Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with diesel

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD, is it worth the price premium?

evilelf — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:20:02 -0800

I'm looking at a used Jeep Liberty CRD with 50K miles for $13000.00. Looking around I'm seeing plenty of non-CRDs for significantly less, id the CRD worth paying $2000 to $3000 more? Some history:
I currently drive a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport (smaller, boxier than the Grand Cherokees). While the mileage is not great, it's has been a great car for me, great in snow and handy for hauling stuff w/o having to worry about the interior. While it may have a lot of life in it, the small annoyances are starting to add up (rust, AC problems, etc). I was never a fan of Liberty styling but the CRD version has grabbed my attention. I'm a fan of my current vehicles reliability and low/easy maintenance, can I expect the same from the Liberty CRD? I've done a little research and am aware of the torque converter and ERG issues but they the look to be easily remedied.

Why does my diesel run fine but start so poorly?

esereth — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:02:27 -0800

My diesel-powered car doesn't want to start but once it does, it runs fine. What's up with that? I've got a 1984 Mercedes Benz 300D that for the last two days doesn't want to start but, after a few touchy seconds, runs fine. Right after starting, it seems like it isn't getting fuel or air or something. It just runs very wispy, in fact "gasping" is the word I want to use. I can have the pedal to the floor and it barely stays running.

Then, all of the sudden, it starts revving and running better.

Possibly useful info: we are in a sudden coldish snap (dipping below 30 F), the fuel is a few months old (more than 3 but less than 6), and I just had an oil change a week ago, before this started, and nothing was noted.

Trade honda for diesel Benz?

toastchee — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:57:17 -0800

Thinking about trading my 97 Accord for 1980 diesel benz. My car: 1997 Honda Accord, 160k miles, stick shift, good condition. Blue book probably ~2000.

His car: 1980 diesel benz 300 sd turbo diesel. good + condition. No AC. Needs back seat replaced. Asking 1500 or trade.

I am interested in diesels and possibly bio/veggie conversion. Primarily this would be a safety issue as well. I have two little kids and if the Benz is significantly safer this would be a strong rationale.

Fuel efficient, fun-to-drive hatchbacks for < $4500

pilibeen — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 05:27:45 -0800

Which hatchback should I be looking at? Plus: diesel vs. gas engines... So I'm looking to trade in my boring wagon, and get something more fuel efficient, compact, and fun to drive. Ideally this would be a hatchback - but I'm also considering the idea of a compact pickup truck.

I'm not really sure where to start my search. I know that I like the Subaru Impreza Outback (though bad gas mileage), the Honda Civic hatchback, and the VW Golf.

My ideal vehicle would have good fuel economy: 30/mpg +, manual transmission, fun to drive, have room for stuff. Any other vehicles I should be considering? Thoughts on what I'm already interested in?

My budget is no more than $4,500.

Also, I was wondering what the general opinion of diesel engines is. Are they much worse, emissions wise, than gas (even with the Golf TDI getting 50mpg)? Outside of biodiesel and veggie oil conversions, is it a total sin to own a diesel? Keep in mind my budget...I'd probably be owning a late 90's/early 00's vehicle... I'm also interested in the idea of biodiesel or veggie oil conversions.

Thanks!

Stop Burning Dinosaurs.

Jon-o — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:40:06 -0800

Waste Oil Diesel. Any satisfied users? I found a couple AskMe posts from '05 and '06 and I wanted some more current information.
I've been doing some research into running a diesel Benz on waste cooking oil and I was hoping to probe the hive mind in regards to a couple unresolved questions that I have. I'm trying to figure out if I need a special kit or not. All of the grease conversion kit websites say that a kit is critical. However, I've met people in the real-world who own and operate a number of waste oil diesels without a conversion kit (just an extra superfine filter) who claim to experience no ill-effects. Their cars start and run fine, despite the insistence by conversion kit retailers that the waste oil needs to be at least 160F to ensure correct viscosity. There are also some concerns about the waste oil causing corrosion and damage to the stock fuel system.
The science behind the kit is very convincing. However, pouring grease into a car, starting it, and seeing it run fine is pretty convincing, too.

So, do you run veggie oil in your diesel?
Did you buy a conversion kit?
Did you annihilate your car after running veg oil without a kit?
Have you had years of trouble free driving, just pouring veg oil in your tank?
Do you have an awesome recipe for SVO fuel that ensures stability and correct viscosity?

Thanks folks!

