Diesel Trucks

BobinCols · Dec 3, 2002

$6.49 a gallon for Shell Rotella is a good per gallon price. Shop around, oil filter price is not that bad but air filter should be able to be bought for around $15 and less than $20 for the fuel filter as it is just a cartridge.

Jeff396 · Dec 3, 2002

I went to that site and think I discovered why there is such a large difference in price of the fuel filters. The picture of their filter is only the filter element which I guess you can use with the stock cap that unscrews. The Purolator filter comes with a new cap with the filter already attached. The nice thing about the Purolator cap is that they put a 1/2" socket drive on top so you can use a torque wrench to tighten it to the right specs. Not sure this is "worth" the $20 difference but at least I now understand why it was so much more.

I had planned on using the distilled water with the coolant. What I was unsure about was whether it is a good idea to even flush the system with the well water. Even that doesn't sound like a great idea to me.

Jeff

JATO_RaT · Dec 4, 2002

Delo 15W40 can be purchased at Costco for $5 something per gallon. I usually use Delo but if Valvoline Fleet or Rotella is available and priced right I have no issues using them. My air filter is a K&N washable and works great. I don't change my fuel filter nearly as often as is suggested and when I do, I have cut it open only to find it clean as a whistle. Oil filter from K&N is about $8.00. Fuel filter is about $30. I have an older 7.3 liter IDI Ford truck. I realize the newer trucks may not have a K&N filter made for them but if they do, you may consider them as an alternative to replacement type filters.

Anonymous Poster · Dec 4, 2002

I have a 2000 powerstroke/6-speed. I have used Rotella, but prefer JD 15w40 Torqgard. No oil use, and 1-1.5 mpg better. Also saw 1 mpg from K&N air filter. As for those exploding clutch/flywheels, no hard downshifts= no clutch problems.

Anonymous Poster · Dec 4, 2002

I think you forgot the most important calculation in new vehicle math: RESALE. A diesel truck with 80000 miles that sells for $3000 more than a comparable gas truck means the diesel only cost $2000 to buy. NOW do your math of higher cost fuel per gallon, more expensive oil and filter changes, etc. Then deduct 50% better fuel economy (I figure to save $.05 per mi.). After all that try to pull a gas truck with a 30 ft gooseneck up to a gas pump, there's never enough room. I've done all these, owned a new big block gas, and love my diesel

JATO_RaT · Dec 4, 2002

Good point. Exploding clutches are typically caused by hard downshifts. The outside RPM of the clutch will frequently exceed what it can handle. Ever notice how saw blades, grinding wheels, etc. have a maximum speed to them. The larger the blade the slower the maximum speed of the device. A clutch has a fairly large diameter. I used to blow them up on my Datsun as a teenager cause I thought it was cool how it sounded when going fast and downshifting to first. I don't use the manual transmission anymore to slow down the vehicle, I'd rather wear out the brakes. Rat...

BobinCols · Dec 4, 2002

You will get $3000 more for a used diesel truck but you also gave over $5000 more for the diesel when the truck was purchased new. The flywheel-clutch does not explode. The Powerstroke has a dual mass flywheel which is supposed to take out some of the torsional vibrations that are inherent to that engine. This flywheel wears out over time (the springs in the flywheel break and the bearing inside the flywheel hub locks up).. There is no repair to the flywheel except to install a new one for $800.. Every time you shut the motor off it wears the flywheel. If you shut your motor off and you hear a clanking sound that is more noticeable-it is the flywheel. My post is not to find fault about pickup diesels. They are great for people who need them. They are not for everyone.

JATO_RaT · Dec 4, 2002

Bob, I think your right about the diesel not necessily being for everyone. I am probably one of those candidates. I use mine for a pickup and thats it. I rarely tow a trailer and when I do, its light. I enjoy getting a few more miles to the gallon. I always buy used and got this one for next to nothing. My biggest complaint about diesels is the noise. Perhaps thats why when I heard the Duramax was quiet it perked my interest. The Cummins still seems to be the noisiest as good as it is. Some folks like the rumble of a diesel, I'm just not one of them. I had a Dodge/Cummins behind me at the stop light today and still can't believe they can't do something to quelch its noise. And to think when I was younger I wanted my VW's loud, my Datsun pickup sounded really cool without a muffler. Boy I've changed. Oh well, Rat....

BobinCols · Dec 4, 2002

You're in luck. The new Cummins is now out and available in the new Dodge. A friend was at a dealer and said the new Cummins was about 80% quieter than the ones used in a 2002. His words were the 80% quieter. I always enjoy reading your posts and share a lot of the views that you have when reading them.

JATO_RaT · Dec 5, 2002

That really sounds great ( or should I say that really doesn't sound, great) What I have always like about the Cummins is the shear simplicity and small package with big power. I was just reading where in Europe that diesels are now about 50% of the engines there for autos and trucks. Apparently they tax the crap out of gas but not diesel. Also they still haven't refined the diesel (removed the sulphur) to the extent we do here in the US and CA. in particular. Thats their next step. It is also was why the German manufactuers for the most part gave up on diesels in the US. They had a hard time getting the engines to meet the more stringent US emission standards. Apparently its coming down to diesels versus hybrids. The diesels emit more nitrous oxide but the gas emits more CO2. Global warming or acid rain was what the article eluded too. I'm going to have to check out the new and quieter Cummins. Rat...