“Excessive fueling produces severe ‘black smoke,’ which is, for all intents and purposes, a direct by-product of diesel engines. Turning up the pump(s) and letting a diesel munch to its heart’s content can result in plumes of soot filling the air as soon as a driver’s foot mashes the hammer—and the dark cloud will often persist long after the offending truck has passed by.”
How do I get my diesel to roll coal?
“I’m curious how it is permitted for diesel pickup trucks to be tricked out to “roll coal,” given that you have to be Air Care certified before receiving license plates,” writes Pete from Boulder. If they can’t stop these kinds of pollutants, it seems like a waste to me. Trucks add to our ozone days, and it’s no fun to be stopped at a red light when the signal turns green and a black cloud surrounds everyone, especially those walking or riding a bike.”
In the past, I was also a victim of rolling coal. I won’t guess on the thoughts of truck owners who modify their vehicles in this manner, but those who spoke with me about it gave me various reasons why. “We just like the way it looks and like to see who can make the biggest plume,” for example. We believe that climate change is a hoax, and we enjoy annoying those who drive green vehicles. The engine produces more power for me. We don’t like it when cyclists take up the entire road. We’re protesting the abolition of oil jobs. We enjoy having complete control over our trucks and doing things that no one else can.”
Let’s take a closer look at rolling coal. It simply entails altering a newer diesel engine to pump more fuel into it than it can handle. This procedure produces a massive plume of thick, black exhaust that contains unburned fuel. Many older diesel truck engines built under previous air quality standards are capable of rolling coal without any changes. In 2017, the state of Colorado declared rolling coal unlawful, although only the act of rolling coal was made criminal, not the act of changing your car.
“In other words, you could be prosecuted if you released poisonous gases on someone, but not if you made your car capable of doing so,” said Danny Katz, executive director of CoPIRG. “I believe there was a proposal in the 2021 legislative session to upstream this legislation and make it illegal to alter or knowingly sell an altered car, but there were questions about who would be liable, and I don’t believe it was actually developed or introduced.”
A diesel vehicle can be converted to roll coal in a number of ways. Using a defeat device such as a “delete tuner” or “delete kit” is one of the most convenient methods. They readily connect to the truck’s OBD2 port, and the driver may modify several of the stock engine settings, including the fuel mixture that causes the black smoke, with the push of a button. If the driver needed the vehicle to pass Colorado’s AirCare emissions rules, the same device could quickly adjust the settings back to factory emissions.
“Yes, diesel owners could modify their vehicles several times if they wanted to waste time, energy, and money on a useless hobby,” says Dana TePoel, owner of Lake Arbor Auto in Westminster. “It appears absurd to us, yet it could happen,” says the author.
The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that roughly 15% of diesel trucks in the US with original approved emissions have had their emissions systems tampered with, according to a report released late last year. Tampering with vehicle emissions controls or employing an aftermarket defeat device, according to the EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, is still unlawful. These defeat devices, according to the EPA, circumvent or otherwise render mandated emissions control systems inoperable, resulting in considerable increases in dangerous air emissions.
“About three times a week, a truck breaks down here,” TePoel added. “Older automobiles frequently fail due to high opacity,” says the expert (thick smoke). New ones frequently fail owing to missing or altered components, which are frequently missing or altered due to past owners.”
The EPA has recently targeted many big tuner manufacturers, including Premier Performance, which was fined $3 million earlier this year for marketing “defeat” devices. Companies who make tuners are no longer allowed to advertise publicly because to EPA restrictions, yet tuners that allow diesel users to roll coal still exist.
There are also more invasive methods for changing the engine. Another option to convert a diesel truck to roll coal, according to the website Truck of Mine, is to aggressively custom-tune it and install bigger injectors. During each injection cycle, injectors push a big amount of fuel into the engine, fooling your engine into thinking it needs more.
An officer may stop a vehicle with excessive emission, whether gas or diesel, issue a ticket, and compel the owner to make repairs, according to Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment. A violation of Colorado’s Nuisance Exhibition of Motor Vehicle Exhaust ordinance is punishable by a $100 fine. Operating a smoking car may result in further fines in several countries.
