20 Best Diesel Engine For Pickups (2023 Updated)

My 1979 Volvo 244 DL with 231000 km has been treated to Shell Rotella T4 10W30 since Sept. 7, 2019, odometer at 215477. The overhead cam/valve sound is quieter at 3000 R. P. M. on the 400 series highways at 100 km/h.

The rear crankshaft oil seal has stopped seeping oil this year. I used to use synthetic oil. I can experience that Shell Rotella T4 10W30 oil really agrees with the 2. 1 L, B21 A naturally aspirated gasoline engine.

These are long-lived engines, and anything I can do to prolong its life is appreciated. Thanks, Shell engineers, for the extra protection of Z. D. D. P. for the camshaft lobes!.

I use this twice a year changing out all my motorcycles oil. Never had a problem, last as long if not longer then the more expensive motorcycle oils for tappets. I can tell I need a change when the gear dogs click louder than normal.

I get about 2500 miles out of a change in my old air cooled shared sump bikes. I’m sure I could go longer, oil still looks nice when I drain it. I just prefer to change it at manufacturer intervals. I then use the used oil in my mowers for a half season of more.

Have one mower that’s been going strong for 11 years, still doesn’t smoke and starts every time. Wouldn’t trust anything else in my old fleet of tappet head bikes.

I have been using Rotella T ever since I bought my Dodge RAM diesel in 2006. The truck is used on the ranch and often on rugged terrain. For years commuted from Houston every weekend so lots of highway driving.

Exceptional oil for my Cummins diesel.

I have a 17 year old Volvo TAMD41P-A diesel in my 31′ recreational trawler. Prior engine oils for the prior owner (11 years) and me have been 15-40 dino oils, until I switched to full synthetic engine oil, also 15-40.

Operating temperature dropped 5 degrees at standard cruising RPM of 1800 to 2200 (only one of two thermostats in place most of that time), the engine runs quieter and more smoothly. Based on research I have found, I know that my engine is running cleaner, with other attributes of reduced internal corrosion, less wear, etc.

After installing 2 new thermostats, the engine runs precisely on specification for operating temperature through the full range of RPM, right up to wide open throttle, 3800 (end of the day 10 minute spike to clean the exhaust system ).

Further, smoke when starting is greatly diminished to almost zero. I am completely satisfied that I am doing all that I can to accomplish optimal engine performance and protection with Rotella T6 over the last two years, and I am comfortable recommending Rotella T6 to boating friends with diesels, confident in the cost/benefit of using the best oil quality, grade and viscosity for my application.

After hearing and reading rave reviews on this oil, and reading posts about it on oil-focused sites and forums, I thought I would give it a try. Im running it in my 04 Grand Caravan with the 3. 3L V6.

Running a half-and-half mix of 5w-40 and 15w-40. Let me say this, my van has never ran so well just by changing the brand and type of oil I am using. It currently has 209k on it and runs like a top. I switched to diesel oil because it has a higher film strength, better wear packs, and better detergent packs than gas oil does.

I want my van to run as long as possible. I am one of those people that drives a vehicle until the wheels fall off, so they say. Ive used other brands before and they have worked well, however, since changing to Rotella T6, my van has more power and response than I ever remember it having.

Rotella and other Shell products will be my only brand now. Stocked up on quite a bit of Rotella in all its major types, T4, T5, T6.

I own a towing company. We are classified as emergency and NEED every truck to start, run well, and last a long duration. Over the years weve tried everything. Currently, we run older 7. 3 diesels and new 6.

7 diesels. There is hands down a HUGE difference in cold starting and gas mileage, and performance. So much easier for the pumps, and a smother running engine. Its no joke, this oil has been used since it came out in out trucks, and our 7.

3’s have zero internal issues with between 500k and 800k miles on some of the engines. Our 21′ and 22′ model year trucks come from the dealership new, oil drained, and t6 put in to make sure the engines get the best protection right from the start.

Yeller Towing, Elk River.

