Used 2015 eco

[ColorWorks99]

Ok guys, I've been a Dodge Diesel lover since 2005. I bought my first in 2006. It was a 2004.5 3500 SRW. I bought it with 54k original miles. I still own her as of Feb 2018 she now has 377,xxx miles on original engine and injectors, original transmission. Runs and drives perfect. I'm in Florida so zero rust.
Here's my deal. I love my 2004.5 but I have a chance to get a 2015 eco with 31k miles. Should I buy or keep the old faithful?
Living in FL with absolutely no smog checks I would first want to delete anything associated with the EGR on the eco.
Not worried about the warranty I have a close friend who is a 30 year diesel mechanic.
What is your thoughts, suggestions, comments? I'm open to them all. Thanks guys.

 

[Mark31]

You're not talking about an eco boost from that 4 letter company, are you? My local fix-it-all shop put a $1000 worth of cam drive/timing stuff on one and it still rattled. I walked in front of another one that was cranking and it scared me pretty bad--I thought it was gonna throw something at me. They pulled so many ohc 4.0 V6s to replace cam chain tensioners they could do it in their sleep. I've had very poor quality vehicles from everybody, but that 4 letter company is the only one that made something that nearly got me kilt SEVERAL times. This same company also made Molotov Prontos. Proceed at your own risk. Mark

 

[dznam]

"I would first want to delete anything associated with the EGR on the eco.
Not worried about the warranty I have a close friend who is a 30 year diesel mechanic."

Sounds like he's referring to the Ram Ecodiesel. I owned a '16, great mileage and excellent ZF transmission. But do a lot of reading (try googling " Ecodiesel Forum") before you take the leap. These engines have experienced a very high failure rate... meaning real failure, boom, you're done. If that happens to you your mechanic won't be able to bail you out. Cause has not been pinned down and Ram hasn't said anything, but it looks to be a QC issue based on the observations of a lot of experienced diesel guys.

I just traded mine for an '18 CTD. I couldn't get used to the lack of torque compared to my previous Duramax and Powerstrokes.

 

[Mark31]

"Sounds like he's referring to the Ram Ecodiesel" Whew!! I hope so! I just jumped paranoid!! But then again, friends don't let friends drive drunk or in an altered mental state where they might be considering a four-letter vehicle. Mark

 

[ColorWorks99]

You're not talking about an eco boost from that 4 letter company, are you? My local fix-it-all shop put a $1000 worth of cam drive/timing stuff on one and it still rattled. I walked in front of another one that was cranking and it scared me pretty bad--I thought it was gonna throw something at me. They pulled so many ohc 4.0 V6s to replace cam chain tensioners they could do it in their sleep. I've had very poor quality vehicles from everybody, but that 4 letter company is the only one that made something that nearly got me kilt SEVERAL times. This same company also made Molotov Prontos. Proceed at your own risk. Mark

RAM ECO DIESEL. Would never buy anything but RAM. No Ford, no Chevy,

 

[ColorWorks99]

Ram eco diesel. This whole thread is about Ram. Period.

Ok guys, I've been a Dodge Diesel lover since 2005. I bought my first in 2006. It was a 2004.5 3500 SRW. I bought it with 54k original miles. I still own her as of Feb 2018 she now has 377,xxx miles on original engine and injectors, original transmission. Runs and drives perfect. I'm in Florida so zero rust.
Here's my deal. I love my 2004.5 but I have a chance to get a 2015 eco with 31k miles. Should I buy or keep the old faithful?
Living in FL with absolutely no smog checks I would first want to delete anything associated with the EGR on the eco.
Not worried about the warranty I have a close friend who is a 30 year diesel mechanic.
What is your thoughts, suggestions, comments? I'm open to them all. Thanks guys.

I'm referring to a 2015 Ram ECO DIESEL!

 

[ColorWorks99]

"I would first want to delete anything associated with the EGR on the eco.
Not worried about the warranty I have a close friend who is a 30 year diesel mechanic."

Sounds like he's referring to the Ram Ecodiesel. I owned a '16, great mileage and excellent ZF transmission. But do a lot of reading (try googling " Ecodiesel Forum") before you take the leap. These engines have experienced a very high failure rate... meaning real failure, boom, you're done. If that happens to you your mechanic won't be able to bail you out. Cause has not been pinned down and Ram hasn't said anything, but it looks to be a QC issue based on the observations of a lot of experienced diesel guys.

I just traded mine for an '18 CTD. I couldn't get used to the lack of torque compared to my previous Duramax and Powerstrokes.

I've read so many goods and not so goods. Starting to get confused. I realize it's not an easy answer (yes or no). BTW excuse my mental fart, what's CTD ? Colorado diesel?

