Diesel engines: some misconceptions remaining

It's not unusual to see a bunch of "unadvised" people taking some lies about diesels as a postulate. The problem is more about the currently-available diesel fuel, petroleum-based and sometimes with an enormous ash content that increases its particulate matter emissions visibly, and sulphur that leads to the acid rain. What some dumb asses forget is that diesels don't need expensive changes to run on an alternative fuel currently too neglected: biodiesel. Even the great Rudolf Diesel, PhD, predicted these engines could help a sustainable agricultural development in areas like Africa and wherever there is a rural settlement. After some failed attempts to use coal dust, due to safety issues, he had an idea: using peanut oil, and it worked. But petroleum-based fuels like kerosene and then a heavier oily one named "Diesel fuel" were also used, and since there was never too much intention to really develop the "under-development" world in a sustainable way, the petroleum-based fuel started to be the standard. But the Arab Oil embargo opened the world's eyes for a while, when the phenomenon we currently know as downsizing had its roots. Once again, biodiesel was neglected.
And currently a war in the Middle East. Some dictators are getting out of scene, but lefties are always intending to blame on the United States for all the evil in the world. But since American troops went to Afghanistan, for example, men can shave their beards and not be beheaded for this, women can use those islamic veils instead of the burqa, and there were not just "nice Arabian guys" who had their lives changed in the war.

So, how many nice guys would need to die or get mutilated just for some drops of gasoline?

Would the entire driveline of a Mitsubishi L300 be a good option to fit into a GCC-spec '06 Crown Vic. I'm currently in Dubai but willing to return to Makati and bring my car with me.

Power and ratio wouldn't be the highest ones, except if you do some tuning in the 4D56 engine. It can be perceived as underpowered, but the fuel savings would worth. I'm just not sure if the rear axle would fit, because the Crown Victoria is wider, but its Ford 9-inch axle has a wide range of gear ratios available, and a lower one would be desirable to make it feel less underpowered - with a lower gear ratio it will have a lower top speed, but quicker throttle response and better performance on hilly terrain.

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how did u become a biodiesel enthusiast?

I heard about biodiesel for the first time when I was still 14, back in 98. Have already seen some diesels running on palm oil before, mainly used to move gensets and kuliglig tractors. I used to think bad things about diesel engines before that, because of their noise and lack of engine-brake power like a regular gasser (nothing than an exhaust brake couldn't solve), but already had a deep respect for their heavy-duty unbeatable reliability. My nose is deformed because of a jeepney crash when I was just 12, the main brake failed and even using the e-brake it wasn't so effective as would be if paired with an exhaust-brake.

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I live in Jakarta and recently bought an Opel Blazer with a blown Quad-4 engine and have a Kubota V2203-T sitting in my garage. Any objection for drop it into the Blazer? I could easily get an Isuzu 4JA1-L but I got the Kubota for dirt cheap.

Nothing against the Kubota V2203-T, but you must not expect the Blazer to become a power beast with it. I know the Quad-4 is a little beast and its resemblance to an Offie is turning it into a wish for some hot-rodders, but if your intentions are to get a die-hard and fuel-saver vehicle the Kubota is a reasonable choice.

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Handa kong iangkop isang diesel engine sa akong GMT400 Chevy Silverado. Kasalukuyang engine ay ng 5.7 V8 at transmisyon ang 4-speed Muncie SM465. Isipan ko panatilihin ng SM465 pero ay walang ideya kung tungkol sa mga karamihan angkop opsyon engine.

Ang orihinal na SM465 ay sapat na malakas na humawak ng metalikang kuwintas ng isang diesel engine pero may isang mas moderno overdrive 5-speed transmisyon gusto iyo kumuha ng kahit malaking pagbuti sa panggatong husay. Isang malawak na saklaw ng engine maaaring angkop sa trak. Tungkol sa 1-litro sa 1.2-litro bawat silindro ay maayo parameter upang makatulong iyo pumili mga karamihan na mga pagpipilian. Isang surplus Isuzu 4BD1T maaring mahusay tumugma sa SM465, dahil ang mga sukat at gahom panumbasan ay malapit sa mga 4BT Cummins tinatanggap ginamit para sa repowering sa trak tulad inyo sa ibang bansa, o ng di-turbocharged 4HF1/4HFG1 na may ring makatwirang. Iba pang pagpipiliang maaaring ang Toyota 14B gamitin sa Toyota Dyna.

