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
ib516 wrote:
Depends on the diesel.
I would argue that a Cummins diesel 2006 or older isn't any more expensive to maintain than a gas powered truck of the same era. Oil cost is double, but it goes 2x as far between changes. Oil filters are $20 and fuel filters are about the same ($15 - $20). They both need brakes and tires, belts etc, and the gasser need spark plugs and PCV valve that the diesel (2006 or older Cummins) doesn't.
I will agree that if a diesel breaks down (engine related), it can be very much more to repair than a comparable gas engine truck, and that the newest crop of diesels might be more expensive to maintain than the older ones, so they might be more than a new gasser -- but I'm not as familiar with them as I've never owned one.
I wouldn't let maintenance costs influence your buying as I think they are pretty close. Resale, initial cost, what you plan to use the truck for, and in what conditions would be better metrics to decide which one to buy IMO.
Completely agree. It also depends a lot on who's doing the maintenance. My Diesel costs the same to change the oil except for a little more oil, but the oil costs less.
Changing the fuel filter every other oil change is recommended, but they are not expensive. With the right fittings changing it isn't messy, but does require priming the system. The actual oil changing is way easier than my cars.
The MPG for the diesel is way higher than the gasser pulling or not. It's not struggling to do it either, and wearing the engine out. The MPG doesn't cover the difference in price of the fuel though.