Love this. I’m Mainly stock. Got upgraded intercooler. This made a difference in power for sure. Saved a lil on mpg 1-2. As long as you don’t get on it. Good buy for sure. More burnt fuel. Faster spool up.

Perfect fit. Easy installation. Definitely seems high quality and already has a spot for an EGT probe So it’s ready to go right out of the box. No drilling just a perfect threaded hole. And plugs for those who don’t monitor their EGTS.

If that is you I recommend you start watching those vitals if you start adding much HP over stock.

I’ve only had it on a couple days but the first thing I noticed when I stood on the throttle was no black cloud from the tail pipe. I love rolling coal but I hated all that unburned fuel in the exhaust.

The turbo spool up is more responsive and the nice little rumble added to the exhaust note is a plus too. MPG is up a touch but nothing to write home about. Very impressed with BD.

This the best working diesel additive I have ever used. The engine starts quicker, idles more smoothly, operates more quietly, and the throttle response is clearly better. I noticed improvement at minimum dose and then even better results at double dose, which is still within the recommended dosing range.

While the cetane boost is it’s most obvious benefit, it is also an all in one that provides anti-gel, lubricity, and cleaning of combustion chamber components. After several moths I noticed the engine get even better as to noise levels, idle, drivability.

I run this in my 2017 TD Cruze and the efficiency of the 1. 6L ecotec only further exaggerates how effective this product is. Primarily I use it for its Cetane boosting effect and help in keeping the DPF cleaner.

Side effects are reduced DEF consumption and an average increase in fuel milage of 8 mpg from 33. 5/gal to 41. 5.

Seems to help out quite a bit. I can definitely notice when I’m not running this in the truck. I’ll keep buying it for piece of mind at the very least. Less corrosion and buildup when used regularly.

This product came recommended by a Certified Cummins Technician. The fuel pump pressure in my 2019 Ram 3500 Cummins is 25,000 lb per cubic inch. Also, the only lubrication the the fuel pump gets is the fuel.

If it has water or any air in the line, the pump can explode. Therefore, Diesel Sta-Bil is vital, which prevents the formation of condensation water.

I received a free sample of Sta-bil Diesel fuel treatment to try out & in return give an honest review on. After using I have to say the product works as advertised. I have used the “red” version (that most people recognize) of Sta-bil to treat the unleaded gas used in every small engine I’ve ever owned over the past 30yrs and it has ALWAYS worked like a charm.

The Stab-il Deisel treatment is no different. It keeps the deisel fuel in my new John Deere front end loader & backhoe (also 3 five gallon storage cans) from degrading during storage, which can be up to 12 to 14 months at times.

I will absolutely purchase this product for the life of my diesel engine.

Have purchased before. has kept my diesel good for as long as 3 years. might have worked for longer but I used up all the treated diesel I had. Absolutely recommend using this to extend diesel life and quality.

IšverstiShow in original languageI put this stuff in my engine and the next morning after starting it up I had a very loud ticking from the lifters. Contacted Z Max and told me that it probably broke some old sludge up so I should drain the (new) oil and put new oil in and add another bottle of this junk.

The person at Z Max that I was talking to claimed to be the owner of the company and he said that if my engine didn’t start to run better then he would pay for another engine. Yea, fat chance. The company stopped talking to me and wouldn’t answer my calls.

Guess they had called ID so they were able to avoid their unhappy customers.

IšverstiShow in original languageI believe this is good technology. Today’s engine oils are the best but I think ZMAX adds an additional level of protection to allow engines to last even longer. I also love my favorite auto parts store, O’Reilly.

They are my go to store for all automotive needs. If they don’t have it they will find it and get it to you.

IšverstiShow in original languageI have been using ZMAX for about 4 years now and by far it has been doing its job. It gas helped my Honda fit 2010 come back to life. I mean its amazing. My honda fit was getting sick and emgine light turned on.

The diagnosis says she has cancer. My best friend who is a Dr. aka AUTO MECHANIC told me to get that 👆MEDICINE and give it to my HONDA. He said to give the tamsmission meds (ENGINE) after taking a shower, (which is after getting an oil change.

