Gas versus Diesel - Maintenance.

[traveldawg]

I often come across folks who say they prefer a gas engine because it is less maintenance (or maybe easier to maintain?) than a diesel engine. Every time I see this I keep wondering what it is about a gas engine that is easier to maintain.

Both require regular fuel and oil filter replacement (pretty much on the same schedule). The diesel requires regular filling of DEF. Is that considered more maintenance? And a diesel has 2 batteries - more maintenance?

Gasses require a spark plug replacement, but that's at 100k. Does that make it less or more maintenance?

Color me - "I don't get it" on this subject. I guess I don't consider having use DEF or having 2 batteries as more maintenance. Or maybe because one has to pour more oil into a diesel? I suppose that can cost more. But easier maintenance? - still not getting it.

I'm not trying to compare weights, towing capacities, power or anything else but maintenance.

 

[Grandesigner]

You might have forgot more fuel filters on the diesel, but not a deal breaker. The costs are higher than a gasser though.
I've had both over the last 3 decades...

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I often come across folks who say they prefer a gas engine because it is less maintenance (or maybe easier to maintain?) than a diesel engine. Every time I see this I keep wondering what it is about a gas engine that is easier to maintain.

Both require regular fuel and oil filter replacement (pretty much on the same schedule). The diesel requires regular filling of DEF. Is that considered more maintenance? And a diesel has 2 batteries - more maintenance?

Gasses require a spark plug replacement, but that's at 100k. Does that make it less or more maintenance?

Color me - "I don't get it" on this subject. I guess I don't consider having use DEF or having 2 batteries as more maintenance. Or maybe because one has to pour more oil into a diesel? I suppose that can cost more. But easier maintenance? - still not getting it.

I'm not trying to compare weights, towing capacities, power or anything else but maintenance.

Yeah, I'd have to agree. I've had diesels since 2006 and haven't really felt that the maintenance was more. I had no spark plugs to change, I had one fuel filter to change, and oil and oil filter to change. The new truck has 3 fuel filters rather than 1, but not sure where the evidence is for more maintenance. Just a perception I guess.

 

[Gronk1]

The only real difference I can see is the diesel has a DPF that needs replaced at around 100K.
Fluid in differentials, transfer cases, coolant etc. needs replaced on pretty much the same schedule as a gasser, just may take more.
Fuel additives are at the owners discretion.
Diesel fuel is a bit more in my area but is that maintenance...naw.
As for fuel pumps grenading an engine, that's repair.

 

[livinthelife]

I often come across folks who say they prefer a gas engine because it is less maintenance (or maybe easier to maintain?) than a diesel engine. Every time I see this I keep wondering what it is about a gas engine that is easier to maintain.

Both require regular fuel and oil filter replacement (pretty much on the same schedule). The diesel requires regular filling of DEF. Is that considered more maintenance? And a diesel has 2 batteries - more maintenance?

Gasses require a spark plug replacement, but that's at 100k. Does that make it less or more maintenance?

Color me - "I don't get it" on this subject. I guess I don't consider having use DEF or having 2 batteries as more maintenance. Or maybe because one has to pour more oil into a diesel? I suppose that can cost more. But easier maintenance? - still not getting it.

I'm not trying to compare weights, towing capacities, power or anything else but maintenance.

Not really "maintenance" but, for us, we chose a gas truck because, when we're traveling and wind up in some dinky way-out-in-the-boonies town with a problem, chances are there is someone who is familiar with working on a gas engine (and access to parts) and not so much knowledgeable about diesels.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Not really "maintenance" but, for us, we chose a gas truck because, when we're traveling and wind up in some dinky way-out-in-the-boonies town with a problem, chances are there is someone who is familiar with working on a gas engine (and access to parts) and not so much knowledgeable about diesels.

I would say that would have been true years ago, but with all the electronics on the new engines, both gas and diesel, it may not be true so much anymore.

 

[FatTire]

Diesel oil changes are more expensive - more oil, and two filters - but you don't have to change as often. I've puled my current trailer with a gas 6.4 liter Hemi, and now my current CTD and I'd never go back. Don't miss that gas gauge noticeably moving as the engine revs to 5k to get over an overpass.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Two oil filters? I have a 2018 Ram, and AFAIK, there's only one. But oil changes aren't too bad: I get Mobil Delvac for about $12/gallon, so a oil change is about $50 total, including the filter. I just can't bring myself to follow the oil change guidelines, too old and set in my ways I guess.

 

[goducks14]

I go 1 year/15,000 miles for my Cummins. Not so with a 6.4 Hemi. It takes 2 fuel filters once a year. Zero for the 6.4 Hemi. I get 11.5+ with the Cummins towing. Not so with the Hemi (8.5-9) When diesel is the same as gas I come out ahead in fuel savings. Over 5000 miles that's a savings of $500. It goes both ways when diesel is higher or lower.
The big advantage to a diesel is the longer time between fuel stops and the more relaxed towing when in the mtns or just cruising down the freeway at 65 mph. The EB is worth the cost of admission if you tow in the mtns a lot.
You can buy the filters for $135-140 or so. I have the dealer do the oil changes because my driveway is new and I don't want a spill on it. And it's not that much more than when I'd do it myself. I do my own fuel filters as it's pretty easy sorta.
I just enjoy towing with a diesel a lot more than a gasser living in the PNW. Some people pay for lots of bling in a truck. I don't see the difference in where you spend the money if it's what you want.

 

[jleonard]

I’ve had both gas and diesel and diesel maintenance is more expensive for sure.
But for towing you cant beat diesel.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I’ve had both gas and diesel and diesel maintenance is more expensive for sure.
But for towing you cant beat diesel.

