Questions about Diesel Maintenance

[otrfun]

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. diesel numbers as far as purchase price, MPG (towing & empty) and resale.

I'm familiar with what's needed to maintain a gasser; however, never owned a diesel. Here's what I know, don't know, about diesel maintenance:

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?

Other diesel specific maintenance items I may have overlooked?

Thanks!

[rhagfo]

gtsum wrote:
I went from gas to diesel and would never go back. I think you can make the argument either way about which cost more to own and operate (fuel vs gas price, maintenance costs, repair bills, upfront cost vs resale cost, etc, etc), but bottom line is they tow better. I like how they drive better as well (ie not revving to 4000 rpms to make any power). I ordered my diesel new and have 100k bumper to bumper warranty..got it for less than 1k...if something happens after 100k miles, so be it...

Honestly, if someone is basing a decision on a few hundred bucks either way on maintenance or buying 2 batts vs 1 batt, I doubt they should be buying a new truck in the first place

I bought my 2001 Ram/Cummins with 234,000 miles! why, well it was in the best shape of the one I had looked at, one owner, no bumper to bumper warranty. The biggest repair to date new clutch, it was my choice to step up to a double disk clutch about $1,000, works great pulling 11,000#! Currently at 278,000 miles and it all still works.

[gtsum]

I went from gas to diesel and would never go back. I think you can make the argument either way about which cost more to own and operate (fuel vs gas price, maintenance costs, repair bills, upfront cost vs resale cost, etc, etc), but bottom line is they tow better. I like how they drive better as well (ie not revving to 4000 rpms to make any power). I ordered my diesel new and have 100k bumper to bumper warranty..got it for less than 1k...if something happens after 100k miles, so be it...

Honestly, if someone is basing a decision on a few hundred bucks either way on maintenance or buying 2 batts vs 1 batt, I doubt they should be buying a new truck in the first place

[JIMNLIN]

Just for funs on a older 5.9 '03 305/555 HO Cummins in a 2500 truck.

1. I use Rotella 15w-40 from Walmart/farm stores so we have an idea of actual oil prices per qt. The '03-'07 Cummins HO has a 7500-15000 miles oil change schedule @ 12 qts.

2. I use Fleetguard oil filters recommended by Cummins @ 13 bucks so using a 7500-15000 mile or in between its cheaper than any comparable gas engine.

3. I use (1) Cummins recommended Fleetguard fuel filter at 13.50 buck from my Cummins dealer. Its a 8 min job once a year or 20k miles which ever rolls around first.

4. no def.

5. Cummins says to check valves every 150k miles. I did mine at 152k miles. Really a simple job.

6. injectors ? No issues with 255k miles on my Cummins.

This is my story and not everyone should/will have the same story as all diesel engines aren't as cheap to operate as the old 5.9 Cummins.

[N-Trouble]

1Longbow wrote:
When I bought my 2008 cummins ,the dealers had the oil change for life deal,and while it saved some money ,it always seemed they found something else to charge me for every time I brought it in. I don't think I've ever changed the differential lube more in any truck I've ever owned. But to continue with the "free" oil changes you had to do what they said needed doing. The final straw for me was when a service light came on ,at 65000 miles and they told me it was an $800 charge to change a filter and clean some emission screen. They truck run perfect,and Cummins list no such thing. Come to find out its a Dodge thing. I decided to go else where.

^^THIS^^ is why so many dealers are offering up these free oil changes. Get you in the door to nickel & dime you. Once my new truck leaves the lot I'm not going back to the stealership unless I have an issue under warranty and on their dime.

[1Longbow]

When I bought my 2008 cummins ,the dealers had the oil change for life deal,and while it saved some money ,it always seemed they found something else to charge me for every time I brought it in. I don't think I've ever changed the differential lube more in any truck I've ever owned. But to continue with the "free" oil changes you had to do what they said needed doing. The final straw for me was when a service light came on ,at 65000 miles and they told me it was an $800 charge to change a filter and clean some emission screen. They truck run perfect,and Cummins list no such thing. Come to find out its a Dodge thing. I decided to go else where.

[wintersun]

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.

[Tystevens]

phillyg wrote:
I did a lot of research before committing to a diesel truck. I concluded maintenance would be roughly three times the cost of gasser maintenance, paying someone else to do the work.

I just paid the Ford dealership $458 to do oil and filter change, 2 fuel filters, air filter and coolant flush, so I think my research pans out.

I think I could have saved a few bucks elsewhere but didn't have time to shop around before heading out.

