Diesel Versus Petrol Engines

The differences between diesel engines and petrol engines goes far beyond conventional wisdom about cars and trucks. Especially with major manufacturers, such as Volkswagen, now offering diesel in passenger vehicles. Nowadays, seeing vehicles with diesel on the highway or in the driveway is becoming increasingly common. And with more diesel cars on the road, more are ending up in the shop. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or a mechanic, there are some important things to note: For one, diesel engines are significantly more expensive to replace than petrol engines. Because of this, you stand to save a lot of money by buying a used diesel engine.

They tend to be more expensive initially, but cost less to own, due to diesel often being less expensive. However, they do require a bit more maintenance than gasoline engines. Because of this, it can be difficult to feel confident that a used engine is in good shape. Be sure to have a used engine inspected by a mechanic before installing it in your car. It also helps to know a bit about the history of the engine, such as when it was manufactured, what happened to the car that it came from and what type of application it was used for. Of course, if you can identify a quality used engine for a good price, you can save a great deal of money.

Rebuilt engines are similar in that they are salvaged from pre-owned automobiles and are far less expensive than brand new ones, but the process for preparing a rebuilt or remanufactured diesel engine for sale is fundamentally different. Most importantly, rebuilt engines are reconditioned and rigorously tested to ensure that they meet a high standard of quality, performance and reliability. A rebuilt engine, while costing a fraction of the price of a new diesel engine, should run almost as good as a brand new engine.


Please visit this link to learn more about diesel engines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4819358

Gas Versus Diesel - RV's

This article discusses an age old question and one I get asked a lot, should I buy gas or diesel? This question has fueled many a heated debates too. Sometimes this question involves a truck that will be used to tow a trailer, and other times it involves what type of motorhome to purchase. A universal response you could expect to hear to this question goes something like this: Diesels cost more. Don't buy a diesel unless you plan to put a bunch of miles on it and keep it for a long time. That's the only way you can justify the extra cost of a diesel.

Several years ago there was some truth to this somewhat typical response. But things are changing, especially when you're talking about motorhomes. Today, the cost of some gasoline powered motorhomes is about the same as many of the entry level diesel motorhomes available on the market. This higher cost is mainly due to advancements in gasoline RV chassis' design; with greater Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) to accommodate coach designs with 3 and 4 slideouts. And don't forget to factor in the new technology in gasoline engine and transmission design over the past several years.

The old response, of diesels costing more, does hold true with some of the specialized diesel chassis manufacturers, but it's not just the engine that accounts for these higher prices. You are moving to a much higher plateau across the board. For the most part gasoline RV chassis' are heavy duty truck chassis' modified for Recreation Vehicle use, whereas many diesel chassis' are a bus chassis. These bus chassis' have even greater GVWR's, air brakes, air ride suspension systems, larger transmissions, rear mounted diesel engines and more. They handle better, ride better and cost more. I always say you get what you pay for.

Other than the cost factor between gas and diesel motorhomes, what are we really talking about when it comes down to gas versus diesel? Say for example in a truck you want to use to pull a trailer. This is where we need to factor in the engine itself. This is also where torque and horsepower come into the equation.

Explaining torque and horsepower can get extremely technical, and we want to keep this simple and easy to understand. With that said, torque is basically the force or energy required to move something. Torque is the measurement of force, and force is measured in reference to a twisting or rotating shaft. In English terms torque is measured in pounds-feet, but is more commonly referred to as foot-pounds. So in keeping it simple let's just say that torque can be thought of as the amount of turning force it takes to move one pound of weight the distance of one foot.

Torque can be multiplied through gear ratios. You have probably heard that the higher the real axle gear ratio is the better the truck will tow. The axle ratio is the number of times the driveshaft must rotate to turn the rear wheels one time. If you have a 3.73:1 axle ratio the drive shaft turns 3.73 times for each full turn of the axle. So in a sense torque really equals towing capacity.

