[Vwdiesel] Brakes --- engine brakes -- ( The physics of it ).

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

i still really question the assumption that mercedes
put a throttle valve in the intake for the purposes of
engine braking. i can't imagine a car company caring
that much about something like that. to my mind it
would have something to do with the engineering of the
running of the engine under other conditions and that
was the solution that they came up with. i would think
that the engine braking would just be a happy side
effect.

  Having grown up with one...
I find it odd that they would do it for engine braking alone also.  However, 
there's a LOT of linkage and a fuel compensation in the pump to 
accomodate it.  That's a lot of work to fix a driveability issue that doesn't 

exist on other diesels.  Theories:  Perhaps with the worldwide, long-lived 
use of these cars, they wanted more hold back so that they wouldn't go 
through brakes as fast on hilly terrain?  Maybe they wanted to make it 
drive as much like a low hp gasser as they could?  Maybe the loud 
intake noise associated with a diesel was desired to be baffled and it 
was a combination of braking and noise reduction.  VW did it with a 
tuned intake snorkle.

> 
> a beer sounds good! (had one earlier that's been out
> in the shop and it was funny. a minute after i opened
> it there was a bunch of slush in it. but not right
> away. this is in sub freezing weather and is the first
> time i've ever seen that.)
> 

  I've had pop do that.  I've had them go nearly solid on me after opening 
them!  Nice when it's just a bit slushy.  Release the pressure and the 
freezing point raises.  Viola!  Instant ice!  (more physics!)
     Loren