Thinking of going diesel but...

[pisymbol]

Hello:

New to powestroke.org, new to diesel.

I am thinking of picking up a 2011 F-250 and I am torn between the Scorpion and the new 6.2L V8. I was talking to a very knowledgeable friend who stated that he would never get the diesel. Why?

1) Because in the cold you have to plug it in or the truck has a terrible time starting (we are in NJ, today was 35F, felt like 20-something with the wind chill)

2) It takes forever to get heat in the truck. Driving around town around idle never gets the engine hot enough to generate loads of heat.

3) Diesel is just dirty. Over time, you still start to see a lot of soot and the motor will begin to smell (in the cabin as well).

Obviously his experiences are from the 6.7L motor. Example, a friend has a F-350 and he claims it takes 20-30 miles before he feels anything remotely like heat! Also he has to plug his in constantly in the winter or the truck has a hard time starting (I live in a condo so plugging in will be difficult though I suppose I could use an inverter).

Suggestions?

Why I am thinking of getting the diesel? 800 lb-fts of torque! :-)

[mor4wd]

All I can say is your friend is so, so wrong.

1. Ford doesn't recommend plugging the truck in until it's -10* outside. It will help it to heat up in the morning but it's not required. My 6.4 started up instantly, like it was 70*, when it was really -32* and I had forgotten to plug it in.

2. The 6.7 heats up faster than any diesel I've had so far, but, if you're worried about it, get the Rapid Supplemental Heater. It's a $250 factory option and put's out instant heat, using an electric heater. It then turns that off when the truck warms up. You're truck would be cranking out hot air long before any gas motor would.

3. Research Diesel. It's actually cleaner and better for the environment than gasoline is. The 6.7 has absolutely no smell whatsoever from the tailpipe. If you're getting diesel smell in the cab, then you're probably driving an older truck with some leaks on it, not a 6.7 or a 6.4 or a 6.0, but maybe a 7.3.

Bottom line. Don't listen to you're friend. Go diesel and you'll never look back and you'll be leaving all the gas motors in the dust.

PS
I don't plug my truck in. It's been between 0 and 15 at night. I get heat within 5 minutes of driving nicely, but I get warm seats when I get in it so it doesn't really bother me to be without warm air as long as my back side is on the toaster. Ford really improved the warm up time on the 6.7 by putting a hot side EGR valve.

[pisymbol]

Do you have any issues finding gas stations in rural areas? I live in NJ and though I have like 3 stations within 5 miles of me (literally, Raceway, Hess, and Shell), but I was worried on road trips I would have a hard time finding diesel (but then again, why do 18 wheelers do?)

Do you use any winterizer at all though?

[cconnell]

Your friend is a MOOOOOOOOOOROOOOONNNNNNNNN!!!!!!! not one of his theorys is close to being correct. Going diesel is the best thing i have ever done!!!!

[hookset]

Originally Posted by cconnell

Your friend is a MOOOOOOOOOOROOOOONNNNNNNNN!!!!!!! not one of his theorys is close to being correct. Going diesel is the best thing i have ever done!!!!

Yea. Your buddies way off. Am I reading this wrong, he HAS a 6.7 and these are his experiances. hmmmm, thats nuts.

[gary2070]

What is the price difference between gas and diesel? How many MPG on the gas motor?

[mor4wd]

I travel the country for work every 6 months or so. Get a lot of windshield time. I've never had a problem finding diesel. Actually the hardest place to find diesel, is in a big city.

[pisymbol]

Originally Posted by hookset

Yea. Your buddies way off. Am I reading this wrong, he HAS a 6.7 and these are his experiances. hmmmm, thats nuts.

Friend has the 6.7, he has the 5.4 Triton which is a solid motor though a tad anemic compared to Dodge, Chevy and even Toyota.

[pisymbol]

Originally Posted by gary2070

What is the price difference between gas and diesel? How many MPG on the gas motor?

Right now, the Scorpi....wait a Cheve Traverse commercial in the post banner...odd....

Anyway the Scorpion is a 7k option. The gas is about 21 mpg, the diesel frankly is about the same.

[gary2070]

I don't think you will get 21 mpg out of that gas motor in a 3/4 ton. You have to consider that diesel is going to last you a lot longer than that gas motor will.