Vapor Fuel Technologies Improves Ford F150 Fuel Mileage 30 Percent

by Paul Crowe

in Electronics, Engines, Oil, Diesel Fuel and Gasoline

Vapor Fuel TechnologiesVapor Fuel Technologies is developing technology which can dramatically improve fuel mileage by heating both the fuel and incoming air before being introduced into the combustion chamber. Independent verification by California Environmental Engineering (Santa Ana, Calif.), which is certified by both the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, found both a 30 percent increase in mileage while simultaneously decreasing emissions by 30 percent.

Previous work with fuel vaporization has been based on a lean burn condition which can increase oxides of nitrogen, one of the combustion byproducts regulated by current emission law. The system developed by Vapor Fuel Technologies reduces these emissions along with all other components associated with normal exhaust.

The system is planned to be available sometime in 2010, first to fleets and eventually to the public through installing distributors. Approximate cost is expected to be around $900.

VFT has decided to introduce the system in stages based on engine platforms. The first retrofit packages will be for the larger 8 cylinder Trucks and SUVs. We believe this will make the largest immediate impact to the economy concerning gas prices and environmental issues.

This is an extremely interesting technology which could have a substantial impact all around, lowering fuel consumption, lowering emissions and most impressive, making these improvements available to existing vehicles, which could have a dramatic positive impact on resale value.

Vapor Fuel Technologies is also working with OEMs to make this technology available on new vehicles.

Link: EETimes via Next Big Future
Link: Vapor Fuel Technologies

2005 Dodge Durango Recall

by Paul Crowe

in Truck Recalls

2005 Dodge Durango

2005 Dodge Durango

Dodge has issued a recall for 2005 Dodge Durango for a fuel filler check valve problem. Please read below for details.

Manufacturer: Chrysler LLC
Model year: 2005
Models affected: Dodge Durango
NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V003000
Potential Units Affected: 19024
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 19,024 model year 2005 Dodge Durango vehicles. The fuel tank filler tube inlet check valve may not fully close at the end of refueling. This could allow some fuel to escape from the vehicle through the filler neck at the end of refueling. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank inlet check valve. Vehicles found to have a suspect inlet check valve will have the fuel tank assembly replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during February 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

 

Dodge Ram 2500 3500 Steering Linkage Recall

by Paul Crowe

in Truck Recalls

Dodge Ram 2500 3500 steering linkage recallDodge has issued a recall for Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 models for a steering linkage problem. Please read below for the specific models and details.

Manufacturer: Chrysler LLC
Models affected:
2008-2009 Dodge Ram 2500
2008-2009 Dodge Ram 3500
NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V005000
Potential Units Affected: 32865
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 32,865 model year 2008-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 cab chassis pickup trucks equipped with Powers and Sons steering linkage. The steering linkage drag link inner tie rod to pitman arm ball stud may fracture. Also the steering linkage damper attaching the bracket may yield and shift on the linkage. This could result in a loss of steering control and the restricted ability to turn the vehicle in one direction increasing the risk of a crash without warning.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the steering linkage drag link inner tie rod end assembly, and inspect the steering linkage damper bracket free charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

 

Nissan Frontier Pathfinder Xterra Airbag Sensor Recall

by Paul Crowe

in SUV Recalls, Truck Recalls

Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder, Xterra Recall

Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder, Xterra Recall

Nissan has issued a recall for 2005-2009 Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra models for a corrosion problem affecting the front crash zone sensor that deploys the airbags. Please read below for details.

Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Models affected: 2005-2009 Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V690000
Potential Units Affected: 242720
Problem: Nissan is recalling 242,720 model year 2005-2009 Pathfinder, Frontier and Xterra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. In those areas of the country which use heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, a mixture of snow/water and salt can enter into the front crash zone sensor (CZS) housing. If this occurs, the CZS may internally rust resulting in a signal interruption. If this happens, the red air bag warning light will illuminate to alert the vehicle operator. This issue could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front air bags in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the front CZS with a redesigned sensor. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years. These owners will be notified of the warranty extension by mail and will receive a sticker to place in their warranty booklet explaining the extended warranty coverage. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

 

Dodge Ram 2500 – Ram 3500 Recall

by Paul Crowe

in Truck Recalls

Dodge has issued a recall for Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 models for a silencer pad problem. Please read below for the specific models and details.

Manufacturer: Chrysler LLC
Models affected:
2007-2008 Dodge Ram 2500
2007-2008 Dodge Ram 3500
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V641000
Potential Units Affected: 108429
Problem:Chrysler is recalling 108,429 model year 2007-2008 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A silencer pad can sag and contact the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler. This could result in an engine compartment fire.

Corrective Action: Dealers will add a bracket to support the engine compartment silencer pad adjacent to the EGR cooler. The recall is expected to begin during December 2008. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

 

Powerblock TV Project Trucks For Sale

by Paul Crowe

in 4X4 Trucks, Performance Trucks

Powerblock TV SS454 project truck

Powerblock TV F150 Lightning project truckHow would you like a chance to park the Chevy SS454 pickup the Powerblock TV guys worked on in your garage? Well, if you want to put in a bid, maybe you can, it’s on eBay right now. So is their Ford F150 Lightning. If you watch the shows, you know how much work they do on each truck and after everything is done, what do they do? Well, they auction them off to the highest bidder and they’re sitting there now waiting for you to take a shot. It can’t hurt to try, you might get a pretty sweet deal.

-listings have ended-
Powerblock TV SS454 pickup
Powerblock TV F150 Lightning

Woodgas Truck Conversions – A Real Alternative Fuel

by Paul Crowe

in Alternative fuels

Woodgas powered Ford pickup

For a real alternative fuel option, woodgas conversions are about as alternative as you can get. This Ford F150 has a woodgas generator in the bed and is a current example of some pretty old technology. It was built by a guy just to see if he could make it work, which it does.

Woodgas had a period of popularity around WWII when gasoline rationing meant you either parked the car or found some alternative fuel for your engine. Some European countries at the time, Denmark is one great example, used woodgas in almost 95% of their vehicles; farm machinery, tractors, trucks, fishing boats, even stationary engines, you name it. The widespread use shows it definitely works but it’s also inconvenient and not really an option unless all other fuels are unavailable.

Woodgas is one type of producer gas, the result of controlled and incomplete combustion of some carbon material such as wood, many types of biomass or charcoal among others. The gas given off consists of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane, among the combustible components, the rest being primarily nitrogen. When this woodgas is fed into the engine you can drive down the road like you would with any other fuel, except for the rather cumbersome gas generator you need either attached to your vehicle or on a trailer along with its fuel supply, plus the lower power produced makes driving a more utilitarian pursuit. It works, but it’s slow and finicky.

The photo below shows an example of an Adler Diplomat conversion back in WWII, which also indicates the size of the gas generator on the back of the vehicle, plus bags of wood fuel on the roof. Interesting technology and necessary at the time but again, not something you would want for your regular commute.

If you know what to look for, you’ll see woodgas powered vehicles in movies about WWII, usually a pickup truck but sometimes a car will have one of these contraptions on the back. Neat technology and not something well known these days. I think it’s pretty cool.

Adler Diplomat woodgas conversion in WWII
Adler Diplomat with wood gas generator

Link: Ford woodgas conversion on eBay – listing has ended

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →