Gas or diesel?

[RayUSMC]

Can we discuss pros & cons re gas or diesel? We're still looking at Bs. Some are gas, some diesel. We don't like the higher $/gal of diesel because it would offset any real savings from the higher mpg rvs for trips.

Anyone here with a diesel that has also owned a gas? Would you share the comparison?

[davegvg]

Arizona Kid wrote:
Put a fuel cut-off on the gas line going to your Onan, then run it dry.

Thats certainly more elegant than what I do.

I squeeze the line with a surgical tool (can't remember what its called) and let the carb run dry.

I started doing that when simply using the built in float bowl drain was leaving gunk in it.

The stuff that doesn't clean out on shut down seems to gum it up.

Seafoam will occasionally ungunk it but once it starts surging under a load or at idle its pretty much done for.

I bought the toyhauler in 08 and have tossed 2 carbs already. Even exercising it in storage at regular intervals doesn't seem to keep it alive. Being used only a few times a year doesn't help it either its only got 300 hours or so on it and Im convinced if it got more regular workouts Id be better off.

It feeds from on onboard 20 gallon talk with a commercial style pump nozzle that gets drained fully and refilled at the end of every season. (october- March).



UD

[Arizona_Kid]

Put a fuel cut-off on the gas line going to your Onan, then run it dry.

[davegvg]

Both diesel and gasoline can go bad but ethanol laden gas develops problems far more quickly than diesel or gasoline or old.

I have many devices that are very sensitive to 6 month old gasoline an must be drained.

With stabile my truck and car do not mind 6 month old gas.

even with stabil-

My high compression small engine devices have a hard time with it.

My honda 2K genies and yamaha ef3000iseb are stored dry because of this.

The worst device I have for gasoline tolerance and sitting is my Onan Microquiet 4000 in the toy hauler.
This genset eats carbs when stored and they are non rebuildable.

Never had a problem with my diesel motorhome/gesnset, or my propane genset when sitting a year or more in a dry place.

Just my experience.

Uncle Dave

[wincrasher65]

Supposedly diesel can get fungus in it . Thankfully I never experienced that. I also never had need to drain off water from the fuel filter either. But thee things can happen. There are a variety of additive products you can buy.

But I've never had problems with gas either - use stabil if something is going to sit for awhile - always keep tanks full if something is going to sit around to avoid condensation.

The only fuel problems I've ever had was back in the day when you mixed oil and gas for 2 stroke motors. That stuff could not sit around and lost half it's energy value in just a few months.

I would not consider fuel issues as a deciding factor choosing between gas or diesel. If your diesel is sitting around, unused for such a long time that the fuel goes bad, then you have chosen poorly. For a diesel to pay, it has to be driven many miles.

[vulcanman1500]

topless wrote:
Let me throw one more thing on the pile. Since I haven't used my van for almost 3 years, the fuel (diesel) is that old too. Diesel doesn't go bad sitting like that, gas does.

Diesel does go bad , that is why there are so many fuel polishing trucks in the marine industry .

[gerrym51]

linky for dave

[davegvg]

AsheGuy wrote:

davegvg wrote:
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23326&page=4

(still have to go learn to make this active will do )

It's not rocket science. You just click on the link icon (globe with chain link) at top of composition window.

Thanks!

UD

[AsheGuy]

davegvg wrote:
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23326&page=4
Sprinter-Source link

(still have to go learn to make this active will do )

It's not rocket science. You just click on the link icon (globe with chain link) at top of composition window.

[Davydd]

davegvg wrote:
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23326&page=4

(still have to go learn to make this active will do )

Heres the thread.

Diamondsea made specific reference to a diesel genset option 6/13

Perhaps it was a typo. I followed his thread and yours.

Congrats on Alvar. New Toys are always great.


UD

DiamondSea's statement that a diesel generator was an option was probably a typo or based on that early loose information previously cited that never jelled. As he stated he never had any intention to install a generator so probably was just giving it off-hand lip service.

If you think I am wrong call Advanced RV. I gave you background, facts and figures any person could see for themselves the infeasibility of sticking a diesel generator under a Sprinter. I don't know what more you need. It might become feasible once the 4x4 Sprinters ship that will raise the back 3.1" and the front 4". But then if someone wanted one for moderate off-roading that generator might still be too low for comfort.

[davegvg]

davegvg wrote:
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23326&page=4

(still have to go learn to make this active will do )

Heres the thread.

Im not saying he had it - Im saying he said it was an option

Diamondsea made specific reference to a diesel genset option 6/13

Perhaps it was a typo. I followed his thread and yours.

Congrats on Alvar. New Toys are always great.


UD

[davegvg]

http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23326&page=4

(still have to go learn to make this active will do )

Heres the thread.

Diamondsea made specific reference to a diesel genset option 6/13

Perhaps it was a typo. I followed his thread and yours.

Congrats on Alvar. New Toys are always great.


UD

[Davydd]

davegvg wrote:
Interesting Davydd.

Diamondsea in the Sprinter forum who already bought his specifically mentioned a diesel option.
I think we were all in the same forum..

Was he wrong, or has there been an availability change between his unit and yours?

UD

I'm not sure what you are referencing to. DiamondSea in the Sprinter Source Forum stated he has no generator at all. I've looked at his B. He uses four AGM batteries and has the auto start feature where if the batteries get too low the engine will start up and charge the batteries. There was some discussion of a second alternator under the hood that DiamondSea said he didn't have. That alternator is now a standard. It is not a diesel generator. One poster called that second alternator a generator. I don't know if that is correct as I am not totally in tune with the details. An Onan generator for instance sends AC power to be converted to DC to charge batteries same as shore power. An alternator directly charges batteries in DC.

But regardless, I digress. Again, DiamondSea has no generator at all in his B. He stated he has just the MB alternator to charge batteries via driving or auto start and high idle. Advanced RV is now installing a second belt driven alternator under the hood. That is not a diesel generator.

[davegvg]

Interesting Davydd.

Diamondsea in the Sprinter forum who already bought his specifically mentioned a diesel option.
I think we were all in the same forum..

Was he wrong, or has there been an availability change between his unit and yours?

UD

[wincrasher65]

It is concerning that they would go along with installing these with such low clearance - especially from a company that prides itself on building off-road capable vehicles. Surely they impress upon their clients to include a lift kit and taller tires if you go this way.

In my view, a builder does it's customers a disservice if they go along with any hair brained idea a client comes in with, it makes them no better than prostitutes - going thru the motions to collect the cash.