Changes are coming.. And we can't do anything about it.

[billt]

I bet that Ford Ranger would sell if it came with a 4 cylinder diesel standard and got close to 50 MPG. I am really jones'ing for a Volkswagen, probably a Jetta with the TDI .

I had a 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel that got an honest 50 MPG. It was not turbo charged, and really lacked power. I got rid of it before we moved out here to Arizona because it didn't have A/C. A/C wasn't offered in the Diesel Volkswagens until the 1980 models.

I looked into a new Jetta TDI but I backed off because there appears to be an issue with the fuel injection system in the newer models. It's a $7,000.00+ repair if it happens out of warranty. Several people have had problems. My 1979 Diesel ran perfectly for over 120,000 miles. I think if I was going to get a new truck today I would go with a Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel. I co-worker has one that gets 28 MPG on the highway, and has close to 200,000 miles on it with zero issues. 28 MPG in a full sized truck with great towing power is a good tradeoff.

[tombogan03884]

I had a 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel that got an honest 50 MPG. It was not turbo charged, and really lacked power. I got rid of it before we moved out here to Arizona because it didn't have A/C. A/C wasn't offered in the Diesel Volkswagens until the 1980 models.

I looked into a new Jetta TDI but I backed off because there appears to be an issue with the fuel injection system in the newer models. It's a $7,000.00+ repair if it happens out of warranty. Several people have had problems. My 1979 Diesel ran perfectly for over 120,000 miles. I think if I was going to get a new truck today I would go with a Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel. I co-worker has one that gets 28 MPG on the highway, and has close to 200,000 miles on it with zero issues. 28 MPG in a full sized truck with great towing power is a good tradeoff.

Around here Diesel is several cents more than gasoline.

[billt]

Around here Diesel is several cents more than gasoline.

It fluctuates a great deal here. Sometimes it's around the same as Premium, other times it's several cents a gallon more. It seems to be more in the Winter months because of the home heating oil market. It is very similar to Diesel in the refining process.

[Timothy]

It fluctuates a great deal here. Sometimes it's around the same as Premium, other times it's several cents a gallon more. It seems to be more in the Winter months because of the home heating oil market. It is very similar to Diesel in the refining process.

Diesel here as Tom said is high and is close to the home heating oil prices.  You can burn diesel from the pump in your home heating system but you pay taxes at the pump, not on the heating oil!  It's close to four bucks now!

We use kerosene, it's a bit cheaper but needs an additive to prevent gelling.

[Tyler Durden]

I mentioned it here before a while back, and not to derail this thread but I met a guy at a party who made his own biodiesel for 62 cents a gallon.

yeah, before I would buy any new car or truck I would look for an internet forum for it and read up on potential problems.

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

I mentioned it here before a while back, and not to derail this thread but I met a guy at a party who made his own biodiesel for 62 cents a gallon.

yeah, before I would buy any new car or truck I would look for an internet forum for it and read up on potential problems.

Please stop apologizing for thread drift!  It's the norm and expected around here!   

For a thousand dollars, you can make bio-diesel without too much trouble.  They make entire kits to start production then you get all the restaurants in your area to save their crud and start to brew!  Soon, your diesel will smell like burritos or french fries when it's running.

[billt]

We use kerosene, it's a bit cheaper but needs an additive to prevent gelling.

That's strange. When I ran my VW Diesel during the Winter in Illinois, I would add Kerosene to the Diesel to prevent it from gelling??

[Timothy]

That's strange. When I ran my VW Diesel during the Winter in Illinois, I would add Kerosene to the Diesel to prevent it from gelling??

It's something my father in law started, I don't know that it actually does anything at all.  It's not my house, I just do what I'm told!

 

[Tyler Durden]

when I bought my mig (wire welder) I got or do get a free welding class with it, not that I think I need a class on wire welding.  So I have been thinking to just skip ahead to a tig class.  I had my old gas fired water heater crap out on me.  It rusted through.  I was thinking it would be great to build a stainless tank for a water heater.  I figured I could use my new found stainless tig skills to build a stainless biodiesel "refinery".  the guy I talked to at this party said he used an old water heater to make his biodiesel...something about trickling water through the oil got the contaminants out.  then he titrated it with something....I can't remember now.

[Timothy]

Google "Dirty Jobs" with Mike Rowe.  They did an entire hour episode on biodiesel production in some guys shed!

I know nothing more about the process nor would I bother myself!  I'm getting lazy in my elder years!