Choosing Gasoline or Diesel Powered?

hottubkid wrote:
Johnny, Doesn't a diesels Require more maintance and can a handy person do it. I have very little problem with a gas engine even with the new engines but am concerned about diesels???????????

My answer is I don't think so. In terms of the engine the routine preventive maintenance tasks are very similar in terms of skill requirements. There are a few additional tasks to learn but its not brain surgery. In most instances the biggest challenge is the logistics In General there are more filters, and more fluids to contend with. For example My engine holds 7.3 Gallons roughly 29 quarts of oil. The interval for change is every 18,000 miles.

Below are some categories that I have made some meager comments to...Hopefully folks will amplify on them.

Engine
Same as gasoline engine just not as often in my case and dealing with the volume of oil going in and coming out is a challenge. On some engines the valves will need a periodic adjustment

Cooling system
Most diesels will have a coolant filter and will require that the coolant be tested using test strips to insure that the level of SCA's is appropriate

Those coaches with a rear radiator will be more susceptible to blow by and will need to be cleaned

Brakes
Diesel coaches will have air brakes which have slack adjusters that in some instances will require some maintenance

Exhaust brake
Does require periodic lubrication

Air System
Most newer diesels will have auto air purging to expel moister but will need to be purged manually periodically and have a convalescing filter

Transmission
My transmission has two filters and the procedure is somewhat more complex in terms of changing

Chassis
Ride height will have to be checked and adjusted if necessary but it is not a difficult procedure.

I believe there are a few more lube points

Fuel System
Some will have two filters to change the procedure is somewhat different than on a Gasoline engine/

Belts and hoses
I have a serpentine belt and a regular belt to change

Suspension

Air Filter
The tend to be larger and do require a bit more time to change.. Also much more expensive. It Takes me about 30 minutes start to finish and does require tools to make the change.

In terms of access as was mentioned by another poster contrasting my experience of working on a class A gasoline motorhome. I would say that the access is far better on a side radiator diesel than any gasoline class A I have ever had my hands on. I have never owned a rear radiator diesel but on a side radiator access for routine maintenance is unfettered.


JohnnyT