Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

[arto98607]

Thanks, wow!

 

[LouNY]

yes according to the dealer some sensor are integrated in the parts it is the case for the DEF tank and the exhaust so you can't just change the sensor ... don't know if its the case just for the newer models but it was the case for that year according to the dealer ...

Some of the RAM 1500's had the DEF pump and gauge integrated into the tank, I'm not aware of any exhaust sensors that were part of the system and couldn't be replaced.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Some of the RAM 1500's had the DEF pump and gauge integrated into the tank, I'm not aware of any exhaust sensors that were part of the system and couldn't be replaced.

I believe it was the sensor on the catalytic converter...

 

[3930dave]

in the colder climate these truck and truck using DEF are a pain the DEF constantly frozen ....my dad had a 2017 eco diesel and as soon as the warranty ended he got rid of it, if you get one faulty sensor you have to change the whole part its a money pit ... in four years he change the DEF thank twice and change the exhaust once because of faulty sensor and froze the DEF twice... great fuel millage if you are not pulling anything.

For our climate, I used to joke that I should get on with designing a "block"-heater for DEF systems, as I don't know of any other automotive fluid that is designed to freeze....

Could just run a Webasto, but I don't know if these 1500's have enough space for one.....

I'll say it again - I'm glad that Chrysler has provided this 3.0L diesel option to our market..... while some on here make full use of an F550's capacity, many examples just in this thread of people who this truck is a good fit for. Generic comments below, based on equipment I spend time around (medium duty+), but the only other thing I've heard about this ED is some years having timing gear problems.

DEF tanks, senders, heated lines - all can have problems..... again, what other automotive systems are supposed to deal with freezing water ?

Big problems with the DEF tank senders on larger equipment (Truck, Bus)..... to the point that Cummins came out with an software patch - engine still shuts down if you are out of DEF, but the patch dials down/off Warnings/Faults when the Sender reading is wonky. The issue was bad sealing/potting for the electronics that sit on top of the Sender...... Huge problem for Big Truck/Bus, as there was only ONE company making these senders.

DEF pumps ($$) and doser/injectors can and do fail. Heated DEF lines can and do fail...... Pro-Tip - if you need a DEF Line, just order every one on the vehicle (assuming you can return unused ones) as many manufacturers have abysmal aftertreatment documentation......

More than one set of (fuel) injectors have been ruined by people filling fuel tanks with DEF (wish I was making this up.....), and I don't want to think about the other way-round scenario.....

Browsing wikipedia just now..... "At airports, where DEF can sometimes be required for diesel ground service vehicles, its labelling and storage must be carefully managed to avoid accidentally servicing jet aircraft with DEF instead of fuel system icing inhibitor, a mistake that has been attributed to multiple in-flight engine failure and grounding incidents." The air you are hyperventilating is much cleaner, while everybody on the plane is placing bets on how good a glider-pilot the Captain is......

DEF and DOC cans can and do fail, and at a minimum, will need cleaning/testing. NOX, Temperature and Particulate Matter (not sure if the 3.0 ED has one) Sensors do fail. Coolant lines run all sorts of extra places (DEF tanks, EGR coolers).... more failure points, and cross-contamination damage possibilities.....

And there is all the added wiring (soy-based mice entrees) and connectors these modern systems need.... more $$$, more failure points.... that not-just-any Tech is great at fixing.....

All modern diesels deal with the above ^ issues. Some have little/no impact if you never deal with Winter temperatures; many are just kicked down the road if you Buy or Lease New every few years.

Check Engine comes on in a modern diesel ? Get it scanned That Day..... Don't Wait, as you'll probably pay more if you do......

Rgds, D.

 

[TheGoose]

Well, we put about 120,000 mostly trouble free miles on the truck. Had a few little issues, nothing major. Mileage was excellent. Did have the truck *upgraded with the new emission software a few years ago. Didn’t notice much change, got about $3k back from FCA. We towed light to medium loads in her. Did tow a 1,000 gallon water trailer a few hundred miles here and there. Best truck I ever owned, hands down. Body and interior held up well.

We purchased a 2nd hand 2018 Ram Cummins 4x4. Just needed something a little beefier to support our water well business. Not sure yet but I will probably end up selling the ED. The new Ram is not nearly as fancy as the old one.

 

[3930dave]

Well, we put about 120,000 mostly trouble free miles on the truck. Had a few little issues, nothing major. Mileage was excellent. Did have the truck *upgraded with the new emission software a few years ago. Didn’t notice much change, got about $3k back from FCA. We towed light to medium loads in her. Did tow a 1,000 gallon water trailer a few hundred miles here and there. Best truck I ever owned, hands down. Body and interior held up well.

We purchased a 2nd hand 2018 Ram Cummins 4x4. Just needed something a little beefier to support our water well business. Not sure yet but I will probably end up selling the ED. The new Ram is not nearly as fancy as the old one.

Good data Goose - thanks for posting. Really nice to have the continuity (one thread) from Thinking Of..... to May now Sell.

These ED seem to be a good personal/light-duty hauler..... and, I do like the Ramboxes design. Since way back, many trucks have had lower body boxes.... usually less fun even new, when dealing with snow, mud, salt like we do here.

Had a good chat with the (my age) Parts Mgr at the Kawasaki dealer here... really likes his ED too.

Rgds, D.

 

[Hay Dude]

A ED Powerwagon would be cool, but “power” is not really that great. Maybe the 6.7 Cummins would be better.

 

[TheGoose]

I heard the discontinued the ED earlier this year. Too bad. Great engine combo.

 

[TnWV]

My 2016 ED that I bought new now has over 151,000 miles. Trouble free, only regular maintenance. I change the oil at 8,000 miles, fuel and air filter every other oil change.

Agree that the body and interior have held up great. I have a gravel driveway so over half a mile of gravel every time I leave in it and nothing rattles. Haven’t owned another vehicle I can say that about, knock on wood.

When I pull my camper loaded for a trip, I figure all in at about 7,500 pounds or so. With a good weight distributing hitch and integrated break controller, it pulls and stops it just fine. Pull similar amount in hay a couple times a year as well.

Been a great truck and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one. If not for the cost of new trucks, I’d probably get a new one if I could find it. Plan to just keep it for a while.

 

[3930dave]

I like big-block engines just fine, owning one... but I'm disappointed seeing this ED going away.

Reading recent Ram material..... it looks like another casualty of electric being bulldozed into the market.

In the USA, and to an extent the Canadian market, this engine was closer to a Euro product than what many are used to. Not going to float 20k# with it, but even on here,many people don't do that much, or at all.

Classic diesel advantage..... take a mid-displacement diesel, and it punches closer to what a 5.x liter gas does, but @ lower rpm tq-wise. Most of what I need to do, is right in the operating range of this retired ED.

DI gas engines can have impressive performance curves. Earlier problems with DI gas were notable, and there are still question marks in my mind on reliability...... only recently came across the LSPI issue - to the point where there is an SAE Oil-spec because of it.

Rgds, D.