Are incredible. Durable, fuel efficient, powerful, sophisticated, amazing. Until the EPA gets involved...
The europeans have been using small turbo-diesels in their cars and trucks for many years now and the technology is stable and proven. Lots of folks in the US have compact pickups - how would you like that with a diesel? Wipe your chin.
A few of the euro models have made it across the pond to the US consumer such as the VW TDI Jetta, Bug, Toureg and the Jeep Libety CRD. Mercedes has been cartin' diesels over forever. These are all great vehicles with great engines, until the EPA gets involved. A spectaculary bad idea US manufacturers came up with to meet emissions standards is a thing called and EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve. This thing allows engine exhaust to be "reburned" thus lowering the emission of EPA regulated substances. Horrible idea. Take a look inside your tailpipe. Nasty isn't it. That's what the EPA has mandated your engine inhale.
EGR is a particularly ornerous thing with diesel engines as they are inherently sooty (like the inside of your wood stove). Keep in mind that these engines are computer controlled and depend on delicate sensors along the intake tract to relay information about air temperature, boost pressure, air flow rates and such. How long do you figure these sensors would last in your tailpipe? Right. It has become a common procedure to have the intake system "cleaned". The service tech disassemble the top half of the engine and washes it. If you're lucky this is a $700.00 procedure not including the price for changing out that failed component that brought you into the service bay to begin with.
Needless to say there are an awful lot of "offroad use only" automotive diesels out there now.
FYI: Honda is suposed to coming out with one that uses no EGR and has a nitrate converter in the exhaust system. Freaky.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
As if we need evidence of cowardice of the republican party.
The David Zucker Albright Ad is linked by Drudge. He quotes elephant official as saying they couldn't use it because it was too hot.
Some "You Tube" users have flagged the video for adult content so you may have to go to Drudge to see it or log onto "youtube".
If it upsets that many democratic socialists it can't be bad.
The David Zucker Albright Ad is linked by Drudge. He quotes elephant official as saying they couldn't use it because it was too hot.
Some "You Tube" users have flagged the video for adult content so you may have to go to Drudge to see it or log onto "youtube".
If it upsets that many democratic socialists it can't be bad.
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