Diesel instrumentation

[Gravedigger]

I going to get a 1985 Non turbo diesel Mercedes 190D 5spd.

What instrumentation is needed for monitoring best fuel economy?
Exhaust gas temp is a given but what others are needed. Would Vacuum gauge be a help?

Thank You

[Christ]

The only thing a vacuum gauge will tell you is if you have any restrictions in your intake tract that cause flow backup... and a flow meter will tell you better.

Diesels don't have throttle like gas engines do, so they don't generate vacuum unless there is some other form of restriction.

I see you're in MD - check york, lancaster, and harrisburg PA craigslists for a deal on 'Cedes right now... 3 of them for $1800 (I think they're all 190D's as well.)

[dcb]

I don't know if anyone has successfully adapted an mpguino to monitor a diesel, but I think consumption on those older ones is just a function of lever position and rpm.

[ConnClark]

Ummmm

For an NA diesel an EGT gauge isn't going to do much good. About the only thing that would do much good for a non turbo diesel is a barometer and an intake air temp (IAT) gauge.

Don't drive on hot days when the barometric pressure is low.

Edit: Make use of your rear view mirrors to to make sure your not blowing any black smoke.

[Novaz_nz]

I am in the same position as you, with a non-turbo, mechanical pump diesel. As far as I'm aware there is no way of monitoring 'on the fly' fuel consumption accurately.

You could invest in a diesel fuel flow transducer (commonly used in boats), but all this does is measure what is drawn from the tank to the injector pump, and then subtract what is returned to the tank - though these are expensive, and are not very accurate on low flow rates.

I have found what is commonly called the "power screw" on Bosch injector pumps, and progressively turned it down over a few tanks. I have less power for sure, but economy has increased, and smoke is reduced also.

If you are going to buy any gauges, look into coolant and oil temp - my engine was being overcooled and wasn't operating effeciently - I have grille blocks in place now and gained another few MPG.

Other than that, the less revs and throttle the better! Hope some of this is useful!

[Gravedigger]

Been driving a 01 Dodge Cummings Diesel 6spd 2500 4x4 quad cab (almost 8000 pounds empty) with dynoed 383 hp and 916 ft# to the ground. I kept every drop of fuel for the first 118,000 mile and averaged 20.28 mpg. If you keep egt below 600 degrees it gets better fuel mileage. I'm in the middle of the best tank since I just found this site. Truck now has 174,000 miles on it and still regularly get 20+ tanks.

I'm looking forward to getting much better fuel mileage with the 2.2l diesel.

[americasfuture2k]

that 174K miles on a diesel is just scratching the surface when it comes to wear on a motor when it comes to diesel's.

i would like to also know how to accuratly measure MPG on a diesel. my bro has a 86 burban 2wd 6.2L. with a hummer intake mani, new injectors and some other stuff. he just goes from tank to tank to measure his.

[MaxMatt]

Originally Posted by Gravedigger

I'm looking forward to getting much better fuel mileage with the 2.2l diesel.

2.2 diesel in 190D? That one wasn't availble in Europe.

Take a look at the specs:

http://www.mb.auto.pl/dane_en_os/229030DT.HTM
http://www.mb.auto.pl/dane_en_os/229030SK.HTM

Unfotunatelly no data about fuel consumption. FE data only for 2.0:

http://www.mb.auto.pl/dane_en_os/229010SK.HTM

And here is the ranking for 190D:

http://www.spritmonitor.de/de/uebers...e=80&gearing=1

Hope that's of any help

[instarx]

Originally Posted by americasfuture2k

i would like to also know how to accuratly measure MPG on a diesel. my bro has a 86 burban 2wd 6.2L. with a hummer intake mani, new injectors and some other stuff. he just goes from tank to tank to measure his.

Sorry to say, but you can just forget about it. I looked long and hard for something for my 95 6.5L diesel and nothing exists. It isn't until OBDII arrived that it even became possible, and your 6.2L is well before that.

As Novaz nz said, you'd have to use mass flow sensors on the supply and return fuel lines and electronically subtract one from the other...all one-off of course.

[dcb]

I have suggested measuring throttle position and RPM to get a relative measure of consumption. Then combining those signals and a speed in an mpguino like device for display. Can anyone think of why that is worse than nothing?