Diesel Question...

I have a 6.0 Powerstroke that I bought new in 2006. I waited until late in the model year before I bought it because of all the issues being reported about the 6.0 liter. It ran great for the first 95,000 miles. I towed my 14,000 lb fifth wheel all over the lower 48 with no issues. As soon as it hit 95,000 miles the problems started. Most of them are a result of a poorly designed engine oil cooler that uses engine coolant to cool the oil. It gets clogged with casting sand from the block and causes a whole series of cascading failures. The truck is in the shop right now getting new head studs (a known issue), and fixing many of those known issues that Ford elected not to tell the customers about. The estimate for this repair is around $7,000. I've driven fords for 35 years and have always sworn by them. This is the first one I've had problems with and they only happened after owning the truck for 8 years.

Years ago I did a comparison between the costs of a diesel and the costs of gas engine for RV towing. The diesel is more costly to maintain and costs more up front. Diesel fuel is also more expensive. One the other hand, the diesel gets better mileage and will usually last longer than a gas engine. I found the break-even point of the additional cost of the diesel at about 70,000 miles at the time of the study. In the end, it's more a matter of personal preference. I love my diesel for towing my 14,000 lb fifth wheel.

In 2012 we did a lot of research on the Big Three before buying our diesel. They were all so close for being reliable that I ended up with my F350 based mostly on the seating comfort.

I have never bought into extended warranties. Always thought they were a scam and waste of money. However, being full time and maxing our truck to its limits, I purchased one.

I have had 46,000 worry free miles from the 6.7. It is a BEAST and gets pretty good mileage towing.

Located an extended warranty for under $2,000 which will continue to take the worry out of towing almost all year every year.

diftw wrote:
We are hoping to be able to get one more truck before we retire. Would love to think about a diesel but am scared to death of getting into major repairs down the road. Have any of you had these fears? Keep thinking about the Ford 6.0/6.4 issues and how upset we would have been if we spent that kind of money and had those issues. Even more upset if we were retired with a limited income.

Thanks.

My brother in law had a Ford 6.4 diesel, had numerous problems, tons of hassles with Ford about not covering repairs and then darn near had to pay someone to take it off his hands. I still have absolutely no trust in Ford diesels no matter what anyone tells me about how much they have improved.

I love my Chevy Duramax with the Allison transmission. Remember a bullet proof motor is only half the equation. A bullet proof transmission is the other half of the equation. I have the utmost confidence in my Duramax and don't fear hitting the road for a long haul.

I chose my Chevy Duramax over a Dodge Cummins mainly because of the transmission (of the time). Now that you can get Dodges with Cummins diesel engines and Aisin transmissions I would have no qualms about owning a Dodge/Cummins/Aisin. They are a rock solid combo if (like everything) are maintained properly.

If I bought a Ford (I have had many Ford pickups and still own two classics) it would have a gasoline engine. Problems with the Ford Diesels don't show up when they are a year or two old. They tend to show up after a few years and after the warranty has expired. Maybe a 2015 Ford Diesel is a solid engine/transmission... it is hard to say until it is 2019 or so. From their track record I would not bet on Ford Diesels!

kwlincoln wrote:

AdamBryner2012 wrote:
If you want to buy Ford, get the 7.3.

We made the mistake and bought first year 6.4 (paid top dollar) and then ended up spending an additional 10K in cash and our warranty company paying 19K to replace the motor.

If you have the option to get an extended warranty through your bank or credit union, go with Route66/ACS. They will take care of you 100%. I can't recommend them enough and have the receipts to prove it!

Good luck!

Really? They want this to be a truck that will last for years and you are recommending they buy a 12-20 year old truck? Good thing the advice is free.

This isn't bad advice! I have two 7.3s, one with 130k and the other with 180k. Just had my local Ford truck service facility do the transmission and cooling system service. I was told by the service manager that I need to hang on to both of them since they're bulletproof. I've done nothing but regular service and have had no repairs to the transmissions and the engine of my Excursion needed a new wiring harness under the rocker covers, otherwise it has had no other engine repairs of any kind.

Depending on the poster's budget, there are still some low mileage 7.3s out there and they make excellent tow vehicles.

I suppose some of the fear for me comes from a few horror stories found on these forums as well as from friends and family over the years. Injectors or turbo's failing after the warranty has run out resulting in $1000's in repairs. None the less, when I bought my diesel there wasn't a lot of choices. There were few gassers that could pull a 5th wheel with ease. Thats changed somewhat today with a few newer gassers but still not as strong as a diesel.

We went with a 2007.5 Dodge 6.7L. Had the choice of buying a 2007 Dodge with the 5.9L, both new. Worried about buying a 1st year new engine design but the 6.7L had exhaust brake and a much better 6 speed transmission.

In the first 1 1/2 years my Ram was in the shop more than on the road. The 6.7L's new emission system was very problematic. In that time the turbo was replaced 3 times, several computer upgrades, O2 sensors, heater grid and EGR cleaned etc. Was going to lemon law it but Chrysler offered me a 100K $0 deductible bumper to bumper warranty. I decided to keep it.

In years 2 on all of the engine troubles were gone. Warranty did pay for a few things, A/C failed, electric mirror failed intermittently and one of the trucks computers failed. That was several years ago. I have not had any further issues in 50,000 miles. I think there were 1st year design issues that were all resolved. Today I'm pretty happy with my purchase and would recommend a 2007.5 6.7L Dodge if it has been well maintained and all recalls and emission related TSB's performed. Strong engine that tows extremely well.

diftw wrote:
We are hoping to be able to get one more truck before we retire. Would love to think about a diesel but am scared to death of getting into major repairs down the road. Have any of you had these fears? Keep thinking about the Ford 6.0/6.4 issues and how upset we would have been if we spent that kind of money and had those issues. Even more upset if we were retired with a limited income.

Thanks.
_______________________________________
Dave and Anne
2012 Coachman Chaparral Lite 268RLE
2008 Toyota Tundra 5.7L SR5 4x2
Reese Pro 16K Slider

If the fear of major repairs worry you about a diesel. Get a gasser so you can regret that choice when it comes time to get a bigger 5er!

If you wonder about power take a look at this clip, HP vs. Torque!
Yes the Eco Diesel lost, but it has only 235 Hp the EcoBoost F150 has 325 HP, should not be that close for the same load, tough to have a third less HP and be close!!

2015 Ford F-150 vs. Ram

New diesels run between 350hp to 440hp, and 850 to 860# of torque. If repairs worry you buy an extended warranty.
I have stated before I tow 11,000+, and run at 19,000 to 19,500# GVWR and can keep, speed in twisty secondary roads at 55mph to 60mph!

I don't see post that GM or RAM deny warranty claims only Ford.

powderman426 wrote:
My suggestion would be to get a new one with a long warranty (Ram with Cummins has five year 100k). The other guys, not so much.

Check others warranty. My '06 D/a and now my 2013 D/A has a 5 year/100,000 mile power train warranty. Two glow plugs on my 2006 went south. One replaced under emissions. I replaced the second for $40.00.

If you are towing more than 8-9K pounds and carrying more than 1K cargo and TOWING more than 10K per year than no question diesel. Other wise consider gas.