Technical Problems Associated with Diesel Fuels in Interstate Coach Operation

The quality and availability of diesel fuel has so nearly kept pace with the development of the diesel engine in interstate coach service that one would almost be inclined to say that there were no problems. When one thinks back to the early years of the diesel engine in this type of service, it is impossible not to feel that the progress in the development of the two-cycle engine, and the evolution of specifications leading to present-day fuels, indicate that the development of the two must be closely related. Stuck valves, broken and burned pistons, and stuck and broken rings were some of the early problems most closely related to fuel. Of course, it is impossible to separate lubrication problems from the fuel in this type of failure. In fact, it is impossible to say that they were not sometimes related to the mechanical failures that so often occurred during the same period and which, because of their nature, could not be separated or definitely identified as being caused purely by one thing or another. In any case, the interstate coach services did elect to stay with the diesel engine through these early years, in spite of the problems attendant upon a nonmilitary operation in the midst of a major war. During those years, the oil suppliers always managed to supply the needs of these companies not only for diesel fuel but for gasoline as well; they supplied the best quality fuel that was at their command while keeping in mind, of course, that winning the war was the primary objective.