Diesel - anybody know anything about it?

[Arch]

I'm sure the firefighters strike must have been either 2001 or 2002 because my youngest loved seeing the green goddess's and he wasn't born 'till 2001.

Must have been later I think. We were living at Cemetery Road, and moved there in 2003 I think. We used to dash to the front room window when one went by, as the barracks is just down the road, and we recognised the old style two tone siren. Our young housemate, born in 1982 or so, couldn't understand our nostalgia for the sound.

 

[Piemaster]

I can't think of any reason why. I would hazard a guess that it's down to the change in air density - cold air is denser so presents more air resistance. (Which is also why you cycle slower in the winter. At least, that's my excuse!)

Exactly what do the turbocharger and intercooler do to the air admitted into the engine do then?

I suspect the difference in mpg is more down to the engine being colder when its started and taking longer to come up to its designed operating temperature and stay there. You also don't need wipers/lights/demisters in warm weather.

Some of the early Freelanders had auxiliary diesel heaters as the engines were so efficient they couldn't output enough heat to keep the engine at temperature and provide heating to the passenger space. Think it only applied to temps below something like -5 degrees though.

 

[Globalti]

There are several reasons for better fuel efficiency in warm weather; the lower viscosity of the transmission oils and greases is one.

BTW, all the green goddesses have gone to Nigeria, I saw a whole compound full of them at the Lagos State secretariat. Africans appreciate a simple, low tech and rugged vehicle. Cheap too.

 

[Wobblers]

Exactly what do the turbocharger and intercooler do to the air admitted into the engine do then?

I suspect the difference in mpg is more down to the engine being colder when its started and taking longer to come up to its designed operating temperature and stay there. You also don't need wipers/lights/demisters in warm weather.

Some of the early Freelanders had auxiliary diesel heaters as the engines were so efficient they couldn't output enough heat to keep the engine at temperature and provide heating to the passenger space. Think it only applied to temps below something like -5 degrees though.

Nothing to do with the engine - actually, I'd expect it to be more efficient at low (air inlet) temperatures. Air at 0[sup]o[/sup]C has a density 7% higher than it does at 20[sup]o[/sup]C. So it's going to take 7% more energy to push it out the way when you're driving your car and you can expect to see a similar decrease in fuel economy.

 

[tyred]

Nothing to do with the engine - actually, I'd expect it to be more efficient at low (air inlet) temperatures. Air at 0[sup]o[/sup]C has a density 7% higher than it does at 20[sup]o[/sup]C. So it's going to take 7% more energy to push it out the way when you're driving your car and you can expect to see a similar decrease in fuel economy.

Which is precisely my excuse for cycling so slowly this winter


With regards to the OP, mix it with fresh diesel just to be sure.

 

[Archie_tect]

A bit off thread but read sign on Tesco diesel pumps saying their diesel contains '7% bio-diesel'.

My understanding was that bio-diesel remains considerably cheaper to produce than diesel from oil, and as Tesco don't have the R+D overheads of other fuel oil suppliers it would be fantastic if the price differential was passed on to customers! Naive maybe but in these straightened times it would be a welcome commercially-justified gesture.

 

[661-Pete]

A propos - but somewhat off-topic - perhaps someone could explain this, from yesterday. Driving back home from Scotland, we had stopped for a few minutes at Carter Bar to stretch our legs (and listen to the piper), I was approached by a couple of guys who asked me "you couldnae spare us a wee bit o' petrol could ye?" A bit taken aback, I could only splutter "no, I'm on diesel". But - I mean - wtf!? I know fuel prices have gone astronomical, I know some motorists must be feeling the pinch, I've certainly had the "spare the price of a pint of beer guv?" and the "spare the cost of a bed for the night guv?" stuff, but this is a new one. Did they really expect me to reply "yeah - go ahead, siphon out as much as you like..."? I mean, what's with the AA/RAC etc etc.? Don't they handle this sort of thing (at a price!)?

Never mind. At least they left off pestering me. They had a go at someone else...

 

[Archie_tect]

A propos - but somewhat off-topic - perhaps someone could explain this, from yesterday. Driving back home from Scotland, we had stopped for a few minutes at Carter Bar to stretch our legs (and listen to the piper), I was approached by a couple of guys who asked me "you couldnae spare us a wee bit o' petrol could ye?" A bit taken aback, I could only splutter "no, I'm on diesel". But - I mean - wtf!? I know fuel prices have gone astronomical, I know some motorists must be feeling the pinch, I've certainly had the "spare the price of a pint of beer guv?" and the "spare the cost of a bed for the night guv?" stuff, but this is a new one. Did they really expect me to reply "yeah - go ahead, siphon out as much as you like..."? I mean, what's with the AA/RAC etc etc.? Don't they handle this sort of thing (at a price!)?

Never mind. At least they left off pestering me. They had a go at someone else...

You've just avoided prosecution for supplying arms to the Tartan Molotov Society [Borders Region].

 

[Brains]

FYI - If the diesel is in a 25 litre jerry can ensure you have a jerry can spout thingy before you pour it, otherwise it will be all over the road.
Best method is to hold the can sideways so that air can get in as the deisel runs out.
You also need to support the can whilst pouring as the 30KG weight is quite a bit to bench press for the 5 mins it will take to pour out.
If the fuel is old, mix 50/50 with new fuel.

 

[Piemaster]

Diesel sg is approx 0.86 So 25litre jerrycan weighs 21.5 kg + a bit for the can.

Ok, I know. PEDANT! But then I usually deal in quantities of tens of thousands of litres where it makes a real difference.

 

[Night Train]

It is still a lot to hold carefully so the cap doesn't scratch the car bodywork while pouring.
The spout on mine has a breather pipe so it can be poured straight.

I still have about 20 litres of B100 that I can't use in my car. It doesn't seem to be any use for anything else either.

 

[Globalti]

A climbing pal of mine used to drive around in an old Beetle somebody gave him.

It had been rolled so had a crushed roof and no rear window.

The roof was propped up with a builder's prop.

There was a 100 litre drum of Jet A1 on the back seat with a tube going straight to the carburettor. I think he must have been running it on 50/50 petrol and Jet fuel.

(He worked at RAF Lossiemouth at the time).

 

[BrumJim]

Nothing to do with the engine - actually, I'd expect it to be more efficient at low (air inlet) temperatures. Air at 0[sup]o[/sup]C has a density 7% higher than it does at 20[sup]o[/sup]C. So it's going to take 7% more energy to push it out the way when you're driving your car and you can expect to see a similar decrease in fuel economy.

Also if you drive a turbo, you notice the increase in performance. So you have to try it out, and therefore spend a lot more of your journey with the right foot planted firmly on the floor than you would otherwise.

Apparently.