Engine Cost?

[raptor213]

There is a heat exchanger as part of the cooled exhaust gas recirculation system. If isolated coolant fluid or radiatior fluid or similar is not incorporated in the EGR cooler, then I imagine engine oil is circulated through that device to provide the necessary cooling.

That might explain both the higher volume/quantity of oil in circulation and perhaps the presence of an oil cooler?

 

[xtspode]

I've worked on enough air cooled engines. 2/3 of the cooling is actually through the oil cooler.
(Auto and airplane engines)

Liquid cooled engines rarely need an oil cooler unless it's very high performance.

I can't imagine the Elio requiring an oil cooler.
I'd also like confirmation of the 6qt capacity. It seems a bit high.

I agree you are correct in your cooling statements. The only good reason I can see for the extra oil is the one given regarding the fiero. The oil was a little tough to check on that car and some ignored it too much. The Elio will not have that problem.

Until Paul delivers the goods, all we can do to pass the time is to speculate on the details and keep cheering him on. Go Elio!!

 

[xtspode]

There is a heat exchanger as part of the cooled exhaust gas recirculation system. If isolated coolant fluid or radiatior fluid or similar is not incorporated in the EGR cooler, then I imagine engine oil is circulated through that device to provide the necessary cooling.

That might explain both the higher volume/quantity of oil in circulation and perhaps the presence of an oil cooler?

Good observation on the heat exchanger. We may get to the bottom of this yet.

 

[wizard of ahs]

I too find it hard to believe that the E would have a 6 qt capacity. .....
My 1L smart holds just over 3 qt ....I change it every 5K and have over 120K on the clock

 

[Ekh]

I too find it hard to believe that the E would have a 6 qt capacity. .....
My 1L smart holds just over 3 qt ....I change it every 5K and have over 120K on the clock

is your smart running a high-compression engine? 6 quarts seems high to me, too, but we can be certain EM isn't doing it for amusements' sake. I suspect Raptor has it right.

 

[Bert]

Hmm. Possibly, longer stroke = better "splash" oiling for the cylinder walls? Extra oil = plentiful reservoir??

 

[W. WIllie]

As far as using an "oil cooled EGR system" goes. That is something used on a lot of diesel engines.
Lots of problems and expensive maintenance.
Reason to use? "It has been shown to produce a 2-5% increase in mpg."
I've never seen that system on a std. gasoline engine.

Willie

 

[FeuersteinShawn]

I re-lisened to this week's presentation by Paul Elio. He confirmed something -- that the Elio has a built-in gross margin of 23%, which is about $1,000 per car. Take that out of 7,300 and you get 6,300. If the engine is 10% of the cost (which is normal for the industry), that means the engine costs $630 or so, and should sell for about $800 or so. They'll mark that up for replacement engines, so figure $1,000 to $1,200. Not too bad!

I wish I knew what Linamar thinks they can build the engines for. Kind of a key number both for the success of the overseas market, and for Elio's actual profitability. It should cost Linamar $400 - 500, which is AMAZINGLY cheap -- they must be confident they can really churn those puppies out.

So the price of a Honda engine.. Not bad .. But not great

 

[Ekh]

So the price of a Honda engine.. Not bad .. But not great

Say some more please.

 

[FeuersteinShawn]

Say some more please.

Just saying 1,500 for a 1.7L Honda engine for a car that cost $16,000 civic.I got 250,000 before rebuilding top end. It now has 500,000 on the lower end. I hope the 3 cylinder gets 250,000 for $700.