) Then to put the one for the FUEL when tank is half way full. 😊 Then he said to take my Honda for marathon run , ( drive it in the freeway to stir the meds into the engine. Then it will eventually work its way to fix the issue.

I kid u not, after 3 days of driving it in the freeway for abut 17miles each to and back the engine light went away. I was shocked. Because I almost wanted to take it for surgery which is to take it to AAMCO.

They where going to charge me $800 for the tranny to get fixed. But this product was a miracle for me. Not only that the tranny was fixed my fuel was too🙃. So yes I recommend this product @100 %. Good luck and thank you for reading! 😜.

I have a 2014 VW Passat TDI and sent the oil in for analysis to see how it was wearing. I couldn’t believe all the low wear numbers. Way below the averages for my engine and mileage. My car’s DPF, EGR, and SCR system fell off which is why I’m not using the VW 507 approved oil by the way.

If you have a TDI with the emissions still intact, I would recommend using this oil instead of the “approved” VW 507 oils. The oil thickness once warm (100* celcuis spec) is not much higher than the 507 approved oils.

Think of it as the TDT is a “thinner” 40 weight, and the VW 507 oils a “thicker” 30 weight oil. The ash # is still low enough to use in anything with a DPF. I have switched over to the Mobil TDT in all 6 of my Diesels I own.

The anti-wear additive is very robust.

I went into the O’Reilly Auto Parts in Edgewood, New Mexico, with the sales ad marked so I could purchase the jug of Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck oil and then send in for the $10 mail-in rebate. I looked on the shelves, but could not find the oil.

I took the ad to the counter and showed it to the lady there. She went back and brought out two jugs of oil. She could not find the rebate forms. After draining the oil from my car, I remembered about the form, so I looked at O’Reilly’s rebate page.

The rebate, I found there, was for FIVE quart jugs of oil, not the FOUR quart jugs I purchased. Since I’m 15 miles from the store and the drained car is my only transportation, I had to use 7 quarts to fill my crankcase.

Since the special has run out, I cannot now buy two additional quarts of oil to use the rebate form. I’m not happy.

I have owned diesel cars and trucks for over 25 years and have used Mobil 1 oil for more than 35 years. Oil technology has advanced so much in the last few years and Mobil 1 has been at the forefront.

I really like this 5W/40 full synthetic version. I’ve noticed quicker and quieter starts with my trucks especially in colder temperatures. I still follow all recommended service intervals and have noticed a reduction of soot load in the oil over the years.

My oil temperature also stays more consistent with this oil. Oil samples also show reduced bearing wear. I’m certainly changing the oil far sooner than I need to, but doing an oil change is much simpler and costs hundreds if not thousands of dollars less than a repair due to not changing it.

This car has nearly 200,000 miles on the odometer. Anyone who has owned or researched this particular Ford model is aware that these with the 2. 5 L have a very strong and reliable motor. That said at nearly 200,000 engine performance has declined.

I understand that my assessment of TriboTEX engine treatment is subjective and a before and after dyno test would be the only “proof “. That said I have spent more than a few hours driving this car prior to the TriboTEX and I believe there is a noticeable improvement in responsiveness and smoother operation of the engine.

In the past this vehicle was getting 17-20 mph (it’s FWD not AWD) currently it’s averaging 19-23+ mpg. Not sure why the upper mpg’s aren’t uniform with the lower mpg gain. I also did the TriboTEX transmission treatment at the same time as the engine treatment.

Possibly the transmission is staying in higher gears longer. These numbers are subject to my driving habits which haven’t changed. The treatment frequency recommended by TriboTEX is 40,000 miles. If this mpg improvement continues for that interval that alone will have paid the cost of the product and more.

I added your engine treatment to my Jeep 4. 0 engine with 180,000 miles between 2 and 3 months ago. I didn’t notice anything right away but after a couple weeks the engine seemed to get a bit quieter.

One day after about 2 months, I found that the engine seemed to have more power. For the first time, I was able to run one particular stretch of road with a long uphill grade from bottom to top,. In the past I’ve had to drop down at least one gear before reaching the top, but not this time.

