Hey All,Not trying to add to the "Diesel vs Gas" debate, but like many other readers who are contemplating the Diesel upgrade I'm confused about just how needy the new Diesels are. In my area diesel is pretty much 70 to 90 cents per gallon more. I'm ok with that if the mileage is better and helps offset that difference. But what about all the various fuel additives I see on the shelves at the auto parts stores? Are they really necessary? Cold weather anti-wax/gel build up? Hot weather fungicides? Monthly fuel filter changes?Temperamental fuel pumps that disintegrate and ruin the engine and aren't covered under warranty?I love the idea of diesel power but the fear factor sure makes it hard to come up with the extra $10K.Hard to choose sides of the fence!

all that additives is just snake oil. use good diesel fuel and forget it.

There are just as many gas additives as diesel. They help just as much as the buyer is willing to think they do.

The new diesels are amazing and get about 9-10 mpg towing a 12-15k fiver. In the long run a diesel will cost you a little more but if you buy one I doubt you'd ever regret it.

Jimbee wrote:But what about all the various fuel additives I see on the shelves at the auto parts stores? Are they really necessary?Not really. I have used it in the winter as a preventative because my truck doesn't get driven everyday. But, I also haven't been faithful about adding it to each tank so I'd say the truck runs just fine with or without the additives.Jimbee wrote:Cold weather anti-wax/gel build up? Hot weather fungicides? Fresh fuel from a busy fuel stop is your best friend. Suppliers change between summer and winter blends so unless you spend days at well below freezing temps there shouldn't be an issue.Jimbee wrote:Monthly fuel filter changes? Never heard of that one. My OEM monitor system on my Ram is set for 15,000 miles for both the oil change and fuel filters....which is basically a year of driving for me. Every time I've changed the oil filters they've looked a little dirty, but nothing awful.Jimbee wrote:Temperamental fuel pumps that disintegrate and ruin the engine and aren't covered under warranty?Early versions of the Bosch CP4 pump in Ford and GM trucks ('12-'13 MY?) had some issues. There are horror stories of OEM's callings these 'maintenance issues' and not covering them under warranty. There are other stories where the dealerships said 'hey, sorry man, the HPFP failed and we'll replace it and get you on the road ASAP.' I haven't heard of these issues in a while and I think there were updates to the pump design to avoid this issue.Jimbee wrote:I love the idea of diesel power but the fear factor sure makes it hard to come up with the extra $10K.Hard to choose sides of the fence!I understand there can be costly repairs in a diesel. My truck has had a few recalls (water pump, steering bracket, emissions system, etc...) but it has been really reliable. I've driven it for 60,000 miles in 3 years and it has been great pulling any heavy load I've hooked to it. There are a lot of folks that gripe about the after-treatment system and want to delete it ASAP. Mine has been fine and it really isn't big deal filling up with 5 gallons of DEF every once in a great while.

You shouldn't ever need to add anything to your fuel tank except fuel, save for the one off possibility you get stuck in an extreme cold snap with fuel that's not blended for the climate. In 30 years of construction and 1000s of diesel powered engines, I've seen this happen exactly once. So not a general concern at all.Fuel filters are mileage based 10-15k miles generally are the maint intervals. Again not obtrusive or difficult, although some of the newer trucks have more expensive filters. You may spend $100 buying a set of filters or waaay more if you're a take it to the dealer kind of person.Guess I don't think diesels are generally all that finicky, but I've been around them long enough that theyre common place to me.

Another guy confused about diesel | Good Sam Community

Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 18, 2018
I could see how a guy could get cornfused with conversations like this where people are arguing about 2 quarts of oil capacity!

I’m gonna start a new thread.....wait for it.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 18, 2018
old guy wrote:
well the one thing that confuses me about the diesel thing is how many times on this forum I have seen posts of guys who are going from diesel back to gas. I sit here with a gas truck and wish I had a diesel truck.

