The Big End - Diesel Power - Part II

The Diesel engine continued to develop being first used in stationary machines such as pumping plants and as a power source for generating electricity. In 1903 Diesel engines were first installed in ships with the support of the German company MAN, then in 1904 in French Submarines. In 1906 it was first used in trucks to great success.

Together with these milestones it was further developed, gaining wider acceptance in vehicle manufacture. This rapidly escalated in the 1920's with installation and adaptations in utility vehicles but because of its tendency for harsh running and noise it was not used in motor cars.

In 1927 Robert Bosch set a standard by inventing off the shelf injection pumps, governors and injector nozzles, which in application fulfilled most needs.

1930 saw the first public transport buses fitted with Diesel engines, and in 1936 Daimler-Benz unveiled the first real Diesel passenger car at the automobile exhibition in Berlin that year. From this first adaptation, these cars became ideal taxis due to low fuel consumption and sturdiness. This went on until long after the 1939-45 war with Germany.

Also in the 1930's, the German company, Junkers produced an aircraft called the Junkers "Jumo 205" which was powered by a supercharged two stroke Diesel. It was quite successful and proved to have a good range and sufficient power.

Low performance and low driving comfort made the Diesel vehicle a second choice for the discerning motorists of the day, the petrol engine by then being very well developed. This was the norm until the first oil crisis in 1973/74 which produced a surge in interest in the Diesel engine as an alternative source of power over the petrol engine. From then on the Diesel engine has not looked back and has, over the years become a real alternative power source quieter, greater performance and above all more economic in use.

In a test drive for fuel efficiency in 1989 a distance of 4818 km, 2994 miles was covered with an extraordinary low consumption of 1.76 litres per 100km, not bad at all.

To-date many modern on road vehicles and many off road power plants prefer the use of Diesel because of its low maintenance and running costs. This has motivated manufacturers to take an innovative approach to it's development.

For extra power you can fit special turbochargers which can outperform any naturally aspirated counterpart. The Turbo increases the volume of air and fuel creating greater power, around 25% and added to this, greater efficiency. Lightweight Diesel engines are also being produced with a very high specification component build. A very important fuel saving point.

The environmental aspects of using a Diesel over a petrol engine are significantly less emissions in unburned hydrocarbons. High performance engines are being produced for competition and also aircraft power units. These engines are being produced at this time by Packhard. Rolls Royce, Fiat and others. The performance has been seen to be staggering.

As for today, much research is being done with the Diesel engine to make it better and more efficient. It is to-date very competitive with the petrol engine in power and quietness but better fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly. It can be said without doubt that the Diesel has come of age.

With the escalating cost in petrol it would seem that a real alternative Diesel powered transport is available for all types of modern usage. Diesel is here today and will be tomorrow, that's for sure. What ever happens, we must be assured of an economic power source coupled with reliability and friendliness to the environment.

© Chris Street, August 12th 2001