Ecodiesel Eco-nomics & Issues

[WXman]

I've been reading a ton about the Ecodiesel. Trying to decide between it and the V6. Based on what I see, operation costs between the V6 and Turbo 4 are pretty much the same. I feel that the V6 is the safer bet, because it's time tested and naturally aspirated (less to go wrong in my mind). Initially I thought the Diesel would be cheaper to drive, since it gets better gas mileage. Others have stated high costs for DEF and oil change.

		Diesel				Etorque V6/Turbo 4
	Diesel Fuel Cost	3.75	$/gal		Gas Cost	3.34	$/gal
	Combined Diesel Efficiency	25	mpg		Combined Gas Efficiency	21	mpg
	Cost Per Mile	$0.150			Cost Per Mile	$0.159
	DEF Cost	9.6	$/gal
	DEF Efficiency	900	mpg
	Cost Per Mile	$0.011
	Diesel Oil Cost	81	($9/qt)		Oil Cost	23
	Diesel Oil Filter Cost	63	($38 on sale)		Oil Filter Cost	12
	Oil Change Interval	10000			Oil Change Interval	10000
	Cost Per Mile	$0.014			Cost Per Mile	$0.004
	Total Cost Per Mile	$0.175			Total Cost Per Mile	$0.163
			$12.52	more to drive 1000 miles

The Quaker State Ultimate Durability Euro 5W40 has tested good in the EcoDiesel and it meets spec. It's 1/3rd the cost of other oils that meet this spec. There's a good review and oil analysis video on YouTube.

As long as there are no issues with the diesel it's a pretty awesome engine and the only one I'd pick, but keep in mind that beyond the warranty period repairs are EXTREMELY expensive on the diesel and its emissions system.

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[TX_Ovrlnd]

Metal Dawg, you handled the idiotic replies from “Wrangler man” far better than I would have. Kudos. I wanted to reply to her last night when I initially read the replies but am glad I didn’t. Dgt

Why is it almost always the betas from Cali or Canada getting all fuming in the forums. I'd say menopausal but that's an insult to real women.? It may be regret from buying a HA instead of a Rubicon.

I am still on 33s, and I am at 73" tall. You have 21" of height left to play with.

Damn you talking me into spending more money, I was going to not lift it right away when it arrives but all this AEV talk with JLURDs has me seriously pricing a kit out. ?

 

[benny_rt2]

ONLY two things kept me from diesel (I want to order a new wrangler someday soon)

1) I like 2drs alot
2) Cost for replacement of diesel emissions parts out of warranty, sensors, exhaust etc and a gunky intake.

The stuff about fuel, DEF, temps, the fact I take mostly short trips and then needing REGEN mode etc doesn't turn me away

But reading the positives in this thread and knowing the low end tq is awesome, I may say heck it, and order a diesel. I could use the extra interior space for long road trip vacations. I change my mind often, but I hope by the time I've saved most of the cash for purchasing I'll have my mind made up..

 

[Astro Jeep]

ONLY two things kept me from diesel (I want to order a new wrangler someday soon)

1) I like 2drs alot
2) Cost for replacement of diesel emissions parts out of warranty, sensors, exhaust etc and a gunky intake.

The stuff about fuel, DEF, temps, the fact I take mostly short trips and then needing REGEN mode etc doesn't turn me away

But reading the positives in this thread and knowing the low end tq is awesome, I may say heck it, and order a diesel. I could use the extra interior space for long road trip vacations. I change my mind often, but I hope by the time I've saved most of the cash for purchasing I'll have my mind made up..

A two door diesel would be sweet! I am sure that there is some engineering thing about power to weight to wheel base calculation that keeps Jeep from doing that, but I am just speculating.

 

[TX_Ovrlnd]

ONLY two things kept me from diesel (I want to order a new wrangler someday soon)

1) I like 2drs alot
2) Cost for replacement of diesel emissions parts out of warranty, sensors, exhaust etc and a gunky intake.

The stuff about fuel, DEF, temps, the fact I take mostly short trips and then needing REGEN mode etc doesn't turn me away

But reading the positives in this thread and knowing the low end tq is awesome, I may say heck it, and order a diesel. I could use the extra interior space for long road trip vacations. I change my mind often, but I hope by the time I've saved most of the cash for purchasing I'll have my mind made up..

If it's a fear of after warranty replacement holding you back, could always sell or trade in before reaching that point. Test drive one if you can, I think it'll help you make that choice.

 

[Astro Jeep]

If it's a fear of after warranty replacement holding you back, could always sell or trade in before reaching that point. Test drive one if you can, I think it'll help you make that choice.

There are always those spam callers wanting you to purchase an extended warranty. They will definitely have your back!

 

[rickinAZ]

If you read my historical posts on the subject, I am vigorously opposed to extended warranties as a waste of maney (I'd love to see the spreadsheets aimed at that cost/benefit). That said, with the Ecodiesel, I've done an about face and purchased the Geico MBI. This will basically extend my warranty from five years to eight - for $80/year starting in year one. I inevitably sell my vehicles (well) before the factory warranty runs out, but this will hedge my bets against potentially costly emissions systems repairs if I keep it longer.