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The original SM465 is enough strong to hold the torque of a diesel engine but with a more modern overdrive 5-speed transmission you would get an even bigger improvement on fuel efficiency. A wide range of engines can fit into the truck. About 1-litre to 1.2-litre per cylinder is a good parameter to help you to choose the most suitable options. A surplus Isuzu 4BD1T can be a good match to the SM465, as its size and power ratio is close to the Cummins 4BT widely used for repowering in trucks like yours in other countries, or the non-turbocharged 4HF1/4HFG1 that are also reasonable. Other option could be the Toyota 14B used in the Toyota Dyna.

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Hey weekend racer, are you sure diesel engines are slow?

Diesels are usually reported as slow, but it makes a heavier and less aerodynamic Chevrolet Silverado beat the Ford Mustang. Sure, not the same displacement, but the torque of a diesel is what matters.

So, what about a better comparison? Now, a double-cab Silverado against the double-cab Dodge Ram SRT-10. The famous "Viper engine" was initially developed to be an alternative for the gasoline-addicted average Joe who would want a gasoline-powered engine to have the same strength of a diesel engine. But it ended up as just another sports engine.

Never underestimate a diesel powerplant.

I'm willing to convert my Suzuki Vitara to use either biodiesel or vegetable oils. Which would be the most suitable engines? I'm in Mandaue.

Good options could be Toyota 1L or 2L, but the most suitable would be the 2C. From Nissan there are good ones such as the CD20, and there are reports that even a TD27 would fit in the Vitara's engine bay. Isuzu also has some good options such as the 4JA1-L, and even the old C180/190/223/240 could be reasonable options. In other countries Volkswagen/Audi TDI engines are a common choice to convert Suzukis to diesel.

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So you think a 4 cylinder diesel engine is more eco-friendly than a V8 gasser in the same displacement range...

Sure. Not having all that electric ignition devices, that would end up as e-waste after a vehicle lifespan, for example. Also its fuel consumption is lower due to the higher thermal efficiency comparing with an average Otto-cycle engine, and it's easier to adapt it to run on alternative fuels (except for gaseous ones that would still need to be blended with a liquid fuel that would act like a spark promoter). Not to talk about the engine design itself, simpler, demanding less productive processes to be manufactured and easier to servicing. And since its lifespan is usually higher it would need less replacement parts that would need more materials to be made of.

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Is pork lard a good feedstock to make biodiesel?

Animal lard is often reported to be not the most suitable feedstock to biodiesel production, but it can also be used. One of the biggest meat producing companies in the world, the Bertin group, is currently using some lard-based biodiesel blends in its ranch trucks.

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Just bought a Russian Volkswagen Pointer and willing to have a diesel engine. Cold start capability is extremely important for me, and if I could get an air cooled engine it would be good but need a cab heating provision. I'm in Gavar, Armenia.

For an air cooled engine you could take a look at Lombardini/Kohler engines or some 2-cylinder Deutz. An option to get cab heat is a pipe inside the engine bay like happens in some small piston-engined aircrafts, but if you would also want a heater that could operate with the engine off check some diesel-fired supplementary cab heaters. As far as cold start goes, you can use a device similar to the Lucas brand ThermoStart used in a lot of Perkins engines, diesel-fired. Glowplugs are also a good option, but you will need a good battery and alternator setup. Another common cold start helper are those plug-in electric heating pads.

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Going to switch all my vehicles to run on biodiesel. Does castor-based biodiesel worth or should I blend it with other varieties such as palm biodiesel?

Castor oil is reported to be quite thick in comparison with other oils, but has some recognized lube properties in 2-stroke spark ignited engines. But using the pure oil as fuel is supposed to not damage the engine. It's just a trouble when there are rubber parts on the fuel lines.

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Diesel motorcycles: yes we can!

Usually, motorcycles are more associated with lighter and higher-RPM gasoline-powered engines, but it's not every time the only option. And I'm not talking about ethanol commonly seen in Brazil (Honda even offers some flexfuel motorcycles, including the very first one in the world, and its avant-premiere took place in Brazil where ethanol has an enormous market share in the energy market) or CNG/LPG widely used in China (currently in some cities such as Shanghai new motorcycles can be registered only if powered either by CNG or LPG). Hell yeah, I'm talking about diesel bikes.

