Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Review Highlights Diesel Engine Features

It’s all about the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel’s great fuel economy, reliability and durability in showcasing the numerous features of the Ecodiesel engine to Mississauga and Brampton drivers. Despite the high cost and complexity in developing the Ecodiesel engine, FCA has stepped up to the plate.

After GM worked with VM Motori to develop the European Cadillac CTS diesel engine, the project was temporarily put aside when GM declared bankruptcy in 2009. But subsequent to VM Motori approaching many automotive brands, Fiat part-owned VM Motori started working with FCA on developing the Ecodiesel, with fantastic results.

* Manufacturer: VM Motori

* Configuration: 60 degree V-6

* Head/Block Material: Aluminum cylinder head, Compacted Graphite Iron engine block

* Displacement: 3.0 liters, 182 cubic inches

* Compression Ratio: 15.5 : 1

* Bore: 3.27 inches

* Stroke: 3.60 inches

* Valvetrain: 24 valve, dual overhead cam

* Injection: 29,000 psi common rail

* Aspiration: Intercooled, water cooled variable geometry turbocharger (VGT)

* Oil Capacity: 10.5 quarts with filter

* Horsepower: 240hp @ 3,600 rpm

* Torque: 420 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm

* Towing & Payload: 1,620 lbs max payload, 9,200 lbs max towing (2014 figures)

The foundation of the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel is the block. Ram Truck Brands’ Chief Engineer Mike Cairns, put it succinctly in describing the normalcy of CGI blocks: “Unlike diesels of the past that were really heavy, this Compacted Graphite Iron block is very efficient, but gets the structural requirements you need for a diesel. So, the engine actually weighs a little more than a Hemi engine but provides great diesel performance and fuel economy.”

VM Motori strengthened the block further with a bedplate that has eight extra bolts holding it down. The design of the block, at 60 degree V, is in sharp contrast to the usual 90 degree V diesel engines manufactured at present, but it reduces weight with its narrower design. In order to hold cast iron rods, design included a crankshaft made of forged 4140 steel that held the rods to the aluminum pistons.

A light rotatating assembly is also part of the tighter package, which is still strong with keystone-shaped piston rod tops maintaining its high fuel performance with great acceleration as well.

The Ecodiesel heads help to reduce emissions with its unique heads. The first to appear in light duty diesel engines, the dual overhead camshaft heads featured in the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel reduce weight with their aluminum construction. Also featured on each cylinder are two intake and exhaust valves, with roller-finger followers operating each valve by a single lobe camshaft. Friction is further reduced with individual bearing caps holding the assist as well as going a long way in reducing vibration, harshness and noise.

A timing chain off of the crankshaft drives the exhaust camshaft and the intake camshaft is driven by the exhaust camshaft enabled by gear to gear mesh. Low voltage ceramic glow plugs are housed in the heads, as well as valves and fuel injectors. Thus the Ecodiesel engine can start extremely fast and have low emissions too.

The Fiat proprietary MultiJet II system enables a high fuel injection rate to be achieved, and fuel is delivered to the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel very efficiently and precisely – leading to cleaner emissions and maximum power. Servovalve injectors enable up to eight fuel-injection events to occur, and the engine uses a high pressured Bosch fuel pump delivering 2,000 bar in both fuel rails.

One of the additional features of the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel is that its design can handle B-20 or biodesel fuel of up to 20 per cent. As well, the responsive turbocharger creates a boost that adds fuel very quickly, enabling powerful torque.

For great emission reduction, the Ecodiesel features DEF – Diesel Exhaust Fluid, SCR – Selective Catalytic Reduction, EGR – Exhaust Gas Recirculation and DPF – Diesel Particulate Filter, all of which help to maximize emissions reduction.