“We believe Colorado’s diesel emissions program has provided a major net benefit to the state’s clean air, and we certainly don’t want to see someone undo our clean-air progress with a campaign to dismantle the emissions program,” TePoel said. “It would be the same of banning all traffic signals because a few vehicles run red lights.”
In Colorado, the Smoking Vehicle Hotline program assists in identifying vehicles with excessive emissions and provides owners with information to urge them to make necessary repairs willingly.
Jayson Luber, a traffic anchor for Denver7, says he’s been reporting Denver traffic since Ben-Hur was in charge of a chariot. (We estimate it to be more than 25 years.) He’s fascinated with informing viewers about what’s going on with their driving and how to avoid difficulties that arise. Listen to his Driving You Crazy podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Podbean, or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Is it bad for a diesel to roll coal?
Annapolis, Maryland – tampering with diesel vehicle pollution controls in order to produce large levels of black smoke emissions – also known as “According to testimony given today by the Diesel Technology Forum, “rolling coal” is inefficient and damaging to the environment.
The Diesel Technology Forum’s Director of Policy, Ezra Finkin, spoke before the Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of House Bill 11, which would ban rolling coal.
“The industry has spent billions of dollars over the last decade developing diesel engines that emit near-zero emissions today. “That’s why they’re referred to as clean diesel,” Finkin explained.
“Because of their greater fuel efficiency and hauling capability, diesel engines have long been a popular choice in heavy-duty pickup trucks.
While we understand diesel enthusiasts’ passion for their vehicles’ performance, tampering with engines and emissions controls for the purpose of generating additional emissions on demand – sometimes known as “rolling coal” – is offensive, dangerous, and damaging to the environment.
Most importantly, it is not indicative of how diesel engines were intended to perform.”
House Bill 11 in Maryland would outlaw the practice of “Rolling Coal” is a song.
The Clean Air Act’s Section 203(a)(3)(A) expressly prohibits tampering with a vehicle’s emission controls and permits states to do so as well.
“We support efforts to detect and punish gross polluters, and we oppose the practice of tampering with engines or emissions controls solely to produce excess emissions.
To stop this illegal activity, we urge state and local air quality and law enforcement officials to thoroughly enforce all clean air and automobile emission laws available,” Finkin added.
“With today’s new clean diesel pickup trucks, we’re thrilled to be ‘rolling clean,’ as they use advanced combustion and emissions control technology to fulfill the most demanding of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clean air regulations.
As a result, these trucks produce almost no emissions and consume less gasoline.
The rising fleet of diesel-powered vehicles will help to greenhouse gas reduction, energy savings, and energy security goals as more diesel options become available.”
Billions of Dollars of Research & Development Have Resulted in Clean Diesel Technology
“Over the years, the makers of diesel engines, filters, and equipment collaborated extensively with the EPA, the California Air Resources Board, national health and environmental organizations, and a variety of other organizations to develop today’s clean diesel technology.
“This research and development resulted in the world’s cleanest diesel engines and fuel, with particulate matter and NOx emissions cut by more than 98 percent.
Furthermore, the new technology has improved the efficiency of diesel fuel.
“According to studies commissioned by the Diesel Technology Forum, a new diesel pickup vehicle will use 425 gallons less fuel in a year than an equivalent gasoline pickup truck.
Due to the efficiency of these clean diesel engines, the average diesel pick-up truck owner will save $1,400 in fuel costs. This is a huge savings that will accrue year after year while the vehicle is owned.
“Using emissions control systems to intentionally increase emissions and smoke is in direct opposition to this fuel-saving initiative.
It’s awful for the environment, a complete waste of fuel, and it could void a manufacturer’s warranty.
The better fuel efficiency of these clean diesel vehicles contributes to energy independence, but only when the engine and emissions systems function properly.
Overfueling is unethical, therefore it should be prohibited.”
Marylanders Choose Clean Diesel
For Maryland drivers, diesel is a popular green option. According to the latest vehicle in operation (VIO) data commissioned by the Diesel Technology Forum, there are just over 108,000 diesel passenger vehicles in operation in the state, including sedans, SUVs, and pick-ups, and just over 80,000 hybrids. In 2015, Marylanders opted for diesel over hybrid, with the diesel fleet increasing by 4,872 and the hybrid fleet increasing by 4,457.
