Random Videos

[BlueR32]

Have to, but my lap time was in the 12 minute range.

Oh, and the track was wet:

@Uwe, yeah, yeah, yeah we've heard all the excuses before! I didn't record my times but they did improve after memorizing the first 10 turns... only 63 turns left to memorize.

 

[Uwe]

I didn't record my times but they did improve after memorizing the first 10 turns... only 63 turns left to memorize.

One lap was shotgun, and then I drove one lap, so not really much chance to memorize turns. Oh, and the car was a VR6 Golf that didn't belong to me, and I didn't want to to risk damaging it.

-Uwe-

 

[Uwe]

Neat: VCDS running on a Mac, using WINE, no Windows at all:

H/T @Jef

However, expecting Mac users to open Terminal might be a bridge too far?

-Uwe-

 

[BlueR32]

One lap was shotgun, and then I drove one lap, so not really much chance to memorize turns. Oh, and the car was a VR6 Golf that didn't belong to me, and I didn't want to to risk damaging it.

-Uwe-

It takes a LOT of laps at The Ring before anyone can really begin to memorize the track. Even the pros admit it's a tough track to tame - but it sure is fun.

I understand that quite a few rental cars have been totaled at The Ring so much so that the car rental agencies hired people to photograph license plates at The Ring.

 

[Uwe]

It takes a LOT of laps at The Ring before anyone can really begin to memorize the track. Even the pros admit it's a tough track to tame - but it sure is fun.

It absolutely is fun. Heck, I flew all the way to Germany for that, for a get-together with a bunch of people who I knew on-line:

That's me in the green sweater on the far right. A younger me, in 1999.

And here's their cars all lined up:

But... That trip led to me building my very first diagnostic interface, and then to VAG-COM, so it was more than worth it.

-Uwe-

 

[BlueR32]

@Uwe - NICE !!! We were all younger in 1999.

 

[lykuno]

Neat: VCDS running on a Mac, using WINE, no Windows at all:

H/T @Jef

However, expecting Mac users to open Terminal might be a bridge too far?

-Uwe-

Interesting solution, and I can see there may be some reluctance for Mac users to do the required software installations. Particularly when there are caveats mentioned like the one here related to the installation of Rosetta:



Any Mac users contemplating running VCDS on their Apple Silicone Macs might want to review this article on the support.apple.com website. Here's an excerpt that caught my attention:

"Rosetta is currently available for any Mac with Apple silicon, and it will remain available through the forthcoming macOS 27 — the next major macOS release. Starting with computers using macOS 28, Rosetta functionality will be available only for certain older, unmaintained games that rely on Intel-based frameworks."

While I'd consider trying this installation, I'm going to wait to see what other users experience.

 

[Uwe]

Some VCDS content here:

-Uwe-

 

[BlueR32]

The Motor Oil Geek has done some interesting testing of Diesel fuel additives including lubrication and cetane changes. If you follow the video to the end you may be surprised at the conclusion.

 

[Uwe]

If you follow the video to the end you may be surprised at the conclusion.

Buying only "Premium" diesel from a trusted supplier is all well and good if you only use your diesel vehicle locally and actually have such a supplier.

At our cabin in the Blue Ridge, there's an Exxon station in town. But guess what? The diesel fuel is they sell is not Exxon branded stuff (and neither is their ethanol-free gasoline). Only their conventional (E10) gasoline is Exxon branded stuff.

And what if you use your diesel vehicle like I do (1000+ mile trips) and buy fuel "on the road"? Are you really going to take the time and make the effort to find "premium" diesel? I buy diesel at Sheetz, QT/QuikTrip, or occasionally at RaceTrac. So I think I'll continue to use an additive.

FWIW, I like Diesel Kleen.

-Uwe-

 

[BlueR32]

@Uwe - I think the point of the video is for those who have the option of buying "Premium Diesel" it may be cheaper and better than using additives. Obviously if you don't have the option then using an effective additive would be the next choice. Without scientific testing consumers have no means to really know what the "magic in a bottle" actually does. As with engine oil additives, clearly some fuel additives are a waste of money and or even a possible detriment to an engine.

 

[Dana]

We have the normal white bottle additive for the tractor but I didn't realize they make this:

Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide Treatment

This dual-phased biocide kills microbes in fuel, including bacteria and fungus. Use this to rid your diesel fuel system of microbial contamination.

powerservice.com

The Kubota educated us on science project level fuel tank slime last year and that was messy. We were able to deal with it without fuel tank removal but I should order some of that!

 

[Bruce]

The Kubota educated us on science project level fuel tank slime last year

We have not had that issue with the Mountain machines. I guess the Barn keeps that under control.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

I use this with every fillup.... even though there's been discussions about how it's snake oil, does nothing, provides no benefits, etc.....
I trust whatever is in the bottle more than I trust all the shady fuel station owners to actually maintain their tanks\pumps\filters as required.....
I could be wasting my money, but it's marginal in comparison to what a modern CR diesel fuel system failure costs, even if you were to somehow successfully be able to prove that a station supplied crappy fuel, etc. (and thus have them on the hook for the repair bill)

 

[davisev5225]

I use this with every fillup.... even though there's been discussions about how it's snake oil, does nothing, provides no benefits, etc.....

A lot of people say the same stupid things about Marvel Mystery Oil, not understanding that Marvel isn't for making your oil "better", it's for cleaning your engine's oil passages and breaking up sludge. It's primarily kerosene (or something that's kerosene-adjacent) with some extra detergents and solvents added, so it's REALLY good at breaking up sludge and dissolving carbon deposits without breaking off chunks. I use it any time I want to do a thorough flush of my oil system rather than just change the oil, usually a couple times a year. They even make one specifically designed not to ruin synthetic oils now!

Looking at the MDS for the Standadyne additive you posted, I see petroleum distillates (probably for lubrication purposes), various Ethalyne and Ethylhexyl additives to improve combustion and reduce knocking, heavy aromatic Naphtha to act as a detergent/solvent, and three variations of Trimethylbenzeneto act as additional solvents. Seems like a solid diesel additive package to me, I'd keep using it if I were you.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Seems like a solid diesel additive package to me, I'd keep using it if I were you.

I intend to do so.... It's been religiously used in my previous (2L) CJAA, and continues to be used in my current (3L) CNRB & CPNB.
No fuel system issues thus far, so even if placebo effect, still worth it.

 

[Crasher]

And now to lower the tone

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Dark

 

[BlueR32]

SICK !

 

[BlueR32]

IMO, one of the very best looking Porsche race cars of all time!

The best part is the last two minutes when he gets on a dry track.