 

[DonFitzwater]

I've read so many goods and not so goods. Starting to get confused. I realize it's not an easy answer (yes or no). BTW excuse my mental fart, what's CTD ? Colorado diesel?

Cummins Turbo Diesel

 

[ColorWorks99]

OMG! LOL. can't believe my spell check said Colorado. Haha. Anyway thanks for the reply. Now I'm embarrassed.

 

[Roc Doc]

I have a 2015 and with just under 88k on the clock it gets used a lot. I had a CC switch go out, but other than that it's been flawless. Just oil changes and fuel filter changes so far.

A co-worker had a 2014 that grenaded, and they gave him great trade in on a 2016 and it's been fine. These engines seem to be zero or hero.

 

[ColorWorks99]

That's sounds positive. I've found a used 2014 4x4 with 60k miles. It's been well cared for but didn't know if I should avoid the '14's or What?

 

[Tuesdak]

What is the real reason for wanting "something else"? Frankly with the reputation out there now you don't want to mess with the warranty by deleting it and obtain a good extended warranty. I have been trash-talking the GM joint venture designed 3.0 Ecodiesel since before it was a known hand grenade because: GM. You have an engine that needs special oil and has electric cooling fans, clearly, a hot running light duty diesel engine. Given GM's cooling system history that can't cash the power check their diesel engines make, or in a few cases waste fuel to generate excess heat for the cooling system, is one thing that made me nervous about the engine. Corvette was known to use Mobil1 from the factory because normal oil couldn't handle it, no, it was so GM could omit the engine oil cooler to save money.

So yeah: GM bean counters. Home of the 5.7 Olds Diesel Hand Grenade. What could possibly go wrong?

Not saying all of them as some Olds 5.7's actually beat the odds and lived. You have better, and proven yourself, odds with the Cummins. Might look at a Nissan Cummins, but, really one should stick with what works and has proven itself to you. I can't get past "Glow plugs" and a chain that drives the Injection Pump on the 5.0 Cummins design. Just ask me about glow plugs and the stretchy timing chains driving a antique low pressure IP on a 6.2/6.5 GM and that's when the fight will start with military mechanics saying "ouch my ears!". (Just replaced another low mile 6.5 stretched chain with a aftermarket gear drive.)

 

[Roc Doc]

That's sounds positive. I've found a used 2014 4x4 with 60k miles. It's been well cared for but didn't know if I should avoid the '14's or What?

From what I've learned is that some of the 14's had engines that were built with an improper torque spec, and over time that allowed the bearings to walk and eventually spin and boom. Keeping my fingers crossed that my 15 doesn't go through that.

 

[RonD]

Most of this from wha I have read is typical 1st year Diesel engine problems, the 2014 was 1st year, my 17 has had zero issues, remember the Ford in 2003 6.0, the Dodge Cummins in 2007, they all have there growing pains, also remember Diesel trucks are not for everyone

 

[VernDiesel]

I would just do a basic GDE or PPEI tune and forego the full delete at least until you have exhausted the 100k warranty. So far the first three years have shown to have a failure rate of about 3 percent before 100k. Some of that may attributed to idiocy but some of it definitely is not. Fortunately Ram in general has been real good about paying the tow providing a loaner and installing a brand new complete motor if you are one of the unlucky ones.

Mine tows TTs daily. It did push out a head gasket at 371k and what made the most sense to me was to replace the engine as I could get it for $5500 and it came complete with new fuel pump injectors turbo everything plus a very valuable to me 24 month unlimited mileage warranty good at any Ram dealership nationwide. R&R was $1,500 and it was only down two days. Downtime is money. Transmission is original and a hugh improvement over the old 6 speed. Overall I have had very good luck with this truck and its a joy to drive. I did post this in another thread but thought it fit here as well.

If you are looking right now is a fantastic time to get a new leftover 17. Below is an example of Elk Grove but Dave Smith & Dennis Dillon dealerships should have similar large inventory and low prices and these three bought em up from Ram.

https://www.elkgrovedodge.net/new-i...ed=inventory-listing1-facet-anchor-packages-3

 

[ColorWorks99]

VernDiesel, I appreciate your response. Great info. And I thought I drove a lot. ✌
I heard a rumor to avoid 2016's. I don't even know the reason people were saying that. Could you shed some light on that?
Thanks again

 

[VernDiesel]

Far as I know 14,15,16 all the same. 17 & 18 only a software change. All will benefit from a good tune. MY 19 said by tuner with connections to VM Motori to have internal changes namely or at minimum small increase in main journal width but I can’t verify that. I know for the MY 19 Jeep they announced a power bump to 260HP 442TQ from what I read.

 

[ColorWorks99]

Thanks Vern. I'll try to follow you on all 1500 ED stuff.

 

[RVTRKN]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/dead-eco.266051/
Here's some reading for the OP.

 

[RVTRKN]

Sorry, wrong thread.