Re: [Biofuel] New Diesel vans
We recently traded in the VW for a Dodge Sprinter aka Mercedes 316 van. I am told by a Bosch fuel injection specialist that the reason Mercedes will not recommend more than b5 is that the bio sets off the 'check engine' light with higher bio%. This is due, he maintains, to the various sensors in the electronic system being somehow stymied by #'s it doesnt expect. I can only guess that perhaps the oxygen sensor, fuel pressure (viscosity?) sensor and maybe temperature sensor would get contradicting info and thereby set off the idiot light. So, if its true, which I will find out as soon as I can get some bio in the tank, then A: is there a way to reconfigure the computer? Or less technically involved B: Would it be simpler to just put a bit of tape over the light when it comes on and run diesel only when it needs to go to Dodge for shop work... thus keeping what may be left of the warranty? I might add that it is a marvelous truck, beats the VW in most departments though a bit of a squeeze in parking garages. S.Chapin Andrew Cohen wrote: Just wanted to thank Keith, et al. for this interesting, albeit politically skewed at times list serve. I learn a lot from the exchanges, and am very appreciative. I'm not going to respond to the political chatter, because I'm more interested in learning how do free myself from fossil fuels, and hopefully save a few dollars A question for my esteemed teachers: is any Diesel motor OK for bio diesel? I am thinking about going out and trading my Suburban in for one of the new GMC Diesel Sierra's, or something else, if anyone has a better suggestion. I have a big family, and need at least 7 seats. The Chevy Sprinter might be a little big for my wife (she needs the car for carting the kids to school, doing the shopping, etc.) I would consider getting a used VW Transporter, Eurovan or something, but I don’t know much about automotive mechanics, and therefore am reluctant to get a used car that I might have to take in for troubleshooting all too often. So if anyone out there can point me in the right direction regarding diesel vans, I'd be extremely appreciative And again, thank you all so much for your fascinating information, and for showing us all that there really is a way out of this petroleum morass. Very gratefully, Drew ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] New Diesel vans
The instrument and engine electronics are CAN bus based and all of the newer computers can negotiate and talk and display diagnostics. So if you are brave, YES you can alter the code in your engine. I have a friend, who completely redid his display on his Audi A4. I helped some, but he is the genius. I do know a fair amount about the CAN bus as it is an old protocol and was used in some building environmental controls in the past Control Area Network Buy a kit and hook it up and get a laptop You would be amazed If you are a geek anyway Mel -Original Message- From: S. Chapin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 9:47 PM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] New Diesel vans We recently traded in the VW for a Dodge Sprinter aka Mercedes 316 van. I am told by a Bosch fuel injection specialist that the reason Mercedes will not recommend more than b5 is that the bio sets off the 'check engine' light with higher bio%. This is due, he maintains, to the various sensors in the electronic system being somehow stymied by #'s it doesnt expect. I can only guess that perhaps the oxygen sensor, fuel pressure (viscosity?) sensor and maybe temperature sensor would get contradicting info and thereby set off the idiot light. So, if its true, which I will find out as soon as I can get some bio in the tank, then A: is there a way to reconfigure the computer? Or less technically involved B: Would it be simpler to just put a bit of tape over the light when it comes on and run diesel only when it needs to go to Dodge for shop work... thus keeping what may be left of the warranty? I might add that it is a marvelous truck, beats the VW in most departments though a bit of a squeeze in parking garages. S.Chapin Andrew Cohen wrote: Just wanted to thank Keith, et al. for this interesting, albeit politically skewed at times list serve. I learn a lot from the exchanges, and am very appreciative. I'm not going to respond to the political chatter, because I'm more interested in learning how do free myself from fossil fuels, and hopefully save a few dollars A question for my esteemed teachers: is any Diesel motor OK for bio diesel? I am thinking about going out and trading my Suburban in for one of the new GMC Diesel Sierra's, or something else, if anyone has a better suggestion. I have a big family, and need at least 7 seats. The Chevy Sprinter might be a