Sept 7, 2010: 119.1 Miles Per Gallon.

[Adak]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

They didn't need any help, the problem was the sulfur (sulpher) in diesel fuel prevented them from meeting emission regulations for cars.

ULSF (ultra low sulfur fuel) wasn't available in the US until 2007, and not completely fazed in until 2010. There was something like a 2 or 3 year gap between when the emission standards went into effect, and the availability of ULSF.

Right about the low sulphur fuel, and wrong about not needing help to make a good small diesel engine.

GM first tried to make one using a 327 (gas) engine block - pressures are much higher in a diesel and they broke the blocks, and were a total failure. Then they made a replacement that actually worked, but it had inadequate power. Another failure.

Ford took an engine from Navistar, (International) cheapened it with unreliable sensors and manufacturing specs, and the trucks were a dismal failure.

this from Wikipedia re:Ford Powerstroke diesel, 2003-2006

Many 6.0 L Power Stroke engines were proven to be unreliable, and may have cost Ford hundreds of millions of dollars in warranty repairs and leading to a recall and repurchase of at least 500 trucks. There were initial quality challenges which Ford and Navistar have mostly rectified. The reliability of the later 6.0 L engines, after the dealership technicians were fully trained on the product, has been very good. Many early problems were disastrous, requiring total engine replacement. There were also minor problems resulting from the unreliable variable-vane turbocharger solenoid, EGR valve carbon deposit clogging or sticking, defective Exhaust Back Pressure (EBP) sensor/connector, numerous PCM (Powetrain Control Module) recalibrations, fuel injector harness chafing/crushing and other minor driveability and QC issues.

Chrysler took a fine Cummins diesel, cheapened it with poor sensors, and had their own commercial failure. Previously, they had been acknowledged as the best small diesel for the 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton truck market. Thankfully, it didn't last long, but it was enough - due to the overall slump in the auto industry and Chrysler's ineptitude, they went under, and up on the block.

GM finally went to Isuzu (who practically own the commercial small diesel market for delivery trucks), and they put together a very fine small diesel. With the Allison tranny (yes, the Allison that makes the Abrams Tank tranny), it's a solid tower. This is what I have.

All the newer diesels are much quieter than they ever used to be.

Although this looks like a great alternative to gasoline engines, the latest well with flammable tap "water" out in West Virginia, may be MUCH cheaper than either gasoline or diesel.

Such a deal!

[xoxoxoBruce]

It's not that they didn't know how, they did. It was the dreaded MBA (theme from Jaws) beancounters that fucked it up.

[SPUCK]

Originally Posted by Adak

GM first tried to make one using a 327 (gas) engine block - pressures are much higher in a diesel and they broke the blocks, and were a total failure.

Tell me about it..

Had a 350 diesel Olds.

One day, with six people dressed in our Sunday bests, we were in it pulling the grade of the local blood alley hill when the engine let go.

1) A rod broke.

2) It flailed around and cut the oil pan in half.

3) Instantly all the oil blew out on the freeway.

4) The rod cut an inch wide slot thru the block.

5) This caused all the pressurized coolant to spew onto the freeway also.

6) The rod stove in the starter body ruining it.

7) The rod finally hit the block just right which instantly stopped the rotating crankshaft.

8) This caused the camshaft to shear in half.

9) The the front half of the camshaft came out the front of the block.

10) It passed half way thru the water pump utterly destroying it while,

11) Destroying the timing gear and chain.

12) The sudden stopping of the crank completely gutted the automatic transmission causing it to lock up solid.

13) This caused the rear wheels to lock up and the car skidded, laying down about 70 feet of skid marks.

14) This also tore 3 teeth of the third member ring gear.

The CHP showed up with a push bumper and tried to push the beast out of the fast lane. No dice - it couldn't move.

Essentially the only thing that survived was the radiator, the alternator, and the battery.

The only bright side was we dropped in a pumped up 350 gas motor and avoided the smog hassles since the car was registered as a diesel.