After this incident, I played with the engine and gears a bit and found that the engine definitely is running smoother and with more power. I LIKE IT! I added a treatment to the power steering pump but haven’t noticed anything as yet and may not any improvements my be relatively small.

I also have the manual trans treatment which I will be adding soon. I’ll write a follow-up review for this a bit later. Because of the good results with my Jeep, I just added the engine treatment to my 2000 Ford F350 7.

3 liter diesel. I’ll write a review on this one as well once it has a chance to take effect. That’s all for now.

2 cars 1 truck , farm tractor, and lawn tractor. Impressive results on my old commuter car so far which i drive the most , a 2016 Hyundia Elantra , Korean bult. 170 k quiet as if new now , the upper valve train was getting noisy typical for the milage.

Used it in the trans too. its a real 6spd not CVT. With the cost of new car this is cheap insurance. Waiting for the 1st oil change to see if effects cyinder wear has changed. Oil delution issue = 1/2 qt per 5k ( normal for the milage) Ive always used synthetic oil on all this equipment.

As a powerplant operator Ive seen good results with improved lubricity , it’s the life blood of the machine. So far so good.

IšverstiShow in original languageMy mechanic recommended I use the products in my truck the manufacturer states in the manual. It’s nice to walk into Oreilly’s and find Motorcraft oils on the shelf. More specifically, Motorcraft Synthetic Diesel oil.

They also carry the appropriate oil and fuel filters.

IšverstiShow in original languageI do pro bono oil changes for some folks I know, I like that O’Reilly’s carries Motorcraft branded oils. They are great products and it gives those Ford fans a warm fuzzy!.

IšverstiShow in original languageManufacturer recommended for our diesel trucks. Rely on it’s availability and reputation for longevity of our vehicles.

Instantly noticable change in the engine sound, too early to tell if any fuel consumption changes. its a great peace of mind knowing that it gives additional protection for the Engine.

Appears to work ok. Decent additive at good price. Thanks. Mike

A did add a full bottle (500 ml) to the oil in my 300. 000 km Nissan Terrano. After 500 km the sound from the diesel motor had become significantly softer and more pleasant. I have not yet calculated the effect on the fuel consumption.

I have a 2005 One Ton E-350 extended Heavy Duty Diesel Cargo Van working daily that has only been serviced with Castrol GTX 15 W 40 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil, and have never had Any engine work done. I wouldn’t trust any other oil in my van.

I own and operate my Business with this van. I highly recommend Castrol GTX 15W40 Diesel Heavy Duty Oil for Dependability and Long Engine Life with proper maintenance that I do myself!.

I HAVE THE 6. 6 D-MAX. LMM. I HAVE TRIED AMSOIL, ROTELLA AND MANY OTHERS. I SAID WHY NOT GIVE THIS OIL A SHOT. I GAVE THIS OIL A GO IN MY TRUCK AND NOW ON THE HIGHWAY I CAN GET BETWEEN 21-22 MPG AT 72 MPH.

I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S COINCIDENCE OR WHAT BUT I GET THE BEST FUEL MILEAGE OUT OF CASTROL GTX CONVENTIONAL. NOT SYNTHETIC.

I’ve used Castrol (regular and diesel) for years in JD diesels, Ford-IH engines, VW Diesels, and normal gas automobiles. I have gotten 150,000+ miles on autos, 365,000+ Ford-IH diesel, and 1000’s hours on JD engines.

It is good stuff, but, still change it and filter at regular intervals.

IšverstiShow in original languageEven though it isn’t recommended for a 7. 3 Diesel I’ve been using it 4 years now. My truck loves the stuff. It starts much easier on cold mornings not even plugged in you can tell a big difference from the standard 15-40 Diesel oil.

I pull a 10,000 lb trailer from Ogden Utah to Aguilar Colorado once or twice a year. I haven’t had any oil related issues at all. Starts and runs quieter with great oil pressure and no oil leaks period.

I change the oil once a year now 5000 -7000 miles is normal. The truck has 168000 miles on it so it isn’t a high mileage truck but it gets used for pulling. It might not be recommended for the 7. 3 but my truck runs better with it.

