Questions about Diesel Maintenance
My next truck (4x4, CC) has to have a minimum 3000 lbs. of payload. That leaves me with either a 1 ton diesel (3500-4000 lbs.) or a 3/4 - 1 ton gasser (3200-4000 lbs.). I've run my gasser vs. di...
Forum Discussion
1. Oil costs are approx. double vs. a gasser due to twice the oil capacity.
2. Oil filter. I assume these cost a bit more than a gas oil filter?
3. Fuel Filters. Assuming DIY replacement, what can I expect to pay for filters? How often?
4. DEF. 2-4 cents of DEF used per a gallon of diesel??
5. Valves. Under normal operating conditions is adjustment ever necessary? If necessary, cost?
6. Injectors. Under normal operating conditions is maintenance/replacement necessary? If necessary, cost?
Oil costs are about 4x as much as I need to change the oil every 7500 miles with the diesel as there is a soot buildup and even the DIC would indicate a change at 10k miles regardless of whether dino or synthetic base stock motor oil is used. Not only more oil is used but a more expensive oil as well for the diesel.
A fuel filter would last more than 80k miles with my gas engine trucks but with the diesel the replacement is every 10k miles and it is a $40 filter plus the labor or a $103 each change.
DEF is minor at roughly $2.50 a gallon and a gallon lasts on average for 1000 miles. It's consumption is a percentage of the fuel burned so more is used when towing than with normal driving on the highway.
Injectors will cost you $3,000 or more for the parts alone when they need to be replaced and thanks to the much higher injection pressures and dirtier fuel they suffer a great deal more wear than those in gas engines.
With the diesel you will have two batteries to replace periodically but this is not a major expense.
The diesel fuel sells for more than premium gas to any gain in miles per gallon is offset by the higher price at the pump.
For towing over 12,000 lbs. a diesel makes a lot of sense. For a payload of any amount under 8,000 lbs. there is no need to get a diesel engine or the F-450 Chassis Cab class of truck.
2. Oil filter. I assume these cost a bit more than a gas oil filter?
3. Fuel Filters. Assuming DIY replacement, what can I expect to pay for filters? How often?
4. DEF. 2-4 cents of DEF used per a gallon of diesel??
5. Valves. Under normal operating conditions is adjustment ever necessary? If necessary, cost?
6. Injectors. Under normal operating conditions is maintenance/replacement necessary? If necessary, cost?
Oil costs are about 4x as much as I need to change the oil every 7500 miles with the diesel as there is a soot buildup and even the DIC would indicate a change at 10k miles regardless of whether dino or synthetic base stock motor oil is used. Not only more oil is used but a more expensive oil as well for the diesel.
A fuel filter would last more than 80k miles with my gas engine trucks but with the diesel the replacement is every 10k miles and it is a $40 filter plus the labor or a $103 each change.
DEF is minor at roughly $2.50 a gallon and a gallon lasts on average for 1000 miles. It's consumption is a percentage of the fuel burned so more is used when towing than with normal driving on the highway.
Injectors will cost you $3,000 or more for the parts alone when they need to be replaced and thanks to the much higher injection pressures and dirtier fuel they suffer a great deal more wear than those in gas engines.
With the diesel you will have two batteries to replace periodically but this is not a major expense.
The diesel fuel sells for more than premium gas to any gain in miles per gallon is offset by the higher price at the pump.
For towing over 12,000 lbs. a diesel makes a lot of sense. For a payload of any amount under 8,000 lbs. there is no need to get a diesel engine or the F-450 Chassis Cab class of truck.
