Diesel Exhaust Brake July 14, 2003, 02:34:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24468I just wanted to add in some info on the diesel engine and the exhaust brake, for the people who are interested.My LD has the 7.3L Powerstroke. The previous owner brought it to a high performance diesel truck shop, you can find many of these shops on the internet if you search under "powerstroke".The shop added a whole set of modifications. A power chip for the engine, which claims to add up to an extra 100HP and 200ft/lbs of torque. A banks trans command for the transmission, a torque lock for the torque converter, and an exhaust brake. They also added two gauges, a pyrometer (measures exhaust gas temp), and a transmission temp gauge. This whole package cost $2,800.Since I never drove the LD before the mods were installed I can't compare it to the stock diesel LD. I have more power than I need in all situations. I have climbed over several very large mountain ranges with my fully loaded LD, and never had to slow down below 55MPH. One of the reasons that they add the pyrometer is that with the power chip installed it is possible to push the engine too hard. You need to watch the exhaust temp on long climbs and slow down if it gets too hot. If you try to keep it at 75MPH on a long climb, it will do it, but you can overheat the turbo causing damage. It is one disadvantage of putting in a power chip, but all it takes is keeping your eye on an extra gauge when climbing mountains.The engine and transmission always run extremely cool. They just barely come up off the lowest temp that the gauge registers. This has been true in over 6000 miles of driving through a large variety of conditions. I have always believed that heat is a killer of engines. Cool running engines wear less and last longer.The diesel exhaust brake provides much more braking than a gas engine. First, the diesel engine does have much more compression than the gas engine. Second, the torque converter lock provides a direct connection between the engine and the rear wheels. Third, the banks trans command is programmed to know about the exhaust brake and it downshifts smoothly. You can slow down from highway speed to almost stopped without ever touching the brake pedal. On long downgrades, you just tap the brake rarely to keep the speed where you want it. This is much different than compression braking with a gas engine.There is an extra switch on the dashboard to turn the exhaust brake on or off. When you are cruising on the highway, you leave it off so that you can coast when you let off the gas. You also leave it off whenever you use the cruise control. I believe that the exahaust brake is the same thing as a "JAKE brake" on big rigs. I actually like the sound. It makes me feel like a trucker.The exhaust brake will greatly increase the life of the regular brakes. I had the brakes checked on the LD at 32,000 miles and the ford dealer said that they looked brand new, barely any wear at all. I guess this is one more maintenance cost advantage to the diesel. I also understand that it would take a few brake jobs to pay back the $2800 investment in the package on my LD.I think that the diesel plus the mods is definetly more expensive than the stock gas engine. In the long run, it might pay itself back with lower maintenance costs, but it would take a long time. I personally think that the diesel setup is better, so I am willing to pay more. If all I worried about was cost, I probably could have bought a used Tioga cheaper than a used LD, but I was willing to pay more for what I thought was a superior product. I feel the same about the diesel. If you have any questions about the diesel in the LD, please just ask away. I may be a little delayed in my responses because I will be on the road for at least the next two months, and don't always have a good verizon digital signal.Crusing the country in my LD and loving it,Charlie G.
Re: Diesel Exhaust Brake Reply #1 – July 14, 2003, 03:27:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24476> If you have any questions about the diesel in the LD, please just askQuoteaway. > Charlie G. What kind of mileage you getting, Charlie? Could you add it to the database? What size is your LD? You ever have any problems starting in cold weather?RonP
Re: Diesel Exhaust Brake Reply #2 – July 14, 2003, 03:35:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24477"I actually like the sound. It makes me feel like a trucker." That's fine for you, but be aware that people living in the towns you drive through have a very different point of view about exhaust brake noise. In fact, I've seen many places (e.g. Route 1 in Maine) where signs saying "EXHAUST BRAKES ILLEGAL" or simply "NO JAKE BRAKES" are posted at the city limits of most towns along the road. Exhaust brakes aren't illegal where I live (in central NJ), but I wish they were. Living fairly close to a major highway intersection, I can tell you that I and my neighbors do *not* enjoy the raucous sound of blatting exhaust brakes...especially in summer, when the windows are open and we're out on our porches. No offense, but while you're enjoying the noise and "feeling like a trucker," we're praying for a little peace and quiet. That's why these devices are illegal in many towns--something to keep in mind as you travel around with that diesel.Andy Baird :-)
Re: Diesel Exhaust Brake Reply #3 – July 14, 2003, 03:48:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24478Hi Ron,I have driven approx 6000 miles
Re: Diesel Exhaust Brake Reply #4 – July 14, 2003, 04:01:21 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24479Hi Andy,The exhaust brake on the LD is MUCH quieter than the Jake brakes on big rigs. I can hear it, but I don't think it is noticed much by others. I really don't enjoy annoying other people, but you can only do so much. In my whole cross country drive to this point, from Morgan Hill, CA to Islip, NY I only saw one sign about not using exhaust brakes. I think it was on a stretch of interstate in New Mexico where there were a bunch of hotels. I figured they did not want a bunch of noisy trucks waking up the guests in the middle of the night. But I will keep you in mind when I am out galavanting around, wooping it up and blatting my exhaust for fun. :pCharlie G.
Re: Diesel Exhaust Brake Reply #5 – July 14, 2003, 07:01:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24487You are much quieter with an exhaust brake than the big rigs are with a jake brake. A jake brake uses the valve system as a type of compression release. You have a quieter system with the exhaust brake, coupled with a much smaller displacement motor.Dan
Re: Diesel Exhaust Brake Reply #6 – July 14, 2003, 07:02:45 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24489Charlie,If you pass thru Albuquerque NM zap me an email.Dan
Re: Diesel Exhaust Brake Reply #7 – July 14, 2003, 07:16:52 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24491"I really don't enjoy annoying other people, but you can only do so much." I didn't really think you did, Charlie...just wanted to point out that there can be unintended consequences to these things. ;-)Andy Baird :-)
Re: Diesel Exhaust Brake Reply #8 – July 14, 2003, 09:09:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24497Hi Dan,I passed through Albuquerque a few weeks back. It is a beautiful city. My wife loved Albuquerque and Sante Fe. I forced her to go to Roswell just to round out our New Mexico experience I think she enjoyed the Alien museum. We are going to head back to CA via a northern route so I don't think we will hit NM until another trip. I will send you an email the next time we pass through.Now that you jogged my memory, I think Alburquerque is where I saw the sign about not using exhaust brakes on the interstate. I think it was just before you entered the City from the west. I can't be sure because I have passed through a lot of cities lately.Charlie G.
Exhaust brake Reply #9 – July 17, 2003, 09:28:00 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24656Am I mistaken or is it a fact that a diesel engine does not have a catalytic converter?Tim M. In Minnesota[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Exhaust brake Reply #10 – July 17, 2003, 09:38:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24658Tim, Now they do, at least in vehicles below a certain GVWR. So I am pretty sure a new diesel LazyDaze will have a cat.CharlesAt 09:27 PM 7/17/2003 -0400, you wrote: QuoteAm I mistaken or is it a fact that a diesel engine does not have a catalytic converter?Tim M. In Minnesota[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]">lifewithalazydazerv-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.comYour [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Exhaust brake Reply #11 – July 17, 2003, 09:55:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24659QuoteAm I mistaken or is it a fact that a diesel engine does not have a catalytic converter?QuoteTim M. In Minnesota In message 24603, I provided a link to "2004 Ford Chassis Changes". At the top of page 12 of that link, it says: •New catalytic converter for diesel engines. Located ahead of the muffler inside RH frame rail •The exhaust system between the engine and the converter may not be modifiedRonP
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