Becoming diesel gunshy

[brnzbk]

I have been searching for a diesel truck to pull a to be purchased fifth wheel.
After reading all of the nightmares and maintenance problems I'm concerned about future costs and down time. Do most diesel owners experience a multitude of problems or am I just seeing a small percentage that are venting? Seems to be mostly injector and fuel pump problems however, shelling out 60K for a truck that is going to need constant repairs is concerning, I hope this is the exception and not the rule.
Any experiences will be appreciated.

[TomG2]

cutty72 wrote:

Because no gassers ever go to the shop???

....snips........

Sure they do. Just check it out yourself. I find a disproportionate number of diesel pickups in our local service bays. I admit that this sampling is not without its exceptions, just what I have noticed. It might simply be that they are in for longer periods of time. Also, watch this forum for the expense and quantity of repairs for the various models.

[cutty72]

TomG2 wrote:

Check out the repair bays at any large dealer to verify that a lot of diesel pickups spend time there. A mechanic friend won't recommend one for that reason.

Because no gassers ever go to the shop???

Local dealership employs two good friends of mine, one a diesel tech, one a gas tech.

Diesel tech is the one of two that work on diesels that come in, and yet still is often working on gassers or other non diesel related issues.

FWIW, I have an '01 Ford with the 7.3L. I can do about any repair needed on it myself. Doubt I will ever get rid of it.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

I owned a 2004 Ram Cummins and sold it with 150K no issues none and ordered a 2015 Ram Eco-diesel. Would buy mamma a Jeep GC Eco-diesel if she wanted a new vehicle, thank God she doesn't.

Don

[Dave_H_M]

brooks379 wrote:
Just look around you next time you're driving down the road...Diesel trucks are every where !! If you are going to be pulling a 5th wheel you have no other choice. Right tool for the job !!

I tried to bite my tongue on this comment. :h What?

I have two winters under my belt with the 6.2 Ford yanking the 10K fifth wheel down the road. I had the money and the choice and chose gas and will never go back. It is each to his own. I put the extra money elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong, I do not have one negative thing to say about the modern diesels or the folks that made the choice to own one.

[TomG2]

brnzbk wrote:
I have been searching for a diesel truck to pull a to be purchased fifth wheel.
After reading all of the nightmares and maintenance problems I'm concerned about future costs and down time. Do most diesel owners experience a multitude of problems or am I just seeing a small percentage that are venting? Seems to be mostly injector and fuel pump problems however, shelling out 60K for a truck that is going to need constant repairs is concerning, I hope this is the exception and not the rule.
Any experiences will be appreciated.

Check out the repair bays at any large dealer to verify that a lot of diesel pickups spend time there. A mechanic friend won't recommend one for that reason.

[Javi1]

I've tried going back to a gasser after owning diesels for thirty or so years.. Nope.. not for me..

[homedad]

If I towed a lot I might consider a diesel for a daily driver but for now I just don't get it. Between the higher initial cost, higher price for fuel and the crazy prices for filters and the recommended services I'll stick with a gasser. I have a 2003 diesel farm truck that I got because I was baited in by the million mile stories and potential torque. I also have 2 older diesel tractors pre-emission years. The tractors are bullet proof. But the truck was a mistake. I learned from experience that my trucks don't die from engine problems, they die from rust and everything breaking except the engine.

[6_7_tow_rig]

Skip the 6.0 and 6.4 Ford Powerstroke. Any other brand those years will probably be fine. Fords only after 2011.

[path1]

I am currently in a RV park that a retired Cummins guy is also staying. He worked in research, has some really good stories. Anyways he won't buy anything unless it has a Cummins. His wife has gotten used to it but wished she had a car instead of a pick up.

Made me laugh...He commented that a lot of "people want to know which truck with which diesel and I'm waiting for a Cummins to make it into a car that I like".

So he is just the opposite of Diesel "gunshy".

[Tom_Barb]

Our family old fun truck that every one gets to use is a 54 Brockway it's coming up on 600,000 miles. it gets a yearly oil change and filters it's never been apart. Every kid in the family for three generations has learned to drive it.

[BenK]

IMHO...it is NOT about the engine itself, but with the Bosch CP design
and from what I've read...Ford pushed the 6.0L past what their supplier
was willing to warrant in power. Of course the onerous smog stuff that
will take a few more years to figure out 'well' enough

"Well enough" as in the current constant of 'delete' and 'bullet proof'
threads here and on most of the other automotive forums I visit

After going through about a years worth of discussion and education
along the way...discussing the CP4.x design...in detail. Wonderful to
be able to dissect that on this forum

Confirms my decision to avoid diesel based on the, then, coming diesel smog
requirements

The cost of fuel is no longer as large a factor...could still make
the case on MPG...it is higher for diesel....and any given day...cost
per gallon runs +/- to even per gallon

To me, boils down to CP4 and any derivative thereof. Pure bad design
on so wrong assumptions (using diesel as both the coolant and lube
for a pump producing +20,000 PSI...the decision to NOT capture the
piston/rod/cam together...etc)

Diesel is NOT for me...

Fully admit that per unit measure, diesel has more BTU's than gasoline. Therefore
higher potential work can be had with diesel over gasoline

I'm sticking with gasoline, but willing to readdress any type of locomotive power
for my truck(s)

Plus I don't diss anyone who wishes to go diesel...like my freedom to choose
a gasser

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

diazr2 wrote:
I don't understand the maintenance issues I do everything I am suppose to do to my diesel and it's still cost me hardly anything to maintain. Maybe it's because its a 2001? Don't know I just know it's a very inexpensive truck to own.

See my post about owning a good or bad diesel? Which do you think you own? Yep, you got a GOOD one!! 🙂

[jerem0621]

Unless I was towing especially heavy (14k plus) I would be in a 6.4 Gas Hemi with MDS.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[trucker495]

114000 miles and nary a problem.

[ib516]

I think the auto makers have most of those issues resolved now, though there were some issues (mostly emisssions related) with the 08-11s from all 3 brands.... some more than others.

That said, after owning 2 diesels I went with gas power this time and have been happy with the choice I made.