Re:West Virginia Engineer Proves to Be a David to VW's Goliath
by sliverstorm on Wednesday September 23, 2015 @03:14PM
(#10267392)
The sound of the engine is usually the giveaway to me. Clatterclatterclatter... I sometimes have to roll up my window when I am at a stoplight next to a heavy-duty diesel.
Re:West Virginia Engineer Proves to Be a David to VW's Goliath
by jhayward on Wednesday September 23, 2015 @04:24PM
(#10267896)
Even the sound of the newer engines is reduced. Common-rail fuel injection reduces injector noise, which is most of that rattle you hear. The emissions equipment muffles the exhaust a bit. Even valve noise is reduced because they need to control things to finer tolerances.
But a big diesel will always sound a bit beefy I think. The smaller 4-cylinders shouldn't be discernable from gas at all.
Re:West Virginia Engineer Proves to Be a David to VW's Goliath
by sbalea on Thursday September 24, 2015 @12:24PM
(#10272519)
My 2.0L turbo diesel engine (on non-VW variety) sounds very different than its 2.0L gas sibling. And I definitely like it :)
Re:West Virginia Engineer Proves to Be a David to VW's Goliath
by ubercore on Wednesday September 23, 2015 @03:43PM
(#10267606)
Our now-maligned cheater TDI really doesn't sound any different than other 4 cylinder engines of its size and power. The exhaust does smell different, I prefer it to gasoline exhaust (don't _like_ it, but find it less offensive).
Yes (legal) diesel passenger vehicles and light trucks sold in the US since [edit: 2007] are significantly cleaner in all respects than their gasoline equivalents, although that difference goes away soon as the gas regulations catch up.
It's very unlikely you could detect whether the vehicle in front of you is gas or diesel just by looking at it or smelling the exhaust.
That said, there are a lot of pre-2005s out there, showing smoke and smelling bad. Also the heavy trucks are just now getting the emissions requirements that lighter vehicles have had for the last 10 years.
I have a 2012 heavy-duty diesel pickup. Except for the logo on it and maybe the sound of the engine, you'd never know it was diesel.