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duramax

hzjryhzjry Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in GMC
I just recently bought a 2001 GMC 2500HD with the Duramax and Allison combination. After saving up and spending some $ to get what I want, the Duramax started to make metal ticking sounds from the back of the engine at 480 miles. The dealership said that GM is aware of the situation and has no fix at this time for the ticking sound. Now, I know that diesels make all sort of sounds, but when its metal ticking sound and only happens ever other rotation of the crank, this tells me that the problem is in the upper valley. I have called just about everyone I know from he dealership to the GM service center. Basically their advice was to wait until the Engineering boys have a fix. Now that just ain't right when you spend that much $ on a truck and it spends more time at the dealership, where they said they can't do anything about it because GM said that they can not touch any component of the engine. What get me is that everyone I have talked and complain to, from the service writers, shop Forman, dealership owner, dealership technicians and even GM service and area sales reps. and GM 1-800 customer service reps all have acknowledged that this problem is something GM knows about and is trying to fix. The service writer tells me that there are 36 similar complaints in the Houston area. I am so feed up; I am considering filling a deceptive business practice lawsuit and even the lemon law. Anyone else have this problem?
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Comments

  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    you have a 100K warranty

    You have been to the dealership and its documented. If anything happens to the engine past 100K they will have to fix it.

    A little early to be jumping on the "lets sue chevy ship" eh?

    I am curious as to why everyone in this world is so quick to file lawsuits.

    Ok you have a noise in your engine and you want it fixed. understandible. Hows the truck running? Other than a noise is there any other real problems?

    Ryan
  • jaijayjaijay Member Posts: 162
    the DieselPage, www.thedieselpage.com. Located in the forums is a section dedicated to the Duramax. They have information on the tick and what causes it. My Duramax has 6k miles on it and I have not heard the so called tick. It seems in reading the comments in the diesel page forum, some trucks have it and others do not.
  • kit1404kit1404 Member Posts: 124
    Not sure about your exact problem, but the Duramax/Allison combo has some problems. Apparently enough to stop production for a while earlier this year? Buying a first year or even second year production vehicle from any U.S. mfr now-a-days seems to be a risky proposal. And, then there is GM's reputation for letting the consumer figure out the problems. Before the hate mail starts: I have a 1999 F-150 4X4 fully loaded. Even after owning many years of Ford products, did not one newly engineered for a while. This truck has been trouble free at 30,000 miles so far.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Is getting your hands on one!
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    Isn't it keeping your foot out of it???
    -Eric
  • hdriderhdrider Member Posts: 49
    How is the Dmax running? Still like that manual 6 spd? I'm still drooling over them, but will have to wait a bit... Heard rumors of the Dmax twisting frames (like the Cummins did to the Dodges initially) and also blowing head gaskets... Also heard the Dmax is down right QUICK! A guy in CO owns one w/ the Allison. It's his 4th TD, and his son owns a PSD. He likes to run 'em up this long hill close to his place and check the speed at the top. His other trucks never topped 75mph. He has to let off the gas on his Dmax because he's topping 100mph before he reaches the top! Hopefully in a year or two I'll be able to git one... ;)
    Dave
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Still love the 6 spd. Not aware of any frame twist problems, and the head gasket, warped heads etc all myth.

    Myth or not, no problems with mine, almost 7000 flawless miles. Only trips to the dealer have been for oil changes.

    Love this truck!

    (In 6th gear, from 60 to the 98 mph speed limiter, just pin it, boost comes on immediately, lay waste to most trucks, pulls really hard. Faster than my 5.3L '99 1500 even.)

    Only common complaint from Allison 5 spd automatic crowd is tranny too happy to downshift. Owners don't get the bottom end torque sensation engine is capable of.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    I recently drove a couple of Powerstroke Diesels my buddies own, one was a '97 with 5 spd manual, the other a 2000 or 2001 (forget) SD with automatic. Pretty impressed with both actually. I could live with either one. The '97 was much noiser. They've done a lot to quiet them down. I drove them off road a little bit. The '97 had a few suspension squeaks after 50,000 miles, the 2001 the doors squeaked a bit, both frames twist-free and solid. The 2001 was very strong off the bottom, easily breaking traction on non paved surfaces with non-judicious throttle application. Either one comes on with more torque from 500-1200 rpm than duramax. The duramax rules the roost above 1800 rpm. The 2001 PSD hit about 95 mph, but takes quite a bit longer than my 6 spd dmax, which leaps to that speed by comparison.

