Diesel questions

[mxz_chris]

I have always wanted a diesel, but everytime I read about them, it seems they all have recurring problems, that are never cheap to fix. Does anyone have one that hasn't broke down? My Silverados and Suburban never have any problems, both gas.
Also, it always seems it's the Powerstrokes I read about having issues. Are the Duramax and Cummins more reliable, or are there just more Ford diesels out there?
Serious question, as I will be in the market soon, and will be paying enough for the truck, without budgeting 100.00/month for repairs. I don't mean for this to become a brand bashing question. Thanks.

 

[salmonbum]

In 2003 I bought a New Duramax. My buddies all stayed with half tons. Finally after seeing what my truck was all about, a bunch of them bought used Dmaxs. Mine has 123,000 on the ticker and running good. Just did the brakes for the 1st time at 118k. Buddies that bought used all are well over 100k and doing just as good. Two other buds have 06 Cummins. Both had tranny problems before 50k. One had a bunch of front end stuff done as well. Just took the Cummins up north pulling a 3 place and got 13mpg doing 70-80mph. My Dmax gets 17-18 towing that, 13 mpg pulling my 13,000 boat. Around town is 22 and Xway is 24mpg. . Ford.... well, lets just say after the 7.3 they don't make a good diesel anymore. You couldn't give me one.

Oh yeah, I also have an '06 Jetta Diesel. 45mpg. 125,000 miles and only thing I have done is the recommeded timming belt at 100k, fuel filter, tires and rear brakes at 120k.

 

[mxz_chris]

Thanks. I noticed your name, check out the fishing section and sign the Trout Unlimted letter to your congressman.

 

[snoluver1]

Just stay away from the 6.0 liter ford and you'll be good to go. All cars are junk and they will all break, dosen't matter who makes them. If you don't have top end troubles you will have bottom end troubles. If you don't have motor troubles you will have trans problems. If you don't have trans problems you will have diff problems. If you dont have any of those, you will have electrical gremlins. If you don't have those you will have suspension or front end issues. You see where I 'm going with this? They ALL break. If you don't want major engine issues just stay away from ford 6.0 liter. All the rest are pretty decent motors, if properly maintained.

 

[mrskidoobydoobydoo]

i would say buy a 6.9 liter banks turbo diesel

 

[fredster]

I have owned 4 chevys in the past 10 years, 3 with 5.7 or 5.3 gas V8's and the other being a 6.6 DMAX. I loved the power of the Diesel. I got the same or better MPG's with the diesel vs. gas in every day driving. Towing is a whole different world, you could tow anything with the diesel about as fast as you dared.....gas engine works a lot harder.

Honestly I got out of the diesel and went back to gas because I don't tow very much, used to make 4-5 trips to the UP each winter, since then bought a cabin and the sleds stay there most of the time and only one trip to the UP a year.

Downside? A diesel oil change was 10 quarts of oil, oil filter, dual fuel filters every 10K or $80-100 (I ran synthetic oil). Gas engine, 5 quarts and filter every 6K or about $30 and never have to change fuel filters (so far). I had an 03 Dmax and they were known for injector issues so I ran an additive faithfully (every tank) and never had a problem, but got a little tired of having to worry about adding the additive each time.

Also, my truck was a 2500HD crewcab. It sat high and was very long and had the turning radius of an ocean liner, parking it was challenging at best. My current 1500CC has the 6ft bed and it's much easier to live with as a daily driver, parkings lots, etc.

I was really hoping GM would bring out the 4.5 liter diesel for the 1/2 tons but fuel prices in 2008 took care of that. If they ever do bring out a light duty diesel I would be first in line.

If you're thinking of a used DMAX, look for an 07 in the classic body style. This had the 360HP engine, 6-speed allison, NO emissions equipment, and was the last year for that body so all the bugs were worked out. 2008 and up has emissions controls, not the end of the world but they do not get the 18-22MPG's like the 02-07 did.

I would definitely consider another one. The more you tow the more you benefit.

