Diesel Longevity worth the increased maintenance costs

[75H2]

Hi guys, I don't want to start any kind of war here. There is something I always wondered. Does the increased longevity of a diesel engine offset the assumed increased maintenance costs? I'd be refering to 3/4 & 1 ton pick up trucks. If one were to ignore the increased purchase price are diesels more economical to own?

Thanks

 

[MikePA]

It all depends on how many miles per year, what type of driving, will you be towing, etc. Basically, will you drive the diesel enough so the better mpg offsets it's higher maintenance costs.

 

[ModMech]

If you drive OVER 20,000 miles per year and need to pull heavy loads a good portion of that time then yes, without a doubt a diesel will be less costly overall.

If you are like *most* people that buy a diesel PU, you only tow occasionally and not particularly heavy and use the vehicle more for commuting to and from work, church and the grocery store than for WORK. In that case, gas will be a better choice.

 

[WH401]

It also depends if your buying new or used. If buying new than you need to consider the other points that were mention in the previous posts, and then base if off of that. If you can't just justify the astronomical purchase price of a new 2010 diesel, while using those points, than you shouldn't buy one.

If buying used than I'd buy away. The older diesel's are simpler, more reliable, easier to work on, get better fuel mileage, and require less maintenance. I hate to say it, but I'd be hard pressed to buy a new diesel these days unless I got a killer deal. It used to be that you could buy 3/4 - 1 ton trucks and easily get higher mileage than a 1/2 ton with a gasser. Those days are unfortunately gone though, especially since today's half ton's are getting mileage that's similar or better than what older 3/4 - 1 tons with the diesel engine were getting. But today's half ton's still can't do the work of a 3/4 - 1 ton, and so if you don't mind buying used, than an older 3/4 or 1 ton is really the logical way to go.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Back when I bought my F-350 I did the math and the difference between the diesel and the V-10 was going to take 80,000 miles to break even. The maintenance cost were a wash for me. The V-10 takes less oil but requied 3K changes while he diesel goes 7K, ect.

Back then in 06 diesel was much cheaper and not sure what the story is today.

I drive this truck about 12K per year of which 70% plus is pulling mostly 15,000# up.

Chris

 

[Dargo]

Being that about every time I move my truck it's hauling as much firewood I can stack in the bed or am towing over 15,000 pounds. That really doesn't leave me much of an option. However, I do know some people who still buy diesel pickups just because they 'want' a diesel even though not only a gasser would do, but a half ton gasser would do. I don't abuse my pickup, but it sure gets worked!

 

[bdeboer]

I think part of the answer would lie in whether you do the maintenance yourself. Some dealerships like to charge twice as much for a diesel oil change even though the difference in cost is 3 quarts of oil. I change the fuel filter ($45.00) in mine every 10,000 miles or every other oil change. Air filter ($45.00) every 20,000. I am thinking that the additional maintenance costs are probably less than $200 every 20,000 miles. That would easily be burnt in fuel with a gas powered truck.

 

[QRTRHRS]

There are maintenance costs other than the usual oil and filters to consider. The Cummins weighs in at around 900 lbs. Translate that into increased tire and steering component wear. Along with that even with improvement in the last dozen years or so, transmission and other driveline component repairs need to be considered.

Diesel fuel costs have been running about five to fifteen cents a gallion more than gas for the last several months in my neck of the woods. That is not as bad as it was a couple of years ago.

Personal choices and needs aside, I do not think diesel over gas is worth the extra expense. Especially if buying new where you are looking at decreased miles per gallon and increased maintenance costs due to stricter emission rules.

 

[dodge man]

Unless you are one of those people that keeps a vehicle for a really long time, I don't think a diesel will pay based on longevity. I think in theory a diesel will last longer, but how many people will keep a truck past 200,000 miles. The real payback on a diesel is the harder you work it, the more you will save on fuel costs.

 

[JasG]

I don't even think a diesel will last longer anymore. I was talking with a guy today who hauls for us. He has a fleet of maybe 10 Peterbuilt truck with Cummins motors. Before 2003 it was normal for a truck to get well over 750,000 miles before a rebuild, he told me none of his 2003's or newer have made it to 500,000. He also has an 09 F-350 which is his daily driver, he is currently getting 11 MPG. I don't know many people with 2003 and newer trucks be it Ford or Chevy anyway (don't know many dodge guys) that haven't had major repairs done well before 100,000 mile now.
From what I have read ERG or even CERG make the engine burn poorly and reduces engine life.