    I think the dmax may actually be capable of the good torque from 500-1200, but the electronic drive-by-wire throttle control is in command, giving you what it thinks you should have. It is impossible to lug the dmax for this reason. If you try, it just smoothly slows down without shudder, until you must downshift to maintain speed. The PSD throttle feels like it's direct acting on the injection pump, without intervention (or interference) from a computer.
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    You didn't answer my question: truth be told, having problems keeping your foot out of it? LOL
    -Eric
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Ask me no questions, I tell you no lies!
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    No fear but I baby it most of the time. Have no trouble keeping my foot out of it. It's there when I need it. I've lost my agressive driving tendencies over the years, value my accident free, points free insurance rating. More interested in seeing how far I can go on one tank. Went 650 miles once before the low fuel light came on. Had 4 gallons left.

    The payload in back, 2001 KTM 520 EXC will do 100 mph on dirt. Dat's my vice!
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Motorcycle buddy of mine was arguing against diesels...I said range, he said who cares about range, your bladder can't hold that long.

    Two weeks later, when I drove from Denver to Omaha 550 miles to pick up the KTM dirt bike, I remembered his challenge....didn't stop once. Drove straight from the house to the dealer's door step. Took less than 8 hours, and never broke the speed limit.
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    Just jealous. Pushed my 8.1 to the low fuel light last time, 203 miles. Still haven't gotten better than 9.4 yet, but she still isn't broken in. BTW, haven't even tried to load her up yet, quad has yet to go in back. And my 400EX will only do 82 topped out.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    You can't keep YOUR foot out of those 340 willing ponies!
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    i thought i got bad milage

    I got my low fuel light (last time it happened) with 375 miles on my truck
  • hdriderhdrider Member Posts: 49
    Thanks for the info and update, Quad! Understand what you mean about takin' er easy as you get older. The low insurance is nice! My hog is my vice. The faster I make it, the faster I want it to go! Take care!
    Dave
  • gmfan70gmfan70 Member Posts: 4
    about a new Duramax. Are they still too new to know what to expect in the long run? Has anyone put over 10K (still pretty skimpy, I know) yet? And what's this about a 100K warranty? I don't see that in any dealer literature. I'm waiting for the bid from Dave Smith Chevy in Kellog, ID. They claim $200 over invoice. Any better deals available out here in the west? I'm new here and enjoying all the jabber!
  • gmfan70gmfan70 Member Posts: 4
    Aluminum heads is one of the concerns voiced by local (PSD & Cummins) diesel mechanics, and therefore by my diesel friends. Guess I'll subscribe to the diesel page and see what I can learn. I've listened to the Isuzu engine and it's sweet. In three or four months (according to the salesman) I'll start learning the hard way. I appreciate your info.
  • jaijayjaijay Member Posts: 162
    The lastest version is a big ho-down in death valley were the temperatures reach over 120 degrees. They had a DMAX out there and had no problems at all. In fact they raved about the power of the diesel and its ability to do well in the high altitudes. They also raved about the AC and how well it kept the cabin cool.
  • gmfan70gmfan70 Member Posts: 4
    Thanks, Jaijay
    While waiting in the barbershop today I picked up that copy and read their raves. Didn't have time to read everything, just the Duramax part. Hope the 2500HD isn't as stiff as the dually without the cement bags. My old back can't take that.
  • gmfan70gmfan70 Member Posts: 4
    I've looked thru the gmbuypower web site and can't find reference to the 100k mile warranty on the Duramax engine. And I haven't since came across a diesel truck so I haven't been able to check the sticker. Any ideas for me?
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    1.)Go to GM Buypower website
    2.)choose a zip code
    3.)specify the truck you want
    4.)browse local inventory on a dealers lot
    5.)choose view/print window sticker

    It's on there.
  • kyarcherkyarcher Member Posts: 12
    Is there more matinence to a diesel compared to a gasser? I'm thinking seriously about getting the duramax. Don't haul anything but a four wheeler.
    Just like the 18-20 miles per gal vs the 13 I get with my 5.7
  • bmaigebmaige Member Posts: 140
    Guys, I use my truck on the farm for various reasons, including hauling a cow trailer taking them to sale, and I don't much think they would be in very good shape if I delivered them at 100 miles per hour. I also use it to drive slowly along to check the crops, and I couldn't even SEE them at that rate. I don't NEED a truck that will go that fast. I need one that is reliable, has all the maintenance points (plugs, plug wires, oil filter, oil spout, differential and transfer case level plugs, fuel filter, fuel pump, water pump, battery, and so forth)easily accessible and changeable, an interior that is easy to clean out, and lasts as long as the first house I bought, which their prices now approximate.