Propane, and propane acessories for backup power.

inthe80s — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:19:42 -0800

After the recent issues with running a gas generator for emergency power backup, I was going to make the plunge and purchase a propane generator. The question is, should I plan on having a couple propane appliances installed as well? So I'm up here in Central Massachusetts in an area with no Natural Gas service, so if I want gas powered backup, I'm going LP. The generator size I want that would serve me well is 7KW, with a consumption rate of around 1 gallon an hour. After last week's ice storm and no power for several days I know I want a couple days of run time, which means no less than 96 gallons, so a 120 gallon tank looks to be the size I need (80% capacity). Anything smaller, and I would probably run out before I could get a truck to deliver when everyone is running low. If I stick with removable storage (like the really big bottles you can bring to the refilling stations) I would need several at a time, and be at the mercy of whether the stores were in stock during an emergency, have to lift and move them, deal with getting back and forth, etc.

However, extended periods without power are rare (once every few years) so I generally wouldn't use that much propane from year to year if I just run the generator. I'm assuming I'd have a hard time getting a service contract with a provider if I'm not using at least one tank worth of gas a year. I guess I could always just shut the power to the house down and run the generator, but that seems like an expensive way to get electricty.

Would a propane gas kitchen stove be enough to help me make sure I use enough each year to help justify the installation of a 120 gallon tank? My water heater and main heating system is already heating oil, so there's no advantage to converting those to propane. I'm in the process of replacing my kitchen, and need a new stove, so a switch to LP now for that wouldn't be exceptionally painful.

Alternatively, has anyone heard of someone installing a diesel generator and feeding it from the home heating oil tank?

How small is small according to Diesel?

mpls2 — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:52:20 -0800

How well would a diesel size small button-down shirt fit a 36" chest? I can't seem to find actual measurements for diesel sizes.

how much fuel does a diesel generator consume?

thewalrus — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:51:34 -0800

Diesel generator question: What is the typical fuel consumption rate of a 5kW, 10kW or 20kW unit at various load factors? How much does this vary (in litres per hour, or per day) between the same sizes of unit from different manufacturers? I am doing the math to calculate the yearly operating costs for a telecommunications system to be installed in a third world nation.

The city has reliable 230V power approximately 75% of the time, which can be filtered and passed to equipment via a heavy duty voltage regulator and UPS system. That's not a problem.

The other 25% of the time, occurring randomly throughout the day there is no power whatsoever, frequently for extended periods in the middle of winter, or peak hours during summer when people are running their air conditioning. Thus the requirement for a generator.

The power budget for the whole system fits within 3/4 load factor on a 5kW generator. However we may end up with a larger unit such as 10kW to provide future expansion capability.

This Approximate Diesel Generator Fuel Consumption Chart found on Google provides basic info, but I don't know how much I can rely on it for accuracy. It covers 20kW units and above, but I don't know if a 10kW unit at 0.50 load would consume the same as a 20kW unit at 0.25 load factor...

I'm searching for a formula or chart from a major generator manufacturer saying something like "If you have a 10kW generator and operate it at Y percentage load factor for N hours, it will consume approximately Z litres of diesel per hour". The price of diesel fuel here is relatively stable, but I intend to estimate pessimistically for the price to rise 15-20% over the next 12 months.

Does anyone know how much the fuel consumption rate formula would vary between competing manufacturer's 5kW or 10kW units?

Why won't my diesel start?

rocket_johnny — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:28:13 -0800

How can I get this diesel to start? I have a 1996 Vandura van with a 6.5L diesel motor. I stored it all winter...and with a quick jump it started. I drove it around and it did fine, but then right before I got it home it died. Now it won't start. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to add something to the fuel? The batteries are fine and it cranks, but won't turn over.

Which costs more to make, diesel or gasoine?

Reverend John — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:51:10 -0800

What is the difference in cost to produce diesel fuel versus gasoline? Does one require more oil than the other? I'm involved in a discussion on another forum where the issue of the oil required to produce fuel has come up in relation to comparing the gas mileage of diesel cars to hybrids. I've cited this page claiming that the Union of Concerned Scientists thinks mileage values for diesel engines should be adjusted down 20% to account for differences in oil required to produce the fuels. Another poster has cited this post on a third forum as saying that no comparison can be made.

Does anyone have any harder info on the oil costs of the two fuels?

I'm also interested in the long term price of the two fuels. Diesel has been more expensive on average for the last few years, but was less expensive before that. Does anyone have any info on long term price estimates for these two fuels, especially if diesel was more widely adopted as a car fuel in the US?

