Hey guys,
I just bought a 2006 2500 4x4 with the Cummins Turbo Diesel. I have driven diesels before but never owned one. I am very interested in knowing what types of things to expect with this truck and what types of things I should look for or be aware of. I have a few specific questions that hopefully yall could answer for me. they are:

1. I have heard that Diesels use more fuel when starting then a regular gas truck, is this true?
2. I have also heard that letting the engine run while I run into the store or something similar is better then turning the truck off and starting it again a few minutes later, is this true?
3. What general maintenance should I give my truck that is not obvious or in the owner's manual?
4. When is the engine considered "broken in"?

Guys, I love this truck. So far it has been incredible. I pull a boat several times a week but have not gotten the chance to pull it yet, I just bought the truck 3 days ago. Please share any and all information that you possibly can. I have read the manual all the way through, but I want to know more. What are the secrets, the unknowns, and everything else that I should know. Thanks.

-Paul

 

hhmmm. . .this is going to be a good one and the main reason why I'm drafting up a FAQ and how to section.

but I'll answer anyway, after 500 miles(bearing break-in for the diff) drive it like you stole it. The engine itself is pretty well broken in before DC gets it's hands on it, but it still has a way to go before things are good, usualy 20K is a good initial break-in, but even at 300K the engine is still running strong.

the whole fuel thing, that I dont know. there is so little fuel used at start-up it would be hard to determin that, but I do know it takes a full gallon of fuel to kick the turbine engine on an M1A2 Abrams[8D]

as far as idleing it, it is personal preference, but what you have to watch out for is carbon build-up on the injectors. this will kill the performance and mileage quicker than anything. the best way to get rid of this is to find a long steep hill and floor it. she'll smoke, she'll shake, she'll haull butt, but I doubt you need to worry about that right now, it is just a matter of getting cylinder pressures and temps up to burn the carbon off.

if you have a little machanical ability, changing the fuel filter yourself will save you $50 per change, changing the oil yourself will save you around $60-70 per change. since these trucks DO NOT have glow plugs you dont have to worry about them, and the grid heater is used so rare and is also very reliable you dont have to worry about that.

all I can say is have fun and happy driving

 

I just picked my truck up last night as well. Only put 40 miles on it, but so far it is very impressive. Only b@tch is that the damn dealer sold it to me with an 1/8 tank of fuel. Only place nearby to fill it up was $3.15/gal....OUCH. Anyway, another question for ya. I know that water in the fuel is a really bad thing. I read somewhere that you can drain the water from the bottom of the fuel filter. Is this true? How often should this be done? Every fill-up? How often should the filter be changed? How likely are you you to loose the prime when you do a filter change, or drain the water? Thanks guys

 

Hey Drew,
I've seen you recommend in a couple threads about flooring the truck and letting her smoke to burn out the buildups. How often should something like this be done? I do it just for kicks about 1-2 times a week (currently driving about 200-250 miles per day). Usually, any more often than that and she won't smoke hardly at all. '06 2500 6sp, w/ ~13K on the clock.

 

I normaly let-r-rip atleast once a tank. get the EGT's and boost #'s up and keep them there as long as you can. these engines are not meant for short trips, long trips pulling loads is where these engines live, and when your pulling cylinder pressures are MUCH higher and that keeps the carbon from building up.

with the fuel filter it is reccomended to to that every so often, nce a fill-up is a good idea but remember to re-prime the cannister if you do that.

Personaly I get my fuel from high volume suppliers(truck stops). They have less of a change of having water and crud in the tanks. I'm right at 30K and havent had a drop of H2O in my fuel filter oh, and one more thing, I would advise anyone to toss an extra filter behind the seat with a 12" adjustable wrench just incase you do get a bad dump of fuel.

 

thanks guys, lots of good information here, youre the man Drew

 

Don't tow anything heavu until you get about 300-400 miles on the truck, this will give your tranny, transfer case and differential gears time to seat themselves properly, after that find the biggest load you can and drive it like you stole it for a good while. Have fun with it.

 

im at about 650 now, and i've been pulling around a horse trailer full of furniture all day (helping the girlfriend move). she could barely pull it (empty) with her v-8 Chevy Tahoe, meanwhile I can barely tell there is anything back there with it full and it is mighty windy out here in West Texas today. I floored it a few times on the country roads with the trailer and man does it get up and pull. No crazy downshifts or anything, it was great. I cant wait to get out to the lake after this weekend with the boat.

 

Well, how about that. Once a tank, yeah that's about 2/week for me right now....

Wow, got something right for a change. And to think I was just doing it for kicks.
Just can't resist putting my foot in it now and again.

 

I've also heard that you don't have to drain the fuel filter until the light comes on the dash. Do you recommend this or doing it periodically at fill ups? I too am a new owner of a '06 2500 4X4 and will be using it like Paul4romtexas. Could use some advice.