Horsepower on the other hand is torque X RPM's. Torque is how much work is being done, and horsepower is how fast you get the actual work done. What's interesting is an engine rated at 350 horsepower only produces that horsepower at a rated peak power RPM. This RPM range, for a gasoline engine, is often between 5,000 and 6,000 RPM's. When an engine is idling the horsepower is significantly lower, and as the RPM's raise so does the horsepower. When you are towing a trailer the engine speed is more likely to be in the low to mid 2,000 RPM range, which means you probably have slightly more than half of the rated horsepower. Horsepower is measured by a dynamometer. A dynamometer puts a load on the engine and measures the amount of power the engine produces against the load at various speeds. In reality it is measuring torque in pound-feet and converting it to horsepower. Even at the rated peak power RPM you won't really get the rated horsepower because a percentage is lost through auxiliary equipment on the engine and the process of getting it back to the wheels.

In a diesel engine the horsepower peaks at a lower RPM, and there is more torque at a lower RPM compared to a gasoline engine. This results in a diesel engine having much more power at a lower RPM, around the RPM range you will be towing at. This higher torque and higher horsepower at a lower RPM equates to better towing.

There are many other factors involved in the question of gas versus diesel that you will need to consider. What are the maintenance costs involved, cost difference between fuel types, fuel economy, your budget, and the resale value? Whether it's for a tow vehicle or a motorhome, take your time and make a well informed decision when comparing gas to diesel.

If the question is which truck will tow more or which motorhome has more torque the diesel will win hands down, but I honestly have no complaints with our gas powered motorhome either. Especially when considering the price.

Q&A

Question: Why does a diesel engine have more torque?

Mark Says: Much of the reason is in the way the engine is designed. Internal combustion engines use spark from a spark plug to ignite fuel in the combustion chamber of a gasoline engine and the high heat from compression to ignite the fuel in a diesel engine. It's more difficult to burn diesel fuel so diesel engines have higher compression ratios resulting in more heat to ignite the fuel and more power.

Question: I have always heard that a diesel engine is much louder than a gas engine, is this true?

Mark Says: If you asked me that several years ago the answer would have been yes, but newer diesel engines are actually very quiet.

Question: You said in the article a diesel motorhome rides better, why is that?

Mark Says: Most gas motorhome chassis' use leaf spring suspension systems. With this suspension system you will experience things like "body roll" and "pitch." whenever pressure is exerted against one side of the motorhome. It can be caused by a gust of wind, a shift in weight while cornering, or a passing truck. The effects of sway on a motorhome are increased because of the height and mass of the motorhome. A diesel chassis uses an air ride suspension system. These systems keep the chassis adjusted to the proper ride height at all times by adding and releasing air as required. And the way the system is designed eliminates the pitch and roll affect you get from leaf spring suspensions, resulting in a smoother riding motorhome.

Happy Camping,

Mark J. Polk

Copyright 2007 by Mark J. Polk owner rveducation101.com


RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/593736

Diesel Vs Gas - Which is Better?

Whether you're thinking about buying a diesel car or truck or becoming a diesel mechanic or simply would like to compare a diesel powered vehicle to a more conventional unleaded gasoline powered vehicle, there are a few things you need to bear in mind and understand. Each type of engine has its own advantages and drawbacks, so knowing what you need and how you need it for your personalized lifestyle is really important.

Today's diesel engines are certainly not what they have been 10 or even five years back. Gone are the days of pungent exhaust and unacceptably obnoxious engine sound. Diesel engines have become much cleaner, have more power and are considerably more dependable. These are some of the reasons that we are seeing more and more ordinary automobiles with diesel engines rather than the traditional gasoline engine.

Let's take a look at various differences between these two engine types.

Are the Engines of Diesel Trucks and Cars Better?

Theoretically, a diesel truck engine is quite similar to the engine of a truck powered by gas. They are both internal combustion engines that are designed to transform one type of energy to another type of energy. This energy then results in linear motion, which then causes forward motion to take place. The major difference is how the combustion takes place. A gas truck engine has fuel combustion come about thanks to sparks from spark plugs. A diesel truck engine has the fuel combustion take place from the heat of the pressurized air within the engine.

Safety of the Engine

As any diesel mechanic will tell you, although you can flame diesel fuel in the open air using merely a wick, it is significantly less explosive than gas and does not develop a flammable vapor. That means a diesel engine won't ever vapor lock. Moreover, a diesel mechanic will tell you that the engines in diesel trucks will be more efficient because of their fuel efficiency, which is practically constant as compared to the sporadic nature of a gasoline engine which often can use more fuel to get less power.