Decatur truck repair?

TheNewWazoo — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:33:29 -0800

Anyone have any recommendations on where to have a GM Diesel truck fixed in east Atlanta? I've got a diesel truck that needs work near Decatur, and have generally always done my own work... does anyone have any shops they trust? The work we need done isn't diesel-specific (power steering pump, most likely), but someone who has experience is always preferred.

Urban Rugged Clothes like Triple 5 Soul and G-Star Raw. For chicas, not guys.

barnone — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:28:23 -0800

Women's urban clothing. I'd like to find more brands of clothing like G-Star Raw and Triple 5 Soul. I particularly like this jacket and this shirt and this blazer. What are other retailers or brands that sell kinda tough, kinda sexy, kinda rugged apparel, specifically for women? I know of Karmaloop, Diesel and a few other online places, but so much of it is cutesy or too tiny. This is for a women's size large, about a 12-14 if possible. Men's clothing just doesn't really fit me (or someone else for whom this kind of clothing would be perfect). Guy's shirts are often too broad and the arms are too long, my hips are too wide. Think "urban rugged" rather than "full-out military" and definitely not too cutesy like this.

So: any suggestions? Skater/snowboard attire that isn't too tricked out? Punk clothing that's toned down a bit?

car gas diesel used

BigBrownBear — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:13:33 -0800

Diesel vs. Gas used car. Help me decide. We want to get a used car. I'm seeing some decent, not too old gas engine cars for 1000-2000 euros and some decent, not too old diesel engine cars for 4000-6000 euros.

I drive alot with work and find that when I rent a car, the cost of gas is significantly less with a diesel engine. But how can I better calculate the actual initial cost vs. ongoing cost saving? Does anyone have any experience or know any rules of thumb?

How do I clean diesel from a backpack?

piper4 — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:40:10 -0800

My backpack was dropped in a pool of diesel and sat there for 10 minutes. Is there any way of getting the fuel/smell out fast? I'm at a remote camp with limited resources, and I have to use my pack for at least another month. By limited resources, I mean accessible by helicopter. There's no chance of getting another pack, or fancy cleaning supplies. We do have a washer and dryer. The best suggestion I've had so far is to leave it outside my tent for a few days. Right now, I can't put anything inside without making it smell like diesel too. Help!

Why is there a subtle Christian reference in The Pacifier?

Hermit — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:04:04 -0800

I have just watched the Vin Diesel vehicle The Pacifier (don't ask), and in the wrestling scene, one of the students is holding a placard saying John 3:16, which is the verse about God giving his only son as a sacrifice that we might be saved. Does anyone know why? Was the director sending a subliminal message? Is it a common high-school thing being satirised? It just struck me as odd. Thanks.

Getting an unseen used vehicle 1000 miles away...

nTeleKy — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:46:27 -0800

I recently purchased this used vehicle on eBay which is located around Bangor, Maine, and I'm planning on driving it back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I'm looking for advice to maximize my chances of actually making it back... I'm flying out friday morning, taking a taxi ~50 miles out of bangor to pick it up (I contacted a service and this is OK) and was hoping to get it home by the end of the weekend. I took off work on Monday and could call in for other days if necessary (ie I am stuck in BF, Nowhere). Should I make hotel reservations ahead of time? Am I forgetting anything in the travel arrangements?

It's sold as running condition (without a warranty), the seller claims to have driven it 100 miles with no problems, but that's a bit different than 1000 miles. I was thinking about trying to make arrangements with a local repair shop to have them look it over and tell me if there are any repairs that should be done. Could the feasability of a long trip be assessed immediately? I figured I'd get all the fluids flushed, in any case. Will it be problematic to find a shop willing to deal with a vehicle like this?

I was considering bringing out some parts and/or tools to do minor repairs if necessary, as I'm pretty mechanically inclined. This has an all-mechanical detroit diesel engine, which I'm told is pretty easy to work on, but I have no experience with. Are there any parts in particular I should be concerned with being able to find? Any parts I should replace just for the hell of it?

I was also thinking of getting something like an Allstate Motor Club membership, which should cover me (towing, lodging) if it breaks down and I have to get repairs done. Is this a good service, or is there anything better?

Tips for buying and using a car with biodiesel

jruckman — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 21:58:26 -0800

What car models are best for biodiesel? Anyone done the full conversion to vegetable oil? Today my car died. Engine needs to be rebuilt so I am going to sell it for parts.