    As a practical individual I am one who is concerned about the Duramax with aluminum heads, not because I have heard anything about them or their durability, but there hasn't been a lot of miles put on them yet in the real world to see how they will actually stand up. Logic seems to indicate aluminum heads will expand and contract at a different rate when heating and cooling than will the face of a cast iron block (I am assuming the block is cast iron) to which they are mated. The question I have is whether this difference in contaction and expansion rate will cause problems with the head gaskets and loss of compression.

    As for the economy of a diesel, which gets higher fuel mileage than gas, you also need to factor in the fact you are, in essence, prepaying for a lot of gas when you pay the extra cost of a diesel engine. I love diesels, my tractors are diesel, but when I consider the cost of replacing a gas engine or a diesel engine if one let's go the gas is much cheaper. I can get all out of a gas engine I can reliably get and replace it for a third of the cost of buying the diesel to begin with. And using the mileage folks with each are getting that I have seen posted just won't pencil out cheaper for my use.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Duramax may be new, but there are already a couple guys running around with 135-140k miles on them at http://www.thedieselpage.com


    The block is 1 piece, induction hardened. Will never argue your point about diesel vs gas costs. The only real justification, is if you have the load that needs this engine to pull it.


    The all new Powerstroke Diesel is going to have aluminum heads also.

  • jcave1jcave1 Member Posts: 137
    Have heard payback for the PSD is about 90k miles. Takes that long to recoupe added dollars for the diesel. My intent is to have this thing well past 90k. With any luck....

    Heard that rumor again, DMAX heads are failing at a whopping 30% rate. This one came from a local
    Ford dealer. The challenge seems to be locating the rigs with all those head problems. Any DMAX owners experiencing this?
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Consider the source

    "This one came from a local
    Ford dealer."
  • jcave1jcave1 Member Posts: 137
    Hate to say, "YES." Especially since I own one.
    Please don't misunderstand I am neither trying to prove nor disprove the rumor. Simply, if it is true, where the heck are all those failures. Has anybody actually experienced the problem? Likely not.

    That rumor is flying all around and nobody seems to know where it came from. Could it be from the competition? uh-huh.

    Still, the PSD is very cool.
  • bmaigebmaige Member Posts: 140
    These guys must live in their trucks! I don't recall seeing them available for ordering until about a year ago.

    As I said, I've heard nothing about any failures of the Dmax, and perhaps should have worded the statement about miles a bit differently. When I said they don't have many miles on them and wondered about durability I was thinking of average drivers and not only miles driven, but years of use, as well. That is one thing that can't be tested on a track over a short period of time. It is interesting the PS is going to aluminum heads. I would have the same reservations about it when they do.

    I want something that will last a long time that I can maintain myself. In particular, if I go to a diesel I want to be able to change the fuel filter myself. I had a diesel years ago in a van, for which I bought the shop manuals. We took it on vacation not long after we got it, but before we left I made certain I knew how to change the fuel filter, had the tools along to accomplish that, and took extra filters with us. We went out west, and crossing the Painted Desert the engine just quit running. I had filled up a few miles before, so I got out, changed the fuel filter, it fired up, and ran fine.

    My brother-in-law had a powerstroke diesel before he passed away in 1998 and a friend asked him about changing the fuel filter. He took him out to his truck to show it to him so out of curiosity I followed. He popped the hood, opened a cover, and the fuel filter looked like a big screw on type that was turned upside down in it. It looked easier and less messy to change than the old one I had and I believe he said they were self-purging, too.

