diesel or gas

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by jjarky

Actually its, "I couldn't care less". Unless you actually care..

[wmhjr]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Having owned and operated large diesel boats -- with 1000 gallon (not a typo - One thousand gallon) fuel tanks... everything he is saying about dirty fuel is absolutely the truth.

So I can see a truck that isn't getting used much - or buys fuel from a depot that doesn't pump much - getting seriously contaminated. And that spells Ex$pen$ive repairs.

Greg, I agree with you but not in the same way. I'm extremely familiar with diesels and own a bunch (only 1 is a truck, the rest are relatively heavy equipment). I've personally experienced fuel contamination more than once. Not too long ago, just finished a total rebuild on a international 3cyl during a dozer restoration.

What I don't agree with is the premise that 69myway made, first insinuating that poor design was the result of the expensive repairs, and second that an '08 stock truck, used and maintained normally, would encounter this. They don't store 1000gals. The explanation simply doesn't jive to me. It just seems like data being used out of context. I'll ask again - how many diesel owners on this site have experienced these issues? How about some more actual feedback from this board?

As mentioned already, I have seen a bunch of people get in trouble with newer diesels in particular trying to run biodiesel. Frankly, ive run into issues with some of my other diesels but I always refused to put it in my truck. Newer high pressure injection systems are pretty darned picky.

I would have to guess that most of my diesels get used maybe twice a month. Year round. My truck gets used sporadically. Sometimes it's veer frequent but then it could go weeks without being touched. Of the probably 75 or so people I personally know that have diesel light trucks I'd guess that at least 50% use them during the summer only on weekends, and NEVER all winter. Have there been problems? Sure. A very small number have had to replace lift pumps, and sometimes injectors, etc. I will also say that most of those were on more heavily modified trucks with bigger turbos, full programmers, etc. None replaced fuel tanks.

230k miles.

The point is that this is not an emotional topic. 69myway claims to just want to "educate people" and I would simply prefer a less biased and more transparent process.

[PhilR]

Originally Posted by wmhjr

I'll ask again - how many diesel owners on this site have experienced these issues? How about some more actual feedback from this board?

115K on my daily driver 2007 5.9 Ram. Most of it has been between 500 - 600 RWH depending on modifications and tuning. One of the first mods was a $600 lift pump and fuel filtration system. The same filtration system could have probably easily prevented the previously mentioned example of complete fuel system failure, and should be considered standard equipment for anyone considering running anything other than clean, brand name diesel #2.

No major issues from any of my stock parts except for a computer module failure that was fixed under warranty.

The weak spots in modern diesel trucks have been found and can be easily bullet proofed with some homework and aftermarket parts.

[TT302Z28]

Just my $.02....I have a 2001 2500hd Duramax 4x4. This truck has been in the family since new and just crossed 200k. Since new it has needed the following:

Water pump

Front right hub assembly replaced

Oil

Fuel

Washer fluid

Tires.

This truck has not lived an easy life. We have towed and off roared the truck like we hate it and it keeps on going. I have carried a long bed cab over in my short bed while towing a boat behind and still out climb the hills compared to cars!

If you are ever going to tow buy the duramax! It is a heavier duty truck with an engine, trans and cooling system meant for heavy loads.

I have used my buddies 2004 2500hd that has a 6.0l engine. It is not as fun to drive, gets worse mileage and really sucks to tow with. I get 15+mpg loaded or not.

Granted, I'm coming up on the recommended head gasket change for my model engine due to a head gasket design defect in the first gen duramax engines. Big deal after little to no trouble and 200k. Worth every penny to keep this level of useable power.

[Silver69Camaro]

Man, all these problems I've been reading about newer diesels make me glad I have an 7.3L Powerstroke. Parts are cheap, good power, good economy, and very long lasting.

[JKnight]

I just had the FICM (Fuel injection control module) go out on my 06 F350. It's basically a circuit board that converts 12v to 48v so that the 48v signal can drive the injectors. Rather than do a Ford replacement, I am using an aftermarket piece that costs half as much and uses a 58v signal which drives the injectors a bit more....vigorously.

This is one of the very few issues I've had with the 6.0L (so far). The $450 part stings the wallet a bit, but it could be much worse. The upside is I should be able to turn this part failure into a slight upgrade in HP, Torque, and MPG. Again, it could be worse...

[JKnight]

Originally Posted by Silver69Camaro

Man, all these problems I've been reading about newer diesels make me glad I have an 7.3L Powerstroke. Parts are cheap, good power, good economy, and very long lasting.

I really do miss the simplicity of the 7.3L. And when tuned properly, they make great power. Upside is I sold it to my dad so it'll never be too far away.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by JKnight

I just had the FICM (Fuel injection control module) go out on my 06 F350. It's basically a circuit board that converts 12v to 48v so that the 48v signal can drive the injectors. Rather than do a Ford replacement, I am using an aftermarket piece that costs half as much and uses a 58v signal which drives the injectors a bit more....vigorously.

This is one of the very few issues I've had with the 6.0L (so far). The $450 part stings the wallet a bit, but it could be much worse. The upside is I should be able to turn this part failure into a slight upgrade in HP, Torque, and MPG. Again, it could be worse...

Thats the part that I just replaced in my '06 F350... but I paid $1200 for the factory version (including R&R). I was on the road in So Cal towing the trailer so wouldn't have been able to shop for anything else even if I'd have known there was a better version! The best thing was - it didn't leave me F.O.R.D. -- I was able to drive to a hotel and to the dealership the next morning. So I was happy about that!