Tell me your horror stories (Diesel)

[ib516]

Ok, so browsing through the thread about the 2011 Ford diesel left me in shock. Seems like there were many issues with the early builds of that engine. I know the Cummins and Duramax of that generation had their own issues (mostly emissions related?).

How are the newest gen Ford 6.7L diesels holding up (2015+)?
Are their similar stories for the Cummins and Duramax in the latest gen (2014+)? I know the Cummins has been 370hp/800tq for a while (in the 2500), have they worked out the kinks in that one? Are failures common? I only know one guy with a 2014 Ram 6.7L Cummins SRW 3500. He has had plenty of recalls and was losing coolant a while back, but I think that was the famous water pump issue. He has had no serious issues. His is a 370hp/800tq version with a 68RFE auto. But that's a sample of 1 which is pretty meaningless.

I went with a 6.4L Hemi last time I was shopping as it suited my needs better and frankly, I was scared away from diesels (all of them). At that time, my research told me they weren't worth the gamble. What I mean by that is their superior towing performance wasn't worth it to me when they could cost me tens of thousands to repair if they failed, and they were all (my opinion) having reliability issues in the 2011 to 2013 time period. I thought they were mostly pesky ones to do with emissions, but I'm just not into check engine lights on new trucks.

Are the diesels getting better? Should I put them back on my shopping list for my next new truck?

I'll likely be towing under 10k GVW, and it'll likely be a TT around 30'. I do want to log some miles though, and that will include some long distance touring (cross Country type).

[Cummins12V98]

Oldmaple wrote:

ppine wrote:
It is humorous to me that anyone thinks the fuel cost for a diesel is higher than for a gas engine. Guess again.

I'm choking on diesel prices here. Can find gas for $2.29, diesel for $3.22.

:R

Cheap in my book compared to a cup of coffee at 4-5$.

Also let's not forget that around 25% of those prices are TAX.

[rhagfo]

4x4ord wrote:
Diesel fuel is 20% more than gasoline per gallon here. I sure don't expect to come out ahead financially buying a diesel truck over a gas job. The way I look at it is that my diesel pickup costs me about $10k per year to own and operate. It might cost me $5k per year to drive something else. I think I'll spend the extra 5k per year and enjoy my truck.

Yep, it isn't always about the cost. Diesel tows easier and better.
Here in western Oregon price difference is about 15 cents per gallon.

[4x4ord]

Diesel fuel is 20% more than gasoline per gallon here. I sure don't expect to come out ahead financially buying a diesel truck over a gas job. The way I look at it is that my diesel pickup costs me about $10k per year to own and operate. It might cost me $5k per year to drive something else. I think I'll spend the extra 5k per year and enjoy my truck.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

4 bones a gallon here. 😞

[ShinerBock]

Oldmaple wrote:

ppine wrote:
It is humorous to me that anyone thinks the fuel cost for a diesel is higher than for a gas engine. Guess again.

I'm choking on diesel prices here. Can find gas for $2.29, diesel for $3.22.

Ouch! Although even at that price I would still prefer a diesel over a gaser.

[Oldmaple]

ppine wrote:
It is humorous to me that anyone thinks the fuel cost for a diesel is higher than for a gas engine. Guess again.

I'm choking on diesel prices here. Can find gas for $2.29, diesel for $3.22.

[ppine]

Lynnmor wrote:

ppine wrote:
It is humorous to me that anyone thinks the fuel cost for a diesel is higher than for a gas engine. Guess again.

A diesel engine exists because they are more fuel efficient. Some states discourage the efficient use of fuels by taxing diesel fuel way more than gasoline. In your home state of Nevada there is only about $.04 per gallon difference. In a tax glutton state like Pennsylvania the obscene confiscation of money by excessive fuel taxes can cause diesel engines to be much less desirable.

Here is tax information: Taxes

More

A progressive government would tax diesels less than gas engines. This was the case for many years until sulfur was taken out of the fuel.

