Looking at my first Diesel Saturday. 2000 Ram 2500 Quad CTD Short box 2WD with 92K KM's. I currently have a 1999 Ram 1500 gasser. Looking for more power as I have a (low profile) (no slide-out) 26 ft Fifth wheel which my 1500 is struggling to pull. I have been lurking in this forum for several days and have found the info to be very informative. I am looking at the CTD for fuel economy and power improvement's. I will be investigating the "53" block issue, transmission condition, and requesting verified fuel pressure's at the lift pump output. I'm curious about a couple of things. Number one, can I rule out the KDP issue on a 2000 truck. The answer on this website to that question seems vague. Second, with respect to fuel economy is it reasonable to expect to get 450 to 500 highway miles per tank of fuel not towing. How many miles due people get? I find it difficult to discuss fuel mileage while trying convert km's to miles and litres to somebodies gallon's so to keep it simple I'll just go by miles per tank full. Third, with a Dodge CTD below what temerature and after how long in that temparature is it necessary to plug a CTD in to keep it warm. I live in the midwest and the truck will sit outside during the day while at work and I'm wondering whether it will be necessary to plug it in during the day in the winter. Fourth and final question. I understand that in 2006 there will be by law low sulphur diesel fuel introduced. How will that affect the CTD engine, will fuel mileage change, do we know how much more it will cost per gallon.
Thanks very much for any and all replies.

 

gitane:

First off,.....Welcome to the website!!

Let me try to answer some of your questions.

1.) To my knowledge the KDP problem is not an issue on
later model 24 valve engines. Cummins made a design
change on that dowel pin.

2.) Yes, I would say you could expect 450-500 miles per
tankful when not towing. I have a pretty well "modified"
(see signature) 2002 Dodge CTD and I can get those
numbers with mine.

3.) Plugging in the engine heater. If it gets much below
freezing it is a good idea to plug the thing in! Below 20
degrees and I would recommend it.

4.) Low sulphur diesel- I don't know alot about this, but
can tell you we are already having to use low sulphur diesel
fuel right now. The 2006 requirements are going to be even
more stringent than they are now. I would recommend that
you start using a well known diesel fuel additive to combat
the low sulphur fuel. I have used Power Service, Lucas and
Stanadyne Performance Formula. I like the Stanadyne best
as it seems to run better and give me somewhat better
mileage in my 2002, but your results may vary.

Hope this has helped you some! Good luck!

---------
John_P

 

Well I don't know that I can answer all of your questions, but I'll try to help out on some of them.

-450 to 500 miles running empty will be no problem. That would be less than 15 miles per gallon. My dad has an '01 4x4 and was getting well over 16 consistently, and was up between 18 and 20 quite often. Even ran some tanks 20+ but that really crimped his driving syle ! We added a very non aerodynamic front bumper, and he still gets over 16. The only exception is in the winter, you will get less, but empty you should still get over 15 easily.

-We don't even plug them in unless it gets below at least 20 F. My dad won't unless it is below 10 F. We never get too many extremely cold days, but If the truck is good and warmed up when you shut 'er down I'd guess that it would start at the end of the day at least if its above 0. I used to drive mine to school, and it would start again after practices got over around 5:30 or 6. Good Batteries are the ticket!

-I think that you should be in the clear on the KDP.

 

Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) will be required in 2006. The problem will then be lubricity. Currently Low Sulphur Diesel (LSD) allows 500ppm. The new ULSD will be 15-30ppm. Full effectiveness of the ULSD won't be until 2010.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicer.../chapter5.html
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/fuelsmap.htm
http://www.conocophillips.com/produc...Data_Sheet.pdf
As indicated ConocoPhillips began mfgr of 30ppm fuels in 2001 for fleet operators willing to convert early.