Diesel Vs Petrol Cars

[Watchman]

Engine overhaul is very common. Like every 25000K or less. Also, the dash board lights start to flicker!!. Alternator problems will in turn cause the beaks (power) not to work!!. Imagine driving from Kandy to Colombo this shit happens.

Ah yes the Gemini did have quite a out-of-the-norm electrical system. But the dash-lights flickering sounds more like a loose connection. YOu do seem to have had quite some bad luck..

As for the engine overhaul, yeah gemini's are known to suffer from under-compression after a while, but a 25k interval is impossible. What symptoms made you think you needed an overhaul that frequently?

[jdnet]

Members,

What about a petrol car with(LPG) gas conversion. Italian Unit. I used upper cylinder oil for engine head lubrication.

I used gas converted Nissan for 4 years 60000 Kilo meters saved on fuel about R 100000.00 and sold with a profit more than what it cost me never gave me any engine problem.

Wjesinghe.

Unfortunately LPG gas in Sri Lanka now costs far more than petrol so you wont be saving anything. Furthermore it will increase maintanence costs and reduce any lugage space you have. I think the OP's question was about petrol and diesel cars, so keep this conversation on topic.

Edited July 13, 2010 by jdnet

[NRX]

whats your budget machn??

between .5m - 1m

[jdnet]

between .5m - 1m

in that budget you should be looking at a compact petrol. Most do really well on petrol so i wouldn't worry too much, just go exploring and take some for test drives and see if it suits you. You could also find your self a newer 406 in that price range too, a little bad on petrol but a really comfy car nonetheless.

[isurujosh]

between .5m - 1m

IMHO you should seriously not consider a diesel in that range.

[hakjay]

Ah yes the Gemini did have quite a out-of-the-norm electrical system. But the dash-lights flickering sounds more like a loose connection. YOu do seem to have had quite some bad luck..

As for the engine overhaul, yeah gemini's are known to suffer from under-compression after a while, but a 25k interval is impossible. What symptoms made you think you needed an overhaul that frequently?

Well, one of the main this was starting the car. Big problem ( specially after a long run). Sometimes ,when engine is warm push start also doesn't work. I had bad luck with that car.

After that experience all cars since have been petrol have not given me any probs. 2nd car Toyota AE100 SEL, need I say more.

[hakjay]

IMHO you should seriously not consider a diesel in that range.

Unless you want to spend most of your time in the garage

[Watchman]

Well, one of the main this was starting the car. Big problem ( specially after a long run). Sometimes ,when engine is warm push start also doesn't work. I had bad luck with that car.

you probably had cooling issues. It happend to me couple of times too, mostly caused by a loose connection to the cooling fan or running without coolant Its actually a failsafe on the gemini to keep the engine from overheating and causing greater damage. Once it reaches a critical temp, the gine doesnt start till it cools down, and if you hadnt stopped the engine, the engine cuts off....

But you gotta admit it was probably way more fun driving a corolla eh? especially when that turbo kicks in!!

[hakjay]

you probably had cooling issues. It happend to me couple of times too, mostly caused by a loose connection to the cooling fan or running without coolant Its actually a failsafe on the gemini to keep the engine from overheating and causing greater damage. Once it reaches a critical temp, the gine doesnt start till it cools down, and if you hadnt stopped the engine, the engine cuts off....

But you gotta admit it was probably way more fun driving a corolla eh? especially when that turbo kicks in!!

Sorry mate, the corolla didn't have a turbo but was a very good car.

[harshansenadhir]

Sorry mate, the corolla didn't have a turbo but was a very good car.

I'm sure Dilesh mentioned the turbo of the gemini.

[Watchman]

I'm sure Dilesh mentioned the turbo of the gemini.

Yep yep!

[rockerz]

My last car was a diesel Nissan Bluebird SU13. Lotsa people advised me against buying a diesel but it never gave me trouble, except blow up a gasket once. I must say that was THE best car I ever used. Sure it rattled and smoked a bit, but it was so comfortable, roomy, luxurious and bloody economical. Never broke down in road once and I used it like a lorry. And I wasn't very punctual with the services either. Best damn car I ever had. Seeyen seeyai no doubts what-so-ever <img src="http://forum.autolanka.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

But this is strictly my personal experiences. I've heard enough of horror stories with less luckier Diesel owners. So whether its diesel or petrol, I guess luck plays a big role. Sometimes you end up with real leda waattu. I felt so sad when I sold my hunky Gal <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="sad.gif" />

Economy-wise, Diesels don't make much of a difference if you are town running. So don't expect much of a saving. But if you are in to heavy outstation runs, then diesel has a definite advantage.

my dad has this as his second car.....what u said was very true.....its very very very spacious...moreover whats amazing is the options you get in it...imean for a car made in 93/94...you get wood trim, rear head rest, the way the dashboard is designed,retractable mirrors,...not only that car is very powerful...even the diesel version....

hey did u hear about the 2000CC Petrol Turbo?

[Dhanushka Gunasinghe]

of course, Diesel engines are more engine issues than petrol. And same time it have more maintain cost and spare cost too. When you are searching spare it not not easy job too.