Better known for their use by the U.S. Marine Corps, diesel motorcycles were also quite common in India, where even the traditional Royal Enfield offered its own diesel-powered version, actually equipped with a modified version of the 350cc gasoline-powered 18hp engine (just 6hp in diesel version) until Bharat Stage-II emission laws started to get enforced. But it didn't phase them out at all, since there were some Royal Enfield owners swapping the 400cc single cylinder 8hp engines available for some autorickshaws into their bikes. It's also a reasonably popular mod among Royal Enfield enthusiasts in Europe, most notably in Germany, and some even run on biodiesel.

So, even with all those misconceptions about diesels and bikes, they can match really well.
What about a Honda XL with a 400cc diesel? A great choice for somebody who wants a reliable and extremely fuel-efficient off-road vehicle to get some fun in trails.

Oh, seems like I forgot the Harleys and their distinctive shape with those low specific power V-Twins. No doubt they would be a perfect match for those Chinese V-Twin 22hp industrial diesels.

But one thing must never be forgotten: when we ride bikes, protective equipments such as helmets are a must.

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Karaniwan, ang motorcycle ay higit nauugnay sa magaan atmataas RPM-gasolina-pinagana engine, pero ito ay wala bawatpanahon ang lamang pagpipilian. At hindi ako magsalita tungkolethanol pangkaraniwang makita sa Brazil (Honda kahit nag-aalokilang flexfuel motorcycles, kasama ang tunay unang isa ng mundo,at kanyang avant-Premiere kinuha lugar sa Brazil saan ethanol ay may isang malaki market share sa merkado enerhiya) o CNG /LPG malawak ginagamit sa Tsina (kasalukuyang sa ilang mga lungsod katulad ng Shanghai bagong motorcycle maaaringrehistrado lamang kung pinapatakbo alinman sa pamamagitan ngCNG o LPG). Hell yeah, ako ay magsalita tungkol dieselmotorcycle.

Mas kilala sa kanilang gamit pamamagitan ng US Marine Corps,diesel motorcycle ay din ganap pangkaraniwan sa Indya, saankahit ang tradisyunal Royal Enfield inalok ng sarilingdiesel-pinapatakbo bersyon, talaga gamit sa isang binagong bersyon ng 350cc gasolina-pinapatakbo 18hp engine (lamang 6hpsa diesel version) hangtud Bharat Stage-II batas paglabas na nagsimula sa kumuha ginpirit. Pero hindi ito phase out mga ito salahat, dahil may mga ilang Royal Enfield ari ng swapping sa 400ccsolong silindro 8hp engine magagamit ng ilang autorickshaws sakanilang motorcycle. Ito ay din ng popular katwiran mod sa RoyalEnfield taong mahilig sa Europa, pinaka kapansin-pansin saAlemanya, at meron pa ngang tumakbo sa biodiesel.

Kaya, kahit sa lahat niadtong misconceptions tungkol diesels atmotorcycle, maaari nilang tugma tunay mabuti.
Anong tungkol isang Honda XL sa ng 400cc diesel? Ang malakingpinili para isang tao na nais ng isang mapagkakatiwalaan at labis na fuel-mahusay sasakyan off-daan upang makakuha ng ilangmasaya sa trails.

Oh, tila gusto Nakalimutan ko ang Harleys at ang kanilangnatatanging hugis sa mga tiyak mababang lakas V-Twins. Walangduda na sila ay ng perpekto pagtutugma para sa mga TsinoV-Twin 22hp industrial diesels.

Pero ang isang bagay ay hindi kailanman dapat na nilimot: kapagsumakay kami motorcycle, pangharang kagamitan tulad ng helmetay ng dapat.

How can I make my NIssan XTrail's X-Tronic CVT automatic transmission operate properly behind a diesel engine? I'm considering to swap a surplus TD27 into my vehicle but since the CVT even increases its fuel-efficiency I would prefer to retain it.

You would need an auxiliary electronic module to run the transmission electronic controls as a stand-alone unit. You would need to emulate the signals from the original engine control module, such as the throttle-body position (absent in a diesel engine), injector tips and the spark ignition system. An output from the alternator would work for the RPM detection. There are already some plug-and-play devices to perform this control for American heavy-duty automatic transmissions but for a Japanese vehicle with a transverse engine I've never seen it so easily available.

I agree with you about the CVT to increase the fuel-efficiency, and it also would be better to retain this transmission because of the improved comfort over a manual one.