    I also have a friend who has a relatively new Dodge with the Cummins diesel in it and suggested when he bought it he might want to get the shop manuals, learn to change the fuel filter himself, and carry a spare due to my experience. He got his manuals, said it looked like a bear to change, took them to his brother who does all his own maintenance, who, after reading the manual, told him to forget changing it himself and take it to the dealership for that service. I have tried to find a Cummins owner that changes his own that can tell me how difficult it is but have yet to get a response. Is anyone with Cummins experience browsing this site that could answer that question?

    And now for the last question. How difficult is the fuel filter to change on the Dmax? I am sure most of them are still under warranty so folks may not be doing their own maintenance on them yet, but in case of an emergency, does anyone have any idea how difficult it would be?

    Thanks for the input.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Changing the fuel filter on Dmax is easy. All you need is a strap type oil filter wrench. Once the new one is tightened, you open a bleeder screw, and pump the diaphram until fuel comes out the bleeder. That's it.


    I'm totally unconcerned about durability. Isuzu has built 13 million diesel engines. Check out http://www.thedieselpage.com to find out. Few owners are reporting problems of any kind. Most seemed far more concerned about how to bomb them with propane, chip them, lift them etc. The engine was tested to 600 horsepower by Isuzu without problems.

  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    interesting link i found


    http://www.pacific-audio.com/duramax-programmer.html


    add some HP and torque???

  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Wow! $725 bucks though...
    Dmax has enough hp and torque for me without it.

    I've heard these things work, but void the warranty. With warranty being 5 yr, 100K miles, don't want to risk that.

    It would work better with the Allison automatic. You really can't shift the 6 spd manual fast enough to keep the turbo boost spooled. That much power towing a big trailer up a hill would be nice, but that's also how you break things (including trailers.) In Duramax testing, Isuzu had prototypes running all the way up to 600 hp.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    I JUST CAUGHT THE LINK and thought id pass it on didnt know price or anything
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    This is a common problem. :

    "Hi, Jim.
    This is the hard start/no start problem and the latest information about is contained in the post by GreyPower3500 entitled "Anyone else with a no start". If you do a search you'll find several others, including one by me from months ago.

    5 service visits, a crinked fuel line replaced, and much frustration later, I still have the problem. I've had my truck towed in twice for this problem, and both times they found nothing. In fact, having the vehicle towed in is quite inconvenient and by the time they get around to testing it, the truck is quite unlikely to exhibit the problem. Instead of having the vehicle towed, I recommend the following (which always works for me):

    -- Pop the hood and hit the primer 6 times (without unscrewing the bleeder).

    -- Get in and crank a second or two. Then start to give it a bit of gas. It should fire up.

    When it is convenient for you, bring the truck in and have them try to fix it. There are people who seem to have been cured of this problem, the service department having replaced various parts. But I have to wonder, since I know that I can go a month or so without a hitch, and then of a sudden, it's back big time.

    I have noticed that the problem is worse on hot days. It also has a tendency to surface not the first time you go out to try to start the vehicle when its cold (as they would do when they got to it at a service department) but after it runs a bit and then sits. Also, it doesn't strike often right in a row. I don't think I have ever seen it more than once on the same tank of gas.

    Best of luck getting it fixed and I hope you let us know how it turns out.

    Dan. "
  • bmaigebmaige Member Posts: 140
    Quadrunner500, no disrespect to Isuzu and the 13 million engines they've built, or their testing of the Dmax, but the only engine they build that I would have any concerns about would be the one I bought that they built. I'm a pretty frugal guy, and if I invest more money than I paid for my first home in a truck I expect EVERYTHING to work and last for a long, long time without breakdown, even with a 100,000 mile warranty.

    I hope everything pans out well for this engine and those who have bought it, but I think I'll wait a while yet, continue to drive my old gas guzzler, and see what happens to them in two or three years of service.
  • badrammanbadramman Member Posts: 61
    What I want to know is, how the Hell is anyone affording a Dmax. I priced a Cummins Vs. Dmax around here and found with same options(manual trans. and comparable interior options) the Dmax is $8,000 MORE than a Cummins. Maybe this is why I've only seen 1 on the road!
    I personally think GM's crazy. At that price they'll never sell enough to pay for the motor.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    i see plenty on the road.

