diesels and turbos....

[Bald0]

just wondering why all the diesels that I have seen or heard about are turbocharged? I have yet to hear about one that is not turbocharged. I have a pretty good idea of how a diesel works, maybe im just slow but can someone explain the whole idea of turbos and diesels?

[Verrückt]

Originally Posted by Bald0

just wondering why all the diesels that I have seen or heard about are turbocharged? I have yet to hear about one that is not turbocharged. I have a pretty good idea of how a diesel works, maybe im just slow but can someone explain the whole idea of turbos and diesels?

Most diesels are turbocharged, but not all. Any DECENT diesel has at least one turbo.

Diesels love turbos because the combustion process itself relies on high cylinder pressure to ignite the fuel. Turbochargers make it easier to achieve the proper air/fuel ratio under load which makes the engine run more efficiently and smoke less.

High compression and turbochargers are what allow diesel engines to be much more efficient than gasoline engines. Turbos are basically "free power" and efficiency, so why not use them.

[TTA-Matt]

@ verrückt: in austria we have 60 % diesel-cars on the streets. grrrr

matt

[Verrückt]

Originally Posted by TTA-Matt

@ verrückt: in austria we have 60 % diesel-cars on the streets. grrrr

matt

50% here in Germany.

[aznflick]

I notice a large majority in france

[Still_Good]

Diesels and turbos go hand in hand due to the nature of the diesel motor.

Where in a gas powered engine the combustion process is initaited by spark from a plug, in a diesel motor ignition is caused by compression of the air fuel mixture past the fuel's thermal limit.

This phenomenon is certain death in a forced induction gasoline application, however for a different set of reasons.

Turbochargers allow an extremely large amount of air to be forced into the cylinder at high density (and higher heat), as the ignition process relies on increasing cylinder temperature and pressure before firing, the is not a problem as seen in gasoline motors.

Henceforth its popularity in diesel applications.

[King Arthur]

In Serbia about 50%. The diesel is cheaper than gas (I am not sure how you say "benzin") and diesel engines are more eficient, so it's easy to tell why .

[2002 WRX Spec B]

Originally Posted by King Arthur

In Serbia about 50%. The diesel is cheaper than gas (I am not sure how you say "benzin") and diesel engines are more eficient, so it's easy to tell why .

you guys have cars there?

[Sick srt-4]

Everyone is forgetting the fact that certain diesel motor designs dont allow for proper air scavenging, and vacuum setups. Hence to help "ram air into the cumbustion chambers" (Which are anywhere from 15:1 to 30:1 or higher compression ratio already.) Diesels by nature are NOT a perfect engine, or even near close. They suffer from all sorts of ailments.

However in short using SOME SORT of induction assistance (be it a turbo or supercharger - "Detroit" Diesels..) helps in the process of elminating some of the short comings of the diesel motors. Now since they are using "low sulfide" fuels with lubricity aditives, we're looking at diesels motors with nearly identical performance to gasonline motors, with less parts, better fuel mileage, longer life, less maint work....

[Male W h o r e]

I just wanted to add to what everyone has said already..... Since diesel fuel is alot less combustible than gasoline it relies on heat to combust. Unlike gasoline engine's that tend to be prone to detonation from the warn/hot air that the turbo chargers produce. The diesel engine's tend to benefit from the warm/hot air that turbo chargers produce.

[snicklous]

diesel engines do not rely on "heat" for combustion or they would not put intercoolers, propane, or n20 on diesel trucks. they rely on compression. they squeeze the fuel, air mixture so tightly it explodes.

[Sick srt-4]

Originally Posted by snicklous

diesel engines do not rely on "heat" for combustion or they would not put intercoolers, propane, or n20 on diesel trucks. they rely on compression. they squeeze the fuel, air mixture so tightly it explodes.

This is where you are incorrect. Without some sort of "heat" there would be no explosion. Why is it that diesels have "glow plugs".

Now in response to the "propane" or "nitrous", that is COMPLETELY different. Cylinder temps still play a HUGE role in tuning, however propane and nitrous are used as "enrichment" agents, NOT temperature tuning.

[Haakon]

If you ever try to drive a diesel car without a turbo you will understand. They run like crap,a friend of mine's dad had a nissan wilth a diesel engine with no turbo,topspeed of 70 mph,if you was lucky.....

Turboed diesel engines on the otherhand is something completely different.My dad has a volvo v70 with a 163 hp,5 sylinder turbo diesel engine. Before he bought it we tested the same car with a 180 hp gasoline engine and it was slower! But the diesel engine has no power on the top rpms....

[SL BlAk SoLdIeR]

ye, diesels have a lot of low end power n bearly and high end. so they turbo charge em to get more power in the high end..

[Traction Issuez]

most diesel truck i have driven have no more then a 4000 to 4500 rpm redline. they reley on low end torque, and torque all around. and non turbo diesel motors have been around along time, and i for one would prefer a non turbo diesel anyday, they are cheaper to maintain and you don't have to worry about the turbo failing.

a diesel is like a big block you don't have to rev the sh!t out of it to make it go. you just gotta love torque.