Ram EcoDiesel accused of same as VW TDi

There are a decent # of vehicles overall. However, go through the list and break them down. Almost all are high end luxury vehicles or heavy duty work trucks.
The GM's look very good with the specs and same for the jeep/dodge but that was very few options.

 

The only difference between a VW TDI and the Ram EcoDiesel, is that the EcoDiesel breaks everytime you pull out of the dealership to get it fixed. Classic Dodge.

 

What problems have the ram ecodeisel's been having?

 

I agree!! I guess my point was that everyone blames EPA as the sole reason why there aren't more diesels on the US market, when it is probably a split between EPA and consumer interest. Major auto manufacturers are obviously capable of meeting emissions standards, but really only GM and maybe Chrysler seem bold enough to test the waters in passenger vehicles that the average person can afford. The others are just playing it safe.

 

Consider the cost to the trucking industry alone with the constant raising of the tier level every couple of years. Ask any American trucking company what they think of the blu def that they have to purchase now and how it affects the maintenance costs associated with it. The main emissions from a Diesel engine is nitric oxide and very little CO2, of which the climate crowd blames of causing climate change.

I like clean air, don't get me wrong, but I say plant more trees, natures carbon scrubber. I have planted thousands of pine seedlings in my life of which are now giving us the oxygen that we all need. Support your local forestry efforts.

 

^^ Ironic, silvicultural operations (forestry) are often exempted from most environmental regulations similar to agriculture, so they're not affected by the same emissions standards.

The more you know . . .

 

That's changing as we speak. My cousin is a logger.

And without farmers, what would we eat? Check out Venezuela food prices lately? They would kill someone over a good steak right now. Just sayin.

 

I agree with some parts of that I just thought the context was ironic.

 

It sure is changing.
All of our newer equipment is required to use DEF including the 1,350 horsepower chipper we own.
It's a pain but logging in general is. Fluctuating markets, monsoon weather, warmer winters and lack of work force.
But the world has an appetite for wood products and we will continue to supply it the best we can despite the struggles.

 

Yep, it's a tough business and very,very expensive. Hats off to you for keeping it going.

 

Is DEF the only change in the newer equipment? I heard that some engines go through some sort of regeneration mode too. I could see how that would be a huge inconvenience.

 

I do blame the epa though....in Europe they all drive diesel because they get so much better mpg. If you go back and look at the trucks of the 90'same in the USA, they could easily get 20+mpg. Now with all the advancement of technology, the trucks are happy to get 13mpg. The EPA requires so much crap to put on the vehicles that it's impossible to get decent mpg.
Trucks are Producing 1/2 as much pollutants per gallon of fuel burned, but burning double the fuel....
With the exception of some big cities in Europe it is seen as a pretty clean place. Obviously diesel vehicles are not ruining it like Americans are made to believe.

If Americans could drive the same vehicles as Europeans, and get great mpg's, while buying cheaper fuel, we would buy diesel vehicles like crazy!

 

Mainly issues with the DEF system injector, catalyst and particular filters, 02 sensors and some trucks have had catastrophic engine failure because the camshaft gear is a slip fit on the camshaft and is held by just a bolt. It has no key or spline to locate it.

The big issue to me is the same as the Tacoma though, capacity. You've got a decent engine in a truck not rated to carry a decent hitch weight.

 

Along with the DEF requirement, all of our newer stuff is Tier 4. Don't know all the details but I do know many in the industry were trying to scramble and update prior to the new PRE-tier 4 machines.

 

Good. If they can't meet the emissions standards set by the EPA then they should be fined. You don't get to pick and choose which parts of the law you want to comply with and which ones you don't.

 

Ag and construction has had final t4 for al least 2 years now, off road equipment is no longer exempt.

 

EPA even has their own swat team. What the f@&$ do they need a swat team for. Meanwhile how is the lower animas river doing these days.

 

There is so many responses I can make to that comment, but I don't feel like getting in trouble here....

 

When you here this: "I'm here from the government and I'm here to help."
RUN!

 

Just like any industry, there are bad players that give the good ones (the majority) a bad rap. I have seen instances of cleared farm land filling in tidal creeks with sediment because of bad E&S practices. Logging companies with machinery that leaks hydraulic fluid so bad that that I see hundreds of 5 gal hydraulic fluid buckets thrown into a pond along with trash and used oil. Or the headwaters of a stream that has been logged off with no buffers, turning the stream black due to tannins and killing fish/frogs/etc. Like I said, there are bad players that just don't use common sense, but for the most part I have a high amount of respect for those in the industries.