In a message dated 97-11-29 22:40:53 EST, plandy@idt.net writes:
> But then how does that explain diesels are not subject to the same
> surface to surface wear and tear? ..like piston rings, bearings, valve
> seals, ect. Way back in years I remember one of the truckers told me the
> reason he's reluctant to shut and start frequently cause it cost at
> least $500 to replace with a rebuilt starter.
Peter:
You asked Larry, but I'll jump in here (that'll give Larry another chance to
correct me!). It has been reported that as much as 90% of engine wear occurs
at startup. If this is true, and the truckers seldom shut off their engines,
then they spend little time in the startup mode, eliminating 90% of engine
wear. The same reason a door to door salesman's car wears out at 50,000
miles, whereas a long distance courier can get 250,000 miles.
Another factor in the truckers not shutting off their engines - until they
come up to operating temperature, the severe stress the engine sees is much
harder on them than it is when they are warm. Since time is money, the
drivers can't afford to wait for the engine to warm up. The cost of fuel at
idle is less than the cost of the driver's idle time.
Dan Masters,
Alcoa, TN
'71 TR6---------3000mile/year driver, fully restored
'71 TR6---------undergoing full restoration and Ford 5.0 V8 insertion - see:
http://www.sky.net/~boballen/mg/Masters/
'74 MGBGT---3000mile/year driver, original condition
'68 MGBGT---organ donor for the '74
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