On Thu, 29 Aug 2013 14:04:32 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:



"John H" wrote in message
.. .


Well....their pickup diesel engines left something to be desired in
terms of reputation. Otherwise
I'd be driving a Ford diesel.

John (Gun Nut) H.

-----------------------

The old Powerstroke 7.2L was a reliable workhorse based on reports of
people that had them. The bad rap Ford diesels received was the 6.0L
replacement, and I can vouch for that. It was introduced under
pressure from Ford marketing before it was fully tested and developed.

The replacement for it ... the current 6.4L has a much better track
record and reputation.

I like diesel powered vehicles, particularly pickup trucks. I would
have purchased another one back in 2008 except they had just
introduced the mandated catalytic converter "burn off" systems.
Sounded a little *too* crazy and new for me, so I went for a gas
powered F250 instead.
It serves my purposes and is now almost 6 model years old but has
under 19,000 miles on it.

On the same note, I was reading the other day that diesel power may
soon become the engine of choice for a wide range of both passenger
vehicles as well as trucks. The new ones are clean, very fuel
efficient and make more practical sense than any of the electric
hybrids currently available.

One thing I'd like to see:

A diesel engine was never really designed to run over a wide range of
RPMs. It was designed to run at a fixed, optimum RPM where it
develops the most torque for the fuel it consumes. Diesel powered
trains run at a constant RPM and the power generated is converted to
electricity to run electric drive motors. I'd really be interested
in how applying that concept in cars or trucks, using the newer, high
efficiency diesels and electric motors available today.


I definitely like mine. On the highway the speed control gets set at 63mph, pulling a trailer or
not. With the trailer I'm getting right at 12mpg, without (on the highway) 22 mpg. Can't bitch about
that.

The new diesels, in the pickups, require the diesel exhaust fluid (urea) system, which I'm not fond
of. I figure my 2009 will outlast me.

I see that many of the auto makers are soon to make diesels. My wife's new car is a VW Jetta
Sportwagon Diesel. She loves it, and the damn thing will get 48mpg on the highway. It's unreal.
Makes the Prius look bad.

John (Gun Nut) H.
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Hope you're having a great day!