Ecodiesel. How screwed am I?

[steve357]

I traded in a 2015 5.7 a couple months back because it had a slipping transmission, and they had a 2016 ecodiesel that I really liked and ended up buying. But that was before I realized how bad of an engine it was. And it has 111k miles...So I'm not exactly sure what to do. Is there preventative maintenance I can do? Something I should look out for? And how panicked should I be to get rid of it and move on?

Currently it has no issues. Runs great, I really like it. As far as I know everything is stock except deleted air suspension.

 

[GTyankee]

I really like my 2016 Eco-diesel
especially the MPG

I was using it for my business, i was driving 20 to 30,000 miles a year, until i got sick.
Now i do not drive much at all.
I hope to get another 7 years out of it

 

[HuskerRam]

Realistically, if you haven't had a catastrophic issue yet, you're probably not going to have one. The Gen2 engines were either nightmares, or solid motors. This forum is more Hemi-centric, so I'd suggest taking a look at the ram 1500 diesel forum where there's a healthy mix of Gen2 and Gen3 owners. You'd probably benefit from a GDE or EOC powertrain tune.

 

[Cummins diesel]

Me personally I’d get rid of it and I’m a diesel guy. I had a 2016 with 134,*** miles on it when it blew up. We never did pull it apart but it started knocking real bad and then shut off. Oil pressure light never came on and it had plenty of oil in it. I bought it with just over 100,000 miles on it so I don’t know what the maintenance was until I got it but after I got it I only ran full synthetic oil in it with regular changes. I can tell you from experience that a new engine will set you back right at 15,000 with installation. If you want a diesel get a Cummins. If you want a 1500 get a gas truck. Just my opinion for what it’s worth

 

[mikeru]

What is your primary use with this truck?

 

[steve357]

Mostly short tripping 15 minutes to work, which I know is especially bad for diesel emissions as it barely gets warmed up

*Edit.* Right after I got the truck, the code for the dpf filter came on, but I was able to clear it and it hasn't came on since. That was 6 months ago.

 

[steve357]

Me personally I’d get rid of it and I’m a diesel guy. I had a 2016 with 134,*** miles on it when it blew up. We never did pull it apart but it started knocking real bad and then shut off. Oil pressure light never came on and it had plenty of oil in it. I bought it with just over 100,000 miles on it so I don’t know what the maintenance was until I got it but after I got it I only ran full synthetic oil in it with regular changes. I can tell you from experience that a new engine will set you back right at 15,000 with installation. If you want a diesel get a Cummins. If you want a 1500 get a gas truck. Just my opinion for what it’s worth

Yeah the 100k miles of unknown maintenance is the scary part

 

[NCRaineman]

Bought a high mileage truck with an unknown maintenance history and without doing any research on the engine.

I think you left your sign at the dealership... because the sales guy sure saw it when you came in the door.

 

[mikeru]

Mostly short tripping 15 minutes to work, which I know is especially bad for diesel emissions as it barely gets warmed up

*Edit.* Right after I got the truck, the code for the dpf filter came on, but I was able to clear it and it hasn't came on since. That was 6 months ago.

Given your intended use for this truck I'd recommend trading it in for a truck with a gas engine. Like you said, short trips aren't good for diesel engines.

 

[turkeybird56]

Given your intended use for this truck I'd recommend trading it in for a truck with a gas engine. Like you said, short trips aren't good for diesel engines.

OP, U keep the ED, you need to take at least a once a week 30 minute to 1 hour trip at Highway speeds consistent 60 mph and more to get the vehicle to clean itself and regen. IF not, you gonna not be happy when you get DPF, and Catalytic SCR issues. Just saying, which is why I got rid of my 2015 and got a Hemi, as my needs changed and did not feel like running extra places, just to regen, as the ED turned into a GG.

But your wallet, OP. There was a recall in 2018/19 for software ref Diesel defeat systems because of a CARB lawsuit, and that software change really dogged out the motors. If you do not know the history, you need to immediately: Get proper Oil Change with proper Oil Filter, and watch the oil, it takes a specific oil with specific soot additives. (2) get the fuel filter changed out also. That would be the minimum In would do IMMEDIATELY.

All IMHO.

https://www.ram1500diesel.com/

 

[GTyankee]

Fuel filter needs to be changed around every 15 to 18,000 miles. That is every other Oil Change.

I have changed the OIL Filter from the VERY VERY expensive MOPAR Oil Filter that is made in China $$$$$$$$$$$$

to the WIX brand oil filter, made in the USA, for $ 20 something dollars

 

[TimB1024]

Steve,
I was in the same spot with my new / used 1st time owner of a 2015 ECO diesel, not sure what to expect. Bought in 2020 with over 100k and doing short commutes which started the P20EE codes (CR NOx Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). I purchased the GDE tune the next year and solved my exhaust filter issues. 1) GDE tune tells me when Regen starts and what % until finished. 2) the -/+ buttons on the steering wheel turn into paddle shifters. 3) Eliminated the turbo delay and feels like a gas engine now. So, for regen, I find a back road home and run it in 2nd gear at around 2500 rpm until finished. Takes about 10-15 minutes. Last year I went 7,150 miles to/from work and it regen'ed 31 times avg around 200 miles between regens (up to 450 miles on longer trips). While a pain...I get 23-24mpg on trips and I like the in-town avg of 19-20mpg, plus good power with 6cyl 3.0L which is fine for me. So....I'm keeping it for now. But w/out a tune doing short trips...give up!

 

[steve357]

Thanks Tim for sharing your experience. And everybody else too. I'll look into a GDE tune. Sounds like a good investment. I'll then look into a delete in the further future if necessary.

 

[TimB1024]

Suggest you do the delete if possible. I'm not brave enough to tackle that one! Everyone I know who did it have not been disappointed!!

 

[mikeru]

Suggest you do the delete if possible. I'm not brave enough to tackle that one! Everyone I know who did it have not been disappointed!!

You might add that you would only recommend a delete if he plans on keeping the truck pretty much forever. And as long as he doesn't need to do emission testing. A friend of mine deleted his older Ford F250. It runs great and has amazing power with the tune. But he will never be able to trade it in without restoring it back to stock.

 

[Ecosqueasl]

I have a 2015 that I bought 4 years ago, 180 000 km on it and now has 280 000.
Deleted and piped. I love that truck. Fuel mileage is the best thing about it.
I'll run it into the ground from here on out.