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Thread ID: 67054	2006-03-15 19:12:00	Diesel Car - Yes or no?	Mike (15)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
438371	2006-03-15 20:44:00	I'd guess that the recent fuel seal problems will apply too. Can you elaborate on this please Winston? Mike.	Mike (15)
438372	2006-03-15 20:45:00	The only thing to look for in that with that age is overhead cam.What's that, and why would I want/not want one? Cheers, Mike.	Mike (15)
438373	2006-03-15 20:49:00	Friend of mine had a diesel car... it was great, and contrary to popular belief, you would feel it when she put her foot down. Cheap as to run too. The road mile charge for a car isn't a biggy Pity some lowlife scum bag horse thief stole it :(	personthingy (1670)
438374	2006-03-15 21:01:00	What's that, and why would I want/not want one? Cheers, Mike.ummmm.......the easiest way to answer that is to say make sure it has overhead cam.	Rob99 (151)
438375	2006-03-15 21:39:00	You call a Toyota Hilux Surf 2 . 4l turbo diesel a car?? No Mike, it is not a car, it's a truck . ;) If I were you I would be thinking hard about what you are going to do with it, just like you would when considering buying a new computer . Is it going to be mainly used for "around town" to the shops, taking the kidlets to kindy/school, etc, and driving to work? If so, I wouldn't recommend a 4WD . They are big and clumsy in supermarket carparks and not the easiest heap of metal to manoevre and park elsewhere either . And after driving a nice light car they feel like a bus when you get behind the wheel . On the other hand if you like or would like to do a bit of exploring "off road" they are wonderful and they open up a whole new world of places that are a bit of a pig to go to in a car, if you can get to them at all . We have had a Terrano for years and use it a lot for the rough places and rough things we often do with our leisure activities otherwise we would have a petrol car . The road user charges roll around far too quickly and they are way more expensive than they used to be so diesel is not the cheap option that it once was . Remember, too, that things like replacing tyres are much more expensive than for cars . Take note also of what the others have said about the fuel pump seals - that will cost big $$$$ when it needs doing . ;)	FoxyMX (5)
438376	2006-03-15 22:00:00	Hi Mike. Another small thing to think of.... I recently had a run from Nelson down to Bluff in my 10 year old 2.7 Nissan. 185,000 on the clock. During one off-road expedition the electronic 4 wheel selector threw a wobbly. Cost me nearly $500 to have a pair of manual locking hubs fitted to the front wheels. Apart from that - nice little vehicle.	Scouse (83)
438377	2006-03-15 22:31:00	Can you elaborate on this please Winston? Mike. In August 2004, the government introduced low sulphur diesel, requiring all diesel fuel sold in NZ to have no more than 500 parts per million sulphur in diesel. In August 2005, this dropped to 50 parts per million. I'm not a mechanic, or a chemist, but I'm told that the reduction of the sulphur content could cause problems with fuel pump seals, potentially leading to leaks. The solution is to be found with a mechanic, who can replace these seals. Problems may increase with the age of the vehicle, with older injector pumps requiring additional repair and maintenance. It's similar to the problem that emerged when lead was removed from high-octane petrol in 1996 - older cars needed valve seal lubricant added to their fuel tank when refuelling. However, the sulphur issue had more to do with older engines being manufactured for older diesel fuel with the higher sulphur content, and needing a minor modification to handle the new fuel. Consumer Online (www.consumer.org.nz) has an article about it. Caltex (www.caltex.co.nz) also some information. Hope this helps	Lizard (2409)
438378	2006-03-15 23:14:00	:) I was trying not to give too many details so I'd get a more general response ;) But probably I'd do better to give all the details... Toyota Hilux Surf 2.4l turbo diesel 1991 190k very good service history (apparently) What other details? Mike. check out www.toyotasurf.asn.au its a GREAT SITE ;) things to take into account.... the surf is oldish. all 2.4 surfs are imports afaik. they have all got wound back speedo's. its a truck and drives like one. 4X4 cost more to run and maintain than cars. deisels are exspencive to repair. its of the age that has injector pump seal problems due to the new fuel. if its allready had new seals then it will be ok. otherwise run deisel fuel treatment, it will help. a good surf to buy is one thats had al the tricks and repairs done to it, avoid one that hasn't. avoid any that smoke in ANY way possible. the 2.4T NEEDS regular oil changes, twice as much as a petroel does. deisels require good clean airfilters, they 'use' more air than a petroel so the filters clog up quicker which ,unlike petrols, it can cause more wear and tear on the motor (worse case overheating and cracked heads) as far as deisels go they are only economical IF you are doing large km's AND carry large loads. if your just a one person driving to work and back then a small petrol car works out far cheaper. cars are far cheaper to run than any SUV. anything 4X4 cost more to run. the "overhead cam" thing is nonesence. nothing wrong with the push rod motors of that age, its got nothing to do with how good/bad they are. also advoid any deisel that the owners say something like "its dirt cheap to run". most who have "cheap running deisels" don't do nay maintance, wind back the clock/dissconnect the speedo to avoid paying RUC or simply don't pay for it. i have seen wagons with 200,000 kms of RUC owing....ouch! also i have seen deisels at the garage where the oil has gone SOLID due to it NEVER been changed. you can garantee that motor will die very soon or be up for sale. seen cars with aircleaners that where a solid piece of mud.	tweak'e (69)
438379	2006-03-15 23:31:00	Well . . . . . . . Now ive owned both a diesel nissan navara and i currently own a chrysler jeep . . . . . . . . . . . . far prefer to drive the jeep for power and surge . . . . . . . . (um lead foot i beleive you call it?? :p) but actually miss the versatility of my navara, throw anything in the back including the dogs and you off . . . . road user charges made us sell it, but mostly cos he wanted something better . I like the height and visibility aspect of both my vehicles, but yeah cost is important, both mine ended up being about same cost wise, due to road users and being 6 cylinders on me jeep . . . . . . the sulpher fuel does damage and will cost $$ but like mum said what do you plan on using it for? i used to follow race jeeps round the countryside, so needed to drive the paddocks, and towing, the race jeep or boat high priority for power and ease of towing . . . . . . at the moment mines just a shopping cart and beach mobile . . . . but this could change . . . . best of luck beetle :D	beetle (243)
438380	2006-03-16 00:32:00	I'm looking at buying a new car... are diesel cars worth looking at? Well its more a small SUV I suppose you'd call it these days? Would it be worth buying a diesel 4x4, or should I stick at looking at petrol cars? What would be the pros and cons? Mike. New yes, NZ second hand OK, 2nd hand import no.. The fuel is cheaper and the economy is far better. However our ever tax hungry GOV last year hiked the road user charges on small diesel vehicles making it not where near as attractive as it used to be.. Guess they will hit hybrid owners next when there are more in the fleet..	paulw (1826)
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