“We expect more diesel options, including the Ford F-150, America’s best-selling vehicle, to hit showroom floors very soon,” said Allen Schaeffer, the Forum’s Executive Director.
“The Chevrolet Cruze and Cruze hatchback will also include a diesel engine that is rumored to attain 50 miles per gallon.”
Why do diesel engines roll coal?
Truck pulls, in which pickups compete to haul a heavy sled the farthest, gave birth to rolling coal. Drivers modify their vehicles to increase horsepower and torque by pumping excessive fuel into the engines. The trucks, which have been stripped of their pollution controls, also emit thick, black smoke.
The fumes were a part of the draw at a recent truck pull at the McHenry County Fair in Woodstock, Illinois. One man’s T-shirt said, “Don’t look back when the smoke goes black.”
“We pull for pride,” said Scott Vivian, president of the Illini State Pullers league, which organized the event. “Everything’s a significant part of it, and smoke is a big part of it.”
Is it illegal to roll coal?
California. Operating a vehicle “in a way that results in the escape of excessive smoke, flame, gas, oil, or fuel residue” is illegal in California. A vehicle can be cited for rolling coal under this law or others by the California Highway Patrol or local police.
Why do diesels have so much torque?
What is the best way for diesel engines to produce additional torque? A diesel engine produces greater torque than a gas engine with the same capacity, but how?
Internal-combustion engines, such as diesel and gas engines, combine fuel and air inside the engine and compress it internally in the cylinders.
Compression ignites the gasoline, pushing the piston within and spinning the crankshaft, which turns the wheels. After that, the piston goes outside, forcing the burned gases out of the exhaust.
This cycle occurs numerous times every second, and the more cylinders an engine has, the smoother it runs and the more power it creates.
Torque is described as a force that can cause an object to rotate on its axis in physics. Torque is a twisting force that creates rotatory motion in simple terms.
In the case of automobile engines, this rotatory motion is sent directly to the wheels. The rotatory action of the pistons in the engine is what causes the wheels to move.
We discussed the differences between diesel and gasoline engines in the last segment. We also mentioned that diesel fuel has a 15% higher energy content per liter than gasoline.
The compression ratio is the ratio of the cylinder’s maximum volume to its minimum volume. In diesel engines, this ratio is higher, implying that the diesel piston extends to the very top of the cylinder.
In a gasoline engine, the piston comes to a standstill just short of the top of the cylinder.
Due to the lack of a spark plug in the diesel engine, the piston travels all the way to the top of the cylinder to close the gap and increase compression.
As previously stated, diesel fuel is denser and contains 39.6 MegaJoules/liter of energy, whilst gasoline contains 33.7 MegaJoules/liter of energy.
This means that as more diesel fuel is used, more energy is transmitted to the pistons, increasing the torque on the crankshaft.
Because the piston in a diesel engine advances to the top of the cylinder, the stroke length is longer, and because torque equals force times distance, we have higher torque.
Diesel engines employ air compression to combust fuel, and with a higher compression rate, the fuel burns faster, increasing torque levels.
The diesel engine’s longer strokes allow the piston to travel a greater distance, producing more force or pressure. The more cylinder pressure is created, the more torque the wheels receive.
To compensate for the loss of horsepower, diesel engines are turbocharged. It increases the volume of air that enters the engine, resulting in increased compression.
This increases the torque by increasing the pressure in the cylinders. Because diesel engines require a healthy amount of air intake, all modern diesel engines are fitted with turbocharging technology.
Diesel turbochargers are adjusted for a significantly greater boost pressure to reduce pumping losses during the intake stroke, allowing the engine to convert energy more efficiently.
There are a few reasons why a diesel engine produces more torque than a gasoline engine, as mentioned above. However, the primary takeaway from all of this is that nothing is all-encompassing. The torque of a gasoline-powered engine is lacking, but it makes up for it in horsepower.
Similarly, a diesel-powered engine would always struggle to increase horsepower but compensates for it by increasing torque, which may enable the potato farmer in Idaho pull a few tons of potatoes, for example.
