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Ray,IN · 10-24-2010, 06:15 PM

Rusty I left out one important fact. I bought an 02 Chevy K3500 4X4. I compared the-then new, 05 Dodge to that 02 Chevy. The Dodge was about 5" higher than the Chevy tailgate at that time. I can't stand any more truck height from what I now have. And they all are building them taller. The standard pin-from-ground height is 47.5", making choosing a new truck much more than staying within weight ratings.

I may just keep this Chevy and repair/overhaul as required, but I'd sure like to have all the new stuff they have now, like 395 HP instead of 300 now.

Ray,IN · 10-26-2010, 01:16 PM

No new truck for me. :(

Wellll_ The repairs have started with a vengeance. Monday my truck started running rough, even shaking the truck. I noticed low oil pressure shortly there-after. Stopped and discovered diesel fuel coating the entire underside. Pulled dipstick to discover a crankcase full of fuel!
Located a motel and this morning had it hauled to a Chevy dealer. Diagnostic results are, 3 bad injectors on right bank, 1 on left. Full replacement of 8 injectors _ get ready__________ $4,560 + taxes. So what am I to do? Truck is 70 miles from home, broke down. I said fix it, bit my lip and got a ride home.

For the "glass half-full" folks, this is still less than 10% of a new truck.

RustyJC · 10-26-2010, 01:27 PM

Ray,

Are you sure you didn't get a bad load of fuel? 4 injectors failing simultaneously is more than a little suspicious.

Hope you're back on the road soon with no more surprises.

Rusty

Dick Noble · 10-26-2010, 03:20 PM

I want a new Duramax! Of course I have to win the Powerball first.

Half Dimes · 10-26-2010, 05:29 PM

After our last breakdown episode with our current vehicle, I looked at a leftover 2010 Ram 3500 LB dually at our local dealer. Way big improvement since the last time we had looked at a Dodge. The interior even met with Jo Ann's approval.

However, since money isn't growing on trees (my Dad's old saying), we stepped back and decided to see if the most recent fix (new short block) on our F450 will last more than 2 or 3 thousand miles. If it leaves us standing again, the Ram will be the first thing we look at.

Ray,IN · 10-26-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

Ray,

Are you sure you didn't get a bad load of fuel? 4 injectors failing simultaneously is more than a little suspicious.

Hope you're back on the road soon with no more surprises.

Rusty

If I did buy bad diesel it was at either Murphy's at WalMart or the Indianapolis South Flying J, that was my last two re-fuelings. Both are high-volume stations, Murphy's is where the local school system re-fuels, and we all know Flying J turnover. The 2001 to early 2004 Duramax (LB7) engines had a known injector issue. GM issued an extended warranty on them for 7 years/200,000 miles. I hold tight to a slim chance GM will cover my injector replacement bill. My problem, truck was purchased in 2001 but only 99,300 miles. I'm holding on tight, and searching for my extended warranty letter right now.

FiverBob · 10-29-2010, 04:32 PM

I would second Rusty's comments on the Dodge. I owned both Fords and Chevs in my business. The Fords held up the best in the long run - - just little stuff. The GM's were big stuff - - like trannies and rocker arm assemblies -- and rear ends. Bought the Dodge strictly for tow rating in that year. I have taken a 16,000# fiver from Florida to Newfoundland, to Alaska, down near Mexico city and all the way up the west coast to Canada and back home plus a whole bunch of places in between. About 70K towing on it. It still looks new (I'm fussy) and runs super. No problems - - zero. Great mileage even with the 4.10. Good power. Hard to beat that inline 6 of Cummins. Had a pair in my boat - - great power and great economy compared to others in our club group. I was always about 15 to 20% lower on fuel consumption on our long trips.

Buy another one? In a heart beat. Why fight success.

Bob

Det-Chief · 11-04-2010, 10:08 PM

Check the signature. I took delivery on my new Dodge 2 days ago. Wife loves it and she does the majority of the driving. Smooth and quiet. From what Rusty listed it sounds like we have twin trucks except for the rear ends. Our' is white with a lite gold trim along the lower sides.

Rich

RustyJC · 11-05-2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Det-Chief

From what Rusty listed it sounds like we have twin trucks except for the rear ends. Our' is white with a lite gold trim along the lower sides.

Congratulations - even the colors are the same!

Glad your wife likes it. Mine does as well. That's a good thing since if Mama's not happy, NOBODY is happy.

Rusty

wingnut60 · 11-10-2010, 06:10 PM

Half Dimes,
With an '08, aren't you still in warranty? Other problems previous? Or are you just concerned about another breakdown after it gets fixed?
Have had only a minor rear end problem on my '09 and am at 46K miles.
Joe

Half Dimes · 11-11-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Half Dimes,
With an '08, aren't you still in warranty? Other problems previous? Or are you just concerned about another breakdown after it gets fixed?
Have had only a minor rear end problem on my '09 and am at 46K miles.
Joe

We had four breakdowns within 12 months mostly involving fuel injectors and the wiring harnesses serving the injectors. We live in FL. Failures occurred in NM, TX, WA, and ND. Last time in ND at 20,100 miles was a 24 day wait for repairs. Sure, it was all under warranty and Ford went the extra mile to cover our expenses, but we missed a chunk of our travel plans. I've lost confidence in the vehicle but financial realities keep us using it.

wingnut60 · 11-11-2010, 07:08 PM

Very sorry to hear that--I had only heard of radiator/water pump problems with the '08. I can understand your frustration. Suggest that you keep a very good log of the time out of your life and go for a lemon law resolution with Ford.
Joe

diandtom · 11-11-2010, 07:45 PM

Ray, I think that the 2001- 2004 Duramax if one injector fails the whole side has to be replaced. This was changed with the 2005 Duramax. Your truck should be covered. I had a glow plug fail while at the National rally this year and I had to pay $100 and GM covered the rest. They replaced all eight glow plugs and loaned me a new truck while they were working on it. I think they were trying to sell me another one. The whole job only took a couple of hours. I now got 68 K and I am keeping it a few more years. I really don't want one with the new emissions they now have.

NJ Hillbilly · 11-27-2010, 02:52 PM

Ray, I would highly recommend adding another fuel filter. I made up a filter and housing set-up with parts from Caterpillar. The filter is twice the size and filters down to 3 microns, the factory one I think is 7 micron. Knock on wood no issues with my '02 but clean fuel into injectors goes a long way toward helping them out. I added the new filter inline with the factory one since it also has the water separator.