Why do Diesels last longer than IC's?

[Bird]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

<font color=blue>Why is that?</font color=blue>

Bob, how about the fact that you don't have any electrical parts, such as a distributor, spark plug wires, etc. to get wet and drown out.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

<font color=blue>...how about the fact that you don't have any electrical parts, such as a distributor, spark plug wires, etc. to get wet and drown out.</font color=blue>

Duh. Didn't think of that. [homer] /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Egon]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

Bird,

Have you looked under the hood of one the new diesel P/U's ?
The entire engine fuel injection system as well as lift pumps , autos and four wheel engagement are controlled by electronics or run by electricity. They may be able to handle normal road spray but hate to try them submerged.


Egon

 

[yaouk]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

Not only new diesels. All diesel engines have electrical components. They may be less suscptable than petrol engines but they still can drown.
Moreover Turbos and H20 don't mix well. Turbos get hot, very hot; cold water splashing onto a hot Turbo can warp and crack it.

 

[Bird]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

Good point, Egon, at least on the newer ones. And of course cold water on a hot engine of any kind might make you wish you hadn't done it./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[njrqs]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

Yes Egon these new electronics on diesels scare me !

Then again fuel injection & computers on cars scared me but now I reckon they are great.

Thing is we drive diesels due to their water resistance, lack of fuss with broken wires, cumputers etc. and now they too are going the other way.

At least mine is still sort of old fashioned. The only power I need is to keep the fuel shut off in the open position.

The main drama with diesels and water is that they won't die due to electrical shorts like a petrol engine would, so they keep on sucking that water in, and trying to compress water in a 22:1 engine results in a nasty mess.

So if you are careless, driving in water is probably less of a drama in a petrol. At least it shoudl die before ingesting too much water.

That's why I have a snorkel on the diesel and wouldn't have one without it !!

Cheers

 

[Egon]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

What do you do for the alternator/starter? Is there also an elevated vent for the crankcase and differentials? Does the battery become submerged? How about the power steering fluid resovoir? All these items can get filled with water.

Egon

 

[Egon]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

Bird,

Yes, I can just visualize the exhaust manifolds and heads enjoying that sudden change.

Egon

 

[njrqs]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

Diffs and gearbox/transfers have vents up to the firewall.

It's not like we just sit in the water, when driving through a creek etc. the bow wave keeps most water out of the engine bay. The only steam I get comes from the exhaust under the car.

It's not like we make a habit of doing it either.

So all in all I don't think it tales too much strain on things.

Much prefer to do it when truck is cool and then things don't go bang !!

Cheers

 

[Egon]

Re: Why do Diesels last longer than IC\'s?

Neil.

Sure sounds like you know what your doing.

There are times when you gotta drive where you gotta drive however which way you hafta do it.

Egon