Gas vs. Diesel

First topic message reminder :

I just got back from our maiden trip with the new 28RKSB WC, 4000 mile round trip to YellowStone and S. Dakota back home to S.Texas. I'm pulling our WC with a 2007 GMC 2500HD with a gas 6.0L engine, I averaged 7.9 mpg towing over the entire trip, the lowest was in West Texas 109º into the wind 6.3 mpg, the best in Wyoming 9.5 mpg. The truck had adequate power on the interstate's and flat roads, but could have used more power at higher altitudes and long grades up mountain passes. I'm trying to justify the increased cost of buying a diesel truck, but I'm curious if a diesel will give much better fuel mileage while pulling and solo, or is it about the same, I understand the power is going to be much better, also my truck only has a 26 gal fuel tank and stopping every 150 miles to fuel up got old pretty quick. Any comments on actual fuel mileage while pulling your WC would be appreciated. I'm guessing our WC weight at about 9200# loaded.

The emission systems seem to be 90% of the problems. I.e. EGR, washing down the cylinders during regen, melting pistons etc.

jetskier wrote:The emission systems seem to be 90% of the problems. I.e. EGR, washing down the cylinders during regen, melting pistons etc.

What is regen? I have to agree with the emissions plus U have to use this new fangled low sulfer plug the turbo diesel we have to use.

on 6.4L & 6.7L trucks. not the 6.0L. It just has the crappy EGR

I will agree.

The best thing I did for may 05' f-350 6L PS was to unplug the EGR & change out the Exhaust to 5" turbo back. Was like light & day. lot more power & little more MPG. I go diesel for pulling.

Never new you good unplug the EGR valve and the PU would still run.

Portagie1968 wrote:Never new you good unplug the EGR valve and the PU would still run.

Yes you can just for a test. Found out about it on a Ford PS forum form a ford mechanic. I would lose turbo boost pulling. Mechanic said to just unplug EGR to see if that stop the problem as a test And I have been testing it for two years now. IT dose not show check engine light, but will show a EGR code if it goes in shop. Unplug it with engine off. Said they stick open which kills the boost.

All that egr valve does is help it warm up faster if I remember right. Thank you for the info.

EGR is Exhaust Gas Recirculation. It takes hot exhaust gas and pumps it back into the intake. It makes the engine less efficient but reduces NOx emissions. If you delete the EGR system, your motor will become more efficient, more power and/or mileage, but more NOx emissions.

The effects of an EGR system differ some between spark-ignited gasoline and the diesel engines, but in either case removal of the EGR would increase engine efficiency. However, that equipment is required to pass emissions laws in most states. There is a decent write up on Wiki about EGR, but it doesn't go into much about why people delete it and the outcome.

Thank you etrailer. If you unhook it I bet the catalytic converter does not like it. Might be worth a try for better fuel mileage.

speckout, we have 07 6.6, pulling same cat most likely heavier, due to packrat nature. why better than the gas hemi we had . averages are 10 to 12 last trip. still under 50,000 heard it will improve with time ,but I'm still pleased .

The EGR beside sticking with use also has a bad problem with leaking coolant too. That is why PS 6l owner install the EGR Delete. I change my exhaust to the 5" turbo back with No cat to lose that back pressure & drop EGT a little. F350 smoke less pulling lot more power & a little more MPG. But it is emission control. That is why ford man said unplug as a test. If you can do this two thing it will bring that 6L PS to life.

Portagie1968 wrote:Thank you etrailer. If you unhook it I bet the catalytic converter does not like it. Might be worth a try for better fuel mileage.

It will definitely throw a code, but it may not be catalytic converter codes and it may not even trip the check engine light.

desertcat wrote:The EGR beside sticking with use also has a bad problem with leaking coolant too. That is why PS 6l owner install the EGR Delete. I change my exhaust to the 5" turbo back with No cat to lose that back pressure & drop EGT a little. F350 smoke less pulling lot more power & a little more MPG. But it is emission control. That is why ford man said unplug as a test. If you can do this two thing it will bring that 6L PS to life.

Turbo to below firewall is 3 1/2. From firewall back is 4. Cat went bye untill CA makes me put it back on. EGR Delete I do not understand this. Can you explain for a thick Portagie.

Portagie1968 wrote:EGR Delete I do not understand this. Can you explain for a thick Portagie.

Do a quick search on "6.0 EGR Delete". You see a lot of kits out there with a little write up.

Portagie1968; I used the MBRP Installer SER. 5" Exhaust. IT has @ the turbo 3.75 size with 3.5 turbo flange , then it changes over to 5" as it goes down the down pipe. Was very happy with the way it installed. Hanger all match up. They have the High flow Cat for emission . Whether it 4" or 5" just getting away for the stock cat & muffler put life back in the 6L PS. EGR work as posted by Etrailer. And any online auto part will carry the EGR Delete. The EGR problem sticking Kill boost & leaking. To keep it simple the EGR assy build with a double core , hot exhaust gas inner & outside coolant . They use the motor coolant to cool the exhaust gas before it get to the turbo. which start leaking over time.

Desertcat - Thank you for the info. I need to see if I can find the CAT you are talking about because I am pretty sure that in 2012 I will be putting one back on. Good old CA emissions. Again thank you

jetskier - Thank you for the info. Because of CA emissions my delete may have to wait. Again thank you

Portagie1968 wrote:Desertcat - Thank you for the info. I need to see if I can find the CAT you are talking about because I am pretty sure that in 2012 I will be putting one back on. Good old CA emissions. Again thank you

Check the MBRP web page. I am sure they have the High flow Cat there.