I have had several E350's with the 6.8L V10. I have needed the V10 power to tow our camper that weights in at about 10,000lbs. The van is used mostly on the highway, roughly 15,000 to 20,000 miles per year, about 50% of that towing. We're ready for a new van and I'm really debating a switch to the Turbo Diesel. However, I've never owned a diesel. Any words of advise on the V10 versus the diesel? Thanks!

 

I have a 2004 E350 with the 6.0 turbo diesel and i love it... especially on the highway! with my normal A/C supplies and tools i can get better than 20MPG (keeping the RPMs under 2000=69MPH)

Towing my enclosed trailer in the mtns i get around 14MPG (5000+lbs)
(I will also add that the diesel pulls the trailer like its not even connected)

Around town i average 15+MPG which could be better but when the lights turn green the stoplight gran prix is on :-)

3:73 gear ratio

The cost of diesel fuel doesnt look like its going to go down anytime soon but i am getting 50% better mileage (in town) with diesel than my old 5.4L gas van and 100% better highway mileage so i cant really complain about the fuel cost too much vs gas.

Regular maintenance on the diesel is also a consideration..... best online price for the fuel filters is almost 40.00 a set (dealer wants 92.00) and they have to be changed every 15,000 miles..... a competant do it yourselfer can change them fairly easily although some things have to be moved/removed to access the upper filter and even then there is just barely enough room.


As for reliability there have been a few problems with the 6.0L TD in the truck line but i think they mostly have the issues sorted out now.... i also think since the 6.0L van engines are detuned a bit from the rated HP for the trucks they should, in theory,last longer and have fewer problems.


Frank

 

Thanks or the info. The mileage data is great, as my V10 only averages about 13 highway not towing, and 8 when I am towing. What about cold weather? We live in Michigan and I've heard some bad things relative to starting diesels in cold weather and having to let them warm up for some time before heading out.

 

i livedin michigan for 5 years doesn,t matter to much every thing needs to warm up.
they have block warmers and a propane antifreeze heater (after market) even gas burners have trouble starting if is that cold

 

i dont think the cold weather will hurt anything... it doesnt get really cold here in NC but the 6.0 comes with a plug in block heater which would definitely make cold weather use better.... we have had temps in the teens here and the van never failed to crank right up even without the block heater plugged in.


i usually just let the van run a couple of minutes then drive easy until everything comes up to temp.


Frank

 

another option for the cold weather is an aftermarket remote start. Most decent ones are programmable for heating up the gloplugs first and then even allowing the turbos to cool town after you stop. This was you can start you truck from the house and when you get outside a few mins later your engine is warm your heater has been on so your cab is warm too. Don't worry there all too many fail safes for security. If the door is opened while started and armed the truck shuts off, If its started and its not armed when you touch the brake pedel the truck shuts off. Normal operation for me is to start the truck in the morning (it actually starts itself at the same time each day) then when im going to get in disarm it, get in, put the keys in, (it has a grind protection too so you dont grind the starter) and your good to go.

All of these feature are pretty much available on any remote start security system and are becoming fairly cheap.