I finally 'paid for' my diesel engine

[Ford_6L_E350]

This is not a Gas vs. Diesel thread.

My results: 108000 miles, 16.66mpg $20595 spent on fuel.

If I had been driving a 12.0 mpg V10 (~same fuel cost) I would have spent $8000 more on fuel! Therefore, I have paid for my diesel option in fuel savings.

How long do I have to drive it to pay for extra filters/oil/turbo/EGR costs???

Mike

[daveb]

Mike if you'd have just driven down hill all the way just think how much sooner you would have paid it off! Love that 9999MPG on the scan gauge

One thing I have noticed is if I drive my diesel up a short steep grade and down a long mild grade, I get much better mileage than if I go the opposite...up a long mild climb and down a short steep grade. I also noticed driving slower makes a huge difference.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by daveb

Mike if you'd have just driven down hill all the way just think how much sooner you would have paid it off! Love that 9999MPG on the scan gauge

One thing I have noticed is if I drive my diesel up a short steep grade and down a long mild grade, I get much better mileage than if I go the opposite...up a long mild climb and down a short steep grade. I also noticed driving slower makes a huge difference.

Yeah, speed kills mileage. For me the breaking point is 62mph. Above that mileage drops rapidly. Today on a long stretch of flat Nebraska I-80 (200 miles) 65 was averaging 18.4 while 61 averaged 20.5. How much time do you have? How much money do you have?

Mike

[BroncoHauler]

For the 7.3L, the rumor I've always been told is to keep it at 2000rpm or less for max mileage. I think that puts its about the same mph.


Herb

[Viejo]

$20595 spent on fuel.

Wow... Now I'm glad I don't keep records.

[Zeta]

Have you added in the FICM failure, ICP valve, IPR, bad injector(s), EGR problems, turbo failur, clogged oil cooler etc. etc. etc.?

I wonder how Ford survived the 6.0 engines? Not sure I'm going to...

Z

[Gnarvan]

It always scares me when I start analyzing the cost numbers of running the van. For me the key to happiness is remembering all the good times I have being out away from the cities and crowds. It's tough to put a price on fun to help balance out the expense side of the equation.

[Jeffrey]

+1 to what John said.

[larrie]

Was talking to some friends about my van, 89 gasser and its mileage, about 14 mpg. They asked how I could afford and justify the costs. Told them that my daily driver gets 21 mpg so when I go camping in the SMB I am only paying for the one third more for gas to go the same distance.

Besides I like having the comfort and enjoyment of camping in a SMB. Have pulled a camper and lived in a VW van. The SMB has them all beat for ease of handling and comfort.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

+1 to what John said.

I feel the same way. Even with the cost of my van I still feel it rates right up with my bass boat and one of the best things I've ever purchased. It's all about life and living.