Petrol vs Diesel

[z-weiser]

I know this isn't bike related but loads of you seem very knowledgable aout mechanical things in general!

i am looking at changing the Bug for a Peugeot Partner diesel (get more surf/bike/kayak cr*p in the back) and was wondering if the engines really do live as long as people say they do!?

doesn't seem to be much differece in the 1.4 petrol or 1.9 diesel and was wondering if there was any benefit?? - or doesn't that come until you strap a turbo to it??

[Yeti]

I've seen old diesel engines that do last forever but not sure about the modern ones.

I have even seen an old crawler (really old !! ) dragged out of some woodland in which it was completely burried up to the top of the engine, had the oil dropped out n changed , some fuel + something added which I think was to make it fire easier?!? dragged till it fired up. Blew mice nests and all sorts out of the exhaust!! Touble is, the track controls were seized so when it fired up the poor sod sat on it had no control until it hit a big tree and stalled!

I bet they don't make em like they use'ta!!

Everything these days is designed with very well calculated lifecycles.

I think they have bigger repair bills than some standard petrol engines and i think the fuel ecconomy is now similar to a good petrol engine with the addition of turbos.?

sure there are people who know all the details

[z-weiser]

ta mate!

now that got the bike for fun thought would get something more practical for four wheeled conveyance!

if anyone elso has any diesel knowledge please let me know ta!

Z

[Dilbert]

I drive (when its raining) a diesel Clio, the engine in this is a modern "common rail" diesel, we won't go into how it works, it's a bit like a turbo/ injector hybrid, all you need to know is they drive like a petrol car, slightly less acceleration from the lights, shed loads more torque going up hills, etc.
the Peugeot diesel on the old 106 will see you good for 250,000 miles, but sounds like a tractor, the modern HDi engines are good, but not as economic as the common rail, the Clio 1.5 DCi common rail uses a scavenger system to re-cycle burnt gases to give very low emmissions (and mega-low road tax).
I think the Punto's also use a common rail engine and probably some other makes, these are the dog's bollocks, I get 52mpg out of mine and I drive like a maniac (according to my wife and daughter), 60mpg is easily achievable by the more faint hearted, especially on long motorway journeys.
Diesels are generally more expensive to buy, so you should only consider one if your drive like a maniac, or do 20,000 or more miles a year (or both )

[Dilbert]

Sorry, just read you are talking a bout a van not a car, same rules apply, diesels are better for vans/ trucks, etc because they have more torque to get heavy loads moving economically

[raymo]

Have had two old 1.8 pug 205s... bought at high milage and then handed down to my son after he past his test.. he loved them.. no turbo.. very simple very torquey, and being snow boarder he got every where with them.. just a set of snow tyres 60 mpg with ease.. rear suspension gave on on both and they were scrapped with obscene haulage and both engines sound, shame but £800 to sort the suspension on a £300 car???

I am running a Micra 1.5 DCi, it very very quick tonnes of torque and economical..

it your carry gear and doing miles diesel, just change oil regular.. saying that the micra service interval is 18,000,000 miles or 2 years

[z-weiser]

thanks for the replies - the one i am looking at is a non turbo as far as i can tell and from what y'all are saying should fit the bill for high mileage low hassle motoring!

thanks again

Z

[Yeti]

the Peugeot diesel on the old 106 will see you good for 250,000 miles, but sounds like a tractor

No kidding!! I had mate after school who lived on a farm and got the farm hand me downs. He got one of these (van style) that was absolutely goosed, but would it die? no way! He tried to kill it to get a newer one but it just wouldn't go away. In the end it started sucking oil in from somewhere to burn when turned off and kept coughing on for a while after stopping!! Lots of smoke!! in the end everything just fell off it but the engine kept going!!

I think that was when they had the perkins engines?

[piguglyshandydrinker]

I'm a diesel fan through and through - born and bred with 'em.

Not sure about the life of a well maintained modern petrol engine, on economic terms a petrol will be cheaper to buy (new and used) and possibly cheaper IF things go wrong.

Depends on the milage you intend to do really.

The 1.9 Pug engines have a good name but can be prone to blowing head gaskets (moreso on the turbo's), so double check alls OK and keep an eye on coolant level.

I believe the Ford 1.6/1.8 diesels are a much more robust unit as long as you keep the cambelt changed. But they're nowhere near the Pug/citroen units in terms of refinement.

the Clio 1.5 DCi common rail uses a scavenger system to re-cycle burnt gases to give very low emmissions (and mega-low road tax).

Diesels have had EGR's (exhaust Gas Recirculation) fitted for year's and is by no mean's new technology but as with many system's designed to "benefit" the environment (in a political sense) the benefit's are not so obvious in real life.

Try incresed fuel consumption, reduced low down performance/more turbo lag and sometimes increased smoke emissions!!! More modern cars may be better but I alway's disconnect 'em.

Still not convinced??? have a peek in the inlet manifole of a 50k + miles car with EGR, when you've scraped all the black gungey sh@te from the manifold, you too will wonder of the benefits.

The black sh@te comes from the carbon particles in the exhaust gas "sticking" to the oil vapour, to build up a thick layer

Anyway, I digress (again)

Phil

[Chad]

my astra van (the red rocket) go's like the clappers and returns 48 to the gallon i shudder to think what it would cost me to get to work if it was a petrol