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Old 08-10-2009, 02:17 PM   #1
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Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

Hi all - this thread is ONLY about the diesel versus gas engine wiht respect to noise. All other pros and cons between the two are beat to death already. I am really struggling wiht this question.

To any and all -

Just how noisy and tiresome do you feel the noise of the diesel engine is when compared to the V10 (or v8) gas engines.

Thx all - i'm sure this will generate lots of opinions.
Warholic

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Old 08-10-2009, 02:55 PM   #2
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Re: Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

I think a diesel sounds cool. Doesn't bother me at all but people can hear you coming, that's for sure. Crawling slow with the windows down in my van is not as loud as my chevy (Gas) truck driving at highway speeds with the windows down. Driving the van at high speeds with the windows down is a bit noisy but the winds seems to be the culprit for making the stereo hard to hear.
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Old 08-10-2009, 02:57 PM   #3
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Re: Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

I'm not sure I understand what the big deal is here. There is no doubt that the diesel makes more noise than the gasser. Is the noise issue really big enough to sway the other differences which are huge in comparison.

For me the diesel noise is no problem except for those rare times when you need to talk to someone outside of the vehicle when you are inside and it's running. Drive thru's, park pay stations, asking directions (not me), etc. If this is a problem you can and probably will have to shut the vehicle off. Other than that specific problem there really isn't that much difference in my mind.

At highway speeds I doubt you would notice a difference between the two. In town starting and stopping you will hear it. Windows down you will hear it more, but it just isn't all that bad. There are some of us that even like the sound our van makes.

Might I suggest riding in someones rig, or even renting a diesel van for the day to see for yourself.

Good Luck,

tom.
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Old 08-10-2009, 03:27 PM   #4
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Re: Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

I have a diesel and I had the opportunity to drive Mr. Thwaites V-10. I felt more like I was driving an oversized Suburban in the V-10. Nice and quiet (he also had BFG A/T & I have Toyo M/T's). I have gotten use to my diesel though and simply love the smell of diesel exhaust on a cold morning .....

The only thing thing that would pull me to a V-10 gasser if I were to ever buy another van is the annoyance with the heat generated by the diesel engine and the down pipe right next to my wife's leg. ..., but as you said, that has been beaten to death.

Phil
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Old 08-10-2009, 03:41 PM   #5
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Re: Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

Why would a person not be honest?

Consider the amount of weight a SMB, what it is hauling, and extra gear that people add for a road trip, the diesel fuel will last longer and this is the obvious reason that SMB sells diesels more than gas engines.
Look at their inventory of "new vans" on their website, the numbers speak for themselves.

I have had a diesel SMB and the noise is not a big deal at all.
With the windows down, sure it is loud.
Cold starts are loud, but after 10-15 minutes, the engine is warm and the noise is less.

The diesel fuel will last longer than a gas engine.
The gas engine is quieter though.

Good suggestion to go for a ride in a diesel van.

Good suggestion to weigh out the pros and cons of each engine.

Another good suggestion, figure out your application and use of a camper van.
Some rock crawl, off road & fire road touring, some do snow 4x4, some like the look of a real "Tonka Toy", the list can go on forever, but when you do your homework and figure out your specific needs, the right engine type will become very clear.

I like both diesel engines and gas engines.

Peace,

Zugg

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Old 08-10-2009, 04:49 PM   #6
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Re: Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

I drove both and ended up buying a V-10.

Is the diesel louder? Yes.

Is it uncomfortably loud? Not for me, but I'm sure it would have been for my wife- so decision made.
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Old 08-10-2009, 06:59 PM   #7
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Re: Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

People ask me if the road noise from my M/T's bothers me. I answer, "Don't know, can't hear them over the diesel!" I'm not sure if that's a plus or minus...

Seriously, yes, you can hear it. But after 12 straight hours in the driver's seat, I can't say that the engine noise really bothered me.

Jack
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Old 08-10-2009, 07:54 PM   #8
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Re: Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

My diesel engine is really quiet and I can hardly hear it with the windows open. I'm not sure what the debate would be. Oh wait I have a Sprinter. Never mind.
Henry
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Old 08-10-2009, 09:21 PM   #9
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Re: Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

As I have posted before, I have been driving the living piss out of powerstrokes for the last 9 years. Are they loud outside of the rig? Yes.
Inside..... no not really.
Just keep the exhaust pipe away from patients if you find yourself in an ambulance or light rescue truck. The high idle really puts out the heat and noise for sure.
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Old 08-10-2009, 09:52 PM   #10
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Re: Be honest - diesel engine noise versus gas engine

Well I guess it all depends on just how you are planning to use your SMB for. For just casual camping I guess either would do. I am a photographer, a wildlife photographer to be exact and I chose the V-10 gas over the diesel because of the noise. I have been for the last 30+ years driving various gas powered converted vans while doing my photography. A lot of wildlife (birds and various animals) can only be photogrphed from vehicals. I have a number of photographer friends that have diesel trucks and vans and all I hear are complaints about how I can just drive up to the wildlife and get the shot and their diesel noise frightens the wildlife off. So while my V-10 doesn't get as good of fuel milage, with the proper care the V-10 should get easly 250K or more miles on life. I am about to retire a 1994 E250 2X with 270K on it and it has been has been down more gravel roads and across the boon docks more than any van should have been.
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