This is NOT another thread about gas vs. diesel. This is a new diesel owner with some questions.1st, just purchased 2013 Ram Crew Cab long bed with 6.7 Cummins diesel engine.My history, I have been driving gas 1500 Ram 4 doors short beds for 20 years. They were the family SUV's if you will.Now that I'm going FT RV with a new 5th wheel, diesel was the way to go (heck it's even cheaper than regular gas now, so the only way to go in my mind)This is the 1st diesel truck I have ever owned and I have been Googling like crazy to find out everything I can about maintenance and upkeep for the engine. Seems like every article out there was put out by someone who's product is better than anyone else's so I should buy it.I really would just like to know...what fuel additive(s) and how often? What is the life span for the injectors? I know diesels don't have spark plugs (used to refer to them as glow plugs for the 18 wheelers, is it still the same?)Owners manual really is worthless except for basic "idiot" items, of which when it comes to diesel engines I guess I am one. I didn't even know about DEF until I noticed 2 "fuel" gauges on the dash (yah, laugh, I can now without shame :o )Anyway, I just want to make sure that I have an understanding of how to keep this is the best shape for normal driving/towing so it will last a long time. I can follow the manufacturer recommendations for scheduled maintenance, but want to be treating the best in between. Anyway TIA for anyone that takes the time, all opinions are valid

Additives not necessary. Change fuel filter on schedule and buy your diesel from high volume stations.

I don't use any additives, except for whatever the stations use to make winter blend fuel in the cold months if that counts. With the amount of miles I drive, oil filters are changed every 6 months and fuel filters once a year. Draining and flushing other fluids will be per the maintenance schedule in the manual. Beyond that there's not much too it except for the normal stuff like replacing tires and batteries and such.I'm not sure what you're getting at with your question about spark plugs and glow plugs. Your Cummins has neither, though - it uses a grid heater instead of glow plugs. Your injectors should last a long time. Really the word so far on the current 6.7 is that Cummins got it pretty well dialed in, and the reworked emissions with the addition of DEF really helped fix some of the issues people were having with the previous 6.7 - better mileage, fewer regens, no EGR clogging, etc. And it still uses the old style CP3 injection pump which is both less prone to failure than the CP4 and when it does fail you simply swap in a new pump and you're done. Congrats on the truck. You'll love the way it drives and pulls.

Just stick with the manual.Put.Down.Google.Or you'll drive yourself nuts with bogus conflicting advice.Good luck and enjoy the truck. Most people I know get around 150k on injectors.

The manual isn't, "worthless," and just for, "idiot items."Follow it for scheduled maintenance.I'm agree with others..forget about 'mouse milk' additives, especially in a newer diesel like you have. You have a really great truck..drive it and enjoy what it can do while pulling your trailer.

2003silverado wrote:Additives not necessary. Change fuel filter on schedule and buy your diesel from high volume stations.Ditto, water is a diesels enemy that's why you should use high volume stations. Diesel absorbs water when it sits in the stations tank. Drain your water filter as per your manual.

Diesel engines. | Good Sam Community

50 Replies

creeper
Explorer
Apr 15, 2016
The biggest thing you can do is visually inspect the fuel before you pump it into your tank. I've met many guys who pumped bad gas and ended up with a 10k repair bill. Both the wife and I got bad diesel. Wife go lucky and no damage. I had to have my entire fuel system replaced, but luckily they covered due to a known fuel pump issue, they told me next one is on my bill.
Foy_R__Smith
Explorer
Apr 15, 2016
If you happen to see a fuel transport truck unloading fuel into stations bulk tank, don't buy any of their fuel, today. When they dump fuel in it stirs up water and trash from the bottom of the tank. It takes some time for trash and water to settle back down in their big tanks! Carry an extra Fleet Guard fuel filter with you! I don't use any additives in my truck. Just follow your service manual. Enjoy your truck!
donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 15, 2016
Oil and fuel filter changes are paramount for a long life. I run synthetic only. You can have an oil analysis done to ensure your motor is sound.
Dano1955
Explorer
Apr 15, 2016
Much ado about nothing then, thanks puts my mind at ease. Filters and quality fuel, follow the manual for maintenance.

Thanks all.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Apr 15, 2016
It is best to carry a spare fuel filter with you at all times, even if you can not change it, you can get it down at any 5 minute lube place (if they have one on the shelf or if you bring your own). If you get hit with bad tank of fuel, you can plug the filter in 100 miles, and will lose a lot of power.

But with modern fuel systems, and changing to fiberglass tanks back in 2007, it is much less likely that you will get a bad tank of fuel. Back in the 60's and 70's, it was possible for a bacteria bloom to grow inside the old steel storage tanks underground where it is fairly cold, thus the recommendation to buy fuel in a place that refills it's tanks every week or better - every day they get a new tanker of fuel delivered!

Did you buy a 2500 pickup or 3500 truck? It looks like you have a substantial trailer, and would need the 3500 truck to avoid overloading the tires found on the lighter duty 2500 pickups.

Have fun camping!

Fred/
agesilaus
Explorer III
Apr 15, 2016
2003silverado wrote:
Additives not necessary. Change fuel filter on schedule and buy your diesel from high volume stations.

Ditto, water is a diesels enemy that's why you should use high volume stations. Diesel absorbs water when it sits in the stations tank. Drain your water filter as per your manual.
downtheroad
Explorer
Apr 15, 2016
The manual isn't, "worthless," and just for, "idiot items."
Follow it for scheduled maintenance.
I'm agree with others..forget about 'mouse milk' additives, especially in a newer diesel like you have.

You have a really great truck..drive it and enjoy what it can do while pulling your trailer.
Ductape
Explorer
Apr 15, 2016
Just stick with the manual.

Put.
Down.
Google.

Or you'll drive yourself nuts with bogus conflicting advice.

Good luck and enjoy the truck. Most people I know get around 150k on injectors.
IdaD
Explorer
Apr 15, 2016
I don't use any additives, except for whatever the stations use to make winter blend fuel in the cold months if that counts. With the amount of miles I drive, oil filters are changed every 6 months and fuel filters once a year. Draining and flushing other fluids will be per the maintenance schedule in the manual. Beyond that there's not much too it except for the normal stuff like replacing tires and batteries and such.

I'm not sure what you're getting at with your question about spark plugs and glow plugs. Your Cummins has neither, though - it uses a grid heater instead of glow plugs.

Your injectors should last a long time. Really the word so far on the current 6.7 is that Cummins got it pretty well dialed in, and the reworked emissions with the addition of DEF really helped fix some of the issues people were having with the previous 6.7 - better mileage, fewer regens, no EGR clogging, etc. And it still uses the old style CP3 injection pump which is both less prone to failure than the CP4 and when it does fail you simply swap in a new pump and you're done.

Congrats on the truck. You'll love the way it drives and pulls.
2003silverado
Explorer II
Apr 15, 2016
Additives not necessary. Change fuel filter on schedule and buy your diesel from high volume stations.

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Diesel engines.

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