I'm going to buy something else and this time it's going to be able to run off biodiesel. Anyone have any experience with this and care to offer advice?

2002 or older is best for biodiesel I've heard. Any specific models good in particular? For biodiesel or just diesel in general. Mercedes? Volvo? VW?

Land Cruiser Filter

baylink — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 09:24:35 -0800

I'm thinking about buying a used, diesel, Toyota Land Cruiser to supplement my 1987 BMW 635csi mid-life-crisis car, which is much more fun than practical. Since I want a diesel, I'm almost certainly going to have to buy an import, probably from Canada (which *did* get the diesel version). Does anyone have any useful information on a) things I should watch out for, b) places other than eBay that I might be likely to actually *find* the diesels, c) what years are good or bad, and d) how much I should expect to pay for a unit that I can just put on the street and drive (I'm not in the market for another project; that's why I'm buying a second car :-).

I want a Peugeot. Am I insane?

serazin — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 14:13:59 -0800

I'm looking for a diesel that I can cram my kids, dog, girlfriend and friends into. (I posted previously about this.)For some reason I'm now obessed with getting a used Peugeot. I live near San Francisco. How would I go about finding a Peugeot? (They aren't sold new in the US.) I called a local European car repair shop and asked who sells them used and he said "no one". Not promising. Any ideas?

Question about biodiesel

yesno — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 07:20:03 -0800

Why is biofuel diesel, instead of standard gasoline? I was just reading this aricle about "renewable diesal", made from slaughterhouse waste, sewage, old tires, etc. Then I thought about biodisel, made from plant oils. Why are all these interesting, cleaner-burning and renewable fuels diesel? Would it be possible to make bio-gasoline, usable in today's cars?

Diesel that meets CA's "clean air vehicle" requirements?

scarabic — Fri, 12 May 2006 13:35:41 -0800

I would like to purchase a high-mileage / low-emissions vehicle which I can drive (alone) in the carpool lanes around the Bay Area. Hybrids present one option, though I'd rather be in a diesel VW Golf, running biodiesel. I need help figuring out the requirements listed here to see if a diesel Golf meets them. And does anyone know if filling it with biodiesel changes anything? What other vehicle options are there?

Diesel Vans 1998-2006

goalyeehah — Thu, 04 May 2006 17:53:23 -0800

Are Diesel Vans being made? I am selling product at local farmer's markets in Los Angeles county and am looking for a diesel van to convert to bio-diesel. I not to up on cars and am curious as to whether diesel vans have been built within the past 6-8 years.

Questions about gasoline.

grateful — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 10:47:19 -0800

All about gasoline. (Apologies in advance on the two-fer.)

1) This morning, mrs. grateful accidentally filled up the tank with diesel instead of regular gas. The car stopped running, and she had it towed back to the station. They emptied the tank and flushed the system. Are there any long-term deleterious effects that we need to be concerned about?

2) In discussing the previous event, my father-in-law insisted that I could adjust my car so that it would no longer require premium gas. What adjustments is he talking about, and would they harm the engine in any way?

Options for Diesel Cars

odinsdream — Thu, 17 Mar 2005 08:25:36 -0800

I love my car, but am becoming increasingly concerned about gas mileage and environmental responsibility. It isn't a guzzler, but I know I could do better. What are your experiences with diesel cars? Currently I drive a VW Passat Wagon with all-wheel drive. It's been a pleasure to own, and I can't think of a single complaint. In fact, I really would be sad to part with it, since it's been so good in snowy weather with the all-wheel drive, and the storage space is great.

And yet... I get an average of 25MPG, and I sometimes take long trips where this really adds up. I've been looking more into switching to something that gets better mileage. Diesel seems to be the best option (perhaps with a conversion kit for veggie oil, even).

If there was a diesel Passat Wagon with all-wheel drive, I'd switch today, but as far as I can tell, this doesn't exist.

Are there any all-wheel drive diesel cars out there? What's your experience with diesel cars in general? Does anyone have first-hand experience with bio-diesel or vegetable oil conversion kits? I'm partial to VW because I've had such a great experience, but I'm open to new options. I have no prior diesel experience myself.

Vin Diesel's shoes in Pacifier

jsavimbi — Mon, 07 Mar 2005 13:03:31 -0800

Does anyone know what shoes Vin Diesel is wearing in "Pacifier"? Not that I fall for the film/product-placement thing, but they looked like nice shoes.