TO DIESEL OR NOT TO DIESEL THAT IS THE QUESTIONS

[Forsakentalon]

I would never own a diesel if I don't have the need for it.

I really wanted a diesel. Did too much research. I do drive a diesel everyday for work. The main thing that breaks on the newer diesels is the dpf system or the def system. They are 2 separate systems. I do understand how they work.

If you want to use a diesel as a daily driver/ grocery getter...don't...just....don't. either you keep your car for those things and the diesel only comes out for the heavy work. Or get the big gasser if you want to use a truck as a daily driver.

If going with a 5th wheel you do need a dually. If you don't get the dually be ready to sit parked during mild wind storms.

 

[jejb]

I would never own a diesel if I don't have the need for it.

I think that is what you read a lot of these forums, diesel owners telling folks not to buy a modern one if you don't pull fairly heavy and do it often. It's unfortunate what .gov has forced on us, but it is what it is. My '22 has been great, but it pretty much only comes out of the RV building when there is work to be done. Only has 17K on it. We have other vehicles for running to town, etc.

 

[nlambert182]

MLambert
Your level of denial and condescension takes special super power diesel loving skills. Sigh….. Again did years of due diligence which you ignored… again…..

Anyway, I wish you well with all your diesels. I’d like to get one that works well in the future too.

Yep I’m headed back to gas as I stated for all of the above reasons. I hope my posts are a good factual reference for people trying to make their decision.

I do wonder how those new gm half ton diesels being used as daily drivers will hold up over time?

No denial here and no condescension. Just stating facts. I literally said they fail. If you had done your due diligence every diesel forum in existence talks in depth about emissions failures. It's no hidden secret.

The only thing gas buys you are less emissions issues (except the 6.4 Hemi also has an EGR cooler) but gas engines have their own slew of problems. Every mechanical thing does.

The 3.0 Babymax is having issues. Some with emissions and some more serious issues like premature injector failures and oil pump failures. The EcoDiesel in the Rams suffers from it's own problems.

 

[nlambert182]

Took me 5 minutes to come up with this.






AND FOR GAS:

 

[fcr]

Beware… There is a lot of gaslighting from diesel proponents on many different forums that attribute any problems to the owner’s use… not towing heavy or working it hard enough, they always lay the blame back on the owner. It’s rarely the almighty diesels truck’s fault. Just beware of that when researching and putting weight in reviews from those who operate in different climates than you do. Lots more problems up north. I wish I would have went to dealer service departments more and counted the parking lot queens. My experience was sensors and wiring, no filter issues. And the guy next to me with the 2023 with under 50,000 miles last visit to the dealer… same deal.


Again from a guy who loves them…

 

[miketx]

Beware… There is a lot of gaslighting from diesel proponents on many different forums that attribute any problems to the owner’s use… not towing heavy or working it hard enough, they always lay the blame back on the owner. It’s rarely the almighty diesels truck’s fault. Just beware of that when researching and putting weight in reviews from those who operate in different climates than you do. Lots more problems up north. I wish I would have went to dealer service departments more and counted the parking lot queens. My experience was sensors and wiring, no filter issues. And the guy next to me with the 2023 with under 50,000 miles last visit to the dealer… same deal.


Again from a guy who loves them…

This is so true. I'm on multiple HD forums and multiple diesel FB groups, and people on those groups talk **** all the time. "I get 30 mpg towing a 40k trailer", "unless you work a diesel hard, it will live a short life" "the 68RFE transmission sucks".....I could go on and on about the lies many diesel owners spread. I finally quit following a bunch of FB groups because of this nonsense, and only go to the groups when I have a repair question.
Modern diesels can be driven hard or easy.....they are designed for both. As you mentioned, my last few trucks have had some sensor or wiring issues, but nothing else. My 2024 had a hydroboost fail in the first 600 miles, but it was a known bad batch of parts, and nothing to do with it being a "diesel".

 

[HEMIMANN]

Hemi Tick is so famous even the all-knowing Google AI Wiz picked it up! lol

 

[nlambert182]

Say what you want about it... I am telling you from the perspective of both 2 decades of owning one AND as a service writer at a diesel truck shop... who was also the Cummins warranty dealer in the area. You don't have to listen to a word I say but if everyone says the same thing except you... maybe the issue isn't everyone else.

They are designed and meant to be worked hard. With the emissions equipment, it WILL fail sooner if all you do is use it as a grocery getter. There is no way for anyone to fix the problem as the emissions systems are currently designed, so the onus falls on the owner to know what they're getting into before they do.

Here are some facts that you can call Cummins and ask yourself:

Cummins uses 2 types of regens to clear the DPF. Passive and Active.

Passive requires the engine to have high enough exhaust temperatures to naturally burn off the soot that accumulates in the DPF. That soot will oxidize and turn into ash. It only happens when exhaust temperatures are over ~650 degrees Fahrenheit. It either happens on long drives or when the engine is under a load. At 100% load, EGTs range in the 700-800 Fahrenheit range. Enough for a passive regen to occur.

Active regen is when the sensors tell the computer that the DPF is clogged past the point of a passive regen being able to burn off everything. It then injects extra fuel into the exhaust and ignites it, and burns the soot in the DPF. Temps during an active regen can reach over 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the engine is at no load IE... putting around town, temps range between 300-500 Fahrenheit. It's not hot enough to burn anything off. This can cause the DPF to partially clog and if it clogs bad enough... you're heading to the dealer.

Logic should dictate (as will EVERY diesel manufacturer) that for the emissions system to work properly, the engine has to be worked. It's literally what a diesel engine was designed to do. Sure, you can putt around town and the engine itself will be fine. The engine isn't the problem.