stoutdog wrote:
My family has been using diesels for years, mainly Dodge Cummins and now three Jeeps (mine, my father's, and one that was totalled). In our experience, the diesels have had to spend far less time in the shop than the gasser cars that we have owned. It is a simpler engine, there are less parts to break (spark plugs, etc.), and - especially if you put in a little DIY effort - maintenance costs can be very minimal...
I'm not sure a $30-50 fuel filter changed every 25k miles and ~$100 for a DIY oil change every 6k really negates the savings I get when I'm pulling 34-35 mpg on the highway and 27 in town. I figured it out a little while ago, and, just based on mileage, I'm saving $600-$700 per year (avg: 15,000 miles/year). Even if I had someone else replace my timing belt, I would still be saving a few thousand dollars in the long haul.
Throw in a few towing jobs every year and the savings only increase...
I'm only comparing the CRD to a gas KJ,a Dodge Cummins is a whole different breed of diesel.
Quote:
Lets see what my annual maint cost are...
Oil change DIY- ~$50 twice a year (synthetic oil)
Fuel filter DIY- ~$40 every two years
Air filter- ~$10 once a year
So thats about $130 a year
Coolant, tranny, power steering, hoses, tires, brakes, F/R diffs... is all the
same as any other gasser.
The only difference is the T-belt. Yes, its a big job and a big expense, but
no more so than a Pathfinder, Montero or any other vehicle with a timing belt.
So I guess the only difference between the CRD and 3.7 in maintenance
requirements is the T-belt and thats only done once every six years (roughly).
stoutdog
My annual maintance cost are.............
$90 for oil changes(usually 3 per year)
$8 for t-case fluid(I do every 6000miles)
$12 for plugs