Hypoxia and Medicine

How well would a diesel engine run at high altitudes, say at 5000m?

Specifically a Nissan Patrol travelling through the Tibetan Plateau.

Public Comments

1. Turbo charged diesel should do ok. 4.2 liter diesel will really loose power at the high altitude.
2. I don't know about this vehicle but some light aircraft are now diesel powered eg. turbo diesel Diamond DA40, and some WW2 bombers were also(Junkers?); so it is possible to operate at reduced air pressure.
3. I drive my diesel to over 3000 m altitude with no problems - we have the highest road in Europe near here. You may wish to think about winter additives to guard against fuel waxing at 5000 m though. You do lose a bit of power but not significant.
4. A non-turbo engine will suffer power loss and inefficient fuel burn. A turbo-charged engine should suffer less.