robna wrote: As well dont diesel oil changes and general maintenance cost more than a gas engine ie, oil changes, tune ups, brakes, suspension,filters, injectors etc. I am only asking as I only know by what Im told from friends that drive them.
Good follow up questions...
Oil changes: my big block took 7.25 quarts, my diesel takes 10 quarts and the change interval is significantly longer with my diesel, so it's less per year in oil change costs.
Tune Ups: that's a gasser thing, what are you gonna tune up on a diesel?
Brakes, Suspension: those are the same on an equivalent chassis, regardless of the engine, so that's a wash.
Filters: air filter is the same, oil filter for me is the same price, fuel filter is more, but not as much as what i save in oil change costs yearly.
Repair Costs: for standard things like belts and hoses, a wash...for major engine work, the one area where the diesel may cost you more. However, when I bought mine, the warranty was nearly 3 times as long on the engine, so some of that liability is offset by the better warranty.
Have fun out there towing with whatever you use.
2001 Silverado 2500HD LS CC/SB Duramax/Allison Indigo Blue
2004 Cedar Creek 31LBHBS 5er Our Team Rallies Attended: 3½
Oil changes: my big block took 7.25 quarts, my diesel takes 10 quarts and the change interval is significantly longer with my diesel, so it's less per year in oil change costs.
Tune Ups: that's a gasser thing, what are you gonna tune up on a diesel?
Brakes, Suspension: those are the same on an equivalent chassis, regardless of the engine, so that's a wash.
Filters: air filter is the same, oil filter for me is the same price, fuel filter is more, but not as much as what i save in oil change costs yearly.
Repair Costs: for standard things like belts and hoses, a wash...for major engine work, the one area where the diesel may cost you more. However, when I bought mine, the warranty was nearly 3 times as long on the engine, so some of that liability is offset by the better warranty.
I had the same experience when I had my small block. I had to buy a greater amount of oil each time I did the oil change but I had to buy it less often. When I follow the owners manual for the scheduled maintenance I see roughly the same cost between my previous gasser and the diesel.
2004 Keystone Sprinter 307BHW
2006 GMC Sierra Crew Cab D/A
Engine Upgrades?? Don't need 'em!!
The queen bee, 3 kids, and me.
I don't get where the extra maintainance thing came from. I got over 800K miles driving diesels under my belt. I run Cummins and go 7-9K between oil Changes at 60 to 70$. I have changed 3 fuel filters (they are good until the rpms are limited). The only major repair was BS even at a Cummins truck shop. I had a cracked fuel line that was diagnosed as as fuel pump problem. After the $2500 fuel pump I was told "the fuel line is also cracked". Even using this cost over the miles I can't complain. Using a 2500/3500 diesel truck just add fuel, oil, tires, and brakes. Not factoring in certain brands or model years with issues as this is all general statments and beliefs we are talking about.
After reading this it makes me seriosly consider my next truck a diesel. I have always been under the impression they were very expensive to run and maintain. I do like the way my 2003 ram 2500 hemi drives lots of power as a daily driver and as far as gas about 11-12 mpg in city and 15-17on highway. Keep in mind I drive it very easy on the highway cruise on no playing. Thanks for all the good answers keepin the gasser for now but you never know. Thanks again Rob!!
Now I'll give my disclaimer. If you don't drive a fair amount of miles yearly (I drive around 25K a year), the diesel may very well never pay off. If you are towing heavy, they sure are nice though.
Bluenotes disclaimer is a good one, especially when comparing it to a SB gas like you have. In reality, a Diesel may NEVER pay itself off in actual savings $$$$. Or if it does, you are 200-300K miles later, 10'ish+ yrs etc. If comparing to a BB with 9-11 mpg normal driving, 6-8 towing vs his numbers towing, then in approx 80-120K miles, will be the actual payback. Again, to make up the added interest if the money is borrowed, taken out of savings etc, if this can not be done in 3-4 yrs, then again, other than the seat of the pants power, it is normally not worth it from an ROI stand point. If you end up with a dually, figure 1-2 mpg less with a gas, and I am finding 2-3 less with my diesel dually comparing to a SW rig. I get 13-15 city, 16-18 on the hwy, and ANY load puts my mpg's into the 11-12 range, including bed wt.
marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
3 Single axle utility trailers
Madhatter1 wrote: I don't get where the extra maintainance thing came from. I got over 800K miles driving diesels under my belt. I run Cummins and go 7-9K between oil Changes at 60 to 70$. I have changed 3 fuel filters (they are good until the rpms are limited). The only major repair was BS even at a Cummins truck shop. I had a cracked fuel line that was diagnosed as as fuel pump problem. After the $2500 fuel pump I was told "the fuel line is also cracked". Even using this cost over the miles I can't complain. Using a 2500/3500 diesel truck just add fuel, oil, tires, and brakes. Not factoring in certain brands or model years with issues as this is all general statments and beliefs we are talking about.
Agreed. Diesels are simple. I change out the oil, fuel and air filter 2x yearly (low miles annually at this point). Holds [12] quarts versus [5] on last gas truck. Never had so little maintenance (and no repairs) in 20,000 miles and that on a truck bought used with 120,000 miles.
For a part-timer (say, 30-days or so towing per year) then gasoline "probably" makes more sense. For a full-timer, diesel can't be beat, IMO, they are relentless the way that high compression just flattens out the roads.
Gas or diesel. I like them both. I liked the mpg and range and simplicity and longer life of the diesel enough to buy one.
1983 [34'] Model 3411 SILVER STREAK travel trailer. Tandem axle, anodized aluminum,. 7,500-lbs approx. wet weight.
2004 DODGE CTD, SRW longbed 6-speed, approx 7,400-lbs
Combination is above 15,000-lbs
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
I almost bought a diesel instead of my truck, heres the story. I saw a 2003 dodgeram 3500 quad cab full load ctd 160000km one owner for sale 19000.$ Drove down to the lot to look at it it was beautiful drove it wasnt to bad ,told them Id think about it and decided that night to go back and get it. When I arrived the next morning it was just being to delivered to the new owner not me DAMN!!! Anyhow the sales man was right I should of put a deposit down ,then he showed me a 2003 ram 2500 hemi quadcab full load 170000km drove it loved it was asking 19900 got it for 16000$taxes included. Cant say I really wanted the diesel but pressure from friends and family in regards to milage and towing and longevity led me to think I needed one. My current trailer is somewhere between 6-8000lbs loaded its a 1980 kustom koach bunkhouse 24ft havnt had the opputunity to tow with the new ram hemi cant wait. The old tv was a 1991 gmc 2500cab plus long box 350 v8 auto pulled it but slow 30 km on steep hills first gear. Thanks for all the answers and input .ROB
What is the manufacturer's recommendations regarding oil changes for diesels (GM/Dodge), at what mileage? I know Ford didn't make a distinction between gas or diesel, they were both recommended at 5000 miles. Do GM and Dodge recommend different maintenance intervals for gas and diesel?
With out looking at my current OM, There are some differences in the GM line, and have been since the 6.2 IIRC. I know my 6.5 was different than my BB gas motors. I am recalling that my 6.6dmax is different than the gas too. What and how much difference, is not at the top of my head.
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