What Makes Diesel Engines More Reliable for the Long Haul?

Early direct injected Mercedes-Benz diesel, circa 1963

Yesterday we posted here about a YouTube video explaining why diesel engines produce more torque. The video, about two years old, not only showed how diesel engines differ from gasoline engines, but also how many people were interested in understanding these differences. More than 1.5 million people had watched the video.

The link that led us to that video was actually found in an article at Interesting Engineering titled What Makes an Engine Reliable. 

What does make an engine reliable? The short answer is how well this conglomerate of moving parts can deal with the heat and stress generated by the multitude of mini-explosions taking place inside the piston cylinder.

The author Trevor English begins with an eye opening statistic. We have more than 1.4 billion cars on planet earth. Some of the beaters in this world are held together with wire, nuts and bolts. Some barely start, and some will last for ages. 

Here's how English describes what goes on inside an engine:

 

Engines handle some insane environments. On one end, they can survive in extreme weather conditions, but what happens inside is an even harsher climate for engineering. From fiery explosions every few seconds to hot and cold cycles with oil gushing about, getting a machine with thousands of parts to handle this environment is no easy feat. 

He then turns to the reliability question. Why do some motors last a million miles (with maintenance) and other blow apart at 200,000?

  

The primary reason engines blow is overheating. 

When an engine gets hot, all of the components of the engine warp and expand. Engineers design for these expansions within a certain range but when an engine reaches temperatures outside of its intended range, seals and gaskets can blow — or worse — cylinders and other components can catastrophically fail under the stress. 

To deal with all this heat engineers developed cooling and lubricating systems. Coolant conveys the heat away from the engine. Lubricants reduce the heat generated by friction and also serve to mitigate heat. 

 

English breaks down the various way design failures in these cooling systems can lead to premature death for an engine at certain failure points. Cooling systems are also dependent on radiators to dissipate the heat, which is another variable in the reliability equation. It's more than just having oil and coolant though. Oil and coolant capacity is also a variable. This, he states, is one of the first design features that can make an engine "ultra-reliable." 

 

Interestingly enough, there are ways that small engines can be designed to be more reliable. And just because an engine is big, he states, it doesn't mean it will live longer.

Diesel vs. gasoline

The heart of this story for us comes at this point after all the other groundwork has been laid. Why are diesel engines regarded as more reliable, especially for long distance travel and towing? The answer, he states, has to do with lubrication. The fuel itself is more lubricative than gasoline. 

What he is referring to is what happens when the fuel is injected into the cylinders. Diesel fuel helps lubricate the enhine and minimizes friction. By way of contrast, gasoline usually has detergents that clean the interior of oil and other grime inside the cylinder.

Additional considerations

The article is essentially about reliability and all the decisions engineers must consider when creating a new engine design. For example, what material to use for the head and the block, as well as the head gasket, which is a common failure point.

"Another factor that influences the reliability of engines goes beyond thermal forces and rather deals with kinetic forces from the movement of the pistons. The way these forces are dealt with primarily comes down to engine layout," he explains. 

The various kind of engine designs are discussed next followed by a discussion of engine cycles as it goes from cool to hot and back to cool, and how this has a bearing on an engine's durability.

   

In short, this is an exceedingly thorough discussion that is worth reading in whole. We've only touched on some the highlights here. Be sure to check it out. If you do not have tine to read it now bookmark it for a good weekend diversion.

What Makes an Engine Reliable

https://interestingengineering.com/what-makes-an-engine-reliable

See also: Why Do Diesel Engines Make More Torque

https://theblueflameblogger.blogspot.com/2021/01/why-do-diesel-engines-make-more-torque.html

Why Do Diesel Engines Make More Torque Than Their Gasoline Powered Siblings?

Jason Fenske, Engineering Explained

Have you ever wondered why it is that diesel engines make more torque than gasoline engines? On one level they are essentially the same, an metal block in which pistons move up and down when the fuel detonates. The energy produced gets transferred to the drivetrain which sets the truck in motion. 

That being said, why the difference in torque?

The answer to this question can be found at a YouTube channel called Engineering Explained.  The video is aptly titled Why Diesel Engines Make More Torque Than Gasoline Engines. The host for this presentation is Jason Fenske. 

Even though a cursory look at the two kinds of engines makes them appear similar, Fenske points out several subtle differences that appear small but have big consequences. They are as follows.

