diesel longevity

[mblair]

I'm reading Cummins vs. Duramax vs. Powerstroke postings. Without trying to put anyone down what have you guys heard about reliability?some of us bought diesels because they are so practical, reliable and economical. A lot of the posts are for 'performance enhancement'. Am I the only wimp driving stock?



I bought my first diesel in 88 for $1500 the 83 diesel Isuzu. I work for the railroad and thought to use left over fuel hose fuel which I have yet to do. If the IsuzuGm Duramax is like mine, the body will rust off the engine, like my Isuzu is due to salt used on roads here.

However, after about 360,000 miles, the engine still starts and runs almost as at first. I have done no work on engine other than oil, adjust valves, etc. (Original starter,pump,injectors, glowplugs,water pump,alternator,etc). Replaced brakes,mufflers tires,clutch( at 225K), etc. Learned to buy "lifetime warranty" replacement s!!



What kind of troublefree engine life are you seeing among the different makes?

 

[amsoilman]

mblair,

Well you certainly have had your share of Diesel's! When it comes to a Deisel engine compared to a gasolene engine, I'm certain the Diesel will have much better longevity, as you have discovered. When it comes to the pickups with Diesel power for pulling bigger loads with longer longevity, it is hard to find a better design than the straight six CTD in the Dodge. It is easier to work on, and the parts are much less when it comes to replacing them. I'm surprised you still are using the original "glow-plugs". Both Ford and GM uses the "Glow-plugs" for starting, where the Dodge CTD uses a "Heater-grid". I like the heater-grid, as it is located in the intake manifold, and easy to replace if needed without much work. Injectors are also easier to remove and replace compared to either Ford or GM.



My . 02 cents worth,



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[illflem]

With over 250k combined miles on my two CTDs the only engine related problems have been the throttle cables and rubber fuel lines, both Dodge parts. These are the old reliable 12 valves though, I can't speak the same for the 24s, they seem beset with weak fuel system problems.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

durability

This may not be the best forum to learn about the durability of the Cummins. There are probably very few who will run their pickups long enough to wear out the engine! Except for the guys making a living on the road, most people won't have a cab left to shield them from the elements by the time they get 500,000 miles on the vehicle. I would think that there might be places to learn about the engine durability in the light/medium duty truck market. You don't have to get very far up the GVW scale, and Ford goes to the Cummins.



This forum certainly has its share of what someone referred to as, "The lunatic fringe. " (those working on 350 Hp. and up) Many others of us have found that moderate performance enhancements have no ill effect on mpg figures, and sometimes help. Given that these engines are available from Cummins in ratings over 300 Hp. , I feel that moderate performance enhancements are only giving back the performance that DC derated when they bought these engines.



Ray

PS: I too once had an Isuzu diesel pickup - and the power train was bullet proof for 167000 miles - the body another story!

 

[BCFAST]

Your previous Izusu experiences are normal. I used to run heavy equipment sporting Izusu engines, and they were pretty good little motors (4 & 6 cyl. ). The DM engines are a different story: it is a GM design using Izusu-built internals. Why they didnt just bolt in an existing I-6 out of their medium truck... .

 

[mblair]

Thanks for your replies..

about the durability. I had heard the Isuzu diesel was pretty a good diesel at the time I was looking for a truck. They had this and a vw diesel truck in the back lot. I was excited then about getting a diesel, but through the years, I had become so emotionally attached to it I would only sell it to my son, then I bought it back after (after he had it. ) Through the years, I have become emotionally attached to it, and pleased with the "found gold while looking for silver "luck.



A guy at work whose had GM and dodge gassers use to say my "that Isuzu wants to be a dodge when it grows up. " He thought I was crazy for getting a slow diesel. Well, he finally went "straight" (six, that is) and bought a new 2001 Dodge Cummins. Everytime I ask him how he likes his truck he gets this big grin and I swear a tear in his eye. Now he understands what I couln't explain. Now he has 'dieselism' and I have to laugh it him.



I'm not criticizing 'enhanced performance', i used to have a v-8 adapted corvair. I need to leave my dodge stock for a while til mamma gets more funiture. I'm just going to quietly apply some of the tips to my turbo Isuzu which she won't get into.



I just feel like I bought another Isuzu< except this time it's a nice big truck that turns out to be even better longevity than expected, again!

 

[HC]

Am I the only wimp driving stock?

What kind of troublefree engine life are you seeing among the different makes?

Not really. I have no "power enhancing" mods to speak of. My mods are ones that I think will help the life of the engine or help the performance in some way other than HP. Examples:

Bypass oil filter

4" exhaust (run cooler EGT's)

BD brake (save brakes, idle without fouling injectors)

ARB locker - better traction when needed, no increased tire wear when not needed.

Gauges,

Brushguard.



I chose the Cummins for it's reputation of reliability. At 81k still getting better, with not much more than oil changes and two clocksprings. I know I made the right choice.

 

[amsoilman]

Just received some bad news!

Our School District where I drive a bus with the 5. 9L CTD Engine,(97 Model)had a 94 model with only 82,000 throw a rod through the side of the block!

Uncommon, you bet it is! Will not know the reason until the engine gets torn down, but I can tell you the engine was full of oil, (Delo 15W-40) and the engine was not over-rev'd.

Hope this never happens to me!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[jrobinson1]

I have 97 CTD 2500 w 240,000 (2 years new to me) and moms got a 97 3500 with right around 500,000 (1 year ago I gave it to her). Engines are strong Mom's auto has been replaced at least once... not by us. I have had a pilot bearing and transfer case throw fork give out. I think they like to run, high milers I have seen are in good condition.



Weak point is NOT the engines. Trucks a fairly good depending how you treat them.

 

[Todd T]

my "new to me" 97 has 227,4XX on it and runs like a champ.



that was why i bought it... i figured it was just gettin broke in and would run better

 

[Alan Reagan]

Those Isuzu's in the above posts... ..... they are inline 4 and 6 cylinder's. Right? Not the "V" configuration. Right?

 

[mblair]

isuzu

yes, the isuzu's are the little 2. 2 liter inline 4 cylnder diesel pickup.

some chevettes had diesels, but those were only 1. 8 ltr. I can't imaging how slow they must have been. The years were about 80-87 ibelieve on the trucks, with the 86 and 87's available with turbos. max

 

[Alan Reagan]

Inline sixes I like. Like the CAT, Cummins, newer Detroits. It's that V configurations I don't get very excited about.

 

[TPCDrafting]

Had a friend years ago that had one of those Chevy luv trucks with the diesel. It was a smokey, smelly, slow thing but he was a struggling carpenter and decided to drive it till it died. Same thing, the truck was rusting away around the engine. As it got older he had trouble with it idling cold in the morning. It would just stall out while he was letting it warm up. He would go back in the house to get his lunch etc. and come out and it would have shut off. One day he went back in the house after starting it and after a bit couldn't hear it anymore so he went out ****** off to re-start it and it was gone! Evedentally the park brake failed and it had rolled down his long steep driveway, went off a 70 foot embakement, rolled over several times (carpenter tools flying everywhere) and landed in the creek upside down. Funny part was the damn thing was still idling upside down in the creek!! He had to climb down there and shut it off! Thought I'd share the story, sorry so long

Later

 

[Amianthus]

Re: durability

Originally posted by Ray Torresdal

This forum certainly has its share of what someone referred to as, "The lunatic fringe. " (those working on 350 Hp. and up)

Color me a lunatic then. #ad

 

[Archive]

I agree with Illflem, the 24 valve fueling system is looking more and more like a problem child to me everyday.