little big for my wife (she needs the car for carting the kids to school, doing the shopping, etc.) I would consider getting a used VW Transporter, Eurovan or something, but I don’t know much about automotive mechanics, and therefore am reluctant to get a used car that I might have to take in for troubleshooting all too often. So if anyone out there can point me in the right direction regarding diesel vans, I'd be extremely appreciative And again, thank you all so much for your fascinating information, and for showing us all that there really is a way out of this petroleum morass. Very gratefully, Drew --- - ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.o rg Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/89 - Release Date: 9/2/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/89 - Release Date: 9/2/2005 ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] New Diesel vans
Go with a late model used diesel Sububan class. Parts cheaper, easier to fix, forgiving. Mileage not as good as a VW van, but aginf VW vans are, shall we say, rather ungrateful cars. You also have to do your homwork. The stock diesel was so slow as to dangerous. If you must have one, put in a TDI. There a several shops and kits. Frankly, unless you love to tinker or your best buddy is a VW mechanic, skip it. Mel Riser wrote: The instrument and engine electronics are CAN bus based and all of the newer computers can negotiate and talk and display diagnostics. So if you are brave, YES you can alter the code in your engine. I have a friend, who completely redid his display on his Audi A4. I helped some, but he is the genius. I do know a fair amount about the CAN bus as it is an old protocol and was used in some building environmental controls in the past Control Area Network Buy a kit and hook it up and get a laptop You would be amazed If you are a geek anyway Mel -Original Message- From: S. Chapin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 9:47 PM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] New Diesel vans We recently traded in the VW for a Dodge Sprinter aka Mercedes 316 van. I am told by a Bosch fuel injection specialist that the reason Mercedes will not recommend more than b5 is that the bio sets off the 'check engine' light with higher bio%. This is due, he maintains, to the various sensors in the electronic system being somehow stymied by #'s it doesnt expect. I can only guess that perhaps the oxygen sensor, fuel pressure (viscosity?) sensor and maybe temperature sensor would get contradicting info and thereby set off the idiot light. So, if its true, which I will find out as soon as I can get some bio in the tank, then A: is there a way to reconfigure the computer? Or less technically involved B: Would it be simpler to just put a bit of tape over the light when it comes on and run diesel only when it needs to go to Dodge for shop work... thus keeping what may be left of the warranty? I might add that it is a marvelous truck, beats the VW in most departments though a bit of a squeeze in parking garages. S.Chapin Andrew Cohen wrote: Just wanted to thank Keith, et al. for this interesting, albeit politically skewed at times list serve. I learn a lot from the exchanges, and am very appreciative. I'm not going to respond to the political chatter, because I'm more interested in learning how do free myself from fossil fuels, and hopefully save a few dollars A question for my esteemed teachers: is any Diesel motor OK for bio diesel? I am thinking about going out and trading my Suburban in for one of the new GMC Diesel Sierra's, or something else, if anyone has a better suggestion. I have a big family, and need at least 7 seats. The Chevy Sprinter might be a little big for my wife (she needs the car for carting the kids to school, doing the shopping, etc.) I would consider getting a used VW Transporter, Eurovan or something, but I don’t know much about automotive mechanics, and therefore am reluctant to get a used car that I might have to take in for troubleshooting all too often. So if anyone out there can point me in the right direction regarding diesel vans, I'd be extremely appreciative And again, thank you all so much for your fascinating information, and for showing us all that there really is a way out of this petroleum morass. Very gratefully, Drew --- - ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.o rg Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/89 - Release Date: 9/2/2005 ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail
Re: [Biofuel] New Diesel vans