1. Compression ratio.

2. Speed of combustion.

3. Bore size vs. length of stroke.

4. Use of turbochargers.

5. Energy density of diesel fuel.

Gasoline is highly combustible, hence the pistons in a gasoline engine do not fully compress. It's the spark that does ignition. Diesel pistons are pushed further up within the cylinder because diesel fuel is ignited by the heat of compression.

The article includes a link to a 2014 blog post titled Throwback Thursday: What Does Torque in a Car Do? 

For each segment, Fenske explains with useful imagery and technical diagrams. If you aren’t a car nut, torque is basically force multiplied by distance - and it is what causes your car to accelerate. For car enthusiast beginners this blog post gives a great introduction to torque, how to measure it and what it can do in your car.

What's especially interesting is how a basic presentation like this has had 1.5 million pageviews. It's quite apparent that this is a topic more than just a few people have wondered about.

This story and video were found at 

Interesting Engineering

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Do you have diesel news or good diesel story?
Tell us about it. Send it to our Blue Flame director Karl Dedolph III @ kdedolph@championbrands.com

Be sure to enter our Sweepstakes and win a full year's worth of Blue Flame Diesel Oil for your favorite truck. Click the Green Button on the top right. 

5 of Top 10 Fastest Growing Alternative Technology Vehicles of 2020 Were Diesel-Powered

This past weekend we read a news story that had a fairly striking statistic. It said, "Sales of pickup tucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with diesel engines grew 28 percent during 2020, even as overall auto sales declined by over 14% for the year."

Sometimes we can't even see what's right in front of our faces because of all the other distractions. Of course, this is one of the tricks of the magicians trade. It's called misdirection. While we're watching his left hand he pockets the coin that he'd transferred to his right.

This, however, is what's interesting: "Among alternative fueled vehicle offerings, vehicles with diesel engines held 5 of the top 10 rankings for fastest growing sales (2019-2020), according to the Diesel Technology Forum based on data and analysis provided by Alan Baum and Associates."

Monday's Street Insider story drew from information released by the Diesel Technology Forum earlier that day. 

That diesels have been popular is nothing new. Full-size pickups have been among the best-selling vehicles in American for years. What's noteworthy, according to Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF), was the 28% growth in sales last year, which shows how much consumers are embracing the new generation of diesel technology.  

Schaeffer pointed out several stats that some people would find eye-opening, especially in this period in which we're striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy. The fuel economy savings on the more than 140,000 new diesels sold last year helped boost fuel efficiency by 16 to 25 percent. If every full-size pickup sold in the U.S. were equipped with an advanced diesel engine, the U.S. could save 500 million gallons of fuel per year. "Greater fuel economy from diesel engines means using less fuel, saving money and fewer greenhouse gas emissions, benefits everyone can value." 

The trend toward SUVs and pickup trucks has been picking up for more than a decade. "What is new," Schaeffer said, "is the growing number of more fuel-efficient offerings for car and truck buyers than ever before, ranging from battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, full hybrid and even hydrogen fuel cell options, although diesel continues to dominate in the alternative fuel segment. That five of the top ten fastest selling alternative fuel vehicles sold in 2020 are diesel-powered, is a very strong statement that consumers value what the new diesel engines offer.”

The article went on to describe the 13 diesel options available in mid, full-size and heavy-duty pickup trucks beginning in 2020. “In the vehicle segments more Americans now prefer, more diesel options are turning out to be a win-win because diesel is a fuel-efficient choice that requires no compromises in fuel efficiency, vehicle utility or performance. With readily available fuel at more than two-thirds of all stations, highway ratings of as much as 33 mpg along with driving ranges that can exceed 500 miles on a single tank, the diesel option presents great overall value for consumers in these larger vehicles,” said Schaeffer.

In short, one of the primary strengths of diesel at this point in time is the ready availability of fuel. The infrastructure is in place and the benefits are many. You can read the full Street Insider story Here.

Diesel Technology Forum is a not-for-profit association representing manufacturers of diesel engines and equipment, key suppliers of emissions control and other technologies, and fuel producers. The press release that the Street Insider story drew from has additional information and a great chart at the end which you should check out. The DTF release is titled DIESEL SALES UP 28% IN 2020 BOOSTING TRUCK SEGMENT FUEL ECONOMY. Read it HERE.

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Do you have diesel news or good diesel story?
Tell us about it. Send it to our Blue Flame director Karl Dedolph III @ kdedolph@championbrands.com

National Biodiesel Conference Sees Future of Renewable Diesel as Looking Up.

