Okay gents.
Good replies to my initial question on diesel
engines on aircraft.
A friend who is presently building an RV8 said he has seen diesels demonstrated at Oskhosh Air Show but he is not considereing a diesel for his aeroplane because they sound terrible: A "cackling" exhaust tone turned him off.
Hmm, I guess an un-muffled diesel would sound strange, on idle power at least: The benefits
however should indeed silence any unpleasant noise? (Pun intended)
Somebody mentioned taxi and truck drivers:
Yes, agree: To save money towards flight school 20 or more years ago, I drove diesel powered Mercedes taxi cabs in Europe a few years and I sure did like 'em.
Would buy one for private use in the US if I could find and afford one.
As for not changing oil: Learning from my boat/diesel maintenace books, oil change every 100 hours is the most important preventive maintenace you can do.
Same with clean fuel. Much more critical on diesels than gas (petrol) engines.
Not sure how a diesel engine can be air cooled as the tolerances are much tighter in a diesel than a gasoline engine and a steady temperature (water cooled thermostat cooling system) will keep those tolerances within uh, tolerance.
My boat engine, the Perkins 4-108 1.8 liter 4 cylinder 47 HP diesel has 3000 hours on it.
Some sailor dudes say they will last up to 10,000 hours if given good care.
Any experience/opinion on longevity?
------------------
Men, this is no drill...