6.7 and Short Trips?

[chazj]

I made the mistake of driving an 09 Dodge last week. What a difference from the '02 I currently own. . However, except when I am towing my Arctic Fox trailer, my current driving style lends itself to "short trips".



The latter has not proved a problem with 02. I am concerned that regardless of the latest "flashes"; driving a 6. 7, in the same manner, will still be Very Problematic with respects to the sophisticated Regeneration process and DPF issues.



I have people interested in my 02 but don't want to make the switch to an 09 if, in doing so, I am buying into a nightmare.



My instinct is to keep what I have ( 2002 -139,000 miles ) but am curious if anyone here is using the 6. 7 on a daily basis in the same manner, that I described above, WITHOUT PROBLEMS



Don't want to make an expensive purchase I would regret. Any opinions most welcome.



Charlie

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Check out my last thread. my 08 just quit on me due to what i think are too many short trips causing incomplete regenerations for cleansing the DPF. it is making oil forcing me to change oil every 3,000 miles or less. EPA really screwed up a fine machine because other than all the DPF problems... a beautiful truck indeed. It just bogged down on me with no power at 18k miles. new fuel filter and oil change were done at 15k miles. Not bad fuel as I was well into the tank when this happened. Glad it happened where i could get help.

Were I in your position I would keep the 02 especially if it is not giving you any problems... unless you want to roll the dice. Maybe they have fixed all the DPF/REGEN problems in 09 's and 10's? I dont know for sure. I will be updating my other thread after today cause she's still in the dealership.

 

[Jim W]

Mine is running great, just had the oil changed at 20K. I drive the truck every where mostly city driving 3 to 10 mile a trip. I do pull a 5er during the camping season, a 2006 Amer-Camp F270RKS. When driving in the city I never let the truck go into overdrive, I manually shift the trans to 4th gear high only. This keeps the revs up and into the 1800 to 2000 RPM's. I never go above 45 miles an hour with the city limits. Mileage could be some what better, but I am bone stock. I hand calculate my mileage and the truck is getting around 11. 5 to 12 mpg with mostly city driving.

Oil changes are every 3000 to 4000 miles depending on if I am towing or not.



Would I buy another 6. 7L or a 5. 9L ?? Yes, I would defiantly buy the 6. 7L, with the 68RFE trans and the standard exhaust brake this alone makes the truck worth buying. If you are planning on modifying the truck then you will have issues with the emission equipment that is on this truck.



Most of the issue that were the biggest problems were with the 2007. 5 model year, I believe they have been addressed and the 2009 and 2010's model years will not have these same issues.



Just my $0. 02

 

[JohnBower]

My truck also has been relatively trouble free and I drive it about the same as you-short trips during the week and 30 mile trips on the weekend to the archery range. My major complain is fuel mileage-about 13 mpg in town. Have only seen the regeneration message on the overhead console once and had to put it on the freeway for about 10 miles to clear the message. These trucks definitely like working. Also tried to keep the flashes current but sometimes got hassled by a dealership to get them done under warranty. Just for your info, there is no way to get informed by the dealership or Dodge when the flashes come out.

 

[Sarge]

Weather it's an 08' , 09' , or 10', all the regens are handled by software. Review some of the threads on regen and read the posts by those that know. The best place to learn about updates is right here on the TDR. If you ever want a new truck, realize that the EPA has all of us at gun point. They are making all of the rules and the manufactures are doing thier best to comply. Cummins is way ahead of the others as their system is already 10' compliant. Now it is just tweaking to work out the bugs.



sarge

 

[PFranzese]

I have had my 09 going on 4 weeks and almost 2500 miles with no issues. I use it everyday to commute 24 miles each way to work on all backroads from 25 mph to 50 mph. I have towed twice and used it on the highway each weekend. I haven't seen a regen message yet or even noticed anything strange. Love the truck and would recommend it.

 

[WMonroe]

I made the mistake of driving an 09 Dodge last week. What a difference from the '02 I currently own. . However, except when I am towing my Arctic Fox trailer, my current driving style lends itself to "short trips".



The latter has not proved a problem with 02. I am concerned that regardless of the latest "flashes"; driving a 6. 7, in the same manner, will still be Very Problematic with respects to the sophisticated Regeneration process and DPF issues.



I have people interested in my 02 but don't want to make the switch to an 09 if, in doing so, I am buying into a nightmare.



My instinct is to keep what I have ( 2002 -139,000 miles ) but am curious if anyone here is using the 6. 7 on a daily basis in the same manner, that I described above, WITHOUT PROBLEMS



Don't want to make an expensive purchase I would regret. Any opinions most welcome.



Charlie

What do you consider a "short trip"? Does your 02 get fully warmed up now when you are commuting?

