Airstream 30 RB mate too F250 7.3 Godzilla

[jcl]

Originally Posted by KK4YZ

I don’t believe one can make a financial case for buying a diesel, generally…. Just like buying an Airstream.
We bought a diesel because we wanted one. It’s 4 years old and we still love it.

Fully agree. My own payback calculation for a diesel vs gas purchase some years back was 5 years to break even, with the weight of the downside risk running against the diesel.

There are reasons to buy a diesel, but I just don't think a financial case exists for the vast majority of users. If one just wants one, fine, I get it.

[B.trudeau]

Originally Posted by jcl

Fully agree. My own payback calculation for a diesel vs gas purchase some years back was 5 years to break even, with the weight of the downside risk running against the diesel.

There are reasons to buy a diesel, but I just don't think a financial case exists for the vast majority of users. If one just wants one, fine, I get it.

That is why I said, if your not a contractor and your still going with the Diesel then I'd say your rich and without a budget!, I would go Diesel all the way, but then I don't have the budget and this gas 7,3 will do the job for me1

[10Smiles]

I am not rich and I am not without a budget, but I went with a (used) diesel. I am glad I have a choice!

[B.trudeau]

Originally Posted by 10Smiles

I am not rich and I am not without a budget, but I went with a (used) diesel. I am glad I have a choice!

Of course you are right and used is a very valuable option and if you can go for it great!
I was mainly considering new in my relation to ''RICH'' in my comment, here in Quebec, it is highly suggested to buy new and no way I would buy used because the odds of getting a truck with rewind mileage is simply just too great and impossible to check! no way to check if this awesome low mileage Diesel is really what it claims to be! Nowaday for $500.00 they will reset your computer (main ECU, transmission computer and whatever keeps track of the mileage)(The dealers has no way to check this either) to an appealing mileage for resale, then you get off the lot with a much more used truck then you think and that will eventually bite you in the A** with progressive maintenance dollars because a 150000 km truck does not require the same attention as a 75000 km truck.

Unless you know the previous owner and have access to the full Maintenance record from zero miles that will allow you to track the mileage up untill what it claims to be! I stay oh so far away from the used! For what they claim to be a law the dealers don't share the previous owner information, and for some other reasons, the owners don't share all of the information when they return the truck for exchange! without the record, that is a big risk to take and this is just something I can't do!

[SallyForth]

I had heard the Ford Godzilla 7.3L gas engine uses pushrods. Actually, more like I was doubtful it used pushrods.

So, I went in search of an in depth review of the engine and found a YouTube video made by a heavy duty truck mechanic.

https://youtu.be/U1ejoDDbTcA?si=bbU6rduADeFtm_lT

Even with my preference for my 6.7 liter PowerStroke Diesel engine, I was warming up to the simplicity and reliability of Godzilla design, as was this mechanic. And, yes it uses old fashion pushrods with roller lifters.

Sure, my diesel could have an exhaust treatment DEF failure that could leave the truck in LIMP MODE. That’s surely possible. But I was unaware of an even more serious issue with the Godzilla engine that seems to defeat its goal of being otherwise highly reliable.

A VARIABLE PRESSURE OIL PUMP that is suspected of causing ROLLER LIFTER FAILURE.

If you are unlucky enough to experience valve roller lifter failure with a Godzilla engine it is most likely because of low oil pressure with extended engine idle. This failure causes metal fragments to circulate throughout the engine to a point that dealers are forced to swap out your failed engine for a replacement.

Why is there always a GOTCHA!

[jcl]

Originally Posted by SallyForth

I had heard the Ford Godzilla 7.3L gas engine uses pushrods. Actually, more like I was doubtful it used pushrods.

So, I went in search of an in depth review of the engine and found a YouTube video made by a heavy duty truck mechanic.

https://youtu.be/U1ejoDDbTcA?si=bbU6rduADeFtm_lT

Even with my preference for my 6.7 liter PowerStroke Diesel engine, I was warming up to the simplicity and reliability of Godzilla design, as was this mechanic. And, yes it uses old fashion pushrods with roller lifters.

Sure, my diesel could have an exhaust treatment DEF failure that could leave the truck in LIMP MODE. That’s surely possible. But I was unaware of an even more serious issue with the Godzilla engine that seems to defeat its goal of being otherwise highly reliable.

A VARIABLE PRESSURE OIL PUMP that is suspected of causing ROLLER LIFTER FAILURE.

If you are unlucky enough to experience valve roller lifter failure with a Godzilla engine it is most likely because of low oil pressure with extended engine idle. This failure causes metal fragments to circulate throughout the engine to a point that dealers are forced to swap out your failed engine for a replacement.

Why is there always a GOTCHA!

Sounds like idle speculation.

