Honda Accord, Ridgeline to receive diesel power [1.5.7]

[shovelhd]

Originally Posted by djeaux

Oh boy. A Hondenburg!

Oh boy, a Ron Paulenberg!!!

[STEVE FROST]

Many here speak of the diesel as the magic cure all for all things that roll.

I must disagree with some.

The diesel is not indistructable, I have rebuilt two of them for boats I have owned.

They are great for working hard, lots of torque, they excell at pulling and thumping along under a load for extended periods. Made a trip up the coast on my boat recently of about thirty hours listening to the steady luga luga luga luga of my diesel, in those conditions given clean fuel it would go forever.

They do not do well if lightly loaded, also sudden bursts of power are not their strong point, the cylinder pressures ramp up dramaticly during hard acceleration. If you overheat one due to the high cylinder temps, you will be rebuilding yours soon.

Many advances have been made making diesels more driveable than your basic truck engine. But for everyday drivability, I think I would be very disapointed in the performance of a small diesel compared to our 3.5 engine in my truck now.

If fuel effeciency or pulling power were the only thing I was looking for the diesel would be at the top of my list.
As for efficiency, there is not to much magic there either the fuel has about 25% more energy in it than gasoline.

The new low sulpher diesel fuel does burn cleaner, but my enthusiasim for diesels does wain a bit if I am stuck behind even the new clean burning diesels in bumper to bumper traffic. I almost enjoy an occasional wiff of diesel. But if I am stuck in traffic forced to breath it or when going downwind for long periods on my boat the thrill goes quickly. We are embracing this technology as a means of better fuel economy, but the jury is still out as to the health hazards of the heavy particulate emitted by diesel engines. I do like the idea of mandating that all new diesels have there tail pipes in the front of the car so the person driving them gets to share the joy of the fumes in heavy traffic.

[mrquattro]

Here is a nice article about diesels hitting our shores soon.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/drivegreen

With the addition or more computer controls and multiple stage catalysts and turbo charging, I look forward to seeing these in action in the next hondas.

[STEVE FROST]

Great article, as it states they are still trying to get their arms around the emissions issue. The new low sulpher diesel blend will help, diesel is a dirtier fuel than gasoline as it is less refined, this also why it contains a bit more energy. I do use the low sulpher fuel in my boat it does smoke less, but would need added complexity to meet current standards as you note. Turbocharging, newer injection systems, computer controls and catylists, it will be interesting to see if the reliability of the diesel can be retained as we add layers and layers of complexity to them to clean them up.

I too look forward to what Honda can do with this technology, they do have a urea converter that does not need to be replenished at regular intervals that the GM units require (though a relief tubes may become as comon as cup holders in new cars, so you can replenish on the run).

It is exciting.

[shovelhd]

Thanks, that was a good read.

I have what might be a dumb question. Let's say that these clean diesels take over the world and displace gasoline engines. They emit nitrogen. How will that affect the atmosphere? Carbon dioxide is a harmless gas by itself, but in large quantities it becomes a "greenhouse gas". Nitrogen is, of course, a component of the air we breathe, so will the tons of additional nitrogen added to the atmosphere from these engines have a negative effect?

[STEVE FROST]

How about some Global cooling.

[Ridge Man]

Different strokes for different folks, I think it's great to have a vehicle that suits your needs and requirements. There will allways be a pro and con no matter what so I can't see a problem if you have a choice to pick gas or diesel. We the consumer are the winners when we have a choice!

[spdrcr5]

Steve Frost you can't compare an old technology diesel engine in a boat to a current modern diesel engine that will be in a car or truck. We are talking apples to oranges. I have operated diesel engines in boats over the years as well and they are as bad as the diesel engines that were produced in the 70's and 80's... same engines, same technology, same smell, same knocking, same everything... go test drive a modern Mercedes Diesel or VW Diesel then come back here and let us know how it compares to your boat engine.

You'll be very surprised.

[txbusdriver]

Thanks to all those that set the record straight on diesels. Currently I own a 2002 VW Jetta TDI. Diesels are awesome! The Ridgeline would be fantastic in diesel. In fact I was disappointed to hear that a diesel option may be in the cards because I am currently shopping for a Ridgeline.

My Jetta averages 45 mpg; that's about 20 MPG more than a regular Jetta that gets 25mpg on average. I would fully expect the Ridgeline might get 19/25 with a diesel motor. Once you own a diesel you'll never want to go back. My little VW has 90hp and 125lbs of torque. The new VW diesel due in late 08 now will have 140 hp and over 200lbs of torque. Remember you use torque and buy horsepower. As far as extra maintenance the only issue on a VW is the water separator that is drained on 20000 mile intervals.

It will be interesting to see if Honda can pull off a 6 cylinder diesel with the current emission requirements that went into effect 1/01/07. VW has had to go with urea injection in the exhaust for vehicles bigger than the Jetta....ie Toureg. Hopefully Honda can come up with something better on a larger vehicle such as the Ridgeline. If you want to read about diesels check out TDIclub.com no I have no affiliation except as a participant on that site. Happy New Year....and may 2008 be the year of the diesel!!!!!

[STEVE FROST]

Larry

I am sure that the newer diesels are more drivable and have drasticly reduced emissions from earlier engines.
But this does not change the basic operation of these engines where compression ratio are 20 to one or higher in turbocharged engines. Diesel engines of old were very robust (heavy), this contributed to their longevity.
My question was, are these engines going to be as durable as diesels of old when made lighter and pushed harder with new technology.

Diesels are also starting to be used in some aircraft applications, the jury is still out, the fuel efficiency is impressive, but reliability has been spotty to date.
Once again the driver for developing these engines has been fuel cost. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.