According to an article in Biodiesel Magazine the future of the industry is on an upward trajectory. The article, by the National Biodiesel Board, is titled Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel Industry on the "RISE" in 2021.

Last week the National Biodiesel Board "hosted more than 550 biodiesel and renewable diesel producers, distributors, retailers, and other industry advocates virtually to share the direction of the industry now and in the future. During the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, NBB celebrated the many achievements for the industry in the face of adversity."  

During the conference NBB CEO, Donnell Rehagen praised the industry's tenacity, never giving up in the face of great headwinds caused by Covid and the economic turbulence. “Our members continually beat expectations year after year and there is a lot to be excited for moving forward," he said.

During the conference, updates were shared for each of its core program areas. Attendees got a glimpse of the future direction and influences for the industry. Here's a brief summary of what was shared regarding these core program areas.

 

Federal Affairs 
“As a new Congress and new administration take shape in Washington, emerging proposals to decarbonize the energy and agriculture sectors, modernize transportation infrastructure, and incentivize research and development of cleaner fuel sources can provide new market opportunities for the biodiesel industry,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs. “NBB’s federal affairs team is monitoring the policy environment and preparing members to RISE to the occasion.”

State Affairs 
“State programs and incentives are driving the demand for a low carbon future,” shared Floyd Vergara, Director of State Governmental Affairs. “We continue to see a growing number of aggressive carbon policies coming out of various states, regions, and even municipalities that help set the stage for monumental industry growth. States like California, expected to reach a milestone of one billion gallons of biodiesel consumed last year, realized our industry message – Biodiesel: Better, Cleaner, Now – was right on target for seeing environmental benefits immediately.”

Sustainability 
“The science supporting the carbon reduction potential of renewable fuels grows in importance by the day,” said Matt Herman, Director of Environmental Science. “Studies documenting the lifecycle emissions of biodiesel--including feedstocks, potential indirect land use change, and the fuel production process -- show that the carbon reduction potential of our member’s products is increasing. Our consistent message to all stakeholders, Biodiesel: Better, Cleaner, Now, is backed resoundingly by current science. Our sustainability team will continue efforts to ensure laws, regulations, and voluntary carbon reduction pledges properly reflect the sustainable nature of the fuels our members produce.”

Communications 
“Storytelling remains top of mind in 2021,” shared Samantha Turner, Communications Manager. “Awareness and positive impressions of biodiesel and renewable diesel among key audiences help maintain critical support for the industry -- the number one goal of NBB's communications efforts. We want to RISE this year, and in years to come, with increased outreach on our Vision and mission, sharing with our industry how we will grow from three billion to six billion gallons.”

Technical 
“The fuels industry continues to reinvent itself. With sweeping changes to emissions, aftertreatment devices, and limits, as well as electricity generated from renewable resources, NBB works to ensure biomass-based diesel fuels provide the performance and benefits required by users, regulators, and the public,” said Scott Fenwick, Technical Director. “We designed each element of our technical program to help ensure higher volumes of biodiesel and renewable diesel may be used in every diesel market segment, growing market access for our members.”

Outreach and Development 
“With our Vision in mind, we depend on today’s and tomorrow’s farmers and oilseed processors. A six billion gallon industry in 2030 will demand more than 18 billion pounds of soybean oil each year. However, we will need our other leading feedstocks to aid in that production as well,” explained Tom Verry, Director of Outreach and Development. “Our U.S. farmers will continue to lead the way in producing the feedstocks necessary to provide a better, cleaner future. Given the push to reduce carbon, we predict growing momentum for our Vision throughout 2021 and the years to come.”

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The program ended with confidence that goals will be achieved and an invitation to next year's National Biodiesel Conference and Expo, which will mark the 30th anniversary of the industry on January 17-20, 2022 in Las Vegas.

NOTE: NBB is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel and renewable diesel value chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers, and fuel distributors.

LINKS

Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel Industry on the "RISE" in 2021

The NBB Mission and Vision

http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/2517357/biodiesel-renewable-diesel-industry-on-the-undefinedriseundefined-in-2021  

The 2021 Is First Escalade To Have a Diesel Option, but Not the First Cadillac: A Stroll Through History

When we think "Cadillac" the first word that comes to mind for most of us is "Luxury." At least that's how it is for me. I suppose a few other words come to mind as well, including Money and Status. A word that doesn't come to mind for most is the word Diesel. Nevertheless, Cadillacs and diesel engines have had a history together as this article by Conner Golden in Automobile magazine points out.

