Another post got me thinking about something: the recent reliability of 3/4 and one ton diesels...
Here is my thoughts. I live in Colorado, and Diesels are EVERYWHERE out here. They are so superior for towing heavy loads in the mountains almost every single horse person has a diesel. Many of my friends have diesels.
There is no doubt in my mind that Diesels have more longetivity than their gas counterparts, however as a whole (not one single manufacturer) it seems that if you talk to diesel owners with trucks from roughly 2000-present with trucks with 10-100K miles they have more engine problems than their gas counterparts. Things like injector problems, lifter pumps, auto-tranny failures, etc, etc...Again, there is no doubt once the bugs get worked out the diesels will last longer, but it sure seems that once the big-three started really racing to have the newest, biggest, baddest diesel their reliability records have suffered.
Not bashing diesels, no doubt the best tool for serious horse towing, just curious if other people have noticed and thought the same thing?
Posted 2006-08-22 2:39 PM (#47135 - in reply to #47134) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: La Crosse, WI - God's Country
Another trend to add to the all-you-can-eat food for thought buffet is the trend towards complexity...
In order to get more power out of them and still comply with emissions - think how much more complicated they've gotten:
Variable Gate & multi stage Turbos
Inline 6 to V8 with larger displacement
Common Rail fuel injection
12-24 valve migration for Cummins
much, much more...
Complexity usually means more stuff to break. That's why I went with the simpler of the designs - inline 6!
Posted 2006-08-22 3:16 PM (#47141 - in reply to #47134) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
Unfortunatly you only hear the bad stories.Some of the trucks I work on have 200000+ miles on them and still going strong.There are issues with all of them that come out,however I would choose a diesel any time over gas with one exception.
I didn't tow often.Then gas is ok.
you also have the add ons for more power....they can create problems themselves.
Yes a diesel requires more attention but if treated right will last for years.
Pulling power...no comparison...Just keep on top of it and it will treat you fine.
Posted 2006-08-22 9:48 PM (#47173 - in reply to #47134) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: La Crosse, WI - God's Country
I fully expect to get 200k miles with my truck - and agree that the only way to get that is with routine maintenance and keeping an eye out for problem areas. My only concern is that since diesels have had more "consumer appeal" that the standards have perhaps been lower - sacrificing long term durability (which many of these trucks will never see in terms of 200k plus miles) for the sake of performance numbers.
Posted 2006-08-23 3:47 AM (#47178 - in reply to #47134) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Try some GASSER forums.Issues also.Cracked exhaust manifolds and heads due to high heat towing big loads.FORDS again with blowing spark plugs out of the cyl.heads and taking plug threads with them.Trans failures etc.Your are CORRECT about issues and power/performance wars.New technolodgy added every year thats not proven.EPA also has a big hand in this also.
Posted 2006-08-23 8:39 AM (#47193 - in reply to #47134) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: La Crosse, WI - God's Country
I hope that Ford gets their act together... The problems with the first two years of the 6.0 plagued what should've been a great truck.
I still say that the ideal truck would be a Ford crew cab (I'm 6'8 - roominess is nice) with a Cummins engine and the Allison tranny. IFS might be nice from the GM for a smooooth ride. While I'm at it I'll go for broke and wish for REAL Dana axles!
Posted 2006-08-23 12:32 PM (#47231 - in reply to #47193) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
I know mine is a "before 2000" truck but I have 230,000 miles on it and she is running very strong. I have every intention to get half a million miles out of her. She is paid for which is the best part, but as you stated I keep up with regular maintainance, I have filters everywhere (oil bypass, fuel, coolant, tranmission and a massive air filter). Have had the injector o-rings replaced, glow plugs replaced, water pump replaced, fuel lines replaced, and the tranny rebuilt twice (it's an e40d so it's to be expected) Change oil every 10K, tranny fluid every 30K and coolant every 60K religiously. Keep an eye on the coolant additive. I get aboout 17.5 mpg in the city and about 19 mpg on the hwy unloaded. 13 mpg on the hwy loaded. One thing I want to put in it is an intercooler and that will come soon.
Lots of work but it's worth it to me. When this engine dies my plans are to either get it rebuilt or have a Cummins put in it (they make a kit for one) It will be a hell of alot cheaper than a new truck.
Posted 2006-08-23 12:35 PM (#47232 - in reply to #47134) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Their still having issues.Not as bad but still.I read the Diesel Stop daily.Then I found a comsumer discussion on Ford gassers concerning the ruined cyl.heads on the 4.6,5.4 and V10s.Lots of them blowing spark plugs out,taking the threads with them and some punching a hole through the high pressure fuel rails lines and burning to the ground.Comments like when the LITTLE shop in nowhere USA I towed my vehicle(Ford truck,suv with wife,kids,travel trailer) in SAYS seen a fair amount of these before etc.
Posted 2006-08-23 1:01 PM (#47239 - in reply to #47231) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
Yea on the coolant addative...most of the powerstrokes that go in for rebuilt are scrapped due to cavatation in the cylinders and they are scrap.
Cummins offers a salvage sleeve for the B series so if a cylinder is bad you can press a liner in and salvage it.It is remarkable that the only bearing on the cam is up front the rest are just the castiron block.
I have rebuilt 3 of the Cummins using the sleeves to repair cracked cylinders.
The injectors and glowplugs are not too hard to change on the 7.3 it just looks difficult !
Alot of diesels still have the crosshatch showing in the cylinders they just failed du to cracks from coolant loss and overheating.Even the bearings look real good.
Posted 2006-08-25 5:04 PM (#47423 - in reply to #47134) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I have a 2001 F350 w/ the 7.3L diesel and love the truck for pulling. It has the second generation (of three possibilites) transmission that was poorly matched for a diesel engine. I have about 65k miles on the truck, 100k mile extended warranty so will take the tranny rebuild if it goes before 100k miles, if after, I'm looking at an aftermarket replacement such as Monsterbox or BTS (been spending some time on Diesel Stop). Looking at putting a temp guage on the tranny now just to see what's going on down there when I am pulling.
Hubby drives a 2006 E450 (cube van) with the 6.0L diesel and he loves it. Wants me to sell the F350 and get an F450. Just bought a LQ trailer so I think that's enough spending for one year.
We use a fuel additive recommended by our Ford dealer service manager who pulls a horse trailer that boosts MPG by 2-3 MPG. I think fuel addiitives will become more important with the new ultra low sulfer diesel.
Posted 2006-08-30 9:27 AM (#47625 - in reply to #47135) Subject: RE: Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
Veteran
Posts: 202 Location: North Texas
To meet the 2007 emissions standards . . . GMC/Chevy will utilize a Diesel Particulate Filter. Don't know if Ford and Dodge will use the same technology.
Read about 2007 GMC/Chevy Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) here >>>
Diesel reliability, since roughly 2000.....
I LOVE MY TRUCK
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