Diesel engines were meant to move very large weights in the past, whereas gas-powered engines were developed for activities that required a higher power-to-weight ratio, which is why diesel engines are rarely found in supercars.
Is rolling coal bad for Turbo?
Frequently, we are asked why a perfectly good diesel vehicle isn’t working “Making black smoke or “rolling coal.” The basic answer is that the fact that no black smoke is visible is a good thing. There should be no smoke coming from a properly working diesel engine. Black smoke, among other things, indicates a shortage of oxygen.
Newer common-rail trucks may produce over 1,000 horsepower while emitting almost no smoke.
Black smoke from diesel trucks can be fun at a diesel sled pulling competition, but it’s unnecessary on the road and usually indicates restricted air, overfueling, or a turbocharger that can’t keep up with the demand for air.
Sled pullers require a lot of gasoline and a lot of air, which is why you see black smoke emerging from a diesel sled pulling truck. It takes a long time for the turbos they utilize to spool up because they are so large. To spool up a huge turbo, you’ll need a lot of fuel. As a result, these trucks must perform at the line “Before the green light turns green, “roll coal” in front of it for a long period to obtain the boost to appropriate levels. When a large amount of gasoline is introduced at low RPM before boost is created, the engine is unable to burn the entire amount of fuel, resulting in smoke.
Under typical operating situations, a properly running diesel engine in good condition should create no visible smoke from the exhaust. Due to the lag before the turbocharger speed and air flow can match the volume of diesel delivered into the cylinders, a little puff of smoke when an engine is accelerated under load may be acceptable. That would only apply to older diesel engines; contemporary diesels should emit no smoke at all.
Diesel engines frequently produce black smoke. It shows that the diesel fuel was burned poorly and incompletely – either because there was too much fuel or not enough air.
The black smoke contains particulates, which are huge diesel particles that would typically be burned as fuel. Any way you look at it, a diesel vehicle on the road spewing black smoke isn’t going to provide you the best performance or mileage.
Black smoke can appear throughout the operating range, but it is most common at maximum power or during the lag before the turbocharger boosts air supply to meet the fuel demand, such as during acceleration and gear changes. Moderate turbo lag smoke is okay; otherwise, in a properly operating engine, black smoke should be hardly visible.
The following are some of the sources of black smoke created by diesel engines:
Do diesel or petrol engines last longer?
When deciding which car to buy, you may have to make a decision about which engine to get. So, is it going to be diesel or gasoline? Diesel engines are well-known for their superior fuel economy, and some even claim they are better for the environment. So, which is the better option? We’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of each in this article. We’ll also address the crucial subject of whether diesel or gasoline engines endure longer.
Pros of diesel engines
- If you drive lengthy distances, they are more cost-effective. It’s not a given that diesel engines are more cost-effective. In fact, if you frequently travel short distances, such as to the store or to pick up the kids from school. Then a gasoline engine is almost probably the more cost-effective choice. However, if you regularly spend hours commuting up and down the highway. A diesel engine, on the other hand, would provide you greater mileage for your money. A typical diesel engine generates about 30% higher fuel economy than a gasoline engine.
- Diesel engines are regarded to be better for the environment because they have a higher fuel economy. Although the emissions they emit are dirtier than those produced by a gasoline engine, they can be regarded more environmentally beneficial because they provide more miles for the same amount of pollution.
They are more effective. A strong fuel injection system is used in diesel engines. This implies they’re more responsive and have more torque than their gasoline-powered equivalents.
Cons of diesel engines
- Cars that run on diesel are more expensive. If you choose to buy a diesel car, you may expect to pay an extra £2000 on top of the vehicle’s advertised price. This may render any fuel economy benefits obsolete, so keep this in mind when making your decision.
- Diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline. While you get more miles for your money, the cost of fuel is higher, which causes some consumers to doubt the cost savings.
- Not all automobile models are available in diesel, so if you have your heart set on a specific make and model, you may be out of luck if it isn’t available.