Variable pressure oil pumps don’t reduce oil pressure at idle. The pumps are sized for that operating condition. The are used to reduce oil pressure at higher engine speeds, since there is so much excess pressure in that operating condition. It saves fuel.

[G8trwood]

They all have problems. Look at the Ford Ecoboost and you find lifters, phasers and head gaskets oh my! Or stellar ownership problems.

Interesting that GM and Dodge did away with the cp4 fuel pump. Ford does better with it, but a fuel additive is cheap insurance

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

I have been driving a diesel F 250 for several years and yet to spend a penny on all these expensive repairs and maintenance items everyone is bashing diesels here. I have a great heavy duty truck with 920flb torque all mountedon a long 160 inch wheel base making it a very safe tow vehicle in every aspect.
While the gaser will get the job done just fine the diesel is a lot more truck period. And yes it is an unnesessary luxury but so is a 190 k 30' Air Stream Classic.
I find these discussions and diesel bashing a bit sophmoric.
It would be very refreshing to simply state I did not want to spend the extra money and simply lieve it at that.
Full disclosure, I spent my entire working life in heavy infrastructure construction and lieved in my truck. My daily driver was an F 250 diesel and I spent more time in the office than in the field.
I love the raw power and the sound of the disel purring along and could care less how much it costs.

Agree- just turned 158K on my 2017 F250 6.7L which I purchased new in 2017. Change the oil and fluids every 5-7K miles. Purrs like a kitten towing the 28' 15K or so each year across the Rockies from TX....not sure why some folks want to bash the 6.7; great truck. Fuel prices an issue still in many states, but the reliability, comfort, power, and payload while towing have been excellent!

[jcl]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Agree- just turned 158K on my 2017 F250 6.7L which I purchased new in 2017. Change the oil and fluids every 5-7K miles. Purrs like a kitten towing the 28' 15K or so each year across the Rockies from TX....not sure why some folks want to bash the 6.7; great truck. Fuel prices an issue still in many states, but the reliability, comfort, power, and payload while towing have been excellent!

I wouldn't call it bashing, I would call it responding to diesel engine fans who came to a thread entitled 7.3 Godzilla (gas) engine and starting expounding on why they made a better choice. TETO

[SallyForth]

Originally Posted by jcl

Sounds like idle speculation.

Variable pressure oil pumps don’t reduce oil pressure at idle. The pumps are sized for that operating condition. The are used to reduce oil pressure at higher engine speeds, since there is so much excess pressure in that operating condition. It saves fuel.

You didn’t actual say idle speculation did you?

Yes, I agree about the design and purpose of the variable displacement oil pump. However, it did seem odd to design a simpler, more reliable engine and then, in an effort to boost fuel economy, introduce a more complicated oil pump that depends on sensors, computer control modules, solenoids, etc,

Another candidate for the roller lifter failure is simply bad metallurgy in a batch from a supplier — which would isolate the issue to identifiable build dates. So, still a great engine design, just poor luck or QC with a parts supplier.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by SallyForth

You didn’t actual say idle speculation did you?

Yes, I agree about the design and purpose of the variable displacement oil pump. However, it did seem odd to design a simpler, more reliable engine and then, in an effort to boost fuel economy, introduce a more complicated oil pump that depends on sensors, computer control modules, solenoids, etc,

Another candidate for the roller lifter failure is simply bad metallurgy in a batch from a supplier — which would isolate the issue to identifiable build dates. So, still a great engine design, just poor luck or QC with a parts supplier.

Yes, I did. You picked up on that then

If those sensors and controls fail, it defaults to full oil pressure. So not mission critical IMO

[B.trudeau]

Originally Posted by jcl

I wouldn't call it bashing, I would call it responding to diesel engine fans who came to a thread entitled 7.3 Godzilla (gas) engine and starting expounding on why they made a better choice. TETO

Yes there are hardcore Diesel fan outhere! lol
I had 3 Diesel and 2 of them back in the day they were using mechanical pump and quite simple without the emission crap, nowaday a Diesel engine are the more complex piece of engineering on the market, with 30000 PSI railing injection system, this said if use and maintain intensively It's all good but in my case my usage does not justify a Diesel engine and although a Diesel is la creme de la creme, this would be way overkill for my needs!, and for my wallet!

[OVRLNDR]

2022 F350 CrewCab Lariat short bed w/ Godzilla 7.3L. We now have 30K worth of towing our 2022 FC25RBT.

We love the power and torque in both tow/haul and regular modes. 9.0 to 10.0 miles per gallon towing and 12.0 to 14.0 miles per gallon road/town driving depending on how heavy my foot is.