In his February 2020 story Golden recounts the circumstances that led GM to marry a diesel-powered drivetrain with a Cadillac in the first place. What prompted him to write this article was GMs new Cadillac Escalade that would give buyers the diesel option if desired.

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The context for GMs first foray into diesel powered Cadillacs took place in the '70s. Part of it was driven by the growth in diesel-powered passenger cars in Europe. Automakers like Mercedes-Benz, VW and Peugeot were all producing diesel cars and it appeared to be a trend that would continue. These were also the days when gas shortages and other pressures led to the then-new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations. Things were changing.

GM's first diesel experiment took place in the Oldsmobile line. Golden writes, "Oldsmobile was tapped for a diesel powertrain that would proliferate through GM's entire passenger car portfolio, as this was still of the era when GM's various branches developed proprietary engines."

Unfortunately, these new moves were occurring at a time when GM was implementing a massive cost-cutting program, which Golden describes as "GM at-its-worst." The result was a series of decisions whose consequences would only appear later. Quoting Golden again:

"To reduce development time and keep the budget as small as possible, engineers essentially dieselized the existing Oldsmobile 5.7-liter (350 ci) small-block gasoline V-8 with the intention of keeping shared tooling between the diesel and gasoline versions. The block was strengthened for the diesel variant, but the head bolt pattern carried over from the gas V-8, resulting in common head bolt failures across the board thanks to the diesel's much higher-compression nature. GM also left a fuel-water separator out of the final design, leading to corroded injector pumps and ruined fuel system componentry."

The makeover was so successful that 60% of the diesel cars in the U.S. were GM. Unfortunately, when the problems began to emerge, a class action lawsuit followed in which the company had to pay 80% of the costs to replace engines. Ouch. If you ever need an example of the maxim "Haste makes waste" or "A stitch in time saves nine," this is a story to illustrate that.

The article is alive with vivid language. Conner Golden writes, "Production of the Olds diesel ended in 1985, but not before it slithered under the Cadillac crest." The first Cadillacs to receive this ignominious blessing was the 1978 Seville. Eventually these diesel engines were offered to the entire Cadillac roster.

To say that this experience left a sour taste in people's mouths is an understatement. On the other hand, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. My personal feeling is that GM learned an invaluable lesson through that tumultuous experience. It's unlikely the company will want to repeat it. 

In its 21 year history, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is the first in the family to offer a diesel engine option. More towing oomph and fuel efficiency are just two of the benefits that come with this choice.  

READ THE FULL STORY HERE:
https://www.automobilemag.com/news/cadillac-diesel-history/#:~:text=Production%20of%20the%20Olds%20diesel,to%20a%20pathetic%20105%20hp.

Champion Oil Introduces a Professional Grade 80% Ether Starting Fluid

If you've ever used it, you know what it is. Starting Fluid is an extremely flammable product that can get you out of many a jam. It works like a pinch hitter when all else fails. 

Earlier this week Champion Oil announced a Professional Grade 80% Ether Starting Fluid that's designed for both gas and diesel engines in cold weather. What follows is information from the press release.

“Starting fluid is a volatile, flammable liquid which is used to aid the starting of internal combustion engines, especially during cold weather or in engines that are difficult to start using conventional starting procedures,” stated Karl Dedolph of Champion Brands, LLC. “It is typically available in an aerosol spray can, and may sometimes be used for starting direct injected diesel engines or lean burn spark engines running on alcohol fuel. 
https://www.championbrands.com/80-ether-starting-fluid/

 

“Modern starting fluid products contain mostly volatile hydrocarbons such as heptane, (the main component of natural gasoline) with varying portions of diethyl ether and carbon dioxide as the propellant helping start internal combustion engines because of its low 160 °C (320 °F) autoignition temperature.” 

 

“Starting fluid is sprayed into the engine intake near the air filter, or into the carburetor bore or a spark plug hole of an engine to get added fuel to the combustion cylinder quickly”, added Dedolph. “Using starting fluid to get the engine running faster avoids wear to starters and fatigue to one's arm with pull start engines, especially on rarely used machines."

