re: I5 revival

[Dave Head <dhead@sundial.sundial.net>]

At 11:31 PM 8/16/96 -0400, you wrote:
>I just don't understand the technology I guess. For instance, why is it better
>for truckers to run their diesel engines all night long and not shut them off?
>Yet, with gasoline engines... we don't exactly leave 'em parked in the driveway
>idling all night. What's going on here?

Because they are usually powering a reefer unit that is keeping whatever cold.
>
>Oh.. and what the heck is a glow-plug anyway?

Diesels on the average run a compression ratio of about 22-25:1 When the
fuel is atomized into the fully heated chamber at that pressure, is explodes
spontaneously. Therefore, diesels have no spark plugs. The glow plug glows
red hot when the engine is cold to assist in starting combustion. If your
glow plugs are shot or weak, you have to turn over the engine for like, 15
minutes for the tempertures in the cylinder to get high enough to combust
the fuel (personal experience, here - severe bummer).

They are also designed to provide max torque within a very narrow power
band. Thats why truckers have so many gears...

Attach that TDI engine to a CVT transmission and you've got one heck of a
great setup. Bet the mileage would be phenomenal!
********************************AUDI FAN***********************************
                                       EMCM(SW) Dave Head  
87 5KCSTQ 175K miles and counting... 1.9 bar boost - Whee!
                                              Maitland, Florida
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