Pros and Cons of a Diesel engine

Ok, lets try this again;

TruckAddict's comment got me thinking. If someone who didnt know about engines went to buy a Diesel engined truck, what pros and cons should they know about? Well. Lets discuss them.


EDIT; I need the off topic banter to stay out of this thread. Off topic posts will be removed.

I am hoping we can put together an real informative comparison. If you have owned a diesel, or currently do own a diesel, please feel free to share. Input and questions are welcome from all. Thank you!

From my experience, the biggest things I have noticed are;

Pros;
Durability, lasts longer.
Reliability, always starts.
Fuel Economy
Multi-Fuel ability
Higher resale value

Cons;
Cold weather performance
Sometimes more expensive fuel
Fuel filters need to be changed more often
Higher initial cost

Con: not everywhere sells diesel

Con - fuel gels in cold temps. unless using anti-gel

stealthdawg09 wrote:

Con: not everywhere sells diesel

Very good point. Forgot to add that.

79_bronco wrote:

multi fuel abilities goes for both gas and diesel..

Con - fuel gels in cold temps. unless using anti-gel

seems to me that it has to get quite cold for modern diesel fuel to gel up. Also as far as multi fuel abilities go, their seems to be alot more for diesels than gassers.

I can burn, motor oil, ATF, gear oil, bio diesel, strait veggie oil, and regular diesel in my truck. Theirs probly more that Im not thinking of.

More torque then gas engines of comparable size.

Better fuel economy.

johnboggs21 wrote:

79_bronco wrote:

Con - fuel gels in cold temps. unless using anti-gel

seems to me that it has to get quite cold for modern diesel fuel to gel up. Also as far as multi fuel abilities go, their seems to be alot more for diesels than gassers.

I can burn, motor oil, ATF, gear oil, bio diesel, strait veggie oil, and regular diesel in my truck. Theirs probly more that Im not thinking of.

Oh yeah, dont forget PS fluid, JP-8, JP-4, JP-6, Kerosene, Hydraulic oil, Home heating oil, Jet A, Jet A-1, Jet B, JP-5, 2 stroke, and on and on and on.

LMAO... I think this thread is becoming slanted to pro's.


Some cons.

Smell of exhaust.(not everyone likes it!)

Noise.(Which makes ordering fast food at the drive thru seem like talking to a deaf person))

FaselZ71 wrote:

LMAO... I think this thread is becoming slanted to pro's.


Some cons.

Smell of exhaust.(not everyone likes it!)

Noise.(Which makes ordering fast food at the drive thru seem like talking to a deaf person))

personally i love the exhaust smell, but thats just me lol

The new ones aint too loud, but with my strait pipe, i just shut the truck off when im ordering lol

Price of brand new diesel technology... (i.e. Programmers, exhuast brakes, exhaust systems)

FaselZ71 wrote:

Price of brand new diesel technology... (i.e. Programmers, exhuast brakes, exhaust systems)

Dang you had to slip in that brand new bit lol

oh with a diesel boost pressure is only limited by the strenght of the components.

A pro to getting a diesel...


You have the option of getting an allison or eaton fuller transmission!

i have to add a pro..

no inspection over 6k(?)lbs! (in jersey at least)

con - heavier than gas models lol

pro- heavier than gas models

that's not a pro..

oh but it is. More weight means its built heavier/stronger. More traction if ur 4wd too

Older diesels have far fewer electrical components then a comparable year gas engine.

i like the fact that with a deseil you can just buy a tuner and get ungodly amount of power.. with a gas motor you gotta get a program for a laptop and change alot of engine parameters.. its a pain in the butt if you dont know what your doing

merlin5577 wrote:

Older diesels have far fewer electrical components then a comparable year gas engine.

thats very true, mine only needs 1 wire to run. If i wanted to, I could run it underwater if i had a way of getting air to it without any problems.

I have a con for diesels. Block heaters. My dog is it expensive to plug my truck in when it gets super cold.

Con: even if you have you use some other stuff for fuel instead of diesel fuel they can get up. EX: Veggie oil

merlin5577 wrote:

I have a con for diesels. Block heaters. My dog is it expensive to plug my truck in when it gets super cold.

If the starting system is workin properly you dont need the BH unless its ungodly cold