diesel or gas

[69MyWay]

I work in a vehicle research department. One of the things we track are failure rates and defects with various trucks - especially considering diesel issues.

Let me tell you this - when a diesel breaks - it is expensive. The fuel system is the weak link. Diesel fuel is dirty by nature - has water and dirt in it right out of the pump. As you know, diesel engines have water in fuel filter systems. It is CRUCIAL these are drained and serviced regular. Failure to do so will kill the truck.

Both the later model Dodge and Ford trucks will cost you between $12,000 to $14,000 when the fuel system goes. The pump, high lift pump, injectors and assemblies will set you back this much in a heartbeat.

This begs the huge question on buying used or new. We know new diesel trucks are nuts on the price. However, if you buy used and you DON'T know the service history - you better have plenty in reserve to deal with a failure.

Dodge has a real problem on the Cummins and came out with a SEVERE duty filter kit-translation - they don't make an adequate factory filter so the injection system gets wrecked and costs you...$12K to fix. They won't warranty fuel related issues. In fact, Dodge has a WIF track that stores how long you have driven with the WIF light on. THis is designed to avoid paying warranty claims where the owner is not taking care fo the vehicle.

Check out how serious they are about this:

NUMBER: 14-002-10GROUP: FuelDATE: February 11, 2010THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 14-003-09 REV. A, DATED OCTOBER 21,2009, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. ALL REVISIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDE A NEW PART.SUBJECT:Heavy Duty Filtration - MOPAR Retrofit or Add On Parts AvailableMODELS:2003 - 2009 (D1/DH)

Ram Truck (2500/3500 Pick Up)2007 - 2009 (DC)
Ram Truck (3500 Cab Chassis)NOTE:


This bulletin applies to DI/DH/DR vehicles equipped with a 5.9L Cummins engine built from 2003 model year (sales codes ETH, ETC) and DI/DH/DC vehicles equipped with a 6.7L Cummins engine built from 2007 model year (sales code ETJ).DISCUSSION:Several fuel system add-on or retrofit parts are available to enhance the filtering capability for customers exposing their vehicles to extremely dirty conditions.Description of parts available for Cummins diesel equipped vehicles are listed below: ^


6.7L up-graded (5 & 10 micron filter-in-filter) fuel filter to retrofit earlier models (shell and element). ^ 6.7L Element only, fuel filter. ^ 5.9L & 6.7L Add-on or up-graded fuel tank vent hose kit with vent cap. ** Filter for fuel tank vent hose, (replaces vent cap) **. ^ 5.9L up-graded air filter. This filter is similar in design to the current 6.7L air filter.NOTE: Do not sell pin 05183410AA. Use 68061633AA shell and filter.NOTE: The maintenance intervals for the fuel filter has a 15,000 mile service requirement or more often as needed.