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Which deisel had best track record ?
I am going to purchase a used P/U this spring. My
only concern at this point is to find out who had
the most reliable and user friendly turbo diesel on
the market, in the 93-95 time span. I am a Exotic
car mechanic that has paid no attention to the
truck, or diesel market what so ever. Now I live in
the front range of the Rockies, and the G-20 Chev
van that I used for towing car trailers, does not
make it at this altitude. The 350 engine has enough
to do pulling an empty van up the mountain ! Being
a mechanic for 25+ years I dislike working on my
own vehicle (shoe makers kid syndrome ) and would
rather not make a bad choice in this matter. My
needs: 4WD, diesel, Turbo??? (mileage and torque at
6-10k feet altitude) , and towing cap. of around
6000 lbs.. I don't care who makes it or what color
it is, but I would love advise from people that
have dealt with similar criteria such as mine.
Thanks in advance for your help,
Dave
only concern at this point is to find out who had
the most reliable and user friendly turbo diesel on
the market, in the 93-95 time span. I am a Exotic
car mechanic that has paid no attention to the
truck, or diesel market what so ever. Now I live in
the front range of the Rockies, and the G-20 Chev
van that I used for towing car trailers, does not
make it at this altitude. The 350 engine has enough
to do pulling an empty van up the mountain ! Being
a mechanic for 25+ years I dislike working on my
own vehicle (shoe makers kid syndrome ) and would
rather not make a bad choice in this matter. My
needs: 4WD, diesel, Turbo??? (mileage and torque at
6-10k feet altitude) , and towing cap. of around
6000 lbs.. I don't care who makes it or what color
it is, but I would love advise from people that
have dealt with similar criteria such as mine.
Thanks in advance for your help,
Dave
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Forget the chevy deisel!! They have a major injection pump problem to overcome!!!!!!! I am looking at trading in my lemon for a dodge cummins
deisel it is the only one I have not heard any horror stories about. My chevy would not start the night I drove it off the lot!! I spent two months
running back and forth to the dealer getting bad parts replaced Brake relay switch, oil pressure switch, fuel injector pump, and the computor were all replaced!!! It ran very well for a year, but
it has been back in the shop three times in the past month charged the batteries once, started stalling on me while I was driving down the road
after that and a second fuel injector pump was put
in 100.00 deductible on an 1100.00 part!! and last but not least I just (2days ago) replaced both batteries and the alternater.
In the '92, on the Grapevine, in California I'm able to start at the bottom from ZERO MPH and easily top out at 85 long before cresting the top at 4400 feet.
As reliability goes....
On the '92 and over 121000 miles:
Alternator
Throttle position sensor $120
ABS and speed sensor $100
Brakes once at 88000 miles
Tires (Goodyear) twice
Batteries once
I bought a lifetime front end alignment and typically have it in every 3-6 months.
The dealer replaced the auto trans for $50 under ESP warrantee at 99700 due to metal shavings in the pan. (Actually it was a good deal because service was $76. So I saved 25 bucks and got a new trans.)
The three BIG things are:
Change the oil! Every 5000 miles like religion!
Run a good grade of fuel. Flying J or Unocal 76. Buy it from truck stops.
Finally use a good pump lubricator additive in the fuel. I put 2 ounces in every tank. It keeps the water in the fuel dispursed and burnt as teh fuel is used. It will also prevent algae in the fuel system. The stuff is 10 or 12 bucks a gallon at truck stops.
You will hear a lot of 'used oats' from people with their heads in places that don't smell very good about diesels and fuel. The engine is NOT intended to burn Auto Transmission Fluid, peanut oil, used crankcase oil, used McDonald's french fry oil, alcohol nor antifreeze. The engine is designed to burn diesel fuel and a small quantity of a lubricity additive, period. Feed your engine well and your pump/injectors will last 200-250 thousand miles.
My F-250 mostly runs about on the LA freeway system and almost always unloaded. For the past six years, taking the total miles divided by total gallons gives beter than 17.5 mpg!
Rich
I got rid of the chevy, and bought the dodge
cummins deisel 5-speed 1 ton I'm already getting
19 mpg. Dodge does say that the fuel additive
is a good Idea after 50,000 miles but I think I'll
start sooner. Cummins makes their own additive
which I think I'll buy a case of at the time. I
have always taken religious care of my vehicles.
I learned fast being raised by a dealership full
of mechanics ever since I could walk they taught
me well. I hope this truck will last a long time
Got the extended warrenty too.
speaking of the fuel additive why did my chevy
dealer never tell me of this or the owners manuel?
I've been using the golden stuff in the clear bottle. I can't remember the name but I usually buy it at a truck stop. It goes for about $12 a gallon. I add 1 ounce per 10 gallons of fuel. (Usually just put 2 oz. into a nearly empty tank.) That is a little on the heavy side but no ill effects in 125k miles. I've used other brands too; SILO (yellow and black can) and Marvel. There are three things the additive should do for you.
1-Dispurse water
2-Lubricate injectors and pump
3-Prevent algae formation
Just read the can or bottle, it'll state everything that the additive will do for you. They're mostly about the same price. Some (like Red Line) are $3-$5 a tank. I've never used one of the expensive ones. Don't use anything that isn't intended to be a diesel additive and start using it after the first 10k miles. That will give the pump and injectors time to wear in.
Rich
I bought a new a 94 diesel Suburban and the 1st
injector pump didn't last the whole day. Since
then It's been replaced 3 more times. The engine
has been out 3 times and replaced twice. Know one
wanted to take it on trade, wholesale was the
best I could do. I finaly unloaded it
at 70,000 miles with the help of my local Chevy
dealer as GM would never respond to my complaints
or calls. All of these were under warranty (which
is 100,000 miles) and you will use all of it. I
for one will never own another GM product.
My recommendation would be to avoid the Chevy diesel since Chevy does not seem to care.
Absolutely, do not buy the chevy diesel as it is just a 396 block made into a diesel. I use my truck to pull a car trialer and i have a camper. I live in the mountains and I don't have any problems staying with traffic.
Published in March '98 issue of "Trailer Life" that it is to be an available factory option by mid-year. Anybody had any experience and can comment on the need for this feature on any Diesel Engine ? I'm in the market for a 99 F-350 and trying to decide whether to wait for the Exhaust Brake to be available. My towing requirement will be for a 35-40' 5th Wheel RV hauling an 800 pound Harley inside the integrated "garage" going coast to coast.