Which diesel? Longevity, driveability, mileage and service?

[MWeiner]

There's many small diesel engine manufacturers out there; Cummins, Ford and Mercedes.

Which one is going to go the distance and provide the best experience???

[Bob_C]

This '99 24 valve Cummins is still running strong at 220,000!

[egwilly]

Is your question about diesel powered motorhomes or pickup trucks used as a tow vehicle?

[MWeiner]

Originally Posted by egwilly

Is your question about diesel powered motorhomes or pickup trucks used as a tow vehicle?

Really, does it matter? I'm just talking about the diesel engine?

A few years ago, I considered an inline 5 cylinder Ford diesel 3.2 ...it seemed a little rough and unrefined for me compared to my 3 litre V6 Mercedes.

[MSHappyCampers]

It seems to me that the Cummins engine has the best reputation, but that's just me!

[MRUSA14]

They are all good, and built to last much longer than any RV'er will need them to. However, the V6 diesel in my wife's Mercedes sedan required expensive parts replacements starting at about 50,000 miles. Mercedes dealers are used to getting well paid for their parts and labor.

[MWeiner]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

They are all good, and built to last much longer than any RV'er will need them to. However, the V6 diesel in my wife's Mercedes sedan required expensive parts replacements starting at about 50,000 miles. Mercedes dealers are used to getting well paid for their parts and labor.

Don't just generalize , what parts? You're not talking about engine problems, I don't think.

Tell me exactly what you are talking about and, the engine in the car is NOT the same thing as the Sprinters.

[heySkippy]

Cummins probably has the most dedicated fans. Im delighted with our F350 diesel. It’s our first and is quieter and smoother than I ever imagined a diesel truck would be.

[twogypsies]

We've had two Cummins... truck and motorhome. No repairs on either and we had each for eight years.

[jimmy braden]

It usually doesnt come down to a choice of a powerplant anymore. They are packaged with specific chassis/floorplan even more now than ever.

Early mercedes diesels in sprinters were underpowered and had exhaust gasket problems.

Early cummins 5.9s were fine for 10to 15K weights but when you push them to 25K and then try to add fuel and boost they can be overloaded from a physical block standpoint.


The 6.7 cummins were better but they had VVT issues and also big time issues with DEF and DPF.

Powerstrokes in fords and IHs had problems with oil flow on the injector actuators along with pump probs.

ISL cummins had issues with wrist pins for early serial numbers

All CATs that had the HEIU fuel pump suck.

The rule of thumb is find the floorplan (good selections from Holiday Rambler/Monaco and also Dutch star/Alegro Bay in the early 00s) that best meets your needs and then learn what the specific issues exist for that chassis.


The older the chassis is the less emission controls (again early circa 2000-2005 the best) that exist but you will also deal with all the other issues from age.

Having said all that I love my ISC - it just runs - and gets about 9mpg with no toad.

G/L

[Milford 47]

I think the OP is just trolling

There are diesel forums where he can get in over his head quickly

[Gary RVRoamer]

The things that are likely to fail early aren't basic engine components like pistons or crankshafts. It's water pumps, fuel pumps, radiators, etc. Cummins, Cat, Volvo, etc. all build great engines, but most of the rest of the stuff comes from the chassis builder.

[Alpine36]

One retired mechanics opinion based on longevity/serviceability:

1) Cummins

2) Duramax

3) Ford (pick one, they've made three in the last decade or so, absolutely the least serviceable)

4) Mercedes (only last because lack of real world experience, but our fleet had a handful of blutec diesel Sprinters with no issues)

[Florida Rang]

My friend swears by his Volvo diesel with a 10 speed automatic in his 18 Wheeler work truck. 300,000 miles and still running strong and pulling 80,000 GVW loads. He has had most every brand diesel made in his trucks over the years. Prevost coaches uses Volvo in thier coaches with automatic transmission’s....