Diesels and Hard Love

[mikeandnora]

I have been heavily researching an excursion/ cummins conversion thinking I will end up with a reliable super vehicle. Do these same problems effect cummins as well? I have not read of such issues on the cummins forums.

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by fishandfly

I have been heavily researching an excursion/ cummins conversion thinking I will end up with a reliable super vehicle. Do these same problems effect cummins as well? I have not read of such issues on the cummins forums.

My Cummins 5.9 in a 99 dodge has not had any of these problems.. other than replacing a worn out injection pump at 458, 000. Have never found traces of water in the fuel and all injectors are original.
I can't speak for the newer 6.7 which is more complex, fires injectors more times for each rev etc. but I would buy the Dodge Cummins again based on my experience.
I am currently at 560,000 miles

[pappy19]

No question the older Cummins 5.9 is a tough diesel engine, if you can stand the noise, man those things are loud. Biggest problem the early Cummins/Dodge's had was lousey transmissions, be they hand shakers or especially automatics. The newer diesel engines made by anyone are very particular, especially with those carbon collectors or the urea tanks, along with the newer injectors, almost anything will cause them a problem. Actually, the lowest problems with diesel engines in the past 7 years goes to the Duramax. The GM pickup itself is lacking in quality and falls apart in hard use, but their Duramax is pretty dependable. The Dodge truck in heavy use doesn't jold up either. Most all of the pipeline welders I see have Dodge trucks, but the first thing they do is weld an extra plate along the frame so it won't collapse on them. Ford has the best all around truck as is whitnessed by their huge number on the road; very tough, but they have a big problem with their diesel engine history too, especially the 6.0, which was a disaster. Due to the EPA and Congress, to keep our air "clean", we sacrifice simplicity and dependability in all our combustion engines, but the pickup diesel engine suffers the most. That's why I went with a gasser in my latest 2008 F-250 and this V-10 has performed very well in 88,700 miles with alot of towing. The Ford Torqueshift transmission is fantastic, I love it.

Pap

[Freeheel]

This thread reminded me to drain the water separator on my diesel today. I drained it in to a drinking glass. The fuel was perfect, crystal clear sparkling clean without a hint of cloudiness.

Noob question here - how often do folks typically check for water in the fuel filter?

[Soyboy]

Freeheel: since nobody else jumped it, I will and say that I'll bet most folks never check the water in their filter (I don't) except when they change it (like me). Unless they suspect something. I figure a lot of folks don't change their own fuel filters either IMHO. That's not a knock, just an observation. FWIW I have only had the most minimal amount of water in my filters (drops) when I change them. I am hoping that means that I am buying good fuel and the filter is doing it's job.

[rtaylor537]

Once a month is my schedule even when always using branded fuel. It is so easy (F 250 6.4 L) that to ignore it is simply not worth the risk. Never had a problem; don't want one.

[Mike Leary]

My lower filter gets changed every 3k on the Isuzu. I've left it longer and found too much crap in the filter. Water has not ever been a problem. You never know when you're going to take on bad fuel, I don't care where it's bought.

[slowmover]

I used to drain mine at every fuel fill and found it didn't need it. I find it cheap and fast -- 5-minutes -- to change the fuel filter at every oil change. I also change the air filter at that same interval; works out to about twice yearly for all three filters plus engine oil.

[Wsmith]

2002 F350 7.3 Super Duty: Lots of front end shocks.. Slotted and drilled rotors on front solved warping rotors, One ball joint on left side at around 100,000. One new alternator, Transmission was rebuilt at 220,000 ($1,900.00) upgraded torque converter. just had a shim removed for A/C clutch I am at 285,000. Everything else is still factory installed.

Wes