Here's a 2019 story from Hot Cars that caught my eye and is still totally relevant. The article by Goran Radanovic is titled 25 Myths About Diesel Engines That Simply Aren't True.
Radanovic begins with a little history of diesel engines and their development. The significant feature of this power plant design is the manner in which it generates combustion. Ignition is caused by the elevated temperature generated in the cylinder by mechanical compression, which results in the ignition of the fuel. It's a brilliantly simple concept based on an understanding of basic scientific principles.
Despite their proven track record of more than a century of service, a number of myths have grown up regarding diesel power. The author actually cites 25 here. I'll note a few of them and then send you directly to the source at Hot Cars.
1. Myth: Diesels are the largest cause of air pollution.
When you see that black smoke billow you do have to wonder how this isn't true. But the reality is, there have been great strides taken to clean up diesel. The industry has come a long, long way. Remember how much black smoke steel mills spewed a century ago? You don't see any of that today, and these engines now a different from olden times.What I find interesting is that there is such as thing as being too quiet. I vaguely recall reading last year that the EV cars are so quiet they are dangerous for blind people who can't hear them coming.
2. Myth: Diesels are loud.
That, too, has changed. "Common-rail technology made diesel engines almost as quiet as gas engines," he writes.
Not sure why anyone would buy this myth. The infrastructure for diesel is everywhere. I will tell you what IS true. You're not going to have as easy of a time finding charging stations for your Tesla. At leas t not yet.
4. Myth: Diesel engines are only good for towing.
Towing is just one of the advantages of diesel engine technology. Reliability and longevity are additional benefits.
5. Myth: You can't tune a diesel engine.
This seems strange. If you've ever witnessed or been part of a dyno competition you can see that it's all about tuning for maximum power. According to Radanovic, "The truth is that diesel engines have withstood better tuning than gasoline engines."
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The author lists 20 more common myths about diesels. It's actually quite surprising how much misinformation people take for granted. You can read the who story here:
https://www.hotcars.com/myths-
Good article. It's obvious that a myth is defined as a story without an author that is passed along and is usually intended to teach a lesson, or something that is untrue. If many believe that diesels are a waste of time and money, but this isn't true, then this is an example of a myth.
ReplyDeleteMyth -Ford Owns Cummins This is something the misinformed enthusiasts claim all the time - and it's completely untrue. More than two decades ago, Ford held roughly a 10 percent share of Cummins' stock. As a shareholder, Ford earned a seat on Cummins' board of directors, but that was the extent of its influence or control over Cummins. In 1997, Ford divested itself of all Cummins stock. For the record, you can order a Ford with a factory Cummins option - but it's only available in a medium-duty F-560 or F-750.
ReplyDeleteMyth-Isuzu Builds the Duramax. Yes and no. The 6.6L Duramax (produced at DMAX Ltd., in Moraine, Ohio) was a joint venture, formed in the late ’90s by General Motors and Isuzu. Originally, Isuzu was the majority owner, with a 60 percent share (vs. GM’s 40 percent), but less than a year after the DMAX partnership was formed, GM raised its stake to 49 percent. Today, the original numbers are reversed, with GM now the 60/40 majority owner. Isuzu was responsible for the base engine’s design and validation, while GM was tasked with creating the installation and packaging within its vehicles. Isuzu and GM collaborated on the original engine calibration work.
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