Doesn’t matter the weather conditions either. cold or hot this oil makes my truck run better. I don’t know much about oils I just wanted to try it cause I had slow cranking issues in cold weather here.

Won’t go back to 15-40 stuff unless I can’t get the 5-40.

IšverstiShow in original languageWe stuck a bore scope down and everything looks brand new still. I will admit I change every 6000 miles when I know we can go longer but for an 07 5. 9 common rail the 15 year old engine looks great for hauling a 14k lb 5th wheel for most of its life and miles.

IšverstiShow in original languageUsed this in my gasoline engine. After purchasing my used 2001 Nissan Xterra V6 I noticed a little engine noise. I messed with a few different oils and noticed how picky this engine is with different viscosities.

To make a long story short, finally I tried the 5w-40 tdt and I couldn’t be happier. The engine runs like new, smooth as butter, has plenty of power and is quieter than ever. For smooth, quiet operation with maximum protection I would use this oil in anything requiring 5w-30 , 10w-30 or 10w-40.

Previously, Shell included foil seals inside their bottle caps for Rotella so the purchaser could verify the contents had not been tampered with. When I opened my latest purchase there were no seals.

(Had someone used the good oil and replaced it with a cheap substitute?) I called the phone number listed on the bottle and was told Shell is no longer using seals but has gone to a cap which is supposed to split at the bottom the first time it is opened.

The split is very subtle and hard to detect. Might be a good reason to consider a more secure brand.

Used this in my all Jeeps for many years straight 6 blocks flat tappet tractor engines. This has zinc in it which is good for older inline 6 cylinders mostly all my Jeeps I’ve owned over the years made it over 200,000 miles my current Jeep is 2004 grand Cherokee 4.

0L engine it only used shell rotella T4 10w-30 it now has 216,000 miles still going strong! However the zinc is little hard on catalytic converter I’ve changed 2 on this Jeep over all years I had it bough it brand new off lot back in 2004.

Couple off roaders swore by it years ago I switched over to it years ago and never looked back.

What do i know about motor oil. It was on sale, I have a 1971 F100 and everyone keeps telling me to use diesel oil in my old gas truck because #1 I don’t have catalytic converters #2 diesel oil has zinc in it that will provide a layer of zinc protection on moving parts so they last longer.

First time using diesel oil in old truck and no complaints.

If you own a Ford diesel vehicle, Motorcraft oil is specially formulated to prolong the life of the engine. It may cost a little more, but in terms of longevity, it is the best choice.

I was running T6 in my Kubota 7040 when I had a wreck while transporting it back from the hayfield. It flipped on its top after I flipped the whole rig over an embankment onto it ms top. The tractor has lugs on the starter that got crossed over by the baler control box and it started while upside down which caused it to “runaway” running entirely on its own engine oil that was being sucked around the pistons becayse it was upside down.

It revved completely off the charts and continued to stay revved like this for nearly 3 minutes until I could get the hood up and get rags shoved down the intake to choke it out. I finally got everything flipped back onto its wheels and poured almost 2 gallons of oil back into the engine to replace what had blown out the exhaust when I wrecked.

Put a hot battery in and it started and has been ran nearly 200 hours since. I feel that the rotella T6 is the one and only thing that saved this engine. The block was so hot when it was running away that it was glowing white on the manifold.

I believe that had I been using conventional oil that It would’ve cooked that engine. Maybe I’m wrong but it’s definitely had to help.

I have a 05’ Chevy D max since new. Dino oil that came with it for the 10,000 break in and changed it with T6 ever since. C’mon, you cannot see what is happening inside you engine unless you break it down.

The premise of using a good quality synthetic motor oil is based on the comfort that you WON’T have to break it down because you know that oil is making sure your engine is getting lubed. Diesel engines are quite expensive so putting the best oil in equates to as little wear as possible.

I use a bypass oil filter (installed at 10,000 mile oil change) which gives my T6 the absolute best filtration. Engine has run great and, at 93k still sounds as new. Don’t even think twice about using T6 in your diesel.