Wow, that is a lot. But yeah, if you just drop at the dealership w/o any coupons or specials or anything, you'll pay a lot!

By way of comparison, I could have done the same services on my '06 Duramax for: oil & filter (10 qts, ~$50, always did it myself), fuel filter (only 1, always paid someone to do it -- $53), air filter (~$30 online, did myself), and coolant ($150 @ dealer) = $285, give or take. Could have saved $15 on the fuel filter, but I don't like my hands smelling like diesel!

[majorgator]

phillyg wrote:

I just paid the Ford dealership $458 to do oil and filter change, 2 fuel filters, air filter and coolant flush, so I think my research pans out.

If you're willing to pay that kind of money for those services, then bring it to me and I'll do it for $10 less.

[N-Trouble]

Have never understood when your buying a $50k+ truck the whole nickel and diming difference in gas/diesel maintenance cost.

If this is what you are basing your gas/diesel purchase decision on then you probably don't need a diesel. You buy a diesel because you want/need the pulling power.

[Tystevens]

majorgator wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
I wouldn't let maintence fees stop me from owning a diesel. If a few hundred bucks a year mean the difference between affordable or not then you are in no position to buy a truck.

^^^THIS^^^
Simple answer: yes, a diesel costs more for routine maintenance. Whether you're buying new or nearly new/barely used, you're going to drop $30K to $50K on your TV. Maintenance fees are so inconsequential to the full cost of ownership.

Yep, this is the right answer. The end amount is inconsequential. Comparing my '06 Duramax to my gas rigs, the increased maintenance each year was negligible. I did much of my own, of course, and it costs a bit more when you have to do it, but overall it couldn't have been more than $100 more a year. Or about the cost of a tank of fuel (at the time, at least).

While I understand wanting to know what you're walking in to, don't get a diesel on a cost-benefit analysis. You'll never pay it off. Get it because you'll love, love, love the way it tows and performs. It was more than worth the extra expense to me.

Good luck!

[dave17352]

I just bought my fuel filter on amazon for 39.00 and paid my mechanic 21 dollars to change it. Total 60 dollars. Dealer wanted $180.00. For same filter and replacement.

[BenK]

Jeremiah nailed it and agree with one proviso...and it's a forever
thing where folks compare MPG out of context

To get it kinda of sorta into context...need to factor in cost of
that unit of measure...the gallon. There is still the difference in
BTU's per gallon

Take the MPG and divide it by the price of that unite of measure,
'G' (gallon) and it will then be in context (a fair comparison)

Bottom line: get what you want and dang what folks say trying to
convince you 'their' choice is better...

jerem0621 wrote:
I wouldn't let maintence fees stop me from owning a diesel. If a few hundred bucks a year mean the difference between affordable or not then you are in no position to buy a truck.

If you need a diesel for your trailer then there is no substitute. If you want a diesel then there is no substitute. ..I don't care if your pulling s pup....if you want a diesel then that's all that will scratch that itch.

If you want a tool that will do the job economically (lower price of entry) and fit the ratings you need for the trailer then a gasser makes great sense.

Not to start a gas vs diesel war... At all... But many people choose diesel when a gasser would be fine for a few simple reasons

1) MPG while towing can be significantly better with a diesel
2) Some people are RPM adverse and try to make a gasser perform while keeping the RPM under 3000...this makes the gasser unable to performe.
3) the option to use the big truck lanes while pulling the trailer while fueling up
4) The personal desire to have the biggest and most power available

I am sure there are others...

In the end... Get what you want!

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[phillyg]

I did a lot of research before committing to a diesel truck. I concluded maintenance would be roughly three times the cost of gasser maintenance, paying someone else to do the work.

I just paid the Ford dealership $458 to do oil and filter change, 2 fuel filters, air filter and coolant flush, so I think my research pans out.

I think I could have saved a few bucks elsewhere but didn't have time to shop around before heading out.

[otrfun]

Thanks, agesilaus, Bedlam, ib516 (thanks for the awesome reviews on the 6.4!), btd35, coolbreeze01, DutchmenSport, goducks10 (interesting perspective, thanks!), lazydays, 2oldman (thanks for the links!), Lynnmor (really?! Two batteries?! OMG--lol!), FishOnOne, guidry, dave17352, C Schomer, jus2shy (very helpful! It's all in the details, thanks!), jerem0621, majorgator, and Helmsey!

Everyone's perspective, opinions, facts, and figures are very much appreciated. After reading all these replies I feel very confident I won't have any surprises if I go diesel 🙂

Happy New Years Everybody!!