weird our 2007 detroits havent had any problems with the EGR system, im not saying the detroits arent i just havent seen it. o and by the way on those CAT emissions systems there is actually a spark plug to ignite the fuel to start the regen process. just plain weird ...... IMHO

 

They may have the bugs worked out also but the 04-05 models were a nightmare. The cooling line always busted amongst other things. I never liked the 300deg oil temps.
I like the 200lb cat mufflers. what a pain to change or remove for service.

 

I think if ethanol boosted gas engines become a reality with those high hp/torque ratings, diesel engines will face a tough competitor and will probably lose, unfortunately. They're already not as good as they were 10 years ago. People used to "settle" for a diesel vehicle because it got better fuel economy and the fuel was cheaper. Those days are long gone. Although, I don't see any real alternative to big rig engines anytime soon. So I think heavy duty diesel engines will be around for a while, but as for pickups and compact cars, they'll try to find alternatives. I was in LA for the weekend and was irritated to find that most gas stations didn't carry diesel and if they did it was very expensive (and who knows how long it's been in there). Given that most major cities are like LA, I seriously don't see how any diesel car will become popular.

 

if you have to travel through the LA area hit the truck stations before and after or you may end up taking a half a dozen off ramps looking for diesel at any price.

 

if any of you have driven those new cats with all of that emission equipment it makes the truck a lot slower, it hesitates a little before it gets moving especially a underpowered c13 witha loaded trailer. the older ones used to pick up faster but california wants them out of the state

 

The mufflers alone cost you nearly 2mpg on the larger engines. They weigh a cool 200lbs each to boot.

 

Turbo gassers with modern technology put out huge power per cid. They are the next logical choice. The problem is that most of the american made engines are so light built they can not handle the power. Build a 5.0 L I6 gasser with the internal parts like an industrial diesel that will rev to 6000 RPM and make 500lb/ft at 2000RPM and people will start changing their minds about turbo gassers.

Of course the problem is the control technology and tuning that is required to make a turbo gasser stay together. They will melt down faster than anything out there. It would be hard to get that power reliably for 300K miles.

 

Ford has proven to me that they are absolutely clueless when assessing the market. All one has to do is look at their annual report to shareholders. They are bleeding money in the same market that Honda and Toyota are navigating with much less pain.

Diesels will be around for a long time. The compression ignition cycle's inherent simplicity and efficiency gives it an innate advantage over other options.

You can run a "diesel" on gasoline, propane, CNG, jet fuel, kerosene. All you need is a way to inject and meter fuel and appropriate adjustments in compresion ratio and such.

If anything, clean diesels we become MORE prevalent, not less. The emissions equipment is expensive, yes-- but that's because it's new and there's a LOT of expensive research going on.

Think back to the first days of fuel injected "computerized" cars. Remember? Remember the first time you opened a hood and saw sensors all over the place? Remember how powerless you felt when you'd get a "check engine" light and not have clue what it meant? Remember the days when you could set idle speed and mixture with a screwdriver? Adjust timing by twisting a distributor after loosening a single bolt?

A 12V Cummins is about as sophisticated as a '66 Dodge with a 318. Now, the new diesels are being yanked at lightspeed into the modern era, and the speed of the transition is causing major growth pains.

But it IS growth, and we'll all look back in 5 years with a little nostalgia, but realize that, like Y2K, it was much ado about nothing once the tech matured a little bit.

But I'm biased. I work every day on 2010 emissions Cummins engines. I see how good they are. I see our road test results coming back with great results, and drivers stunned that the engine they drove is smaller than they think it is. We're talking about engines that pull as if they had 50hp more than they do. Fuel economy that is remarkable considering the radical increase in cleanliness (90% cleaner!).

I know that people are naturally inclined to fear what they do not know.

If you only knew, you'd be as excited as I am about the new engines, and not nearly so scared.

Justin

 

I don't think many people have ever Settled for diesels they were wanted for their fuel efficency and power.

Today I say regular gas and Diesel for the SAME PRICE

 

Just in case you thought there was no alternative to diesels in Semi's:

http://www.sterlingtrucks.com/Compan...ses.asp?Id=737

Wonder what they do to protect the volitile fuel in the event of a mishap?!

 

I understand the new engines must be really efficient to be getting the fuel economy that they do with all the emissions on it. Do you know if there will be any way to "bypass" some of the emissions to get radical fuel economy?

 

Peanut oil, veg oil, corn oil, liquified coal, crude, alcohol, etc,etc...... I agree we have yet to tap into the potential of diesel technology.. Imagine if clean liquified coal technology works out. Just think of the American jobs that could be created.

Long live diesel.

 

Coal mining companies are more interested in selling to China . Coal prices are going up as fast as diesel prices . http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...ody-coal_N.htm

 

I wonder what is beyond the 2010 emissions, when is enough going to be enough. by strapping all this emissions junk on these engines they have made them less powerful and use more fuel. when a ford 6.4 gets 10 mpg and my 99 gets easily twice that what have we gained ? nothing .....

 

Funny you say that. The US has the largest coal reserves in the world. Now why are we not using the coal to diesel like Africa or selling that coal to offset fuel prices to americans?