Never owned a diesel powered vehicle before. Other than more pulling power, what are the advantages of diesel over gasoline? Also what are some disadvantages?What are the differences in maintenance requirements?Will a diesel outlast a gasoline engine? Any help appreciated. Thanks.

 

Sit back and hold on...

You'll get far more replies to that question than you'll ever want or need

 

WE can use good old fashion soy bean the run on, it is better for the Air

 

I have had my first diesel for a year now. Here is what I noticed.

More Torque than a Gas
Pulls better up grades and in the mountains.
MPG is better than a gas (at least mine is)
So far Diesel has been equal or more expensive than mid grade gas 87 oct.
Change oil every 5000k compared to 3000k for the gas (harsh conditions)
uses 15qts of oil compared to 6 or 7
Up front costs were higher in the diesel, but hopefully it will last forever.
Resale value is suposed to be higher on the diesel
Diesel fule stinks on hands longer than gasoline
You can mod your diesel pretty easy for more power than you can a gas (I haven't done anything yet)

So far I love this truck. I have had it in the shop a few times, but the dealer has take care of me. Cant wait to get another one in 10 years, Levi

 

I would think that you have already compiled at least a mental list of what you ask. If you have been reading these forums surely you have established some distinctions between the two.

But just for kicks...

• Diesels have that special aura about them. Not to mention the smell. Gassers just smell.
• Diesels can be made to go as fast as you can stand for as much $$$ as you want to spend. Gassers wave as we pass them by.
• Diesel short term maint. cost is significantly higher than gas. Many will argue that over the long term they are cheaper.
• Typically, diesels have a higher resell than gas thereby, somewhat, off setting the original higher initial investment.
• Diesels are mucho macho. Gassers are girlie guy trucks. Just kidding...said that for our V-10 moderator.
• Diesel fuel cost more than gas...Go figure. In my mind any mileage advantage the diesel may have is certainly offset by the 15 - 20 cents per gallon difference at the pump.
• On a nice clear day, Diesels have a tendency to aggravate gassers at a red light when the gassers have their windows down. Hmmm guess that could be considered a plus.
• Generally speaking...6.0 diesel owners are the bestus people in the whole wide world.

There you go. Now with your predetermined pros and cons and the information listed above, you should have the tools to make a sound educated decision.

 

I've only had my '05 PSD for about 2.5 weeks. Came from a v10. First fillup around town I got 14.5mpg's. Very happy. Tons more torque than the v10. When going 65 mph on the freeway and you floor it, there no wicked downshift like in the v10. It just pulls and pulls. Before you know it, you're at 90mph and it's still pulling. Nothing like a PSD! Will never go back to a gas powered truck. I'm adding exaust to next week to let it exhale better. One major plus is you get to listen to a very cool whistle. My buddys '03 has the loudest whistle ever. When he starts it up and puts it in gear, it sounds like a jet on a runway ready to take off. Bitchen sound!

Jeff

 

If you are going to tow a pop-up trailer you'll forget it's even back there with a PSD. Are you trading in your Explorer?

 

I've been wondering about returning to a diesel as well. I owned a 4 cyl Cheby Luv (Isuzu pup) diesel about 20 years ago and it didn't thrill me like the PSD does the folks here.

I started thinking about what it'll cost so I went to Ford and built two similar trucks, one diesel and the other a V10 gasser. Here are my assumptions:

1. Same down payment & loan rate for 5 years.
2. Same monthly miles (1200, fudging up what I drive my 13 yr old F-150 now)
3. Diesel costs 15% more than unleaded (around here).
4. Assumed 11 mpg gas & 15 mpg diesel (please be turn flames to gentle!)
5. Guessed $120 annual maintenence gas and $150 diesel (oil changes only - suggestions here please!?!).
6. Inflation doesn't happen (I wish!)

That works out to $10,000 / year gas and $10,500 / year diesel. Or about $3,000 more for the diesel by the time the loan is paid off.

What fuel costs do over 5 years is anybody's guess. The milage is a WAG. And the build-your-own wouldn't let me put the same rear-end in, which will make a difference.

I suspect that engine repairs to the diesel are way more expensive than the gasser, but it's expected lifetime is much longer (my LUV/Pup is still running at 260K last I heard).

Since I tend to hang onto a vehicle for 10 years, the difference in trade-in at that point is pretty minimal. At 5 years, you might get the $3000 difference back with the diesel (but I doubt it).

Another thing that's up for guessing is what emission laws will do in the future. If I remember correctly (and I'm sure that'll someone will point out my errors), Diesels burn the fuel more completely with less CO emissions. Diesels produce more particulate, although fewer toxic/greenhouse gasses. Sulfer gas in exhaust is a problem with diesels, but that depends on fuel. Although the perception is that diesels are environmentally evil, they should actually make the tree hugger happy. And as was pointed out earlier, there is also biodeisel...

 

Double the annual maintenance on the diesel, oil changes, fuel filter changes (15K) are quite a bit more then the PUP. Wait till the tranny PM (30K) rolls around, my dealer quote $189.99 + tax, ouch!
On the up side, 10 spark plugs (hopefully they won't blow out of the head), coils, etc, might even the playing field a bit.

 

because it would be a lot cooler if you did

 

GOOD
+Diesel fuel is much safer than gas.
+Diesel motors (Ford and Dodge at least, not sure about the duramax) are designed for 250,000 to 300,000 mi of operation without major repair (if properly maintained and driven in a reasonable manner).
+If you tow (or drive in the mtns.) much you should get from 30% to 50% better fuel milage.
-High torque.
NOT SO GOOD
-Delayed start (let the glow plugs cycle).
-Must keep batteries in good condition (2).
-Cold start and warm up in winter.
-Must be sure you are getting good fuel (high volume stations such as truck stops).
-Some repairs can cost more if needed.
-Motor weight.

 

it's ok to rip me a LITTLE about my gasser guy's. i don't mind and am very open minded. in my gallery you will find something red. it smokes. it's one of 12. and it's not my harley.

 

I don't know if this has been said yet or not, but one thing that kills me with diesel trucks is filling up- The smell of diesel sticks to your clothes and gets all over your hands, i have to come home and change after filling up one of my dad's diesels the smell is so strong sometimes.

 

Buy the ZF6speed, There isn't a PM cost that high for the manual transmission.


"Drone Leader" What rear end did you want in the truck you built on the Ford Website?

Those of you not liking the fuel smell on your hands. Wear gloves when fueling up. Even the cheap medical ones. I just keep a few in the door then throw them away after fueling. Oh, and with more than a 600 mile range per tank, I only fuel up twice a month. Now that's nice.

 

TRY not to bathe in fuel when filling



go drive one.

then, post your thoughts.