Everybody has their pet brand. For me it’s shell T6.

Ordered 3 of these. Walmart Sent 2 correct but 1 which was the wrong grade which makes the other 2 wasted. Having a hard time for them to understand that its not good enough to just refund when the oil has to be drained and new oil purchased to rectify.

In future I will buy oil in person and NOT from Walmart. The convenience of delivery on this occasion does not outway the issues they have given me.

The only time I don’t shop at O’Reilly is when I can’t find a store or I’m not near one. By far the best store I’ve ever found is in Princeton where I live. There are several good people at this location but the best one that I have found that is extremely knowledgeable in every aspect is Blake! I was looking for a fuel pump that I couldn’t get anywhere for a 1995 Chevy 6.

5 diesel every location I called said they didn’t have it couldn’t get one couldn’t even find it. I called back to my store in Princeton and was lucky enough to speak with Blake he not only found that O’Reilly had it in stock.

He found it at a store that had already told me it didn’t exist and it was in their warehouse. I would prefer to buy everything locally but sometimes you have to buy stuff online especially when all the O’Reilly stores and all the other auto parts stores in town tell you that that fuel pump can only be purchased online.

So when he found it, that was awesome because he saved me from having more downtime waiting for it to ship, shipping costs, and I was able to buy it locally so any future warranties I have to deal with and I can go directly to O’Reilly in Princeton!.

This motor oil is a synthetic blend. It tolerates heat longer than regular dinosaur motor oil and doesn’t breakdown nearly as quickly as regular motor oil does. In other words, this oil protects my Peterbilt motor better than regular motor oil does and it does this for a longer period of time.

I always change the oil in my trucks. In my opinion, Mobil Delvac 1300 is a top quality brand ! Thanks for keeping out trucks up and running!.

This has to be the biggest and most beefy engine Ive seen in R/C, anything larger Id assume came out of a Ferrari. Unfortunately I never got to install it. It wouldnt fit the application Id bought it for, however the build and smoothness of all the moving parts showed that extreme attention had been paid in building this monster.

If you can fit it, but it, and buy the best wheelie bar you can find!.

Impossible to start to break in. I couldn’t get more then a sputter from time to time. It was about 60 degrees outside when I was trying to start mine for the first time in my 4. 6 X Savage. Finally after wearing out my arm I put a Roto Start System on it and swapped it for a medium glow plug.

a OS #8 and after cranking with my HPI Roto Starter got it started. It ran horrible but it ran and I went through the tedious break in for 8 tanks of fuel. By tank 4 it was running and starting better but still a pain to keep going at times.

Be Patient. By tank 9 I leaned out the high needle one turn in and the low speed needle one turn and cannot keep the wheels on the ground! This engine is a Beast! It starts very easy now and simply has more power then I know what to do with! It is a ripping Beast.

So be patient. I suggest you warm your cylinder head with a hair drier for first time starting if it is cooler outside until this engine gets broken in or highly recommend a Roto Start for it. In the end you will be more then pleased with it! it is one of the best engines I have bought.

And I am a OS man. Very happy with this powerhouse of a engine! Also FOLLOW the Instructions! Use 25% fuel! I could not get mine to run well on 20%. it really wants what the Manufacturer suggest. 25%.

This Engine does not care how heavy your Savage is. It will make it ground pound like it was meant to do!.

I’ve been in the Savage nitro shocks for about 15 years I’m going to replace my 5 9 with this new lrp 32 my son has a l r p 28 the 28th is a nasty engine and itself why but the 32 almost puts out 4 and 1/3 horsepower that’s insane engine is lightweight and if it’s anything like my son is 28 it should destroy my truck in one season I’ve been in the nitro RC stuff for about 35 years now the price for this engine you’re not going to do any better I only know from my son’s engine it runs extremely well stays running and has a massive power if you purchase one of these break it in right and good luck I can’t wait to enjoy mine it makes you just waiting for the weather to break y’all have a nice holiday now outstanding! And younes broken in now this thing is nasty make sure you have the right differential and transmission because this engine will destroy your gears I had to put one in a 3.

