My Desultory Blog

I’ve heard that it’s going to cost $59,000, and it’s going to be the same old V10 TDI that we got in 2004.

A coworker of mine just last night picked up her new 2006 Jetta TDI… just in time?

This does make me mad, though, that the option is being stifled… maybe they shouldn’t worry about emissions as much (or look at the fact that the “bad” diesel emissions either aren’t bad, or not as bad as the gasser equivalents of those emissions…), and instead look at oil usage?

We are no doubt seeing things from the same perspective. Thanks for reading and posting your thoughts.

It bothers me that there continues to be a double standard for vehicle emissions. It further bothers me that larger over-the-road vehicles, farm equipment and large construction machinery also gets preferential treatment. It does no good for the environment to only deal with a portion of a larger population. It emphasizes just how much our existing system operates in a vacuum with blinders.

Until we deal with combustion engine emissions unilaterally in a manner that does not target a particular segment of the population more than another, we are not attacking the problem where it needs to be addressed. It is unfortunate that the VW TDI powered cars have not been allowed the same latitude as other diesel powered SUV’s etc.

Just to let every one to know that the new ULSD has 15 ppm of sulfur. The process of removing the sulfur also takes away some of the lubricity content of the fuel. Pre ’07 diesels are likely to have fuel delivery problems. Fuel injection pumps and injectors could be wiped out. To reduce the likelyhood of this happening you need to add fuel additives every time you fuel up, like Power Service Diesel Clean or any other diesel fuel additive with lubricity.

This is just some of the problems with ULSD. The new fuel has lower BTUs so now more will be used, so much for moving away from forign oil. One thing good about ULSD is it has a higher cetane rating.

You should see the new exhaust after treatment systems being installed on ALL diesel powered vehicles, be it class 8 trucks or a car. It consists of a catalytic converter, a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and muffler. For heavy trucks this system need to be cleand out about 150,000 miles. Replacement? hope your sitting down…. about $5,000.00. Also there is another system that uses UREA, it is sprayed into the exhaust stream to neuturlize NOx. Mercedes Benz uses this technology and calls it Bluetech.

We’ll see how all this new technology works in real world conditions.

Thanks for adding the comment and information Stephan. Interesting thoughts on the Particular Filters and the costly replacement cycles … although I doubt that it will be $5000. As for the BTU factor, the information I’ve read has indicated about a 1% BTU drop. I’m personally using biodiesel as a SUPER ALL AMERICAN lubricity additive — the best choice IMHO. On the other hand, I’ve talked with a lab technician at BP and they have indicated to me that additives are already be blended into their fuel and that users should not be concerned? (I’m still with you on using something)

All in all, the new ULSD is a really good thing. The fuel reduces sulfur from the LSD 500ppm all the way down to 15ppm. Its a winner for America … and a change that is long overdue. (I was around when lead was still in gasoline and there was the same worries )

Thanks again for your comment.