Could you elaborate why you feel the diesel is more expensive? Maintenance-wise? Or are you just speaking of oil changes, and fuel filters?

 

[RV2600RB]

I’ve had both. I don’t think maintenance over the long run is much (if any) more expensive.
Towing with a diesel is definitely better.
The only drawback for me is in town driving at destinations. The truck is constantly regenerating.
Rich

 

[lineman1234]

Each brand may be different, but my 2015 ram 2500 with the 6.7 cummins diesel went as follows

1, oil and oil filter, 3 gallons and 1qt of oil, 2 fuel filters every 15,000 miles empty. Oil filter was a pain to get at, through the inner fender well, through a hole, couldnt get from below, from above needed inter cooler removed.
2, ccv filter, crank case filter, every 67,500 miles a bit of work to get to and change. Not cheap.
3, fuel additive for cold temps even with winter blend fuel.
4, yep 2 batteries and in general, a bigger more expensive alternator.
5, yep, def fluid.
6, may need egr cleaned at some point.
7, forgot to add, pre 2019 cummins need valve adjustment at 160,000 i beleave my manual said. It/they have solid lifters.
8, also, ifffff, injectors are maintenance, as they are a wear item. Gas, pull and put in. Diesel, WOW, quite the job, and sequence.

That said, the emissions systems and turbo setup with the actuator and turbo moving vanes, is a wear item, sooner or later, will need replacing. Out of warranty is expensive. Def pump and injector will wear out sometime, and not cheap to replace.

Gasser, muffler and or pipe and cat, cheaper, way cheaper.
Less oil, but also half the miles between changes, but no fuel filter. Yep spark plugs.

The diesel motor should go double or more for the lifespan of a gasser.

I am glad i had my past diesel for 8 years, i am really glad i have a 2024 3500 chevy gasser now.

 

[lineman1234]

Adding to maintenance.....

You wont have a problem bringing a gasser to a diesel mechanic/place, but most gas places wont work on a diesel.

I had a few out of warranty items on the emissions on my diesel go, i had to go to the dealer, as i couldnt find a diesel shop and no gas/regular shop would touch it.

 

[RV2600RB]

Adding to maintenance.....

You wont have a problem bringing a gasser to a diesel mechanic/place, but most gas places wont work on a diesel.

I have to disagree.
I’ve not had any issues getting my diesel serviced.
A break down, possibly, but gas engines are just as complicated.
Gomer in the boonies couldn’t fix either one.
Rich

 

[lineman1234]

I have to disagree.
I’ve not had any issues getting my diesel serviced.
A break down, possibly, but gas engines are just as complicated.
Gomer in the boonies couldn’t fix either one.
Rich

Ram diesel no. Ford and chevy diesel, need the ( cab ) to come off to work on some stuff. I have not heard of any ford or chevy gaasser needing the cab to come off to work on stuff.

I changed it myself, but, i asked the 2 local mom and pop shops hear in my hometown, if they would change a ccv filter on a 6.7 cumminds diesel. they would not.

 

[robmcqueen]

Adding to maintenance.....

You wont have a problem bringing a gasser to a diesel mechanic/place, but most gas places wont work on a diesel.

I had a few out of warranty items on the emissions on my diesel go, i had to go to the dealer, as i couldnt find a diesel shop and no gas/regular shop would touch it.

Most mechanics want nothing to do with a diesel that is why the diesel mechanics charge more. These new gas trucks pull really good for anything under 12k or 13k pounds. Over that get the diesel.

 

[lineman1234]

Most mechanics want nothing to do with a diesel that is why the diesel mechanics charge more. These new gas trucks pull really good for anything under 12k or 13k pounds. Over that get the diesel.

My diesel was rated to tow 18,900lbs, my new gasser is rated to tow 18,700lbs. Diesel 2500, payload was exactly 2500lbs, new gasser is a 3500 payload 4,311lbs.

I know diesels, im not a diesel mechanic, but grew up on a tractor and truck farm, no animals. I worked doing linework for 32 years all underpowered diesel line trucks. I now play helping in harvest in the fall, driving a nice semi. I know the feel of diesels. And gassers.

 

[JPS350]

I'll start by saying I love diesel engines. I used to work on plenty of Mercedes diesels in a previous life. I've had a Cat diesel on a tool truck I had in another previous life (great engine, btw). I had a diesel vw golf at one time. I've got a diesel engine on my tractor and another one on my sailboat.

That said, when I was looking for a replacement pickup (1/2 ton), last winter I went with a gas truck (and a several year old one, at that). Maintenance is more for a diesel. More important than that, repairs to the various components of the modern diesel emissions systems are costly, and imo, the engines aren't bullet proof like they used to be because of this. My son's had a couple of recent diesels, a ram half ton that he had nothing but problems with, and now a ram 3/4 ton that he ended up deleting after some problems. I'm not a fan of doing that, but he's had no issues with it since.

I ended up with a new to me 2017 Ram 1500 with a 5.7 hemi in it. It's been great so far and I like the relative simplicity of it. Something I can work on myself mostly and not have to lift off the cab to do it. I just couldn't justify the extra expense in buying and keeping a diesel for what I need. If the trailer were a lot larger than what I'm hauling I'd revisit the things, but I'd still likely go with a gas engine in a bigger truck.

 

[kb0zke]

"Most mechanics want nothing to do with a diesel that is why the diesel mechanics charge more." Go into a rural area and you will find far more diesel pickups than gassers.