Mike Weaver wrote: Go with a late model used diesel Sububan class. Parts cheaper, easier to fix, forgiving. Mileage not as good as a VW van, but aginf VW vans are, shall we say, rather ungrateful cars. You also have to do your homwork. The stock diesel was so slow as to dangerous. If you must have one, put in a TDI. There a several shops and kits. Frankly, unless you love to tinker or your best buddy is a VW mechanic, skip it. Mel Riser wrote: The instrument and engine electronics are CAN bus based and all of the newer computers can negotiate and talk and display diagnostics. So if you are brave, YES you can alter the code in your engine. I have a friend, who completely redid his display on his Audi A4. I helped some, but he is the genius. I do know a fair amount about the CAN bus as it is an old protocol and was used in some building environmental controls in the past Control Area Network Buy a kit and hook it up and get a laptop You would be amazed If you are a geek anyway Mel -Original Message- From: S. Chapin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 9:47 PM To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org Subject: Re: [Biofuel] New Diesel vans We recently traded in the VW for a Dodge Sprinter aka Mercedes 316 van. I am told by a Bosch fuel injection specialist that the reason Mercedes will not recommend more than b5 is that the bio sets off the 'check engine' light with higher bio%. This is due, he maintains, to the various sensors in the electronic system being somehow stymied by #'s it doesnt expect. I can only guess that perhaps the oxygen sensor, fuel pressure (viscosity?) sensor and maybe temperature sensor would get contradicting info and thereby set off the idiot light. So, if its true, which I will find out as soon as I can get some bio in the tank, then A: is there a way to reconfigure the computer? Or less technically involved B: Would it be simpler to just put a bit of tape over the light when it comes on and run diesel only when it needs to go to Dodge for shop work... thus keeping what may be left of the warranty? I might add that it is a marvelous truck, beats the VW in most departments though a bit of a squeeze in parking garages. S.Chapin Andrew Cohen wrote: Just wanted to thank Keith, et al. for this interesting, albeit politically skewed at times list serve. I learn a lot from the exchanges, and am very appreciative. I'm not going to respond to the political chatter, because I'm more interested in learning how do free myself from fossil fuels, and hopefully save a few dollars A question for my esteemed teachers: is any Diesel motor OK for bio diesel? I am thinking about going out and trading my Suburban in for one of the new GMC Diesel Sierra's, or something else, if anyone has a better suggestion. I have a big family, and need at least 7 seats. The Chevy Sprinter might be a little big for my wife (she needs the car for carting the kids to school, doing the shopping, etc.) I would consider getting a used VW Transporter, Eurovan or something, but I don’t know much about automotive mechanics, and therefore am reluctant to get a used car that I might have to take in for troubleshooting all too often. So if anyone out there can point me in the right direction regarding diesel vans, I'd be extremely appreciative And again, thank you all so much for your fascinating information, and for showing us all that there really is a way out of this petroleum morass. Very gratefully, Drew --- - ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.o rg Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/89 - Release Date: 9/2/2005 ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000
Re: [Biofuel] New Diesel vans
Just wanted to thank Keith, et al. for this interesting, albeit politically skewed at times list serve. I learn a lot from the exchanges, and am very appreciative. I'm not going to respond to the political chatter, because I'm more interested in learning how do free myself from fossil fuels, and hopefully save a few dollars A question for my esteemed teachers: is any Diesel motor OK for bio diesel? I am thinking about going out and trading my Suburban in for one of the new GMC Diesel Sierra's, or something else, if anyone has a better suggestion. I have a big family, and need at least 7 seats. The Chevy Sprinter might be a little big for my wife (she needs the car for carting the kids to school, doing the shopping, etc.) I would consider getting a used VW Transporter, Eurovan or something, but I dont know much about automotive mechanics, and therefore am reluctant to get a used car that I might have to take in for troubleshooting all too often. So if anyone out there can point me in the right direction regarding diesel vans, I'd be extremely appreciative And again, thank you all so much for your fascinating information, and for showing us all that there really is a way out of this petroleum morass. Very gratefully, Drew ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