 

[michaelbbbb]

I bought a 2006 Chevy 2500HD Crew with Duramax, new off the lot in Feb. 07 and it is an outstanding truck...I agree that it is a large vehicle, so not the best daily driver....but it's a truck....and rides great and pulls anything you can throw at it.., and if I had a choice between this diesel, and the exact truck in gas, I would choose mine everytime....my buddy actually has the same truck in gas 6.0L, and he gets 10-12MPG ...I get 16MPG overall and close to 20 on the highway.....My mileage doesn't plummet as quickly with trailers as the gas either. Most trailers are hardly felt behind this thing....absolutely love the truck...zero issues in 40k miles....and now that it is off warranty I'm going to put a controller on it and start to play....I actually bought this one vs. the 07 in the newer body style, exactly for the reason above....This one has the LTZ engine with few emission controls, etc. which makes it a great candidate for after market Perf> mods...
Making bigger HP is something easily done on these diesels, and adds another benefit to the diesel choice.
The Duramax 6.6 and Allison 6sd. is a nice combo

 

[szotty]

i bought my 2003 powerstroke and love it. had to get the 7.3l cus best one out there. it has 124000 miles and going strong the power is endless. and with the lock out hubs always goes in to four wheel drive, the auto hubs o rings go overtime so won't lock the front in. only had to replace brakes and batteries to be safe and the oil changes and additive other than that no other costs besides fuel. i got buddies with all brands and chevy/gmc and ford both are best. dodges turbos and tranmissions go out sooner. when i got mine a guy came it to trade his in with 400000miles and only replaced water pump and the conventual things like brake and tires and batteries. i love mine i would suggest you buy a 99-03 7.3l cus when your pulling tractors at 6000pounds going 65 and getting 17mpg its wounderful.

 

[sabercat]

All 3 are pretty good. Choose the truck style & color you like and roll the dice.

I heard that the newer diesels (about 07 and newer) get 2-3 mpg less cause of restrictive emission controls.

 

[kap]

I have a 97 Ford F250 7.3, 170,000 miles, great truck, no problems till this point on the engine. I change the fuel filter once a year, just peace of mind. Did some front end work about 120,000, made sure everything had zerts. I'm looking for another now 99-03, looking in the south because of rust.
Kyle

 

[salmonbum]

If you're thinking of a used DMAX, look for an 07 in the classic body style. This had the 360HP engine, 6-speed allison, NO emissions equipment, and was the last year for that body so all the bugs were worked out. 2008 and up has emissions controls, not the end of the world but they do not get the 18-22MPG's like the 02-07 did.

Not true. The LB7 was the last of the NO Emissions Dmax (early 04). In 04.5 they came out with the LLY with a Cat and ERG. If you want to get the best fuel economy and maybe build up some crazy power, the 03-early 04 with LB7 is the way togo.

 

[fredster]

You're correct, the 03-04 is completely non-emissions, nothing in the exhaust system and the computer was mainly focused on the engine and not emissions monitoring. Mine was an 03 and I ran the banks 6-gun, 4 inch exhaust and opened up the intake. It ran great!

The 05-07 added a particulate filter, EGR and a few other goodies. As I recall the aftermarket was very successful at providing 'improvements' for all of these features.

My point was, the 2007 LTZ motor in the old bodystyle truck had the best factory horsepower (360 I believe) combined with "minimal" emissions, and it was the only year for the 6-speed allison with the LTZ motor and old bodystyle. This engine also had the improved fuel injectors design as well as the revised heads that allowed much easier access to the injectors. I do recall a few teething issues with the 2005 motors, mostly overheating, but I believe the 06-07 motors were pretty well ironed-out.

Although I love the new bodystyle and interior, I still believe the 03-07 motors to be more durable/less problem-prone then the 'new' 07-10 motor. Lots of complaints about the MPG's on the 07-10, with the LBZ in the old body you can remove the cat and do a simple computer tune and you should be back to pre-emissions MPG's.

There is a revised engine just announced that is supposed to be better still, we'll see....

 

[salmonbum]

Yes the '06 (LBZ) was rated at a higher HP, but at the flywheel. But that 360 hp gets lost thru the cat and all other emissions stuff. On a dyno the real wheel numbers will be higher than the LB7, but not by a margin you think. And because of the emissions stuff that is on the 06, the mpg is not better than my 03, even having the 6 speed.

The DPF did not come into the picture until the LMM in 07. That thing killed mpg. I have a guy over here that took off the DPF and did some tuning, he's now getting in the 20's like my LB7.