 

[diezselsmk]

this post went a little south so I am not wanting to fire anything back up. For the OP concerns and the few worried about overheating this is my take.

fuel prices are varied by locations. for example where I am diesel is cheaper so no real advantage

the oil change price concern is not being looked at correctly. for example the gas variant is recommended at 5K intervals and the diesel will get changed 10 to 12k depending on usage.

the def concern is no concern I do not understand peoples fear of this.

the overheat issue can be real as seen by some on the tube and those who have experienced like me in real time events. this is what I did to eliminate it and it has not happened since

remove engine cover and toss it.
remove hood fake vents and replace with these
https://www.sbfilters.com/jeep-scoops/as-1015

remove inner fender liners and replace with these
https://motobilt.com/collections/je...l-front-inner-fenders-18-wrangler-jl-aluminum

yes the diesel is awesome motor with tons of torque and in my opinion under rated on numbers from factory. it has some issues not its fault more of engineering cramming it in a tight spot. The GM small trucks using this same motor do not have these issues due to several reasons. the most prominent is different radiator and intercooler. the jeep diesel is using the same radiator and intercooler as the 4cyl turbo motor and it is a tad to small for true cooling in extreme conditions.

hope this helps someone down the road

 

[rickinAZ]

remove engine cover and toss it.
remove hood fake vents and replace with these
https://www.sbfilters.com/jeep-scoops/as-1015

How are these with carwashes or power washing? Or rain (not that we get much of that here)?

Thanks for posting this - interesting.

 

[treillw]

So I have the dealer I'm considering purchasing from working up costs too install the lift and 37s right from the get go.

I called AEV a few days ago and their salesman told me that 37s will work with stock Rubicon wheels and the 2.5" dual sport lift. Even said that they would work with chains and clear everything fine.

The dealer salesman called and said that he spoke with AEV and they told him that the stock wheels won't work and the tires will rub. ?

Any thoughts on this?

What are some good wheels that aren't ridiculously expensive?

 

[Tank the Jeep]

So I have the dealer I'm considering purchasing from working up costs too install the lift and 37s right from the get go.

I called AEV a few days ago and their salesman told me that 37s will work with stock Rubicon wheels and the 2.5" dual sport lift. Even said that they would work with chains and clear everything fine.

The dealer salesman called and said that he spoke with AEV and they told him that the stock wheels won't work and the tires will rub. ?

Any thoughts on this?

What are some good wheels that aren't ridiculously expensive?

I have the JLURD with the AEV lift and AEV Borah wheels on 37s. The Borah wheels set outward a little more than stock. Everything works great. Turning radius is not diminished. The 3.73 diesel ration is good, very drivable. My opinion is that AEV does a great job at engineering so their products work well.

 

[Astro Jeep]

this post went a little south so I am not wanting to fire anything back up. For the OP concerns and the few worried about overheating this is my take.

fuel prices are varied by locations. for example where I am diesel is cheaper so no real advantage

the oil change price concern is not being looked at correctly. for example the gas variant is recommended at 5K intervals and the diesel will get changed 10 to 12k depending on usage.

the def concern is no concern I do not understand peoples fear of this.

the overheat issue can be real as seen by some on the tube and those who have experienced like me in real time events. this is what I did to eliminate it and it has not happened since

remove engine cover and toss it.
remove hood fake vents and replace with these
https://www.sbfilters.com/jeep-scoops/as-1015

remove inner fender liners and replace with these
https://motobilt.com/collections/je...l-front-inner-fenders-18-wrangler-jl-aluminum

yes the diesel is awesome motor with tons of torque and in my opinion under rated on numbers from factory. it has some issues not its fault more of engineering cramming it in a tight spot. The GM small trucks using this same motor do not have these issues due to several reasons. the most prominent is different radiator and intercooler. the jeep diesel is using the same radiator and intercooler as the 4cyl turbo motor and it is a tad to small for true cooling in extreme conditions.

hope this helps someone down the road

Thank you for the links! I appreciate it.

 

[diezselsmk]

How are these with carwashes or power washing? Or rain (not that we get much of that here)?

Thanks for posting this - interesting.

no concerns at all. I river cross and take it through car washes. the engine can get wet. its no different then driving in a rain storm an water kicking up into it. the kit does come with rubber inserts to plug the holes if you are driving in severe conditions such as a snow storm.

 

[BroncoHound]

no concerns at all. I river cross and take it through car washes. the engine can get wet. its no different then driving in a rain storm an water kicking up into it. the kit does come with rubber inserts to plug the holes if you are driving in severe conditions such as a snow storm.

I think about this when I consider altering the faux hood vents on the Rubicon hood to be functional heat extractors. The hood on my Hellcat Challenger had functional heat extractors in nearly the exact same positioning and the only downside to having those there were a couple of water spots for me to clean up when polishing the engine bay.

I think I'll probably alter the hood vents to make them functional as heat extractors as one of the initial measures to combat the overheating, if I find that I'm getting into that danger-range fairly often. I think the voiced concerns that it will damage the engine or electronics by getting wet is largely blown out of proportion. Sure there is some additional risk, but I think it is minor for the potential upside. Just a theory I'll likely test out one day. Maybe there is a way to trim the inner plastic in a way that routes the water stream away from any electrical connections on the top of the motor or something.

 

[Wrangler man]

It is fun to drive.

A Wranglers perfect Powertrain. Nothing less nothing more just perfection.

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