Exploring the Limitations of Standard Diesel Engines

In summary, the engines that are available in standard passenger cars are limited in engine capacities range. The reason for this is that diesel engines have been designed for economy of operation, and larger engines tend to be heavier and more expensive to produce.
  • #1
jnnx
28
1
this is thing I'm thinking about for few years.

why standard passenger car diesel engines are so limited in engine capacities range?

if we take petrol engines, there are anything from 1.0 liter to 3.0l Inline 4 cylinders, 2.0-4.0l 6 cylinders (or even bigger in USA), 4-7l V8 etc.
but take diesels. I4 are only 1.4l-2.5l, 6 cylinders? 2.7l-3.0 liter. V8 3.6-4.2 ?

most diesel engines have cylinders 0.5 liter big, or somewhere really close to that.

there are few bigger engines in offroaders (up to 3.2l 4cylinder for mitsubishi, and I think 4.2 6cylinder for old toyota off road) but that are truck engines

why is that? why is easier for BMW to have 2 or 3 turbochargers on 3.0 I6, than producing 3.5 or 4.0l I6 ?

only thing I can think off is bad NVH for bigger diesels. but can that be? big cylinders should have lesser thermal losses and better efficiency. and that is really important nowdays.

any ideas?
 
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  • #2
Most diesel cars have been designed for economy of operation, which is produced by smaller displacement engines. Because a diesel engine must be designed to operate at higher compression ratios than a gasoline engine, the diesel engine, for a given displacement, will be heavier than a corresponding gasoline engine, and extra weight is a big factor in making a car less economical to operate.

Many years ago, General Motors tried to convert gasoline engine designs to diesel, but the result was a fiasco, as the resulting engine, although beefed up in key components, was not a durable unit over the long term.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/car...otive-engineering-failures-oldsmobile-diesels

Although the engines were designed for Oldsmobile, they were eventually shared with other GM divisions and found their way into various models of car and truck. The problems experienced by these engines damaged the reputation of Oldsmobile in particular, and this played no small part in Olds once having the best selling car model in the US to being phased out by GM entirely in the span of about 20 years.

Dodge trucks have been offered with Cummins diesel engines for many years, starting with a 5.9 liter model inline-6 unit. This engine by itself weighs almost 1000 lbs, so its use in a passenger car like a large sedan, which would weigh approximately 4000 pounds with a gasoline engine, would impose a significant weight penalty, as other components in the car, like the transmission and suspension, would have to be stronger to carry the additional weight of a diesel engine and to handle the higher torque output.
 
  • #3
Bigger usually entails heavier.

Just be glad its not a K19 Cummins XD
 
  • #4
jnnx said:
why is that? why is easier for BMW to have 2 or 3 turbochargers on 3.0 I6, than producing 3.5 or 4.0l I6 ?

any ideas?

In this case it's because they already have a 3l diesel 6 pot. So why would they want to develop a completely new engine?

Its far cheaper and easier from a powertrain integration perspective to develop bolt on architecture than effectively a clean sheet design.

BMW have had a trend to commonise powertrain components as much as possible for a while now.
 
  • #5
SteamKing: so weight alone is the only reason? I'm not sure about it. and cummis is probably not ideal comparison. these engines are cast iron, and modern diesel engines are usually made from aluminium (head and block).
so there probably wouldn't be that much difference between 3l and 3.5l V6. let say it is 40pounds. that is not an issue in 4000pound sedan or 5000pound SUV
 

1. What are the main limitations of standard diesel engines?

The main limitations of standard diesel engines include their high emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, as well as their dependence on fossil fuels which are non-renewable and contribute to climate change.

2. Can these limitations be overcome?

Yes, these limitations can be overcome through the use of advanced technologies such as exhaust gas recirculation, diesel particulate filters, and selective catalytic reduction, as well as the adoption of alternative fuels like biodiesel and hydrogen.

3. What is the potential impact of exploring the limitations of standard diesel engines?

Exploring the limitations of standard diesel engines can lead to significant improvements in air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. It can also contribute to energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

4. Are there any challenges in exploring these limitations?

Yes, there are challenges in exploring the limitations of standard diesel engines, including the high costs of implementing new technologies and the need for infrastructure to support alternative fuel options.

5. What is the role of government and industry in addressing the limitations of standard diesel engines?

The government and industry play a crucial role in addressing the limitations of standard diesel engines through the development and implementation of policies and regulations that promote the use of cleaner technologies and alternative fuels. They also have a responsibility to invest in research and development to further improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of diesel engines.

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