I live in the wrong country

[smfcpacfp]

I have spent a lot of time in Europe as a tourist over the last several years and really enjoyed seeing all of the old ancient places(Tower of London, Stonehenge, Roman Coliseum, Louvre, etc.).

We don't have many old things like that in the US, so I thought what man made things could impress europeans in the US and I came to the conclusion that it would be some of our gigantic stores with all of the goodies. I never saw a store like a Sam's Club, or Lowe's in Europe.

 

[ray66v]

Thank God there are few diesel cars in America.

Why??? Because they smell bad.

 

[Cami]

The smell! I feel a stroll down amnesia lane coming on....

I'm not joining the diesel debate here, I just wanted to share.

I've had the experience where every car on the street was a diesel. On cold mornings when everybody warmed up their cars, it was nasty.

It's one thing when it's a few engines in a work yard, but quite another when it's a fleet of them outside your kitchen window.

 

[MikePA]

Please keep to the topic of the different products available in various countries and not go into politics, which violates the TBN TOS. Thanks.

 

[033614]

TWO BIT SCORE:
Didn't recognise CNG for a start, it's called LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) over here. I run one myself, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, lovely motor. Big,yes but up here a 4WD is essential especially when towing. On petrol it did 25 MPG, again good for a 4 litre. On LPG it does the equivalent of about 35 MPG (costwise). Petrol costs about ｣1.10/ litre, LPG is ｣0.53/litre but it doesn't go as far. Many more people would use them if there was more filling stations. There are 3 within 30 miles of here, but then no more for about 60 miles.The closest and the furthest from here both charge ｣0.65/litre (rip off). The one I use is ｣0.53/litre. Costs about ｣2000 to convert a 4 litre. People who travel large distances tend to be the users, travelling salesmen and reps. I use one because the car was converted when I bought it.

 

[CCWKen]

You probably saved money by not buying the machine. If the thickest sheet you work with is 22ga, it works great. I have the 40" model and it wouldn't cut or bend 20ga. without some modifications. I work alone most of the time so I took the opportunity to beef-up the machine while I was powering it. I no longer have to try and hold pieces while cranking. That alone is worth the mods.

 

[IslandTractor]

Why??? Because they smell bad.

You are living in the past. New diesels (VW, Mercedes, BMW etc) burning ultra low sulfur diesel fuel really don't smell at all. Very hard to tell they are diesel engines without looking for the "cdi" or "tdi" badge on the back of the vehicle.

I wish we had more choice and supply though. A VW diesel Sportwagen or Golf sells for over MRSP typically and requires a wait while the gas powered versions of same are stacked up on dealers lots. USA gets very low allocations of these vehicles presumably because VW can sell them for more money in Europe.

 

[ray66v]

You are living in the past. New diesels (VW, Mercedes, BMW etc) burning ultra low sulfur diesel fuel really don't smell at all.

LOL. No, I am living in the present, you on the other hand, are living in the future.

I have been hearing that diesels no longer smell bad, literally for decades.

While manufacturers are working to improve diesel exhaust, those who service these progressive vehicles will tell you, (and I do know several of them), that this technology is far from perfected.

Low sulfur fuel has reduced sulfur emissions, but has done nothing correct the problem of odor, and soot, and the rest of the carcinogens contained in diesel exhaust.

In the mean time, as long as there are people idling diesels right in front of the store entrance, and pickup trucks are reprogrammed to bellow huge clouds of black smoke, for the sake of the drivers ego, I will continue to object.

I would love to put the exhaust pipe in the front of these "clean" vehicles so the driver can smell it too, then let's see how many they sell.

 

[IslandTractor]

Go try one and report back. VW 2009/2010 TDI or Mercedes Bluetec. If you have an open mind you'll be quite impressed.

 

[Renze]

Diesels idling in the street at morning, smell ?
Yes they do need to idle longer to get warmed up because they have a 50% higher thermal efficiency, so they dont burn enough fuel at idle to generate enough waste heat for a quick warm up...

Nothing smells worse than a gas engine running too rich to keep it running when its cold ! Oh yes my TDI might make a little fume (as the EGR gets sticky when inhaling its own exhaust fumes when cruising at 1500rpm) when i cant stand that unburnt petrol smell any longer and i overtake them, smoothly accelerating from 1800rpm without ever having to downshift...
Lots of rice burners are left stunned in a wee bit of diesel smoke, because they thought they could have me because they have a way higher power to weight ratio... its instant power (torque) that really matters.

Inefficient gas engines are for leisure vehicles such as Ferraris and fourwheelers, and for lawnmowers/economy cars.