You’re ok man. It’s them, not you. Trust me, you’re still ridin the right side of the fence!
ppine
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2018
In oold parts of the country you may be able to find Diesel No. 1 fuel which has higher cetane and some additives. I really like the fuel additive in the white can available at any truck stop. It takes moisture out of the fuel that condenses in the tank in winter. It has some cleaners in it and a little cetane boost. Using it is much like adding Heet to your gas engine.

If you go back to the auto parts store and notice how many additives there are for gas engines it will give you some perspective. Temperatures below zero, it really helps to use synthetic oil and plug in your engine with either a block heater or a dip stick heater.
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 18, 2018
Additives to fuel do have their place. If you were to buy an older diesel prior to the introduction of ultra low sulfur fuel, you should add a friction modifier to the fuel prevent accelerated component wear. This is no different than having to add a modifier to the fuel of gasoline engines that were designed for leaded fuel and had soft valve seats. Current engines do not need additives unless the vehicle will be stored for an extensive period or if the fuel you are using is improper for the current ambient temperatures.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2018
"1 oil change 10,000 miles or once per year - 10 quarts of oil."

What modern Diesel takes 10 quarts? YOUR Diesel takes 12. How do you come up with once a year? Your oil change is 6 mo or 15k, what ever one comes first.

Diesel or Gas the OP asked? Not sure I even have a choice as I tow 33-35K combined.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2018
4x4ord wrote:
I used to haul a trailer with a gas truck. The trailer weighed 11,000 lbs loaded and 4500 empty. I hauled that load every week for years. My 350 Chevy got 14 miles per imperial gallon round trip. My 6.5 turbo diesel did exactly the same. My 03 Duramax got 14 mpg as well. If I wanted to save money on fuel I'd buy a half ton and a lighter trailer.

I find your numbers hard to believe, trip loaded 11K and 4.5 empty and a 14 mpg average, with likely a big gas engine?
LIKE2BUILD
Explorer
Dec 18, 2018
NJRVer wrote:

My 2500 when I bought it, I could have gotten the diesel option for an extra $8500 if I chose.
When I got rid of my 2500, I could have gotten an extra $10,000 for it if it was a diesel.

I didn't buy my diesel for the resale value, but NJRVer makes a really good point. I have a local small used dealer that sells only diesel trucks. They clean them up nice, put on a few bling pieces, and sell trucks with 150,000+ miles for $25,000 or higher depending on mileage or condition. That price sounds high, right? Nope....they sell them at those prices all day long. You almost never see the same truck on the lot for more than a week.

There is still really strong demand for diesel trucks and that's keep the values high. I bought my truck at a great price 3 years ago. I've put 60,000 miles on it during that time and I could probably sell it today for nearly the exact same amount that I paid. Crazy, but true.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2018
I used to haul a trailer with a gas truck. The trailer weighed 11,000 lbs loaded and 4500 empty. I hauled that load every week for years. My 350 Chevy got 14 miles per imperial gallon round trip. My 6.5 turbo diesel did exactly the same. My 03 Duramax got 14 mpg as well. If I wanted to save money on fuel I'd buy a half ton and a lighter trailer.
valhalla360
Navigator
Dec 18, 2018
Unless you are putting on 40-50k miles per year, you get diesel because you need higher tow ratings. Commercial operators can amortize the cost of a diesel with better efficiency but your average recreational user never will.

Only additive (not really an additive) is DEF.
2edgesword
Explorer
Dec 18, 2018
For me it comes down to need. As your towing requirements increase above about 10K pounds diesels begin making more and more sense with respect to cost and real benefit. FLT took a gas 6.2L with an 8,000 pound trailer up the Ike Gauntlet. The truck maintain 60 mph all the way to the top. If I was going to be doing this type of driving on a regular basis (or with a heavier trailer) I'd get a diesel. On the other hand if this type of driving was going to be a rare occasion I'd be going with a lower cost gas engine model.