OT Ram 3.0L V6 eco-diesel in pickup truck

Re: OT Ram 3.0L V6 eco-diesel in pickup truck

mark nowicki

It is an Italian engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_VM_Motori_engines#RA_629_DOHC

https://carbuzz.com/news/why-new-ecodiesel-owners-need-to-beware-of-engine-failure

https://www.wheels.ca/top-ten/seven-engines-to-avoid-like-the-plague/

https://www.wardsauto.com/engines/ram-jeep-diesels-under-fire

http://www.birtydastards.com/frm/index.php?topic=25619.0

Re: OT Ram 3.0L V6 eco-diesel in pickup truck

AZ in Colorado Springs

Thank you. As the saying goes, "if it seems to good to be true ..."

old vs new

David weaver

I think the long life expectancy was built on domestic mechanical diesels without much for emissions controls, like the 12v Cummins that dodge used decades ago.

I read a farm board sometimes and not of the posters are switching back to gas on anything not used for constant towing because of the hassle and cost of maintenance with the current egr and def motors. As in, the emissions standards have made it difficult for them to be reliable compared to older engines and the fuel economy isn't as good on the small ones.

Ditto with what was said above...most of the small ones are imported. Jeeps have had options off and on with Italian diesels. Can't remember who makes the gm diesel. Maybe isuzu or something.

BMW diesel

CJ in MPLS

Not that it is all that pertinent, but the diesel in my 335d was a dream, right up until carbon deposits came to visit. Not certain that this is a planned obsolescence thing, but that was effectively the end for that car as I couldn't find anyone that could or would do carbon deposit removal on this engine for less than $6k, which seemed a bit much.

From an engineering point of view, one designs an engine that doesn't have this problem OR designs a repair method that is cheap and easily obtainable. From a financial point of view it is likely cheaper to rely on the latter so problem remediation it is. From a sales and service point of view, it makes sense to have the repair method be expensive and/or unobtainable since you'll have to pony up one way or the other. Gotta love capitalism sometimes. I miss the 335d. ;(

Re: BMW diesel

John in NM

Manufacturers have to balance those two perspectives though. The consumer may not come back and buy again from that manufacturer if they think that they got screwed on repairs that were artificially expensive and intended to drive new sales

Re: changing standards make us beta testers

David Weaver

I don't have a diesel, but I have a first generation direct injection gasoline engine. When they first came out, they seemed like win win. Lower octane fuel at higher compression. But time has shown that the valves don't get washed by fuel and build up occurs. The result is the same, expensive cleaning. Now, the second generation combines direct injection with some air fuel mix still coming over the valves.

Maybe the next BMW generation will solve the carbon issue, but I'm afraid the government will move the target again.

I listened to a mechanic talk about cleaning gdi, and his assessment was that allowing some water into the intake would help. Too much would cause hydrolock, though.

Re: OT Ram 3.0L V6 eco-diesel in pickup truck

walta

The only thing more shocking than the price of new trucks is the price of 1 to 5 year old trucks. There seems to be a market for out of warranty used trucks with 100K miles for 80% of the new price, I do not understand who or why but they pay over and over again.

My friend has a fleet of small box trucks and has quit on diesels the newer emission system made for way to much down time that came with big bills. He said his fuel cost in dollars per mile is less than diesel.

Walta

Thanks, everybody

I Listened to a long talk....

Barry Irby

about the possible merger of Fiat Chrysler and Renault. One aspect of the talk was that "Europe" is falling out of love with diesels. The Volkswagen debacle was part of it, and controlling the type of emissions was part of it. I was on a long road trip and this was on satellite radio. Good for about an hour. Maybe not relevant to your situation, but it's another indication diesel design is up in the air.

Maybe not relevant also, but I had a Toyota pickup with a diesel engine. It was a gas engine they converted. It lasted about 85K miles and spun a bearing. I had put 7 quarts of oil into that engine every three thousand miles like clockwork. The dealer basically said "Yeah, you did well, many people don't get 85K."

No more diesels for me.

Re: I Listened to a long talk....

David Weaver

After the gm 350 diesel debacle, I'm surprised that someone would try converting a gas engine again.

About the same time I think...

John in NM

Both those conversions were ~ late 1970's or early 1980's if I remember correctly.

I remember reading that most of the problems associated with such conversions have to do with the gasoline engine blocks not being heavy enough to stand up to the demands of higher pressure diesel combustion.