The only significant part on the 6.0L made of aluminum is the rocker boxes.. The rest is cast iron, I have heard of several in the 3-400,000mi range already... Longgevity sacrificed?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
gas vs diesel
- Thread starter linpat
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Egon
Epic Contributor
Do think my old 12 valve cummins has no aluminum and little in the way of electronics as compared to the newer versions. Am I lucky or am I disatvantaged. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Dargo
Super Member
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- Jinma, Foton, TYM, Belarus, Yanmar, Branson, Montana, Mahindra and maybe some green and orange too.
I've now owned a diesel from each of the big 3 tractor makers and each of the big 3 auto makers.
Someone mentioned easier starting in the winter for a gas engine. Except for the 7.3 Ford, I would have to completely disagree with that statment. Other than the Ford, I've never not had any of my diesel engines start immediately.
My current diesel pickup is an old 12v Cummins. It seems to be the very rare exception to ever find one of those that has had any major engine work prior to about 750k miles. That is a HUGE difference in longevity as compared to gas.
Others have mentioned maintenance costs are more for a diesel. All I can say is "what?" That has not been the case for me at all.
Diesel fuel currently costs more than gasoline (and I still can't figure that one out), but I have a neat opportunity to compare two engines that are almost the exact same, but one runs on diesel and one on gasoline. In the Grasshopper mower lineup you can get a 3 cylinder Kubota engine in either gas or diesel. They are almost identical engines. I own one of each. The diesel powered unit will mow just a little more than twice as much on the same amount of fuel. That is besides the fact that it has better lugging power in heavy tall grass.
So, the only advantage I personally see for a gas engine is that it is cheaper. That's about it. They are no longer faster, they certainly cannot pull as much, they certainly do not last as long, they certainly do not cost less to maintain, they certainly are not less complicated, and they certainly are not more efficient.
Someone mentioned easier starting in the winter for a gas engine. Except for the 7.3 Ford, I would have to completely disagree with that statment. Other than the Ford, I've never not had any of my diesel engines start immediately.
My current diesel pickup is an old 12v Cummins. It seems to be the very rare exception to ever find one of those that has had any major engine work prior to about 750k miles. That is a HUGE difference in longevity as compared to gas.
Others have mentioned maintenance costs are more for a diesel. All I can say is "what?" That has not been the case for me at all.
Diesel fuel currently costs more than gasoline (and I still can't figure that one out), but I have a neat opportunity to compare two engines that are almost the exact same, but one runs on diesel and one on gasoline. In the Grasshopper mower lineup you can get a 3 cylinder Kubota engine in either gas or diesel. They are almost identical engines. I own one of each. The diesel powered unit will mow just a little more than twice as much on the same amount of fuel. That is besides the fact that it has better lugging power in heavy tall grass.
So, the only advantage I personally see for a gas engine is that it is cheaper. That's about it. They are no longer faster, they certainly cannot pull as much, they certainly do not last as long, they certainly do not cost less to maintain, they certainly are not less complicated, and they certainly are not more efficient.
dieselsmith
Bronze Member
Yeah buddy! Let the black smoke flow! Everyone forgot to mention how cool a diesel sounds. I am looking into a diesel Jeep Liberty now. Everything at my house will be diesel except for the small stuff.
texredneck
Member
me love'ems diesel. hoping the green diesel gets more widespread. Either way as a welder I need a truck, and often expected to drive long distances. This means that a gas truck isnt suitable, a car which makes good mileage isnt suitable, therefore for no other reason a diesel is all that makes sense. Infortuatnely they are expensive and the cost of diesel fuel is a lil high. But thats ok for now. I can live with this. Im just hoping the price of diesel stays where its at for a while, atleast till after the price of gas goes up again.
