Can someone explain to me what physical forces and/or internal combustion processes, which take place in this particular engine (vs another internal combustion engine), that make "driving it easy" detrimental to the 6.4L PSD?

 

Don't think it has anything to do with the internals of the motor. It has to do with the heat generated from the regen cycle, along with working the vanes in the turbos. Driving it easy won't allow for the necessary heat to regen properly, as well as shutting the truck off during a regen process. And not working the turbos like they were meant to be worked can cause the vanes to get dirty and freeze up. (the 6.0's also have the same problem with their turbos)

 

Ive been wondering the same thing. Does this mainly apply to trucks that still run emissions? Ive heard that once they are deleted that its not really a issue how you drive as long as you don't hot rod it. I don't baby my truck in my opinion but I daily drive it and don't tow a whole bunch so it isn't really getting worked either.

 

Yes. A deleted, or as in my case, a tuned truck that shuts off the EGR system, wouldn't be as susceptible to some of the issues created from driving your truck like a car and not working it. My understanding of the regen/EGR systems are that heat is a friend in helping those systems work properly. Also, opening those vanes in the turbos is also a good idea. In my case, the truck is a 450 and weighs in around 14,000 to 15,000 pounds. Hitting 30lbs of boost or more, happens all the time on these hills!

 

I definitely feel that I get the boost up enough! haha. On these Texas highways where the speed limit is 80 in most places, people go 60! I tend to pass them with a purpose following that a face burning glare from the better half.

 

There is a fine line between driving your truck hard and abusing it. The rule of thumb on any diesel is to make sure its up to operating temp (or at least 160*) before you do any heavy right foot action. Diesels are extremely inefficient at low temps due to the nature of the combustion event.

If you get the truck out regularly for a good long freeway drive you are doing enough to keep a diesel happy. Yes, driving like an old lady is not good for the turbo. But, driving like a psycho madman isn't really going to help its lifespan either. The single most important thing to keep your snails happy is keep your air filter clean........... If you get out on the freeway and get the egts up to about 850-1000* you will clean out most of the soot that builds up. Most times that you tow this will happen on any hill that you pull while in lockup. (A monitor is the single most effective way for you keep one of these trucks on the road. The sooner you spot a problem the cheaper it will be to fix...)
Also, if at all possible try to make sure the truck gets up to temp whenever you take her out. These things make horrible grocery getters... If you make a habit of short trips, have a lot of idle time, or start and stop the truck a lot you aren't helping the cylinders/rings. Most of the damage is done with idle time, but cylinder wash is a huge problem on these trucks. The other thing to think about with any vehicle is if you don't allow the motor to get to temp often the oil won't shed water...

And finally, if you let a diesel sit for long periods of time without being run you are literally inviting major fuel system problems. And fuel issues are one of the single most expensive and painful things that can happen to any modern diesel.

 

Well I've never seen my egr get over 1000 but I also don't tow anything yet. I've seen low 800's but that's about it. I drive freeways every morning for work but the speed limit is slow. I've been trying to go every weekend for at least 30-40 mile drives. I'm not sure if that's quite good enough of a drive to clean the turbo veins out.

I also have my defuel set up for coolant at 140. Should I bump it up to around the 160 range?

 

Every once in a while you just gotta put your foot in it a little. Coming home Friday I was in heavy traffic on the interstate, left lane passing a semi. He hit his turn signal letting me know he wanted my spot. I hit the gas hard, and judging by the brown cloud that came out of the exhaust pipe, it needed to be done. (it was brown, not black) 40lbs of boost will open things up.

 

Why is defuel set that low!!!

Operating temp is right between 194-200*...

Or do you mean defuel below that??? Crazy is confused lol.

 

Its a defuel that basically doesn't let me romp on it until it reaches 140. Then once my truck warms up oil and coolant are set at like 210. Boost defuel is set at 40.

 

You will probably hit that oil temp defuel quite a bit towing during the summer if you pull any hills...

If I remember correctly the fan kicks in right around 220 (If I am wrong someone please correct me).

I would also concern myself a bit more with an egt defuel... With how prone these trucks are to cracking pistons setting it to 1200* would be a good idea (some have done 1250). It seems the magic number for failures is between 1250-1400*.

 

Yeah I figured I would hit it when towing but since I mainly just daily it or pull mowers and stuff I figured I'd leave it at 210. When I pull the tractors I'll adjust if needed. Im not gonna push it towing.

H&S recommended 1400 on egt so I'll definitely adjust that. I didn't even know what defueling was until about two weeks ago haha. My buddy that's had a mini maxx on his for years walked me through it.