Will

 

[Garlic]

My 07. 5 is my daily commute vehical. 13 miles to work, 13 miles home. Weekends I try to get it out and tow the 5'er, usually up the hill (there is a campground 6 miles away that we will go periodically just to get away if we have no real trip planned). The EB is on from the time the engine is started till it is turnned off. I also do alot of slow speed driving and several times a year there is a week or so where it does and excessive amount of idling, the DPF 90% lamp has come on 3 times since I owned it (33K on the clock now) and all it takes is a blast up the interstate for 30 miles to turn it off. I have oil samples taken at every oil change and so far everything is with in spec, fuel during excessive idle time is elevated, but the oil change interval is 5K miles. 4th or 5th gear during the commute helps and the mileage is between 14 and 17 on the average. I would not hesitate to get another one, I am actually thinking about one for the wife. I have not had any of the 'typical' issues that others have complained about and am actually impressed with the fuel mileage, (Beats the heck out of what the 8. 0l V-10 gets) I still run it regularly too.

 

[chazj]

What do you consider a "short trip"? Does your 02 get fully warmed up now when you are commuting?

Will

My 02 does reach operating temperature most of the time. Winter temps sometimes being the exception though. Living in Carson City, Nv. roundtrips errands are around 10 miles or so.



I think very limited pollution devices ( no egr etc ) on 02 maybe responsible for NO operating difficulties. However I do increase the frequency of my oil changes during a period of limited travel activity.



I'm just not sure using an 09, as I now use my 02, would yield similar results...

 

[HBarlow]

My fellow ISB6. 7 owners have provided some excellent responses to your questions. I can only add that my '08 C&C now has 50k on the clock and has been trouble free. The body of knowledge about 6. 7 engines and regeneration is small but growing. None of us can assure you that you won't have problems but you already know, the new trucks are a huge improvement over earlier generations. If you are familiar with and mindful of the need to limit short trips and give it some highway towing useage you may be able to avoid problems also.

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Guys: I copied and pasted the post below which was on another thread I had started when my truck just suddenly shut down (18K miles) to limp mode and 1-2 mph, rough idle. No alerts or chimes either; just CEL came on. What had me worried was I had no warning at all that this was going to happen so I figured it was something really serious like a fuel pump, lift pump or whatever. I really love this truck as this is the only problem I have ever had with it. It excells in everything else and am otherwise very happy with it. Mpg is very good comparably. I just need to learn more about the truck and that is where TDR comes into play with guys like Harvey and Sarge and all the others giving their advice. Membership is worth every penny. Would I buy another 6. 7 auto? Yes I would.

PREVIOUS POST IN OTHER THREAD:
Truck is OK! Seems I have been doing too many short trips with her, that coupled with not knowing when it is in regen sooted everything up. [Code: P2262] They have a "New Flash" that came out in March 09 that I needed so they upgraded my ECM with the new flash.

The ECM computer showed all the times I turned off the engine while in Regen (too many) and technician told me that the ECM just restarts the Regen all over again... . . . over and over till sensors give it a completed sign. Regen restarts are the worst thing you can do to one of these 6. 7's tech said and would increase amount of oil dilution with more fuel being added with each restart and also soot up turbo and EGR components too. Tech told me to hook up to a load and work her hard, get operating temp up at least before shut down. With the 2 mile trips to work and back... that poor Cummins wasn't even close to operating temps. Now I know! These rigs were built as WORK trucks, not grocery delivery! Keep short trips to a minimum if possible.

When I get my Dash Hawk Monitor set up I will be able to see regen at least and adjust my driving patterns and habits. Whew! I feel so lucky it wasnt anything serious. :-laf<!-- google_ad_section_end --> <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

[SNGLESHOT]

One more thing I forgot to add in last post. What Garlic had posted: 4th 5 th gear, EB on all the time, etc. I asked Diesel Tech about this and he said yes, definitely. EB on all time helps engine reach operating temp sooner, while lower gears get RPMs up to reduce lugging and overheating which tends to add soot. Lower gears may mean a 'slight' decrease in fuel mpg but may be worth it in the long run.

 

[chazj]

I want to thank everyone for their imput-s...



A tough decision to be sure... I can't knock the reliability of my 02 after replacing the OEM liftpump with the FASS HPFP, aftermarket guages and exhaust. It's just the 09's are so darn nice, Quiet, and Powerful when compared to my stock 02...



Will keep reading and learning from everyone's experience-s here and hopefully make a educated decision as opposed to "throwing the dice and gambling"... .

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Charlie: I hope my own inexperience didn't sway you in a negative way towards a new 09. There are some really sweet deals to be had out there. The problems I had are directly related to my own ignorance as this is my first Diesel. I would definetly buy this truck again even with the minor DPF problems. I should say that the EPA is the entity that is causing everyone problems such as mine #@$%!but ... . it is possible to overcome these problems with education, a change in driving habits, regular maintenance, the right gauges and of course the TDR guys on here. Looking at your signature and your join date I can tell you are not new to the diesel world like I am so I am not telling you anything you probably don't already know. Good luck in your decision.