5 and now that needs to be completely rebuilt!.

I am using this as a whole-home backup through a manual transfer panel. I’ve added caster wheels to the forklift points and can wheel it out of the garage as needed. I’ve also fitted both A/C units (one a 5 ton and the other a 3.

5 ton) with hard-start kits to minimize time at startup and the ultimate draw of power. As configured, I can run either A/C unit one at a time and power the rest of the house. In the winter, I can run both central heat units and power the entire house.

I keep an eye on power usage through a third-party device called Sense. This unit runs great, and has no problem supplying 100% of its rated power. I’ve also found fuel burn to be lower than published, and can get a full day on a single tank.

Power quality (from Sense) shows a nominal voltage of 117 volts per leg, and frequency of about 61HzThese are currently hard to get (mine took 145 days), but if you can find one, you won’t be disappointed.

Couple of things. First I got the lug model because I was installing in a work truck with a remote outlet. I would not do that again. The plugs on the generator face would have been very handy. Second, this is a “screamer”.

This generator runs at full RPM all the time. Mine is very quiet, but just be prepared that this generator does not idle and then increase rpm with load. It runs welders and saws and A/C units without blinking and I am very happy so far.

I have recommended both the Kubota generator and Absolute Generators to work associates.

Very concerned about a diesel generator that runs at 3,600 rpm. That is a very high speed for a diesel. I’ve been building and repairing diesel and gasoline generators for many years. 1,800 rpm is the generally accepted speed for a diesel engine.

Time will tell I reckon. I have a twin cylinder diesel generator that has been running 16 hours average a day for over 15 years. 165 amp 13,000 watt 120/240v. 1,800 rpm. 3,600 rpm is usually the speed for timed grenade gasoline generators.

There are some 1,800 rpm gasoline generators out there, most of them still running great at 30 to 50 years old. Just saying.

Honest review of this machine after 200 plus hours is I’m ready to repower my old 301g trailblazer, and pull the 325efi off welding rig. To some this may sound strange but performance of the 325 is just not there in comparison to prior trailblazers.

Don’t get me wrong it’s a great machine with excel power. running tools, and welding at idle its a very quiet machine and fuel efficient. Downfall is that unless you work on new clean metal all the time the arch performance suffers tremendously.

Sure you have hot start parameters and dig control but really only applicable in certain applications. When welding at idle the machines arc is struggling to cut through any scale, rust, paint or just normal day to day things you come across in real world repair and fab.

95% my application is field repair on less than perfect conditions that requires prompt repair. I’ve tried all settings on the machine. adjusted hot start, played with the dig settings, went and bought the 14pin remote to adjust the temp up and down because the trips back and forth to the machine are just ridiculous.

My prior machine I had no issues with other than heat up and down. restarting rods on 325efi. horrible. you feel like a wood pecker on a tree unless you turn the machine to full run and not on run idle.

And then its better but the machine struggles to have a good arc that can cut through dirty material that the 301g cut right though with ease. fuel efficient. yes. spend more time grinding, prepping.

yes. Stick more rods due to poor arc performance. yes. I’ve used other 325efi machines and co workers have used my 301g and there is a total night and day difference in performance. I’m sure if welding on new material all the time or pipe is what your application is it is fine and a great machine.

But for repair of broken dirty machines or equipment that is down and not in the perfect setting this machine lacks compared to prior model trailblazers.

I knew what I was getting as I use miller engine drives at work all the time as a steel erector. Most of the machines that the companies I have worked for are bobcat 250’s. a couple of years ago the owner purchased a trailblazer 325 with excel power for me to put in my truck and tote around with me.

WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. Much quieter and way more efficient on fuel not to mention a much smoother arc and better weld quality. So when I went into business for myself, to me. there was only one option- Trailblazer 325 with excel power.

is it more? yes. Is it worth the extra cost? Yes. Do I have any regret about purchasing this machine? No. Would I recommend it to others above the other miller engine drive models? Without hesitation.