[luckey007]

I am using CE110, now almost 15 years old car.It is cheaper on juices than Maruti800 . It may sound bit,but for a long run its very economical.And if u maintain properly they will never let you down.And usually reliable than petrol cars because minimal electrical things compare to petrol. eg:High-tension lines,coils,spark plugs,distributor...

And another,risk of getting fire after an accident and being baked inside is also low.

[Sylvi]

I am using CE110, now almost 15 years old car.It is cheaper on juices than Maruti800 . It may sound bit,but for a long run its very economical.And if u maintain properly they will never let you down.And usually reliable than petrol cars because minimal electrical things compare to petrol. eg:High-tension lines,coils,spark plugs,distributor...

And another,risk of getting fire after an accident and being baked inside is also low.

'luckey007,

Yes Fuel factor you statement may be correct I think your car you have maintained well.I do not agree with you regarding cot of maintenance definitely Diesel engine is expensive. Cost of filters and other diesel engine parts are expensive when it comes to a engine overhaul the cost will be double than a petrol engine. I don't think the spark plug wiring is a barrier to accidental fire on a car motor cycles petrol tank is top of the carburetor there had been few incidents motorcycles catching fire As I have said early opinion differ from person to person.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[luckey007]

'luckey007,

Yes Fuel factor you statement may be correct I think your car you have maintained well.I do not agree with you regarding cot of maintenance definitely Diesel engine is expensive. Cost of filters and other diesel engine parts are expensive when it comes to a engine overhaul the cost will be double than a petrol engine. I don't think the spark plug wiring is a barrier to accidental fire on a car motor cycles petrol tank is top of the carburetor there had been few incidents motorcycles catching fire As I have said early opinion differ from person to person.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

Dear Sylvi,

I didn't mention anywhere in post that cost of maintenance is cheaper than petrol. Did I? I mentioned it is reliable than a patrol engine. Because petrol engines tends to give electrical troubles specially when old.And I mentioned about low risk of fire in accidents because the blast of the gasoline tank in high impact accidents.And tiny spark will be enough.Anyway it is a very remote chance and it will be the least prioritized reason to go for a diesel over gasoline.

BTW in MT, driving in traffic and clutch balance is easy in diesels due to their high lower end torque.

Luckey.

[Sylvi]

Dear Sylvi,

I didn't mention anywhere in post that cost of maintenance is cheaper than petrol. Did I? I mentioned it is reliable than a patrol engine. Because petrol engines tends to give electrical troubles specially when old.And I mentioned about low risk of fire in accidents because the blast of the gasoline tank in high impact accidents.And tiny spark will be enough.Anyway it is a very remote chance and it will be the least prioritized reason to go for a diesel over gasoline.

BTW in MT, driving in traffic and clutch balance is easy in diesels due to their high lower end torque.

Luckey.

Dear Lucky,

OK your post is correct I only gave my opinion may be that I did a mistake by that comment on that post.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[hasmax]

nothing to say. just read this thread and c da fate of the unlucky diesel lovers

[Ripper]

of course, Diesel engines are more engine issues than petrol. And same time it have more maintain cost and spare cost too. When you are searching spare it not not easy job too.

WRONG.

Care to elaborate how diesel engines are having more issues than petrol engines???

And how the hell did you come to the assumption that diesel spares are tough to find compared to their petrol counterparts??

nothing to say. just read this thread and c da fate of the unlucky diesel lovers

Dude seriously! you're being really retarded and immature here.

Go through the forum and see how many people with petrol vehicles run into issues!

Just because you made a bad purchase decision buying a lemon doesn't make all diesels bad.

Going by the stupid logic of you two, there shouldn't be any reason to have deisel vehicles.

Look at the commercial sector and many industrial applications where running costs have to be cheaper to make more profits.

And almost all of those vehicles are diesels. Jeez....grow up!

[hasmax]

WRONG.

Care to elaborate how diesel engines are having more issues than petrol engines???

And how the hell did you come to the assumption that diesel spares are tough to find compared to their petrol counterparts??

Dude seriously! you're being really retarded and immature here.

Go through the forum and see how many people with petrol vehicles run into issues!

Just because you made a bad purchase decision buying a lemon doesn't make all diesels bad.

Going by the stupid logic of you two, there shouldn't be any reason to have deisel vehicles.

Look at the commercial sector and many industrial applications where running costs have to be cheaper to make more profits.

And almost all of those vehicles are diesels. Jeez....grow up!

hey ripper.. u are right buddy.. dtz what I think also.. I raised a different issue, not that diesel engines are bad. I did intentionally mention " unlucky " to imply that it is not a technical thing.. hope u got it now.. after overall I ll get recovered from this PTSD hopefully .. cheerz

[toyota sucks]

I am using CE110, now almost 15 years old car.It is cheaper on juices than Maruti800 . It may sound bit,but for a long run its very economical.And if u maintain properly they will never let you down.And usually reliable than petrol cars because minimal electrical things compare to petrol. eg:High-tension lines,coils,spark plugs,distributor...

And another,risk of getting fire after an accident and being baked inside is also low.

Well there is not much evidence of petrol cars burning now a days

Except those that have have NANO technology