Engine Performance

As any diesel mechanic will explain, what makes a car so appealing is its ability to accelerate swiftly. For that reason, we need to evaluate the performance difference between both engine types. Because engines in diesel trucks and cars are focused on torque as opposed to horsepower, they'll run more efficiently but accelerate fairly slowly in comparison. For many automobile owners, that lack of acceleration is unsatisfactory. For motorists who are looking to use their car or truck for pulling heavy loads such as campers or boats, a diesel engine makes more sense.

Efficiency of the Engine

When you compare a diesel engine to a gasoline engine, we cannot overlook the efficiency between both engines. If you are looking for an engine that's going to be used long-term, then a diesel engine is going to be best for your needs because you will save money over the lifespan of the engine. With 20 - 30% less fuel consumption, the savings really can add up. Diesel engines also have a longer lifespan than their gasoline counterparts. A typical diesel engine lasts around 350,000 miles before needing an overhaul, the gasoline counterpart is good for about 120,000 miles. Should you be looking for short term benefits, however, then a gasoline engine will likely be for you since it will take a few years for a gasoline engine to be less cost effective overall than a diesel engine.

Ultimately the environmental advantage of using a diesel engine is what shifts the debate in favor of using it primarily. The engines of diesel trucks and automobiles produce only a minimal quantity of carbon monoxide, so minimal, actually, that they can be used underground. Less carbon monoxide impact on our atmosphere means a healthier planet, and that's something we should all be striving toward.


In addition, you can find helpful information on MechanicApprentice.com. MechanicApprentice.com is a site dedicated to helping everyone begin their careers as a diesel mechanic and answering your questions about what it takes to become a diesel mechanic.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Webber

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6788465

Diesel Vs Gasoline Engine

If you are thinking about purchasing a diesel vehicle or becoming a diesel mechanic or just would like to compare a diesel powered vehicle to a more common unleaded gasoline powered vehicle, there are a few things you need to consider and understand. Each style of engine has its own advantages and disadvantages, so understanding what you need and how you need it for your personalized lifestyle is very important.

Today's diesel engines are not what they were 10 or even 5 years earlier. Gone are the times of smelly exhaust and unacceptably obnoxious engine noises. Diesel engines are now much cleaner, have more power and are far more dependable. These are some of the reasons that people are seeing an increasing number of regular automobiles with diesel engines as opposed to the traditional gasoline engine.

Let's have a look at various differences between these two engine types.

Is One Type of Engine Better?

In theory, a diesel truck engine is rather similar to the engine of a truck powered by gas. Both are internal combustion engines designed to convert one kind of energy to a different type of energy. This energy then results in linear motion, which causes forward motion to occur. The major variation is how the combustion happens. A gasoline truck engine has fuel combustion occur due to sparks from spark plugs. A diesel truck engine has the fuel combustion occur through the heat of the pressurized air in the engine.

Engine Safety
Just like any diesel mechanic will confirm, although you can flame diesel fuel in the open air using just a wick, it is a lot less explosive than gasoline and does not develop a flammable vapor. That means a diesel engine won't ever vapor lock. In addition, a diesel mechanic will advise you that the engines in diesel trucks will be more efficient because of their fuel efficiency, which is practically constant in comparison to the sporadic nature of agasoline engine which can use more fuel to obtain less power.

Performance of the Engine

As most diesel mechanics will tell you, what makes a vehicle so attractive is its ability to accelerate swiftly. For this reason, we need to take into account the performance difference between the two engine types. Because engines in diesel trucks and automobiles are focused on torque instead of horsepower, they'll run more efficiently but accelerate rather slowly in comparison. For most automobile owners, that lack of acceleration is unsatisfactory. For car owners who are seeking to use their car or truck for pulling heavy loads such as campers or boats, a diesel engine makes more sense.