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Bakit ka kaya gumon sa diesel engine? Huwag galit ka gasolina pinapatakbo engine? Ano ang inyong opinyon tungkol sa natural gas para sa mga sasakyan?

Mas gusto ko ng diesel engine dahil sila ay may ng mas mahusay na pagganap para sa mabigat na tungkulin at ang compression ignisyon ay kaakit-akit. Actually, hindi ko napopoot gassers, pero napopoot ko ang lahat ng mga sponsors digmaan na gumagamit ng pera mula sa nagbebenta ng gasolina para pananalapi insults laban sa mga indibidwal na kalayaan sa buong mundo. Tungkol sa natural gas, hindi ako isang tagahanga ng mga ito pero tila na maging mabuti na gamitin sa pang-industriya powerplants.

I prefer diesel engines because they have a better performance for heavy duties and the compression ignition is fascinating. Actually, I don't hate gassers, but I hate all those war sponsors that use money from gasoline sells to finance insults against individual freedom all over the world. About natural gas, I'm not an enthusiast of it but seems to be good to use in industrial powerplants.

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Huwag kang magtrabaho kasama ng iba pang mga tatak diesel engine o lamang Isuzu?

Lagi ko na na mas nakatutok para Isuzu pero din ay may ilang karanasan sa galaw at agrikulturang engine mula ibang gumagawa katulad ng Komatsu, Kubota at Perkins.

I've always been more dedicated to Isuzu but also have some experience with stationary and agricultural engines from other manufacturers such as Komatsu, Kubota and Perkins.

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I'm from Davao City, recently bought a '96 surplus Ford E-350 ambulance with the 351 V8 but unhappy with its fuel consumption, considering a diesel swap. What would be your advice? I don't care about the automatic gearbox, no problem to swap it for manual

A very usual option to repower these full-size American vans have been surplus drivelines from the Nissan Patrol/Safari but since the vans usually remain RWD only the transfer case and front axle of the Nissan are not used. The transfer case, however, could be good to retain and use as a kind of auxiliary transmission due to its low range favorable to uphill drive. But instead of the LD28, RD28 or TD42 inline-six engines from Nissan I honestly believe you would be OK with the Isuzu 4.3L 4HF1 out of an NPR or a 4.6L 4HFG1 from the NQR, both have a good torque and wouldn't be so tight to fit into the engine bay. Also, since Isuzu trucks use cable-shifted transmissions it would also be a good option because you would have more freedom to put the shifter in a place where it would be easily accessible and more comfortable to operate.

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Gusto sa isang Chevy Tahoe GMT800 maging OK sa mga engine at ang awtomatik na transmisyon gikan sa sa isang bagbag Isuzu Alterra?

Oo, ang Isuzu 4JJ1-TC ay dakilang pagpipilian para lumipat ng GMT800 pero kinakailangan mong mag malaman itoy ilagay sa alanganin ang hila kapasidad. Ito ay tulad ng hilahin ang Vortec 4.3L V6 pero gumastos mababa sa diesel kay sa V6 ay gawin ang sa gasolina.

Sure, the Isuzu 4JJ1-TC is a great option to move a GMT800, but it would compromise the towing capacity. It would pull like the Vortec 4.3L V6 but spends less on diesel than the V6 would do with gasoline.

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What would be a good diesel engine option for a Volkswagen Beetle? If possible I would like to retain it air cooled but Lord willing I can go for a water cooled engine. I'm in San Fernando, Pampanga.

For air cooling you must check some industrial/stationary engines. There is a lot of Chinese ones being imported. Anyway, if you just want a commuter, you can even get a V-Twin 22HP air cooled diesel. As far as water cooling goes, you could get a wider power range to choose, but then you would need to figure out the best way to get a radiator and it would increase both the engine swap and the maintenance cost. I actually have considered to buy a Volkswagen Brasilia to swap a diesel into, but the C240 I currently have is too heavy and would not fit easily. But if you would want something more car-like than an industrial engine take a look at some European imports such as Audi cars with their TDi engines, and even some Opels that were offered with Isuzu engines in its diesel versions.

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What about sewage treatment residues to biodiesel production?

At least the methane can be turned into fuel oil after the Fischer-Tropsch process, commercially done nowadays by SASOL in Mozambique with fossil natural gas. There are also some fatty residues on the sewage, mostly from bacteria cellular walls, that could also be used in biodiesel production.

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