For a long time, transportation experts have predicted that diesel automobiles will be phased out in the United Kingdom. This is because the government is under pressure to prioritize air pollution reduction. The government wants to get rid of diesel cars from Britain’s roads by 2030. They have announced a scrappage program for diesel vehicle owners, which would begin in 2017. In this blog, we discuss whether or not diesel cars will be phased out.
Pros of petrol engines
- At the pump, gasoline is less expensive than diesel. Not only that, but petrol automobiles have always been less expensive to purchase in general.
- Some people prefer a petrol car’s quiet and refined driving experience over a diesel car’s.
Are diesel cars really more environmentally friendly?
Until January 2017, the government had led the way in promoting the use of diesel automobiles, claiming that they are 20% more efficient and hence better for the environment. Diesel engines emit twice as much hazardous nitrogen dioxide as their gasoline counterparts, which had not been considered. The government reversed its position in January, claiming that diesel engines are really worse for the environment and that measures will be implemented to restrict the number of diesel automobiles on British roads. Outdoor air pollution is responsible for 40% of deaths from stroke and heart disease, and nitrogen dioxide adds to certain serious health difficulties. According to Defra, nitrogen dioxide pollution causes 4% more deaths in the UK, or roughly 23,500 additional deaths per year.
So, do diesel or petrol engines last longer?
Diesel engines are more durable than gasoline engines. Diesel is a light oil that lubricates engine parts when burned and utilized as fuel by a vehicle. The engine’s life is extended as a result of this. Petrol is a detergent that removes oil from the engine’s components, causing it to wear out faster.
A petrol engine may typically go between 250,000 and 300,000 kilometers before it begins to burn oil and wear out. A diesel engine may easily travel 500,000 kilometers and still have room to go. Most mechanics estimate that if your diesel engine is properly maintained, it will last for 30 years on the road. (Image courtesy of The Globe and Mail)
Diesel engines endure longer, but they are more expensive to maintain. This is due in part to the complicated fuel pump, which is costly to fix or replace. A diesel car’s engine filters must be changed on a regular basis, and they can cost up to £100 apiece.
Will a diesel car be cheaper to lease?
As a result of the diesel scrappage scheme, a direct correlation between engine type and lease pricing is anticipated to become increasingly widespread. The residual value of the vehicle determines the lease price. The estimated value of the car at the end of the lease contract is known as the residual value. Until recently, diesel cars had a higher residual value and were thus less expensive to lease. Because the government is attempting to diminish the popularity of diesel vehicles, it is expected that the residual value of a diesel vehicle will be lower, resulting in a larger lease payment.
Why are diesel cars more expensive to insure?
Diesel cars are typically 10-15% more expensive than their gasoline counterparts. Diesel vehicles have higher average repair costs, which affects insurance premiums. Furthermore, insurers are required to include overall replacement costs in your premiums. As diesel automobiles are more expensive to purchase, this will increase your insurance rate in the event of theft.
Because insurance must consider in the greater overall replacement cost of a diesel if it is stolen, diesel automobiles have higher average accident repair costs overall.
In Conclusion
Choosing between a gasoline or diesel car used to be a considerably more difficult decision. However, new government laws and a forecast drop in the popularity of diesel cars over the next 25 years are causing concern. It might be a simpler choice. If you drive a lot of miles, a diesel car will still be the most cost-effective option. If you aren’t concerned about the car’s long-term resale worth. Alternatively, if you want to lease an automobile. Then diesel may still be a more cost-effective option than gasoline for you. However, if you don’t drive a lot of miles or are concerned about your car’s environmental impact, a petrol, hybrid, or electric vehicle will be the better option.
Is rolling coal considered assault?
Out-of-state drivers cannot be reported to the NCTCOG, and those that are reported do not receive a penalty or citation as a result of their actions.
When a car is reported for excessive emissions, the driver is given a letter “encouraging” the owner to “have the vehicle checked out by their technician and to voluntarily repair it,” according to the council’s website.
According to the Houston Chronicle, while “rolling coal” is not prohibited in Texas, some state authorities believe it should be.
“‘Rolling coal’ when a person is nearby and the individual ‘rolling coal’ intentionally or knowingly causes extra exhaust to hit that bystander is at the very least an assault,” Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis stated on Facebook.