    seems like what i see is they cant build enough to fill customer orders
  • badrammanbadramman Member Posts: 61
    OK Ryan, that brings me to another point. Isn't it strange how one brand can be more dominate over another in different parts of the country.
    Example: There is more Dodges in my area than Chevy and Ford combined. And the prices are way different too(between Chevy/Ford Vs. Dodge). But from reading other posts, in other areas Ford or Chevy is more prevalent and the prices are far more competitive.
  • caveman3caveman3 Member Posts: 14
    Paid 31600 for my duramax Ls extended cab longbed that listed for 35800 with the allison tranny . Didn't need four wheel drive and power seats and crew cab that listed at 42k plus which i could have bought for between 35k and 36k.
    So far very happy with the Duramax and Allison tranny.
  • badrammanbadramman Member Posts: 61
    Caveman,
    Are the dealers working with you that much on price? I would get the 6spd-manual 4x4 x-cab. The ones I saw on the lot with just these options listed $42-43000!
    It blew me away! I'm sure they are nice trucks, but holy smokes that is crazy
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    MSRP is different from what you actually pay

    My 1500 Z71 LISTED at a little over 33K. I paid 27,500 after taxes, bedliner, nerf bars, bug shield it was $29,691
  • badrammanbadramman Member Posts: 61
    sheesh I must have a bunch of [non-permissible content removed] for dealers around here:(
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    sounds like it
  • bobsquatchbobsquatch Member Posts: 136
    You may want to check out edmund's buyers course 10 things you should know before buying a new car. It has a lot of information on what the value is in what location. At the very least it will give you some perspective other than what your local dealer is cramming down your throat.
  • badrammanbadramman Member Posts: 61
    I'll check it out

    thanks
  • TerryWilTerryWil Member Posts: 2
    I own a '01 GMC with the Duramax diesel and the Allison auto. I now have 14,000 mi. on it. It has been a great truck so far! No problems at all so far. (well except an occasional alarm going off when I try to arm it) But other than that... it's been a fine running machine! I get 18.5 mpg empty and between 9 and 14 mpg fully loaded, (that's driving between 60 and 80 with A/C on)! I could get much better if the darned thing didn't have so much power!
    The aluminum head thing is now a thing of the past. Isusu has the new gasket that made the expansion thing nothing to worry about! The only thing I may be a little skeptical about is how the heads might hold up after chipping it. Yes... the rumors you hear about the heads ARE just rumors! It hurts some guys' machesemo to think that, there may be a truck coming out that MAY outperform theirs. Duramax is the new 'kid on the block' and so far has only had minor problems on the engine. No more than you might see on any other car or truck made in America today. It's an expensive option (around $6,000 more) but, if hauling is what you will be doing, there are other cheaper options like the Super Duty and the Cummins, both great trucks! I just prefer GMC. My own $0.02
  • bobsquatchbobsquatch Member Posts: 136
    My only preference is that it is a diesel. I will never own anything but. I only wish U.S. manufacturers would build them for economy cars like the VW's. Looks like I have to buy a foreign car to get what I want. I drive around a hundred miles a day and dont need that kind of wear on my hauler/weekend/holiday truck. Just the money I will spend on fuel and tires justifies an econowagon plus I want to have my truck for 20+ years if I can.
  • warfishwarfish Member Posts: 117
    I have always been a GM fan and have a lot of faith in the new Dmax. When I needed a truck to tow my 11,000 lb 5th wheel, GM could not sell me one and the dealers were not being allowed to order anything but 1/2 tons. I got a Ram 2500 Cummins and am very satisfied with it. I have driven a lot of PSD equiped ambulances and the engine is strong enough, but it just doesn't have the diesel feel that the Cummins has, and I don't care for the strange noises it makes. The Cummins feels and sounds more solid, and at highway speeds is very quiet.
    I think it all breaks down to personal preference and you can't go wrong with any of the big 3.
  • bobsquatchbobsquatch Member Posts: 136
    I think the best diesels are straight six engines. Dont get me wrong, I have a PSD and really like the dmax too but even straight six gassers are torque monsters and thats what diesels are all about. My semi I drive at work is an inline six CAT C12 turned up to 470 hp and I am guessing 1750lbs of torque.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    I am curious could you expand on

    "GM could not sell me one and the dealers were not being allowed to order anything but 1/2 tons"

    Ryan
This discussion has been closed.