Diesel's Image

Smoke Break

Posted June 19 2009 12:47 PM by jason.thompson
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Diesel Enthusiast Culture

Let's talk about diesel smoke.

I want diesels to last forever. Growing up I saw lots of diesel equipment. I also saw lots of glorious diesel smoke. Therefore I equated the smoke with all the other great things about diesel. Saying that it is important to look at other perspectives. Some see diesel smoke as contributing to deaths. 3,000 per year in the U.S.

Obviously there are powerful interests that want clean air. There are also powerful interests that say we got a job to do.

What should we do?

Options:

Nothing- Hope everything just works out.

Something-? I honestly don't know, but I would like my kids to be able to drive diesel trucks.

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Reader Comments:

1. I dunno, but does this mean I shouldnt leave Smart cars and Pruis's in big clouds of smoke???...oops. I think gas car put out way more harmful emissions into the air do they not? Then again were about to tax cows digestive gases so what of limits? I think we have a much smaller effect on the planet than we would like to percieve. If you look at earths history (no not 100 yrs ago, try a 4.54 billion yrs ago) the planet has gone through count less periods of climate change and atmospheric change. We have much less control than we assume too. Then again Obama's trying to control the weather...hahaha. As far as the overall state of our air goes, diesels are probably way down on the totem pole of determining factors.

SmokenGun - Posted June 19 2009 01:26 PM

2. Gas cars put out more carbon dioxide (CO2) because they are not as thermal efficient (work output divided by fuel input). Most main stream scientists say C02 causes global warming they also say the C02 makes carbonic acid as the oceans absorb it. This raises the acidity of the water which kills coral reefs. So let's say we do believe in global warming. Diesels are far better than gas when it comes to this subject. I also agree no one but God can predict the weather but the ocean thing scares me a little.

Gas cars also produce more carbon monoxide because they compress fuel and air. Whereas diesels only compress air. In gas cars the fuel sticks in the crevices and is unburned.

Diesel engines in general produce more NOX which makes acid rain and haze.

So its pick your poison.

I might be biased but I would say its easier to clean up diesel emissions. Gas engines need catalytic converters more than diesels do. Also I think gas engines need to run really rich 14.7 to 1 in order for their 3-way cats to operate right. So they can't be leaned out like diesels can. I am not totally confident about this last statement.

If you run a gas lean they get hot if you run a diesel lean they get cold.

My Diesel 1987 Ford F250 is way more environmentally friendly compared to a 2011 Toyota Prius. Just because of the fact my truck is already built. We don't have to waste R&D, mining precious metals, and actually building it. Also my truck will recycle much easier that is if it doesn't live forever.

I agree as the overall state of our air goes,(our) diesels are probably way down on the pole but we are very visible and an easy target for knee jerk scary decisions.

jason.thompson - Posted June 19 2009 01:52 PM

3. On my way to work every morning I see gas cars being started up and immediately floored only to slam on their brakes at the red stoplight they knew was going to be red when they got there. This is the worst possible polluter. Their cats haven't even warmed up yet. It is like they don't even have them on you can definitely smell it. Also those cats pretty much stop working after 75,000 miles. Ouch sucks to be them.

jason.thompson - Posted June 19 2009 01:56 PM

4. And about the cows. Diesel provides an answer for that. Whether you know it or not diesels are fueled by hydrogen. That's right your diesel truck could just as easily be called a hydrogen truck. Know when cows (and people for that matter) fart methane gas is released. Methane or natural gas is CH4. So for every one carbon there is 4 hydrogens. Diesel fuel is similar in structure but more carbon to hydrogen.
I grew up helping around small dairy farms. The cows poop on the ground and then you push it into the trough. The trough has chains and pushers that collect the crap into a big pit. Farmers are now capturing the CH4 and putting it in generators. There is no reason your diesel couldn't be run on farts. Well at least 75% farts and 25% diesel.

jason.thompson - Posted June 19 2009 02:47 PM

5. I have no worries about planet earth. The earth will be fine. Although all the people living on it might die.

This comment is so it looks like more people are commenting.

jason.thompson - Posted June 19 2009 02:48 PM

6. I think gassers should have more emission equipment if anything. Diesel engines can run on just about anything like you said, including bio-fuels. Biodiesel, Hydrogen, CNG, etc. What can gasoline engines run on besides gas and ethanol without blowing up? Not much. I dont think the publics gonna see any top fuel (90%nitromethane/10%methanol)engines to soon either. Batteries, I'll keep in my tv remote for now too. I think diesels can be made to run cleaner much easier if we have to than gassers. I like the commericals on the Versus network, which basically says what you said. Id rather keep my old truck running than spend the resources on a new vehicle. That was the main idea. The cow dung fuel thing is pretty cool. I think you guys had a blog or two about that a while back. I agree with you about the knee jerk smoke cloud thing too. A big cloud of black smoke is a real easy target for envirmentalist to aim at. That REALLY scares me. A bunch of people who dont know the whole story that think the worlds about to end. I also really love nature and dont want to do anything to destroy it, but theirs a line and driving your truck is NOT crossing it in my book. The earth's has been around a long time before use and will be a LONG time after. We are a limited run product. Anyway, I really enjoyed this blog and your comments! I appreciate you posting and responding. I love learning about this stuff from a knowledgeable person. Thank you.

-Garrett

SmokenGun - Posted June 19 2009 04:48 PM

7. I think it depends if your truck is "blowing coal." the public is obvously going to see an issue but in the long term diesel is not the problem. this is because diesel gets more "smoke free" ex)TDI's and the Banks Drag racer. Enjoy the smoke show while it lasts.

wilkster9 - Posted July 28 2009 03:11 PM

8. i think the gov should stay out of the equation we bought them they didnt and we should be able to use them the way we want if they want to tell us how to tune our diesels maybe they should buy one and c what they are missing out on

bluecummins - Posted August 17 2009 11:08 AM

9. You can reduce emissions with a great fuel & engine conditioner. Check out Forcegogreen.com. I'm a believer. Contact me at mikeparkindy@yahoo.com

mikeparkindy - Posted August 19 2009 11:23 AM

10. Without a doubt we can argue either way for who takes the most blame on climate change. What we all need to do, though, is evaluate our own actions. We all "need" to drive, and every gallon of diesel fuel made will be burned, by somebody, and we all LOVE our diesel trucks. That being said, our emissions are easier to pick on because you can see it. Intentionally blowing smoke to impress/or piss someone off is what we need to consider NOT doing. We are only shooting ourselves in the food by laying clouds. Why? Because stock trucks don't do that. Only the modified trucks we love. It won't be long before they take that right away from us in the name of emissions restrictions. Look at CA, they have already started the process of restriction on diesel performance. Part of this decision, I'm sure, is because 500+hp diesel trucks are on the street and blowing smoke. Just something to consider.

DZLPWR7 - Posted March 17 2010 04:01 PM

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