cant believe this

[Spike]

Assuming it actually worked (which I doubt) ... Why would you want to? Diesel costs more than regular these days

(I still don't get that... it is closer to crude than gasoline)

... and if it isnt a diesel engine, wouldn't it be a safe bet that fuel economy would be worse?

[kpaske]

Why would you want to? Diesel costs more than regular these days... and if it isnt a diesel engine, wouldn't it be a safe bet that fuel economy would be worse?

Well, you may have answered your own question. The biggest reason *I* see to use diesel is for fuel economy. Let's see, i can get 15 miles @ 2.69 a gallon in my VX, or 45 miles @ 3.24 a gallon in my VW. You do the math. Would a conversion be worth it? I doubt it - I don't see how you are going to convert an ignition engine over to compression and get anywhere near the performance and efficiency of an engine that's doing what it was designed for. But an engine swap might work out nicely.

[tbigity]

Warning, Semi-Hijack ahead

I have to admit a personal blonde moment I had.

Used to drive a diesel.


One late...late evening I pulled over for some fuel. I was accustomed to zooming past the red handles and grabbing the pump handle that was different colored, usually green. I pulled up, noticed a blue one and went to it, started pumping. After about 3 minutes I noticed it had pumped only 5 or so gallons. I went in to complain to the attendant. He told me "well, our kerosene never pumps that fast."

[NYVX]

[QUOTE=Spike]Assuming it actually worked (which I doubt) ... Why would you want to? Diesel costs more than regular these days

(I still don't get that... it is closer to crude than gasoline)

Not 100% sure but think a lot of the price difference is in taxes... I believe diesel has more taxes than gas ,I know it has more taxes than home heating oil...that is why they dye it... big fine if caught running home heating oil in diesel trucks, been tempted though LOL over 3 bucks for diesel around here ...my heating oil is approx approx 50 cents less

[Joe_Black]

There are some significant differences between diesel, kerosene and fuel oil. Most have to do with lubricity which is life or death to a diesel engine, and some to do with soot control that affects the combustion process.

As for the cost difference with gasoline, again many factors but ULSD (Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel) is the cause for the most recent disparity. Like lead in leaded gasoline provided lubrication for engine valves the sulphur in diesel is used to enhance overall lubrication. Remember, when Rudolph Diesel invented the "compression engine" it was designed to run on peanut oil. Vegetable oil has far better lubricity than petroleum products so the sulphur was added to create a fuel for the diesel engine, but now that same sulphur is a nasty source of pollution.

Keep in mind also that there's more energy in a given volume of diesel fuel than gasoline, hence the better mileage most diesel vehicles achieve. Right now my 4000 pound VX gets around 17MPG average from $2.34 a gallon gasoline, where my 4000 pound diesel Mercedes gets around 34MPG average from $2.89 a gallon diesel. Twice the mileage from a $.55 price difference? I'd buy that all day long!