Justifying a cost of a diesel

[ehamp5050]

I dont agree with a 24 valve getting less MPG than a 12 valve. I have a 2006 common rail with a smarty box downloader. I am getting 21 MPG around town and that is hammering on it driving it like I stole it. That is doing the math not going by the overhead computer. If I run #2 home heating fuel in it I get even better. Diesels really like the extra sulfur. But don't run # 2 fuel on anything newer than 2006 the fuel system is not designed for that. I like to add some 2 stroke oil to the fuel every tank. It keeps the injectors well lubed and quiet.

I do agree with the power of diesel trucks. They go up a hill like they are not even there. Is it worth it for you to spend the extra money?? Well, that depends on how many miles you put on in a year and how long you plan to keep the truck. If you drive them into the ground then by all means you will get that 7-8 K back and then some. All trucks of all brands have their little issues no matter what you buy. But you won't be sorry no matter what diesel you choose especially when you have a trailer on the back and hit that first hill, you will be amazed.

 

[caps]

I know of one guy who has been very successful burning used hydraulic fluid, but I would definitely put him in the Super User category - that centrifuge alone is way beyond what most people want to get into.

There are lots of options, if you have the time/inclination/facilities to deal with older diesels.

Rgds, D.

I agree Dave, Its a pretty simple system though expensive. I know he paid about $600 for the centrifuge alone. It is mounted on the top of a drum with a pump, heater for the oil, and assorted valves and filter. Still, he claims that his total cost averages less than $.50 per gallon for finished product. Last summer he gave me 5 gallon when I was doing a little work for him and i ran it in my tractor to top off the tank. Didn't notice any difference other than the smell. He doesn't mix hydraulic fluid in at all. I offered him my last batch of used HF when I did my last tractor service. He said that he does throw an occasional quart or two of used motor oil in.

 

[3930dave]

I agree Dave, Its a pretty simple system though expensive. I know he paid about $600 for the centrifuge alone. It is mounted on the top of a drum with a pump, heater for the oil, and assorted valves and filter. Still, he claims that his total cost averages less than $.50 per gallon for finished product. Last summer he gave me 5 gallon when I was doing a little work for him and i ran it in my tractor to top off the tank. Didn't notice any difference other than the smell. He doesn't mix hydraulic fluid in at all. I offered him my last batch of used HF when I did my last tractor service. He said that he does throw an occasional quart or two of used motor oil in.

I can believe that cost/gallon. If I had a trusted source (corporate oil collection services have locked up a lot of the market), I'd probably go this route myself. Even up north here (meaning Winter), the performance on waste oil (properly designed/installed system) is good - start up on pure diesel, warm up the engine for 10 miles, then switch to waste oil.

Rgds, D.

 

[Kaliburz]

If you are using the truck for "work", hauling, the diesel is the way to go. So as long as you don't get a lemon or the manufacture made a design error that will bite you years later....when the warranty is done.

Ford offered a V10 gasser in their med duty F series...saw an article on it last year or early this year. Any how, it was a F550 or F650 extended cab w/ a dump bed (over 20,000K GVW). W/ the auto, it was getting 5-7MPG, considering, it was good I think.

You don't see a gas semi truck these days. They are all diesel. Years ago, one of the local cities bought Ford diesel vans for their van pools. Why, longevity of the diesels and cheap fuel. Now, they are going gas. W/ diesel higher then the price of premium, it takes a lot of MPG to justify getting one. (My old 7.3L PS in my E350 extended van and the 6.5L TD in the Chev C2500, when held to about 65-69MPH, can get 19.xx MPG). Any faster, you drop on the 7.3L, diddo w/ the Chev.

A buddy who sells vegetables at farmers markets. He had a early/mid 90's gas Chev van (small box in the back, single rear tire, smaller then the U-hauls, shorter). He said he would have to fill up before going, then fill up coming back (about 75.00 a fill up he said....so about 150 round trip). Not sure on tank size, but it was only a 215 mile trip. Now, he bought a mid 90's E350 van (extended) 7.3L IDI and he can make the trip to and back w/out refilling (about 80-100 a fill up). And he tows a "small" box/utility trailer to make up the lost room too. Says the hills have him at 55MPH and flats at 70MPH. Told him 65 was the sweet spot for max fuel economy. He's still a head w/ the diesel (and has A/C now).

 

[dgeesaman]

For comparison sake, my 6.4L 08 F-250 is getting 13.8mpg mixed, and stays at 14.0mpg on the highway. The load (heavy loads or hills) tends not to change. Consider the higher purchase price, double the money you'll spend on maintenance, and 14mpg diesel vs. your 7-8mpg gas and see what the cost/mile will be by the time you sell it. And if you'll sell it before the truck is run down, estimate the difference in resale.

While diesel is getting harder to justify due to the crazy cost of diesel fuel, the lower mpg caused by low-NOx requirements, and high purchase price, the math can still work out. Even if the cost only breaks even driving the diesel is a much better experience too.

 

[OrangeToys]

Every body is pretty much saying that 14mpg is bad but I'm current getting 6-7 pulling and I've only seen 12-13mpg very few times. So the way I'm seeing it is I can double my mpg at the cost of 15-20 cents more a gallon. Which for me time is money and the less amount of time at the pump I'm making more money.

 

[newbury]

What's the cost difference for gas vs diesel where you usually fill up?

My "home base" is Alexandria, Va, but I travel down to MS frequently and I looked up prices at places I usually fill up at.

In Alexandria, Va Sunoco on 5520 Franconia Rd RUG is $3.76 and diesel is $3.85 - a 9 cents delta.
In Fulton, MS Wild Bills RUG is $3.27 diesel $3.65 - a 38 cent delta
In Kimball, TN Raceway - RUG $3.33 diesel $3.64 - a 31 cent delta
In Mt Jackson, VA Sheetz RUG $3.35 diesel $3.69 - a 35 cent delta

Thus most places on the drive down it seems RUG is about 10% cheaper than diesel.

 

[Egon]

Justify the cost!

Just do it!:thumbsup: be happy.:thumbsup:

 

[wcampbell47]

Recently I purchased a used 2001 F350 with V10. I got 8 mpg towing my B3200 around. I knew it was going to be thirsty so I ordered an engine computer programmer from 5 star tuning. The OEM program for 2001 does not take into account that we now have 10% ethanol. 5 star sent me 3 programs for my V10. Economy, Power, Performance. I run the Economy. I got 15 mpg on a 180 mile trip empty driving 60 mph. Around town I am getting 11-12 mixed empty and towing. I am in a rural area so not much idling. The programmer immediately dropped the idle from 1100 rpms to 650. I bought the used F350 for less than half of the cost of a new truck or good used Dodge diesel with 6 spd. BTW - the F350 is 4 wd, 9900 GVW, 3.55 gears.

Bottom line - before investing in a new truck I would opt for a programmer. I figure with a meager 2 mpg difference the programmer will pay for itself in about 10,000 miles.

 

[dgeesaman]

This is interesting - few people have the V10s and I've never heard results from reprogramming it.

That said, that's double the fuel economy, and common sense says there is no way?