[Wills6_4_Hemi]

I had two 6.0's I still have nightmares lol

[jmtandem]

A diesel engine exists because they are more fuel efficient. Some states discourage the efficient use of fuels by taxing diesel fuel way more than gasoline. In your home state of Nevada there is only about $.04 per gallon difference. In a tax glutton state like Pennsylvania the obscene confiscation of money by excessive fuel taxes can cause diesel engines to be much less desirable.

Sometimes in western Nevada the cost at the pump of diesel is actually the same as or less then regular gas. Add to that the thirty-five percent better fuel mileage diesel gets towing and the numbers clearly favor the diesel. Try to find a gasser in a one ton pickup and you will look far and wide; yet Ford, Ram and Chevy/GM dealerships stock every configuration and trim of diesel 350/3500 trucks.

[jmtandem]

My truck cost $35k and it is worth about $17k in this market after 16 years and 170 k miles. It is the best vehicle I have ever owned.
I was talking with my mechanic the other day. His advice was "don't ever sell it."

Well said! A local Ram service manager said essentially the same thing to me. Keep your '05 Ram/Cummins. Lots less costly exhaust system and probably far more reliable.

[Lynnmor]

ppine wrote:
It is humorous to me that anyone thinks the fuel cost for a diesel is higher than for a gas engine. Guess again.

A diesel engine exists because they are more fuel efficient. Some states discourage the efficient use of fuels by taxing diesel fuel way more than gasoline. In your home state of Nevada there is only about $.04 per gallon difference. In a tax glutton state like Pennsylvania the obscene confiscation of money by excessive fuel taxes can cause diesel engines to be much less desirable.

Here is tax information: Taxes

More

[Grit_dog]

ppine wrote:
It is humorous to me that anyone thinks the fuel cost for a diesel is higher than for a gas engine. Guess again.

Only the gasser guys, or those who have "diesel horror stories" subscribe to the "it costs soooo much more to own a diesel" nonsense.

In the worst selling market for big fuel guzzling vehicles, about 10 years ago, I got a paltry $18,000 for our 02 Dmax with 125k miles on it.
About 3 years earlier, I got $7500 for an 01 Dodge gasser with the same miles, both in the same excellent condition.
The one major difference was the Dodge was an ext cab not a crew cab.

Current truck has cost me a clutch and a set of injectors, for about $3500 in "diesel related parts." I'm certain an equivalent gasser would not have had such expensive parts, apples to apples, so lets say the diesel cost a $2000 premium in parts. It's still worth 10 grand more than a comparable gasser. Period

[ppine]

It is humorous to me that anyone thinks the fuel cost for a diesel is higher than for a gas engine. Guess again.

[RVman3252]

I have had no serious problems with my 2012 RAM 3500 SRW Crew long-bed Diesel, after 267,000 miles. I have had to have the EGR & EGR Cooler cleaned, and that was costly, no I haven't deleted it like so many people suggest... I am totally happy with it and would buy a new one as long as I need a diesel for pulling.


RVman / John

[4x4ord]

ppine wrote:


No one buys a new truck as an investment. Owning one is clearly an expense. It is consumptive spending, not investment spending. Duh.

I get tired of hearing people talk about the high cost of diesel purchase, repairs and fuel costs. It is a load of ****. It cost me $5k extra to buy a diesel. Now my truck has 170k miles on it. It is going up in value because mechanics think it is "still fresh." The same gas truck would be worth very little. It has saved me lots of fuel costs over the years. It has cost very little except maintenance. The first brake job was at 125 k miles. I rebuilt the front end. That is remarkable. The trans is still fine.

My truck cost $35k and it is worth about $17k in this market after 16 years and 170 k miles. It is the best vehicle I have ever owned.
I was talking with my mechanic the other day. His advice was "don't ever sell it."

If it only costs you about $1000 per year for depreciation buying a new truck why would you not want to stick with that program and buy a new one?
On the other hand If you think about the investment potential of your money you might say "I'm going to keep my old truck ... it might not be overly capable but it does what I need it to and I can keep the $50k difference they want for a new one in some sort of investment where it makes me money."