2008 Question (MPG and Regen)

[TBK3]

I have a 2002 7.3 250 CC 4X4 6-spd 3.73 that is and has been a fantastic truck. I have picked up a few rust spots, but otherwise no issues.


My accountants suggest that I need to purchase a new vehicle this year. I have looked at the GMC Duramax but made my decision to stay with the F250 and have verbally committed to purchasing one from my local dealer. One concern I have is that the vehicle is not scheduled to arrive until late December.

I have not been on this site in awhile and thought that I should read up on the new 6.4 to see what issues folks are having.

After reading the posts, my 2 largest concerns are fuel economy and the Regen system. So I will keep my questions limited to these topics.

MPG - My 2002 averaged about 16.0 HWY for the first 20K miles and then slightly better after breaking in. At about 80K, I added a 4" exhaust and a DP-Tuner chip and now I average about 18.5 running at 75+ on long trips. For me this is fantansic for a vehicle this size. Towing my 28ft boat I average about 11. Towing a 9,000 lb flatbed trailer loaded with 2 marine diesels from NC to Seattle 2 years ago I average about 14.5 across the US. Again, what more could I ask for.

Now that I am contemplating buying a newer vehicle, I am very reluctant to jump into a vehicle that averages 13 on the HWY, but again I dont drive 100 miles a day so this is not my main concern, but I get the general sense that most previous PSD owners are disappointed with the new engines economy.

Regen,

I understand thermal oxidation, but I am more concerned about the procedure involved with regen. When it occurs, how does the driver know? Does the PCM not allow you shutdown the truck until it is complete? In general, how will I the driver deal with this system and what inconvienences should I expect?

Sorry for the long post, but I just want to make sure I am making a good decision. When I bought my 2002 in 7.3, the 6.0s were just coming out, but I opted to stay with the proven motor.

[loft306]

As far as the regen question just drive it normaly and it will do what it dose and if you need to turn it off in regen go ahead and it will start again when you start it back up and conditions permit.

As far as millage goes i dont have my truck yet so i'll defer comment till i do.

but they seem to get respectable mpg after 10-20,000 miles.

[RockRidge]

Yes, Fuel mileage is down, you can thank EPA for that. As for actual fuel mileage data CLICK HERE.

IMHO, Regens are much less than they are made out to be. If a regen is running and you step on the brake, the process will be paused. If, while you have the brake pedal pressed, you turn the truck off, the regen will continue when you next start the truck. You may not know if the truck is in regen. I rarely feel mine. As far as inconvienences, don't park near combustable materials as the exhaust temps (at <18" from exhaust tip) can be pretty warm. I think someone mentioned around 500+ degrees F.

side note: if your truck will not be built/delivered until december, you will have a "Job #2" truck. Job #1 are trucks built before until July '07, Job #2 after that. I understand that there will be a Job#3 version for trucks built on/after January '08. What's the differance? Mostly some different option availability, and a few mechanical "updates".

So far, I have had no problems with my truck. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one!

Good luck!
Ed

[txmike]

i have about 7800 miles on my 08 now and the mileage has improved a lot since i first got it. i have F250 crewcab 2wheel drive. average 16 mpg during normal mixed city traffic/highway. if i am on the open highway with no slowdowns i can average almost 18. this is running with no load. a couple weeks ago i pulled a trailer with deer stands about 1000lb and 4 people and all there stuff and food about 500 miles, averaged about 16mpg then. itsmuch improved from when i got it i was only averaging 13-14. good luck. MIKE

[bdmcd15]

"As far as inconvienences, don't park near combustable materials as the exhaust temps (at <18" from exhaust tip) can be pretty warm. I think someone mentioned around 500+ degrees F."

i was unloading some stuff the other day and was parked in a field...the truck went into regen while it was idling. the high grass near the pipes turned brown. i took some long grass and stuck it up against the exhuast and it ignited!!!! this might be an inconvenience if you use the truck off road and you catch your property, house, neighbors house, and half of california down during a regen!!!!

[outlawinil]

I'm curious why so many people need to let their diesels sit and idle in a field of dry grass. These trucks cool down pretty quick...not like you got an N14 cummins under there

[jhughd]

When parked in dry grass, turn engine off. Simple.

JD

[UApilot]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: outlawinil</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...not like you got an N14 cummins under there </div></div>

I would be in line to buy an F-450 today if the N14 was offered. Don't ask me how it would fit, though [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[outlawinil]

I'm just a few shy of 1 million untouched miles on my N14 powered International