, wasn't that god. These engines offered
better fuel economy but little else. They were
very slow, and not very reliable.

Mercedes Benz on the other hand, had better luck
in the 1980s with an array of vehicles available
with diesel engines. These great vehicles offered
amazing durability although they were rough, noisy,
and smoked quite a bit. Volkswagon offered diesel
as well, although they had a habit for spewing
blue smoke from the tail pipe.

Throughout the 90s, Benz and Volkwagon offered
diesel vehicles in the United States, with each
generation becoming cleaner, smoother, and more
powerful than the last. Overall, they were a
tough sell as they still lacked the horsepower
that many were seeking.

Today, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Volkswagon, Ford,
and many other manufacturers are offering diesels
to many markets throughout the world. To put it
simple, forget everything you know or think you
know about diesel engines in the United States.

These newer engines benefit from hundreds of
technical innovations. There are several diesels
in Europe that offer better acceleration than
their gasoline counter parts. BMW's 120d has
163bhp, goes 0 - 60 in under 8 seconds, and
achieves 49.6 miles per gallon.

Benz offers the C320 CDI SE that has 224bhp, and
over 360 lb foot of torque. This car gets just
under 48 mpg on the highway, with an acceleration
of 0 - 60 in under 7 seconds. Throughout North
America, you won't find a gasoline engine that
offers this unique blend of fuel economy and
excellent performance.

The reason why diesels haven't caught on in
North America comes down to one word - sulfur. We
have too much sulfur in the diesel here in the
United States. This cheap grade of diesel fuel
will run havoc on the more sophisticated diesels
offered overseas and cause an increase in
emissions.

There is hope however, as refiners will soon be
producing what is known as ultra low sulfur
diesel fuel. This will help to reduce the sulfur
content from 500ppm to 15ppm.

Diesel Engines And Well Known Gas

In passenger cars, the diesel engine has never really
caught on. During the middle to late 70s, diesel
engines in passenger cars did notice a surge in
sales due to the OPEC oil embargo, although that is
the only real significant penetration that diesel
engines have made in the market.

Although diesel engines are more efficient, there
are eight historical problems that may have held
them back.
1. Due to the higher compression ratios,
diesel engines tend be heavier than the equivalent
gasoline engine.
2. Diesel vehicles and diesel engines tend to
be more expensive than gas.
3. Because of their weight and compression
ratio, diesel engines tend to have lower RPM ranges
than gas engines. This gives diesel engines more
torque rather than higher horsepower, and this tends
to make diesel vehicles slower in terms of acceleration.
4. Diesel engines have to be fuel injected,
and in the past fuel injection was very expensive
and less reliable.
5. Diesel engines tend to produce more
smoke and smell very funny when compared to gasoline
engines.
6. They are harder to start in cold weather
and if they contain glow plugs, the diesel engines
may require you to wait before you start the
engine so that the glow plugs can heat up.
7. Diesel engines are much noisier than
gas engines and tend to vibrate quite a bit.
8. Diesel fuel is less available than gas.

Although one or two of these disadvantages would be
acceptable, a group of them is a big turn away for
many people.

Even though the list above are reasons in the past
as to why diesel never really took off, you can
expect these reasons to get corrected and improved
in the future, meaning that you will see more and
more diesel vehicles on the road.

Diesel And Gas Prices

Over the years, the prices of both gas and diesel
have experienced some drastic changes. Many years
ago, the price of gas was around a dollar or a
little more, nothing like it is today. Back then,
gas wasn't high in price although the demand for
vehicles wasn't what it is today either.

As the demand for vehicles grew, the demand for
fuel grew as well. Other actions and events have
played into the equation as well, resulting in
the rising costs of fuel. Fuel is something we
all need to run our vehicles, as we wouldn't be
able to go anywhere without it.

As you may know, a majority of the gas we get at
local gas stations comes from overseas, primarily
the Middle East. Therefore, we have to pay taxes
and such on the gas we use, which pays for the
gas as well as the shipping. If we got our gas
from within the United States, one can't help
but wonder whether or not the prices would indeed
be lower.

Diesel on the other hand, has always managed
to keep a price lower than gas. Diesel comes
from within the United States, so the prices are
of course going to be lower. The only problem
associated with diesel fuel is locating it, as
many gas stations don't sell it.

When it comes to the choice between the two,
diesel fuel is obviously cheaper to buy. Gas is
in supply more, which means that you can find
it almost anywhere. If you own a gasoline
vehicle, you obviously don't want to put diesel
in it. If you own a diesel vehicle, then you
of course wouldn't want to put gas in it either.

Advantages Of Diesel Engines

If you've owned a diesel powered vehicle in the
past or if you own one now, you no doubt appreciate
the qualities this engine provides you with. More
torque, better fuel economy, and easier maintenance
are but a few of the attributes of owning diesel
powered vehicles.

However, there are some motorists that still
complain about the engine's weak power, especially
when accelerating from a full stop. What you
may not be aware of is the fact that a diesel
engine can be tweaked to give more power without
harming the fuel economy.

Diesel engines use air compression to create
combustion versus the fuel/air mixture that is
required by gas engines. This attribute means
that diesel engines don't require spark plugs
and therefore don't need to be tuned up.

Diesel fuel has a much high fuel density than
gas, which results in fuel economy increases
of 20 - 30% over gasoline powered vehicles.

Diesel engines are also cheaper to maintain as
they have less parts than that of a gasoline
powered engine. The life span of a diesel
engine is also much longer.

If you're looking for torque, for pulling a
boat or other equipment, then the diesel
engine has the supreme advantage. Diesel
engines are surely slower, especially when
starting from a dead stop, although when you
climb hills or go over bridges, the diesel
engine is surely up to the task.

With trucks, diesel is normally the leader
over gas engines in terms of performance and
miles per gallon. Diesel trucks will get
more miles than gas trucks, and the price for
diesel is a bit cheaper than gas these days.
And with gas prices on the rise, diesel will
continue to dominate for a long time to come.