 

Other uses include cold weather starting, vehicles that run out of fuel and thus require extra time to restore fuel pressure, and sometimes with flooded engines. Mechanics sometimes use it to diagnose starting problems by determining whether the spark and ignition system of the vehicle is functioning; if the spark is adequate but the fuel delivery system is not, the engine will run until the starting fluid vapors are consumed.

 

“It is used more often with carbureted engines than with fuel injection  systems. Caution is required when using starting fluid with diesel engines that have preheat systems in the intake or glow-plugs installed, as the starting fluid may pre-ignite, leading to engine damage,” Dedolph added.

 

Champion Professional Grade 80% Ether Starting Fluid works great on gas and diesel engines, allowing faster starts and reducing wear on batteries. It contains upper cylinder lubricant for added protection. Use of personal protective equipment as required. Wash face, hands any exposed skin thoroughly after handling. 
https://www.championbrands.com/80-ether-starting-fluid/

 

Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. Wear eye/face protection. Do not breathe dust/fumes/gas/mist/spray/vapors. Keep away from heat/sparks open flames/hot surfaces. This product is compliant for sale in North America. Part# 4580K 12/11 oz.

 

About the Company
Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion also produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about Champion Products contact your nearest Champion Distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, 64735 or go to http://www.championbrands.com

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Brings Funding to Upgrade the Nation's Diesel Fleets

Diesel powered trucks are becoming cleaner and more efficient than ever.

If someone were to write a history of the last half century of the transportation industry, it really has been a remarkable era of change. Emerging technologies of all kinds have been and are being incorporated into our vehicles of today and tomorrow. How many sensors were there in a first generation F-Series pickup? Considering where things were at the end of the muscle car era, when some clattering over-the-road trucks were still spewing black contrails, it's remarkable how far the industry has come.

It's not that the automakers are opposed to making adjustments, but the technical hurdles have been many. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, "We've come a long ways, baby." And EPA incentivizing doesn't hurt any.

As everyone knows, incentives matter. So it was gratifying to see a story this past week about the EPA announcing 46 million dollars in grant money to implement projects that reduce emissions from our nation's existing diesel fleets.

Key points are summarized in this blog article but you can find the official EPA announcement here: EPA Announces $46 Million Available to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines.

The January 15 announcement is titled the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) with grant funding to be awarded to eligible applicants. The initial focus will be on "areas facing air quality challenges."

According to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler the EPA has provided nearly $300 million in grants and rebates over the past few years to help fleets modernize with cleaner heavy duty trucks and equipment.

The announcement goes on to acknowledge that "Diesel-powered engines move most  of the nation’s freight tonnage, and today nearly all highway freight trucks, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels are powered by diesel engines." 

Deadline for Applications

The deadline for applications is March 26, 2021.

Stipulations

Applicants may request funding to upgrade or replace diesel-powered buses, trucks, marine engines, locomotives and nonroad equipment with newer, cleaner technologies. Priority for funding will also be given to projects that engage and benefit local communities and applicants that demonstrate their ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

  

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include regional, state, local or tribal agencies, or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Nonprofit organizations may apply if they provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleet owners or promote air quality and clean transportation.

 

Applicants must request funding from the EPA regional office which covers the geographic project location. The maximum amount of federal funding that may be requested per application varies by Region:

• Region 1 (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) will accept applications requesting up to $1,000,000 in grant funds.
  
• Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands) will accept applications requesting up to $2,500,000 in grant funds.
  
• Region 3 (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia) will accept applications requesting up to $2,500,000 in grant funds.
  
• Region 4 (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee) will accept applications requesting up to $2,000,000 in grant funds.
  
• Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin) will accept applications requesting up to $3,000,000 in grant funds.
  
• Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) will accept applications requesting up to $2,500,000 in grant funds.
  
• Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska will accept applications requesting up to $1,500,000 in grant funds.
  
• Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming) will accept applications requesting up to $2,600,000 in grant funds.
  
• Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands) will accept applications requesting up to $4,000,000 in grant funds.
  
• Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington) will accept applications requesting up to $1,000,000 in grant funds.
  

Background
Since the first year of the DERA program in 2008, EPA has competitively awarded over 850 grants and 450 rebates across the country. Many of these projects funded cleaner engines that operate in economically disadvantaged communities whose residents suffer from higher-than-average instances of asthma, heart and lung disease.

For more information and to access the Request for Applications, visit www.epa.gov/dera/national.

For more information on the DERA Funding Program, visit www.epa.gov/dera.