Diesel truck maintenance

[JP Heintzman]

I'm looking at getting a truck this spring and was looking at the F250 w/ the diesel engine. I don't have a big boat, 170TF, but wanted the diesel for towing and longevity. I don't get rid of vehicles and basically drive them till the wheels fall off (89 Tempo w/230,000, 92 Toyota Truck w/180,000, 97 Jeep Cherokee w/145,000). Anyway, I read somewhere that upkeep and maintenance on a diesel engine is expensive, more so than a gas engine. With diesel fuel now costing more, does the upkeep outweigh any benefits of the supposed longevity of the engine itself? I'm not particulary concerned with mileage as my jeep only gets about 15mpg anyway and I can get at least that, if not a little more with the F250 4x4. Any guidance from those that have had a diesel truck would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, I'm not buying a new one, probably an 02' or 03. Thanks.



Jim

 

[Lonnie Conner]

Jim, A friend of mine has a older model F250 Diesel and as far as the longevity it is outstanding but when he has to replace the parts they are expensive. I have a 1997 F250 with a 460 cubic fuel injection and it loves gas at around 10 miles to the gallon.He gets better gas mileage so to answer your question you probably will be better off in the long run buying the diesel.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

When I got sponsored by Chevy I looked at both vegetable burners and regular gas burners. I "wanted" a diesel, I got a gas truck. Here are the reasons why....1. Initial cost, a diesel added $5,000 to the sticker upfront. 2. Maintenance, lots more oil, more expensive oil, cetane additives for the gas winter/summer, expensive parts, expensive labor, price of fuel, etc. The difference in these costs buys a lot of gas considering we don't even begin to get into the range of pulling where a diesel is actually needed. A well maintained gas engine will last nearly as long as an oil burner and cost you less in the long run. Now if you NEED a diesel, then you need one. Most of us don't. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have one but I just can't make the numbers work. I over bought even for gas with a 4wd, 3/4 ton, 6.0 liter, crew cab, with 4.10 gearing, but I've got no worries puling.



TOXIC

 

[Kevin Izzi]

Ok Jim,

I drive a 2006 Chevy 2500 Duramax with Alison trany short bed crew cab leather power everything XM radio you name it you got.......wish I never did it! Why you might ask $3.39-$3.49 a gallon on most interstates the oil change thing is really not so bad it is about $150 with fuel filter change and synthetic or Rotella oil every 10k miles, about 15 mpg so with all that being said the fuel is killing me. Now I have met a guy that actually makes his own fuel with used oil from local restaurants and is will to teach me how. If that works out I might just tell you differently. I just have a bit of trouble with the 50k+ price tags and then we get killed on the fuel prices. I am not sure how the heck truck drivers can even make a buck anymore. If you are even thinking of buying new take a look at the new full sized hybrid chevy's that are coming out. If they have the umph to pull my boat I just might be writing about that next year. Good luck on your purchase.



The Dragon

 

[Aroldo Hernandez]

Ejoy live u only leave one's get u a diesel if you ever wanted to have one.

Some time's the diesel is cheaper for some year's and then again the other year's gas is cheaper it all works out the same to me.

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[Bryan McDonough]

Diesel maintenance myths. Oils changes, sure they costs more but you should be going a lot longer between oil changes, s a wash. Fuel filter, if you do it yourself, it costs me $35 every 20k. Currently diesel in my area is .20-.30 more than gas. My Duramax gets 20-30% better fuel mileage than my old 2500 Gas truck. Intial cost is more if you are the type that gets a new truck every 3-5 years you'll get your money back.



Cost to repair is the only down side to a Diesel truck. It will costs more on average.



If you can get away with a 1/2 ton truck, than its that would be more economical in a 5 year period. Another option is a 2wd Deisel, not many out there but they are heck of a lot cheaper than a 4wd diesel truck.

 

[Michael Meier]

I have a 1999 F250 with the 7.3 diesel that I ordered new. I order all my trucks via the Ford fleet dealers and get what I want at fleet pricing, you just have to pay him for it up front and wait 3-4 months. No loans, and no trade in's if you go this route. You need to know exactly what truck and option #'s you want when you walk in and then cash on the barrel head. This way you don't deal with the lot leaches and settling for what Buba has left over out front.



MPG/fuel cost/mait. equals a std. gas truck overall if you throw in the spark plugs/wires/more freq. oil changes/lighter duty every thing else. Mine takes 14 qts. of oil but you go 5K before changes. Oil in bulk (5 gallons) is less per qt. than gas engine oil. Fuel filter every 15K. K&N air filter so you clean that. Lifetime anti-freeze. Trans oil change 25K, and every 100K with a new filter. Diff's and Trans case have Redline Synthetic and will never need changed. A little grease job during the oil change and your done. I run the Stanadyne additive that raises the cetane level of the pump diesel and it's $165.00 for 5 gallons that lasts me a couple years. This stuff keeps the performace up, stops any gelling at below 0 temps, and stops any diesel fuel gum up of the injectors/pumps. I do all my own mait. and have 149K on this one. I have had 3 diesels prior and all of them I run till they hit 200K+ before I even consider selling. I have never had any of my Ford's in the shop for anything except recall items (3). The inital cash outlay for the diesel is about 5K more than a gas truck, but if you want to pull then the diesel the right rig. If your just hauling groceries around for moma, pulling a light load around on flat ground, normally trade out vehicles fequently, then get the gas. If you have the extra 5K, get the diesel. It's much more fun to drive and you can pull stumps in your spare time!!!



Pulling the boat is 895 miles to a tank. Or 3 pit stops (which always seem to come 1st) A tank eats the 100 bill at the pump. It's only $$$$$$ and I'm not taking it with me.:lol:

 

[fatrap]

I have a 7.3 powerstroke and it's the best truck I've ever owned. I've had both Chevies and fords. I loved everyone of them but this is the best so far. Period.

fatrap

 

[Pat Goff]

460,000 on my powerstroke, pulls anything I've attached it to, and it's never been down, save one crankshaft sensor.



As previously stated, synthetic trans fluid, rotella oil, and it just keeps on going. The truck that refuses to quit.

 

[CJ Extrom]

Jim,I drive 36-40,000 a year, sales in the brick business. Buy a new truck every four years, a GM product. Took a look at a diesel but the cost is to much, maint and fuel. If you are going to pull something big then buy a duramax. My brother in law pulls a 5th wheel camper and you can't beat it. He runs 18 mpg to and from work hyw. I have a 08 Chevy 1500 5.3 3.73 gears and run 18 mpg hyw. It pulls my Nitro 929 just fine. Gas up here Jersey is less then diesel. Good luck with your choice.



CJ