Cummins available in Dodge trucks here, but the price premium is
unbelievable. Looking through classifieds, found a 10 y.o. Dodge quad
cab gasser, passed inspections, about 180,000 km on it, comes with cap
and snow tires, about Cdn$4,000. Closest equivalent with Cummins - 11
y.o., extended cab, no cap, no extra tires, 380,000 km, not inspected,
asking $7,900. That's essentially a $5,000 premium for an engine with
double the mileage on it. I'm willing to pay a small premium to be able
to run biodiesel, but that's insane in my situation.
The vehicle being replaced has averaged 5,000 km a year in 6 of the 7
years I have had it. (Spent one year in my son's hands for commuting -
not expected when I bought it.) We have an electric car for commuting
and short errands. This vehicle is intended for towing (cars, boats,
family & friends moves, perhaps one long 'vacation' trip per year, and
as back-up vehicle if the electric is over-committed. Occasional trips
to our cottage if hauling building materials. (More frequently
supporting in-laws activities when going to cottage country.) Declining
'loaner' coverage on our car drops the insurance premium by almost $200
a year. Most days, I telecommute. So, my 'sweet spot' is a high
mileage vehicle with a solid drive train, with a low price, which can
age gracefully in my driveway, and provide low-mileage service. With a
bit of luck, it will be the third vehicle in our household by autumn,
when my son's electric Golf/GTI conversion is ready for commuter
service. (Last of the major components is scheduled to arrive today.)
Based on today's gasoline prices, I expect to spend about $600 a year on
fuel for this vehicle. I can afford a higher fuel consumption rate if
the purchase price compensates me for it. As for biofuels, all gasoline
sold here now is at least 5% ethanol, 7% is typical, 10% is easy to
find. E85 is rare, but does exist. As Robert has pointed out,
home-brewing ethanol - even for transportation fuel - will get you jail
time in Canada.
I loved running B20 and synthetic oil in the old Chev 6.2 litre I had
for a year or so - purred like a kitten - people did not believe it was
a diesel when they heard it idle.
Darryl
On 16/06/2014 10:21 AM, Zeke Yewdall wrote:
I haven't had experience with the powerstroke, but I did run biodiesel in
the older international diesel -- in mid 1994 they switched from the 7.3
liter international indirect injection engine to the 7.3 liter powerstroke
which is direct injection. Completely different engines.... the older
international IDI one is way easier to work on, and uses plain mechanical
injection, instead of hydraulic mechanical injection like the DI power
stroke engines. I've heard that the newer ones are a real pain to work on.
I ran mine on biodiesel a bit, and it ran better on B20 and higher than on
#2 diesel. So... I know that doesn't really address your question at
all...
What about the cummins? Are they available there?
Z
On Sun, Jun 15, 2014 at 8:03 PM, Darryl McMahon <dar...@econogics.com>
wrote:
Starting some serious shopping around for a replacement tow vehicle. Our
mechanic told me our 1998 GMC Safari van was running on borrowed time -
about 18 months ago. Last two trips over gravel roads have both lightened
the vehicle by shedding extraneous steel. I have done what I can to keep
this machine running beyond it's natural life, but with two major tow
events expected this summer, it's probably time to move on to something
less likely to strand us on a highway.
Diesels remain really expensive here in the 2nd hand market, and rising
fuel prices don't seem to be pulling down prices on high-consumption
vehicles, which seems peculiar. Anyway, there are a couple of trucks with
almost 400,000 km (250,000 miles) on them which are just at my price pain
threshold.
Anyone got experience with these engines running biodiesel (or WVO), and
if so, would they recommend buying or running away?
Darryl
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Darryl McMahon
Project Manager,
Common Assessment and Referral for Enhanced Support Services (CARESS)
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