1980 Olds 98 DIESEL
This is a lame excuse, but I have too many cars around now and nowhere to store any more! 😃
That sure is a nice example though. Can't be many left, esp in that condition. Still on original engine? Know they'd sorted out a lot of the Diesel's issues by 1980. If they'd only done that to start with.
That sure is a nice example though. Can't be many left, esp in that condition. Still on original engine? Know they'd sorted out a lot of the Diesel's issues by 1980. If they'd only done that to start with.
the reason i ask is a farmer friend of my dad was one of the first ones to buy an olds diesel,it was a 78 88 and it broke the crank after about 30k miles.GM replaced the short blcok with the updated DX block but it still had the early pencil injectors.that thing could roast the back tires.easy way to tell,the pencil inj's have a steel pipe that runs between the inj's with rubber t fittings,the later inj's used little hoses from inj to inj.i can't really see which you have.also i still have a 4.3 v6 diesel out of an 84 celebrity wagon.i believe it was GM's first try at a serpentine belt.
Yeah. Europeans embraced Diesels decades ago and understand them, including proper way to maintain them.
Part of the Olds Diesel's problems were GM's own doing, but a lot of it was owners who didn't understand how to own a Diesel. In other words, people who had no business owning one.
Everyone I know who got good service from their Diesel used the best fuel and oil they could get, the best filters they could get incl adding extra filters, and few if any short trips.
If GM bean counters had allowed Olds engineering to tap into Detroit Diesel Division's expertise, the Olds Diesel would have been a better engine than it turned out to be. Wasn't like GM didn't know how to build Diesels, they'd been making them since 1936.
Part of the Olds Diesel's problems were GM's own doing, but a lot of it was owners who didn't understand how to own a Diesel. In other words, people who had no business owning one.
Everyone I know who got good service from their Diesel used the best fuel and oil they could get, the best filters they could get incl adding extra filters, and few if any short trips.
If GM bean counters had allowed Olds engineering to tap into Detroit Diesel Division's expertise, the Olds Diesel would have been a better engine than it turned out to be. Wasn't like GM didn't know how to build Diesels, they'd been making them since 1936.
It costs around £3000 to ship a car to the UK, you might have guessed I wasn't entirely serious. 
In 1980 diesel passenger cars were only really popular in France and to a lesser extent, Germany. Nearly every taxi rank in Germany would have a few clattering Mercedes sedans with intergalactic mileage waiting for a fare.
In France diesel fuel was much cheaper than gasoline, consequently the French took a big lead in designing and building diesel engine suitable for passenger cars, and in my opinion still lead the way. It wasn't until the turn of the century that the car makers overcame the problems of power (turbocharging), rough running (sorting out turbo lag and common rail injection), and emissions.
If the Oldsmobile engine had been developed properly it might have stood comparison with contemporary European diesels, rather underpowered, a bit rough and smelly, but possibly making sense for high mileage urban driving - like taxi work for example.
Roger.

In 1980 diesel passenger cars were only really popular in France and to a lesser extent, Germany. Nearly every taxi rank in Germany would have a few clattering Mercedes sedans with intergalactic mileage waiting for a fare.
In France diesel fuel was much cheaper than gasoline, consequently the French took a big lead in designing and building diesel engine suitable for passenger cars, and in my opinion still lead the way. It wasn't until the turn of the century that the car makers overcame the problems of power (turbocharging), rough running (sorting out turbo lag and common rail injection), and emissions.
If the Oldsmobile engine had been developed properly it might have stood comparison with contemporary European diesels, rather underpowered, a bit rough and smelly, but possibly making sense for high mileage urban driving - like taxi work for example.
Roger.
I do Love Diesel ! Just purchased a VW Passant For daily driving (36,000 miles from a friend who bought new). The Olds is a hobby car and is babied . I want someone who appreciates these cars to get it !
Rick
Rick
Olds Dealer in 1980
Oh, if only I hadn’t been an Oldsmobile dealer in 1980, I would love this car! Fresh off the infamous “engine swap” in 1977, Olds followed it up with the “Diesel Disaster” in 1978. Then, in true GM fashion, about the time they got the 5.7L Diesel sorted out (1982) they discontinued it.
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