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diesel. Never owned a diesel before. only considering because of the deep
discounts on '08. Thoughts? experiences? Is mpg that much better than gas?
It depends on what you are going to do with the truck.
My gasser worked great as a grocery getter, but didn't do well at all climbing over the Sierras with our travel trailer.
My "new to me" duramax requires caution to not go uphill too fast with the trailer.
Awesome. Amazing. I'm REALLY enjoying it.
1) Is yours a "p" or "n" Block engine? you can tell by the vin in the 8th position.
2) did the dealer ever replace your EGR?
3) what kind of programmer were you using?
I'd rather put my $$$ in fuel cost vs. truck repairs.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Anyone with cetane experience?
My advise from a fleet operator was to add two 2.5 oz bottles of two cycle chain saw oil to 10 ounces of Cetane per 20 gallons of fuel in your tank.
I drove 5000 miles from Anchorage, Alaska to San Luis Obispo, California and religiously followed this additive routine for my 2000 Ford 7.3 liter diesel with 40,000 miles on it.I had a 3000# slide in camper on the truck and managed a respectable 12.5 MPG. The truck ran wonderfully under frequent heavy loads of uphill driving and it didn't smoke at all.
I don't know if this works or not for sure. I do feel that 12.5 MPG is pretty good at a speed of 60MPH most of the time on cruise.
Any comments out there?
Terry in Alaska
capt@gci.net
While the truck was there and without my knowledge or permission, Dodge changed my ECM with one that is resistant to reprograming. I am a former tech and I do open the hood once in a while to check fluids I noticed a tag uder my hood saying they did replace my ECM.
This is a warning to anyone with a diesel truck specify that you do not want any other alterations to your truck without specificy written permission, even if you are taking it in for the new brake recall or even an oil change.
I am trying to find a group of folks willing to get together and try to get an attorney to sue Chrysler over this practice. Anyone interested?
I suspect Dodge is about as dead as AMC. Time will tell. Wish I could do somthing about it, Smarty knows about it and I think they are working on a software patch to fix the problem.
This truck seems like it was made from cheap tin. I haven't had this shoddy of a dodge since my 1974 power wagon back in the old days. That Dodge forced me to buy a Ford, looks like this one may push to the Guys with the bowties on the grill. Too bad, I was enjoying having a Dodge after a 20 year hiatus.
I'm an Alaskan who has my really nice, like new, F250 Ford in storage in Las Vegas.
I have a nice 3000 pound camper on it and the truck has only 38,000 miles. I don't drive it too much up here except on fishing trips etc..
On my trip from Alaska down to Vegas it performed wonderfully and delivered an average of 12 mpg at 60 mph with the camper on it.
I'd like to know if I should chip this and maybe change the exhaust system and maybe more for even better performance.
I'm a Senior and plan to keep this truck until I'm planted. I really like it and wonder if I would gain much for investing probably $3000 more in it?
Terry
capt@gci.net
Let's say that the seller comes up with a reasonable list of repairs that were performed after the wreck that caused it to be a salvage title. What do you think the impact should be on the real value of the truck, if it drives ok and checks out as straight? Is a 50% deduct about right, more or less?
It's a 6.0 with 160,000 miles. Should I just skip it and look for a 7.3 a couple of years older?
Sorry to hijack the chip thread, but I figured the people who would know might be on it tonight and I will look at the vehicle tomorrow.
Thanks!
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Putting $3000 into the truck is probably a waste of money. You will never recoup the cost in fuel savings.
Unless you are VERY unhappy with the performance, and are looking for more power, put the $3000 aside for gas and figure you are driving for free for the next few years.
If you want the best fuel economy from a Cummins-powered Ram, you'd have to go back to the 1996-1998 12-valve engine.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Note: I just put on a 4" exhaust turbo back, chip, and Cold air intake. Mileage in town now up to 13.1 on the 6.4L 350 4WD crew cab.
US VW Jetta SportWagen, 33 MPG combined
European Ford Mondeo Wagon, 48 MPG combined
European Ford Focus Wagon, 58 MPG combined
Why are the European vehicles getting such better numbers?
1 - turbo charger is on the engine - gets really hot ... so after you have been getting on the gas and not idling through a parking lot make sure you give the engine time to equalize fuel pressures (makes it easier to start) and ALWAYS let the Turbo cool down (2 minutes) before shutting off the engine. The engine @ idle will run oil through the turbo to cool it. It will last much longer this way
2. CHANGE THE FUEL FILTERS EVERY MONTH! <--- else start saving up 300/injector for the part and add another 1K for the labor! Only use name brand fuel filters not the offbrand @ Auto Zone ... so FRAM or WIX! Always keep a spare in the truck in the event you take on water in the fuel @ a fuel stop - remember: diesel fuel is always dirty! and full of water! This filter is badly abused and must be changed often. IMO - they should have a 2 stage filter on these engines.
3. The additives ... it depends on the engine. I do not run the additives - makes it burn hotter which means the engine wont last as long ... there are always trade offs. You probably do NOT need the additive. The recommended first rebuild for these Cummings engines is 325,000 miles! If you run additives it will certainly be shortened.
4. The engine is made to run! so when you idle for a long period its better to let it run ... the engine computer should take over and drive the idle up too around 1K or a little over ... this is normal ... so you can run it overnight if your sleeping in it ... the idle kicks up to drive more oil pressure through the engine components. It knows when this needs 2 b done. To 'stop' this you tap the break and it will idle back down. Then you can put it in gear - do NOT put it in gear while this is going on or you will 'bang' the xmission.
5. The drive train is warranties too 100K miles. So make sure you take it in say around 90/95K miles and have them check over everything ... they charge for this 75 point checkup and its a 200.00 deductible if you need to repair anything. Its well worth it as certainly the ball joints will need replacing around then.
6. Things to note: If you stomp the pedal and see black smoke coming out of the exhaust you have an injector/fuel problem - get it checked out before the carbon build up ruins something else.
The engine should be very responsive to you pressing on the pedal ... I have outrun a corvette from 60 - 100! and several mustangs from the line. That turbo diesel is awesome!
She should last you a couple of lifetimes! The fuel mileage is not awesome ... but when your towing it should not change too much. MAKE SURE YOU HEED #2 above!
Was told the full counter clockwise position on the Quadzilla dial is stock set up. I am unsure when to use the chip and what position (1 thru 4) should be used for street or towing.
Also would appreciate if someone knows the temps for the exhaust gas and transmission. Exhaust gas runs around 600 -900 when just cruising but can jump as high as 1100 or more when pulling a grade with a load. Transmission temps seem to stay around 180 unless under load the have risen to 200. I am trying to take it easy because I am unsure at what point I reach max temps.
Will pull a 300 lb. pop-up camper in two weeks and see how it likes that...