duramax diesels

[Dozernut]

Those new Cummins are quiet and a very good engine. As far as noise, I have to shut my DuraMax off at a drive-through or they can't hear me over the diesel clatter. However on the road the cab is nice and quiet and have no trouble hearing the radio or phone. One thing I do like about GM is the OnStar system. I would never have gotten a truck with OnStar, but the truck came equipped with it, along with a free subscription. Once I tried it, I was hooked. The hands free phone system is great, push a button on the steering wheel and it is all voice activated. The truck also has XM satellite radio where you have the same stations coast to coast.

 

[HGM]

No problem, it happens all the time here too....

That makes more sence, the newer diesels tend to run a Mass Air Flow sensor to monitor EGR flow(Ford eliminated it in '05). This sensor will become coated by the oil. On a gas burner, it could spell major fuel calculation troubles, but as far as Ford diesel goes, it would have little effect on the fuel calculations on a PowerStroke. Either way, I refuse to believe the benefit could outway the dammages they will alow in a diesel engine.

Also, as mentioned in another reply, about letting it idle for 8hrs. DONT DO IT...... That is the singe worst thing you can do to a modern diesel engine. They produce no heat at idle. As it idles it cools itself from the inside-out, it's just a big air pump. There is no restriction for it to fight against, hence no load= no heat, this also allows the EGR being flowed into the intake to cool and cake on everything in the intake including the EGR valve & Turbo. The misconception that most people have is "truckers do it all the time". If you notice, they have idle kickers and blankets covering the radiator to help retain heat. They are also running to produce electricity for thier sleepers, not soley to keep the engine warm. Just a word of caution.

 

[Dargo]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( They produce no heat at idle.)</font>

What??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The diesel engine was invented by Rudolph Diesel in 1892. He received a patent for his "heat", or "compression" engine on February 23, 1893. The entire concept of the engine is that it runs on heat. Every diesel engine made produces heat by compression. That is what they do. That is how they run.

Perhaps what you meant to say was that most diesel engines have cooling systems on them that are designed to cool them when they are under a load, and may prevent them from maintaining a correct temperature when they are at idle.

 

[anthonyk]

I used the Kand N filter on my old truck and when I sent the oil sample in for analysis (amsoil synthetic) they said it had some sort of problem, and that it was directly related to the filter. They were able to pinpoint exactly what the contaminant was, and that it originated in the air filter oil. Never used one again.

anthony

 

[HGM]

Dargo,
Obviosly there is sufficent heat produced to ignite the fuel in the cylinders. What I was refering to is the inherant cooling action of the "air pump" ,for lack of better terms, that the engine becomes at idle. Since there is no load, heat production is at a minimum, exadurated if the vehicle is run at low ambiant temps. This only becomes an issue, to my knowledge, on the EGR equiped engines. We have seen many new trucks with severe carbon build-up over the past couple of years, they have all been on the soccer mom's, construction forman,rescue, or transit type vehicles that tend to idle for extended periods of time.

 

[Jeff396]

I've also heard that it isn't good to idle stock diesel pickups for long periods of time unless you can kick up the idle as the big rigs do. However, the reason I heard is that at idle the burn of the fuel is not as efficient (which I suppose could be the result of lower operating temps) and that all of the fuel isn't burned. After a while so much fuel is built up in the cylinders that it begins to wash the lubricant off of the cylinder walls and causes wear. I believe they call it "wet stacking".

Jeff

 

[kokopelli2]

For the information of others can you expand upon this?
Full Exhaust = 4" pipe from header to tailpipe?
Programmer = Replacing the computer chip with a programmablel model? Which brand and how do you like it?
Airbox = the K&N kit?

What did all this run you? <font color="brown"> </font>
All of my mods have been Bully dog brand, and I guess I have about a grand in everything outside the plow. I love all of it. I get great milage, better acceloration, and even tows nicer.

as for how long will a Duramax last, there are 2 guys on Diesel page that have over 400k miles on theirs.

 

[HGM]

Thats a good point as well, unburned fuel in the exhaust will contribute to the sooting.

As far as how long they can last. Its also true, if properly maintained, they can last seemingly forever.. I know of quite a few 7.3's with well over 700000mi and nothing done to them. Diesels are lubricated by all that goes through them, good fuel and clean air is the key.

 

[GeneD14]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, as mentioned in another reply, about letting it idle for 8hrs. DONT DO IT...... That is the singe worst thing you can do to a modern diesel engine. )</font>

Both my old 2002 7.3 Powerstroke and my 2005 6.0 Powerstroke are programmed from the factory to only idle for a few minutes then the program raises the engine rpm up significantly for a period of time automatically.

 

[HGM]

The 7.3 did have an exhaust backpressure valve that will cause a restriction in the exhaust and help to create more heat. Not a problem there.

The 6.0 has the capability if it is hooked up. Chances are you may be hearing the EGR close, this is part of the latest calibration changes that keep the EGR from working at an extended idle, just for this concern. I believe if you watch the tach, you wont see an RPM change on the 6.0. Not saying your wrong, its just a feature that doesnt come standard.

How has the 6.0 been treating you?