No issues so far, just regular maintenance…

Aloha,
OVRLNDR (aka Tin Can Overlander)

[B.trudeau]

Originally Posted by OVRLNDR

2022 F350 CrewCab Lariat short bed w/ Godzilla 7.3L. We now have 30K worth of towing our 2022 FC25RBT.

We love the power and torque in both tow/haul and regular modes. 9.0 to 10.0 miles per gallon towing and 12.0 to 14.0 miles per gallon road/town driving depending on how heavy my foot is.

No issues so far, just regular maintenance…

Aloha,
OVRLNDR (aka Tin Can Overlander)

Thanks that is a good confirmation I'm heading in the right direction!
Enjoy your truck!

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by OVRLNDR

2022 F350 CrewCab Lariat short bed w/ Godzilla 7.3L. We now have 30K worth of towing our 2022 FC25RBT.

We love the power and torque in both tow/haul and regular modes. 9.0 to 10.0 miles per gallon towing and 12.0 to 14.0 miles per gallon road/town driving depending on how heavy my foot is.

No issues so far, just regular maintenance…

Aloha,
OVRLNDR (aka Tin Can Overlander)

Calling the 7.3 gaser Godzilla sounds like a a real truck wannabe like the real Godzilla ..
The F 250 6.8 Diesel with a whopping 920 flb of torque.
A diesel will always outperform a gaser.
We run our Macks for 500k miles with an occasional fuel pump and injector replacement. At 500k miles we do a complete engine refurbishment and run them another 500 k miles.
Wherever real reliable power is required Ships, Rail, Freight its a diesel. To suggest that they are these fragile constantly in need of repairs is outright ridiculous.
Do you need one to tow your Air Stream absolutley not.
But than again do you realy need an Airstream?

[jcl]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

Calling the 7.3 gasser Godzilla sounds like a a real truck wannabe like the real Godzilla ..
The F 250 6.8 Diesel with a whopping 920 lbft of torque.
A diesel will always outperform a gasser.
We run our Macks for 500k miles with an occasional fuel pump and injector replacement. At 500k miles we do a complete engine refurbishment and run them another 500 k miles.
Wherever real reliable power is required Ships, Rail, Freight its a diesel. To suggest that they are this fragile constantly in need of repairs is outright ridiculous.
Do you need one to tow your Air Stream obsoletely not.
But than again do you realty need an Airstream?

The maintenance issues on late model diesels are largely related to the complicated emission controls.

Off topic in a tow vehicle thread, but since you bring up Mack trucks, Mack are advertising their LR battery electric truck as having lower costs and improved uptime compared to the diesel version, and specifically mention emission control maintenance is that claim. It has over 4000 lb-ft of torque as well.

[majorairhead]

x2 for me in this thread....

LOVE my 6.2 gas hawg

[B.trudeau]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

Calling the 7.3 gaser Godzilla sounds like a a real truck wannabe like the real Godzilla ..
The F 250 6.8 Diesel with a whopping 920 flb of torque.
A diesel will always outperform a gaser.
We run our Macks for 500k miles with an occasional fuel pump and injector replacement. At 500k miles we do a complete engine refurbishment and run them another 500 k miles.
Wherever real reliable power is required Ships, Rail, Freight its a diesel. To suggest that they are these fragile constantly in need of repairs is outright ridiculous.
Do you need one to tow your Air Stream absolutley not.
But than again do you realy need an Airstream?

The 6,7 in its present configuration with 30000 PSI injection railing system, EGR and emission crap is not as reliable as old school Diesel, but then this is a fantastic engine, do I need one...NO but if asked if I want one the anwser is yes! lol, same as my Airstream that I wanted...I want I want I want, and need need need!

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by jcl

The maintenance issues on late model diesels are largely related to the complicated emission controls.

Off topic in a tow vehicle thread, but since you bring up Mack trucks, Mack are advertising their LR battery electric truck as having lower costs and improved uptime compared to the diesel version, and specifically mention emission control maintenance is that claim. It has over 4000 lb-ft of torque as well.

A pipe dream at best. In real life it never gona happen.
The battery pack required for that kind of power and distance will eat up 80 percent of the payload.
PS, I haven't spent a penny on my 2017 F 250 Diesel on either the emissions nor the engine other than normal maintenance the main reason all my foreman and superintendents drive them.

[B.trudeau]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

A pipe dream at best. In real life it never gona happen.
The battery pack required for that kind of power and distance will eat up 80 percent of the payload.
PS, I haven't spent a penny on my 2017 F 250 Diesel on either the emissions nor the engine other than normal maintenance the main reason all my foreman and superintendents drive them.

Yes that is what I've heard, the 6,7 is absolutely reliable and seem like Ford fixed most of the bugs, well maintained with tight schedule this engine is a good contender to a million miles! I will stop right here because the temptation to shift from a gas to a diesel is getting hard to content...lol