Diesels and their future in the USA

[Charley]

I've worked in the oil industry since 1950, mostly pipelines, except for three years in the Marines. Diesels are the eingine of choice of course and if there had been a good diesel pickup back then we would have had them.



I've worked overseas for many years and have driven, Toyotas, Nissans, Isuzus, Mercedes, Mitsubishis, etc. , etc. , all with diesel engines. The price of diesel fuel in those countries, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, etc. , was about 70% of the price of gasoline as it was in the United States until the current crop of diesel pickups got popular.



Two things I don't understand; 1) Why we pay more for diesel than gasoline (being an insider I know it costs less to make). 2) Why I can't buy an Isuzu Trooper with that really nice 2400 cc four banger they make. It's bullet proof.



Charley

 

[LarryB]

I think we have to remember that the media is not in the business of reporting the truth, they are in the business of selling their product (advertising) to make money. They could give a rat's butt about the truth of what they report unless to do so makes them look good and increase profit. Money makes this country run, pure and simple, like it or not.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I saw a guy in Ohio a few years back that too a sbc diesel and made it back into a gasser. . Had it in a sleeper stationwagon. 400+ cuin and over 400 hp.



Blazingly fast. .



Now we see little 6 bangers hittin 400 hp on #2 daily.



Technology is a wonderful thing.

 

[TDickerson]

That the Diesel actually runs more environmentally friendly than a gasser can ever dream of, and how economical and long-lasting they are... and how they start very well even in the cold.

I don't think our economy or manufacturers would like the "long-lasting" idea. Could you imagine us keeping vehicles longer than the warranty period? I'm currently overseas right now in the UK and just the other day the news reported that diesel car sales are way up again. Vehicles here are pretty expensive for them not alone the fuel. So diesel is to way to go for all the good reasons.



1997 Solid Black 2500 4X4 SLT 3. 54, auto (lazy), loaded except leather (maybe next time) fully stock with chrome westins (love em). Son taking care of it (driving the you know what out of it in Jax Fl) while I’m overseas.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by DieselB59

I'd like to see a nationally syndicated public periodical explain the real reasons the Diesel went south in this country via the GM350 Diesel.

I got to tell the VP of GM Powertrain that I hoped that the DuraMAX would redeem GM's soul. I told him the worst thing ever was the junk GM 350 diesel, it ruined diesel sales in the USA for decades. This was at the North American Autoshow in Detroit, MI.

 

[DieselB59]

That's the whole thing. I wish the DuraMax would reinstate GM in the Diesel society. But they go and do two things to kick themselves in the butt in delivering a technologically advanced engine... ... Make it a V8, which we know goes against the industry standard inline six like we have, and select an engine that uses a bimetal cylinder head/engine block construction. They can't do a good job keeping aluminum heads on gassers, never mind high compression Diesels. I fear that engine will do more harm than good. I've driven quite a few and I must say, despite all the power claims, our Cummins still gives more seat of the pants feel.

 

[me4osu]

350 Diesels

Our Vo-Tech teacher had one. My diesel mechanics teacher too!! He would pull a trailer every weekend and blow the head gaskets, even when it had about three stickers telling you not to. The unfortunate students who were caught dipping snuff or cussing in his class the previous week had to replace them. Needless to say, I hated that engine, and I didn't even own one.



*^$^%$^% spit

 

[rrausch]

I almost hate to report this... because I DO NOT want to give GM any accolades. But my cousin Mickey, a retired detective from Tulsa, back about 20 years ago, bought the ONLY good GM 350 Diesel ever made. It is in an Olds 4 door. Has over 130,000 miles and was still going strong when it was traded for a Jeep gasser last year. I drove this car a bit back in 1999 and it got me interested in Diesels! I was aware of the GM Diesel's horrible reputation, and after after asking around a bit, I started hearing the term "GM Grenades" ... that being the term for those 350 Diesels because they blew up so regularly!



Just like Dodge/Cummins makes probably 1 in every Million a Lemon;

GM makes 1 in every Million a good one!



Also... I queried an on-line junk yard about a truck door for my Dodge/Cummins... I told them my truck was a Cummins... and got the following ad sent back to me!



Replace your truck engine with GM 6. 5L Diesel Engine For only $1,700.

Limited stock! Find it at:

http://www.salvageauto.com/diesel-engine.html

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Replace your truck engine with GM 6.5L

Now that's funny ROFLMAO!!!!

 

[DieselB59]

Though, I must thank GM for one thing... . keeping my yard full of work! I have two 6. 5s with blown head gaskets on both banks (looks like chocolate pudding under both valve covers), and one that puked another injection pump. That's about it though. Funny thing... GM owners are so happy with their trucks, while the far superior Ford owners are always so sour. I guess it's something I'll never understand. One thing I do know is that the Dodge group is comprised of the best people in the country.

 

[RPetersen]

Diesels

Chris and all,

Some Sunday in the first half of 2001. the NY Times ran a very well done article on diesels in the USA. May be able to find it in their archives... main thrust was how inept our EPA is re diesels.

My wifes Jetta TDI just rolled over 1400 miles, is an automatic, driving around town, 33 mpg. Hell, put biodiesel in it, and we could start charging the state for environmental cleanup 8^)

Rodg in Bellevue