On Saturday, Mar 13, 2004, at 12:13 US/Pacific, jacob simpson wrote:

> what are the pros and cons of deisel vs gas....

  Pro:  There is much less to go wrong, no ECU, no fire prone fuel
injection, no spark plugs, Better mileage- in the range of  30% better,
fuel availability around the world, able to use biodiesel  and
therefore be smug about not contributing to global warming, feel good
about producing lLESS overall pollution (yes, that is correct).  Able
to go long periods with little maintenance.   Able to run on vegetable
oil if there is another oil shock.  A 1.9turbo has plenty of pep, you
wont' be the one holding up traffic.

Cons:  If you have a stock diesel- it is a slug.  Really slow, like put
your 4-way flashers on in second gear on the mountain pass slow and be
prepared for the middle finger salute when that Escalade behind you
finally can pass.  Poorly maintained can produce gouts of black smoke
negating any pollution advantages.  Particulate emissions have a bad
press, especially in Kalifornia- but whaat?  Don't gassers smoke?
Noisier than a gasser.   Many mechanics are clueless about diesel, but
then there are plenty of clueless mechanics- it is a crapshoot.
>
> also, what are common problems of say, a diesel 81 vanagon

Main problem: none made.  AFAIK they started in North America in 82 MY
and ended in 83 MY.
>
> and, will the camping interior in an 86 vanagon fit into an 81 ....the
> front seats?

Why not go the other way, make the 86 have a diesel.  Otherwise, I
don't know.
>
> what other parts are interchangable
The parts that are not interchangeable pertain only to the engine.
>
> thanks
> jeggers
>
Edward Lowe
Seattle, WA
82 Westy Diesel upgraded to 1.9lt. Turbo
85 Golf Diesel 1.6lt NA
92 Cabrio 1.8lt gas
97 Passat Tdi