bearsnob
Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 03/04/2004
View Profile
|
I will be owning my first diesel vehicle soon and it will replace my current TV. I'm no mechanic, but I have always done most of my own maintenance on my vehicles and probably 70 percent or more of whatever repairs are needed. I'm now feeling a little intimidated by the fact that I know so little about diesels. I know I will learn along the way, but I would greatly appreciate a head start. What maintenance issues should I be paying attention to that will be different than a gasser (I don't even know if the oil change schedule is different or if I can do that myself). What potential issues with the engine should I be aware of and try to keep on top of. Someone told me to always run synthetic oil in a diesel but I had people tell me that about gassers and I know it is open to debate with most people not opting for synthetic. Any reason why synthetic might be more important for a diesel? This will be an '07 Dodge dually automatic with the 5.9L if that matters at all. I've been told that the lift pump already went bad and was replaced with an aftermarket and that the injector pump was replaced at the same time. So I think that corrects a common problem that someone on one of my other threads warned me about. Also, brakes all around are about 90 percent and I'm having an e-brake installed, so I'm thinking I'll be good for some time in that department. But that is about the limit of what I know on this topic. Any and all help will be very much appreciated.
Bill, Carol & Striker The Cat
2005 Everest 323k, Anderson gooseneck adapter
2007 Dodge Crew Cab, 5.9L, auto, drw, 4wd, 3.73 axle, B&W gooseneck hitch
|
blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
Moderator
Joined: 03/15/2001
View Profile
 Offline
|
Diesel vs gas,,, ie maintenance. for the most part, changing oil, is changing oil. OTher that the diesel oil is greasier for lack of better term, due to the soot in it. so have PLENTY of towels, and wear cloths that you do not mind black oil stains pretty much staying in them. Gas oil is cleaner. BUT the steps are the same.
Af's are the same steps, altho fuel filters can get a bit trickier, becasue if you get air in the system it can be a real PITA to get the air out. Overall, a motor is a motor is a motor!
marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
3 Single axle utility trailers
Check RV.Net Blogs at: blog.rv.net
|
PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 12/23/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Basics such as oil change and filters will be very similar, if not the exact same.
Tearing into the engine, which you probably won't be doing, is where you'll see some of the differences, but again, it's probably beyond your skill level.
What you will notice, is the price difference on parts and the possible increase in the amount of oil you will need for an oil change. Filters will be more expensive too.
The rest of the stuff....tires, brakes, etc will be the same
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris / GS MJ
Dogs: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, Maggie, Tugger & Beau 
RIP: Cookie, Foxy & Gidget @ Rainbow Bridge.
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293
The Pets
|
fordsooperdooty
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 08/13/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I'm no mechanic either..but within the I've put my 2nd alternator on my 2004 6.0 PSD, replaced the fuel filters many times, new serpintine belts, changed the oil countless times, cleaned my EGR valve, replaced batteries, and other various things.
And times that by 2 because my son also has a 2003 6.0!
The internet is a vast source of "DIY" on diesel engines, and if you have the tools (some of the tools you need are specifally for diesels!) and the time, and aren't a billion years old with the IQ of a squirrel...it's not bad at all! 
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen. 
|
luvlabs
Frederick, MD
Senior Member
Joined: 10/31/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Oil changes will be less frequent, but you will dealing with a lot more oil - generally about 2.5 gallons (not quarts) for your engine. Other than air filters and fuel filters, there isn't really too much maintenance to do. Also, you should check and see if your truck still requires chassis lubes (look for zerk fittings on front suspension parts).
2006 Carriage Cameo 33CKQ (for sale)
08 GMC SLT 3500HD CC LB Duramax Dually (for sale)
2012 Tiffin Allegro 32CA (on order)
Toad - TBD
|
|
|
bearsnob
Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 03/04/2004
View Profile
|
Great tips so far. I had forgotten that someone once told me that overall the diesel is easier because things seem to go bad a lot less often. I'm reminded now that I've been told to carry a spare fuel filter. Is that good advice or just someone being overly cautious? Sounds like my coveralls are finally going to get some good stains on them. They are pretty embarrassing right now because they are too clean. The internet is indeed an amazing resource for someone like me. I'm able to do repairs that I would have never thought were possible because there are people who take the time to set up a video camera and explain things when doing their repairs and then upload to youtube and elsewhere.
Do diesels burn oil at about the same rate as a large gasser like mine? Just wondering. I'll, of course, need to figure out how often to check oil specific to this truck.
|
camping man
Central Fla.
Senior Member
Joined: 09/01/2001
View Profile
|
Just the oil and fuel filter which is real easy on that engine, just like a tractor motor. Oil filter is about $7-15, and fuel filter about $15. A lot of folks shop Geno's online for their filters and accessories.
05 Dodge CTD NV5600 6speed / 97 Sprinter 5er
|
SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/14/2003
View Profile
|
Some diesels need a special coolant, or coolant testing and additives, that gas engines don't need. The fuel filter is also more important in a diesel and should be changed at every oil change, whereas gas engines often go half their lives on the same fuel filter. Oil changes are more expensive due to more oil required for the diesel, also different grade of oil. The oil filters are bigger too.
As far as the truck goes, other than the engine and fuel system, the trucks are the same gas or diesel, for all practical purposes. Same general maintenance issues for both. The diesel may wear out ball joints faster due to it's greater weight on the front axle.
05E350 6.0PSD
97F350DRW 7.3PSD 4x4 4.10 11' flatbed
98Ranger
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
Callen Camper
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
B&W TurnoverBall, Curt Magnum V
HD Springs Bilsteins,
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & LockRite rear
|
Tankcar
Santee, California USA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/22/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Hi.
Read op-manual cover to cover first.
Warm up engine (10-15 min.) before putting a load on TK., and cool down (Idle) after you complete the days run (10-15 min.) stopping.
Watch for fuel delusion.
Care and maintebance is more.
Never go below a 0.250 tk. of fuel.
|
bearsnob
Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 03/04/2004
View Profile
|
Tankcar wrote:Read op-manual cover to cover first.
Warm up engine (10-15 min.) before putting a load on TK., and cool down (Idle) after you complete the days run (10-15 min.) stopping.
Watch for fuel delusion.
Care and maintebance is more.
Never go below a 0.250 tk. of fuel.
All replies have been great, but this one is especially helpful to me because I know some of this, had forgotten it, don't know why some of it is true, etc. Like I knew that engine warm up was important (most gas engines it is not) and that a selling point on the PacBrake is it speeds engine warm up. But I don't know why warmup is important and right now I can't figure out what the TK is. I also remember someone telling me that short trips (like less than a mile) aren't good for diesels but, if true, again I don't know why. Way-way-way in the back of my mind, was something about cool down. In other words, I would not have remembered that and would have just turned it off and went on with my day.
I'm still hoping for some good fresh replies to my original post, but some elaboration on the issues here would be very helpful to me. Also, based on another reply, it sounds like I should order the filters more than one at a time. That is very helpful as well. I'm guessing the part about not going under a quarter tank is more important for diesels. The same advice is good for gas engines, of course, but I've never been one to heed it.
|
|
|
|
