Question for diesel owners

I've been told there are diesel fuels for 2005 and earlier and diesel fuel for 2006 and up and I should get a 2005 beacause that fuel is easier to find. Any truth to this?

Someone didn't know what they were talking about. The fuel in question is LSD (low sulfur diesel) and ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel). The entire country is on ULSD (for on road) by law. Older diesels that were design for LSD needed the sulfur for lubrication. I put additives in the diesel I run in my tractor (built 1996) for this very reason. Even the injectors for my tractor are $150.00 each.

It is best (not required) but best to run an additive in pre-2008 diesels (maybe even the newer ones but I am not as familiar with the newer ones and the DPF and DEF modifications) but I would suspect that an additive such as produced by Stanadyne would have no effect on the pollution controls.

All the manufacturers have had issues with specific year ranges of the ir products. Ford's have had issues, Duramaxes have had injector issues (2001 to early 2004) overheating and head gaskets (2004.5 through 2005), injector pumps failing (later model Duramaxes).

The best advice so far has been given above and that is to take the time to search out the diesel specific forums and spend some time reading. Use Google, it is your friend.

You have to be aware that the maintenance on a diesel is more expensive. The oil costs more (and there is more of it). The filters can be more expensive. Transmissions often have filters that should be changed (the Allison in my truck has an external one that I change)

You need to become more knowledgeable of the trucks themselves to protect yourself financially, including initial purchase, on-going maintenance, potential problems and repair costs.

With that said, they do pull a lot better. A lot. I get 11 mpg pulling a 30 ft trailer. 11'ish seems to be a good average based on talking to different people with different sized trailers and different year trucks. There always be the anomalies though, both better and worse.

As far as a trouble free truck (used, not new), my opinion is that the 2006 through beginning year 07 GMC/Chevy Duramaxes were good trucks. They have less pollution controls than the newer ones AND had the bugs worked out. GM figured out their overheating issues, implemented 32 bit computers, changed the Allison to a 6 speed and didn't have as fragile of a fuel pump as the newer ones. There have been reports of the newer Duramax fuel pumps exploding, which necessitates a very expensive repair, very expensive.

With diesels, repair costs can run into the 1000's. The 04.5 / 05 Duramaxes that are subject to headgasket failures can drain your wallet. It costs 600 to 1000 to do them yourself (and many days of work). A dealer charges 4000 to 5000.

I have spent 3 to 4000 fixing the overheating issue on mine. An extra radiator behind the front bumper, a bigger transmission cooler, a better more efficient intercooler. GM installed a complete 2006 airbox assembly as part of the fix due to a design deficiency.

Now we bought ours new for $10,000 less than sticker, so I am still ahead of the game, but for someone to get surprised, well. And yes, we got surprised by the overheating issue, as well as a lot of people. That is why there is an after market niche supplying the parts to fix them.

If you can afford a new one, with warranty, that is the way to go. If you buy a used one, see if you can get one that is certified, or at least eligible for an extended warranty. Just like all used vehicles, a lot of times they are being traded off due a problem that the owner became aware of, and it not too obvious. This can be a real issue with used ones.

Also with used diesels, you have to be aware that they could have had a tuner on them. Certain tuners leave no signatures as they are inline to the electronics. You can also buy tuners that will change the oem software in the computer.

Bottom line, buying a newer model diesel requires that you spend some time educating yourself.