Engine Efficiency

When comparing a diesel engine to a gas engine, we cannot overlook the efficiency between both engines. If you're looking for an engine which will be used long-term, then a diesel engine will be best for your needs because you will save money over the lifespan of the engine. With 20 - 30% less fuel consumption, the savings really can add up. Diesel engines also have a longer lifespan than their gasoline counterparts. A typical diesel engine will last around 350,000 miles before needing an overhaul, the gasoline counterpart is good for about 120,000 miles. Should you be looking for short term benefits, however, then a gasoline engine is going to be for you since it will take a few years for a gasoline engine to be less economical overall than a diesel engine.

Ultimately the environmental advantage of utilizing a diesel engine is what swings the discussion in favor of using it primarily. The engines of diesel trucks and automobiles create only a minimal amount of carbon monoxide, so minimal, actually, that they may be used underground. Less carbon monoxide impact on our atmosphere means a more healthy planet, and that is something we should all be striving toward.

Diesel Engine Vs Gasoline Engine

Whether you're thinking about buying a diesel car or truck or becoming a diesel mechanic or simply would like to compare a diesel powered vehicle to a more conventional unleaded gasoline powered vehicle, there are a few things you need to bear in mind and understand. Each type of engine has its own advantages and drawbacks, so knowing what you need and how you need it for your personalized lifestyle is really important.

Today's diesel engines are certainly not what they have been 10 or even five years back. Gone are the days of pungent exhaust and unacceptably obnoxious engine sound. Diesel engines have become much cleaner, have more power and are considerably more dependable. These are some of the reasons that we are seeing more and more ordinary automobiles with diesel engines rather than the traditional gasoline engine.

Let's take a look at various differences between these two engine types.

Are the Engines of Diesel Trucks and Cars Better?

Theoretically, a diesel truck engine is quite similar to the engine of a truck powered by gas. They are both internal combustion engines that are designed to transform one type of energy to another type of energy. This energy then results in linear motion, which then causes forward motion to take place. The major difference is how the combustion takes place. A gas truck engine has fuel combustion come about thanks to sparks from spark plugs. A diesel truck engine has the fuel combustion take place from the heat of the pressurized air within the engine.

Safety of the Engine

As any diesel mechanic will tell you, although you can flame diesel fuel in the open air using merely a wick, it is significantly less explosive than gas and does not develop a flammable vapor. That means a diesel engine won't ever vapor lock. Moreover, a diesel mechanic will tell you that the engines in diesel trucks will be more efficient because of their fuel efficiency, which is practically constant as compared to the sporadic nature of a gasoline engine which often can use more fuel to get less power.

Engine Performance

As any diesel mechanic will explain, what makes a car so appealing is its ability to accelerate swiftly. For that reason, we need to evaluate the performance difference between both engine types. Because engines in diesel trucks and cars are focused on torque as opposed to horsepower, they'll run more efficiently but accelerate fairly slowly in comparison. For many automobile owners, that lack of acceleration is unsatisfactory. For motorists who are looking to use their car or truck for pulling heavy loads such as campers or boats, a diesel engine makes more sense.

Efficiency of the Engine

When you compare a diesel engine to a gasoline engine, we cannot overlook the efficiency between both engines. If you are looking for an engine that's going to be used long-term, then a diesel engine is going to be best for your needs because you will save money over the lifespan of the engine. With 20 - 30% less fuel consumption, the savings really can add up. Diesel engines also have a longer lifespan than their gasoline counterparts. A typical diesel engine lasts around 350,000 miles before needing an overhaul, the gasoline counterpart is good for about 120,000 miles. Should you be looking for short term benefits, however, then a gasoline engine will likely be for you since it will take a few years for a gasoline engine to be less cost effective overall than a diesel engine.

Ultimately the environmental advantage of using a diesel engine is what shifts the debate in favor of using it primarily. The engines of diesel trucks and automobiles produce only a minimal quantity of carbon monoxide, so minimal, actually, that they can be used underground. Less carbon monoxide impact on our atmosphere means a healthier planet, and that's something we should all be striving toward.


In addition, you can find helpful information on MechanicApprentice.com. MechanicApprentice.com is a site dedicated to helping everyone begin their careers as a diesel mechanic and answering your questions about what it takes to become a diesel mechanic.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6788465