Silverado Duramax Problems

rgs320

The story I hear in Washington State is that production of Duramax was stopped due to engine problems and Allison transmission burnouts. The allegation is that due to insufficient transmission oil pressure and flow, the transmissions are failing under the high torque of the Duramax engine and require future modification. The engine is said to fail after continuous heavy hauling. Production is said to have stopped indefinitly for U.S. delivery, however some are still being imported from Canada. I hope the stories are false, but would like to hear from those who may have better information.

wight1

Haven't heard anything like that here in Texas. I'd find that hard to believe considering the tests I've read that GM put the Duramax/Allison through, including some real tortures pulling 20,000# loads through the Arizona desert.

The Allisons are equipped with oversized coolant lines (5/8" vs. the normal 3/8" lines) to handle additional oil capacity, flow and pressure. However, I've always been suspect of any automatic tranny behind a diesel because of the high torque. Even the Allison has me wondering - its rated for a maximum torque of 550 lb-ft. and the Duramax puts out 520 max, so anytime you pour the coal to it towing a big load, you're pushing the tranny almost to the edge. Doesn't seem like enough margin to me.

Keep us posted on anything new you hear up there.

4x4

production hasn't stopped, they have actually sold out their 2001 allocations....

for the best d-max info go to www.thedieselpage.com

then go their forums!

rgs320

Thanks for the advice. The Diesel page infor is helpful.

chevytruck_fan

I'm a member and I don't even own a diesel, have though about it though, of course i won't buy a freaking Izusu diesel but might buy a 80's 6.2, I'm just filling this message with BS, sorry

There are a lot of folks trying to discredit the duramax, your run of the mill anti-GM folks, but there has been none verified. and these guys at the diesel page know!

glenn2

you would buy a 80's 6.2 ,which was a piece of junk over a duramax? Isuzu makes an excellent diesel engine and its GOT to be better then the 6.2! Seems like poor logic.....

ad2avit

No news is good news I quess. Very few negative comments about the Duramax, except hearsay. Sign me up coach- I'm sold on the Duramax. Except I'm going to need a corporate lawyer to negatiate a price.

norm10

Our firm is operating six of the 2500 HD 4 X 4 pickups with this combination and now have an additional ten 3500 HD 4 X 4 units on order. Over 16,000 miles on one truck. No problems yet. We are replacing 20 Ford HD 250/350 units. All of them have performed well also. Compared to this new GM truck the fule mileage experience is that Ford gave us about 16 mpg average; the Duramax is giving us 24 mpg (to date). There is a big difference while towing a 14,000 support tool trailer. The Duramx likes hills, high altitude and downgrades with hardly any braking.

ad2avit

Awesome fuel mileage. 50 percent!!! better than Ford. Those trucks will pay for themselves before too long. Can't wait till I get one.

Paul

rck329

A friend of mine is a GM mechanic and said that they(not his shop in particular though) are having problems with the Allison 6 speed and have halted production of them...
Maybe it's one of those "mechanic's rumors" though...
Just an FYI

n75v111

75v

chevytruck_fan

there is a rumour about every three days about Gm haulting production because of this or that, none of which has any sort of fact based information to it.

smart99

You know your mechanic buddy sounds like he sure knows his stuff. I bet he says "I always wanted to work on one them thar Allison transmissiuns."