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Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Duramax Diesel Questions

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  • cardiogoldcardiogold Member Posts: 1
    While I'm posting this my father in law and husband are taking apart our GMC Sierra 2500 HD (4x4 with the 6.6 diesel). The truck started leaking what appears to be coolant from the water pump weep hole about a week ago (stopped driving the truck until it could be fixed). A mechanic friend was going to come take a look at it and try to get whatever was wrong fixed but has been unable to so my father in law decided to "give it a try". My first thought is so much for the truck. Anyway, I was reading the posts because the other problem the truck is now experiencing is the oil pressure is staying as high as it can go (I think my husband said at 60 or possibly 80). I've read posts about low oil pressure problems, but not high ones. Could this in any way be linked to the water pump leaking coolant? If any one has any ideas I'd greatly appreciate them! Thanks!
  • shrimp1004shrimp1004 Member Posts: 6
    THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OIL SENDING UNIT.MY 06 I LOST PRESSURE THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD OIL PUMP.ALOT OF BS.THE WATER PUMP IS INTERNAL ON YOUR TRUCK.I HAD A 03 THAT I PUT 325000 MILES AND NEVER HAD A WATER PUMP PROBLEM.GOOD LUCK.ALSO THE O PRESSURE RUNS THROUGH THE COMPUTER BEFORE IT HITS THE GUAGE
  • dozerdoggdozerdogg Member Posts: 2
    Want to buy truck with allsion in it. Has 160,000 miles on it. What can expect and what are common problems? Also what kind of life do you get on those tranny's? Thanks! (time sensitive! please respond!)
  • jawsbitesjawsbites Member Posts: 1
    Hello,

    My son just joined the Army and he left his 2003 Sierra 2500 Duramax truck with us. He wants us to sell the truck for him. However, it needs a few things done before that can happen. One thing is resetting the computer to stock for smog testing (California's new law). He has a Duramax engine analyzer that can accomplish the task but there seems to be no power at the plug under the dash. I spoke to him briefly last night and he suggested checking the fuse. I can't seem to decipher the owner's manual to find the correct one? The chart in the manual does not specify which fuse might be connected to this outlet.
    I checked all of the ignition fuses and they were all fine.
    Any ideas would be appreciated.
    PS - He has installed and removed several stereos so there could be a connection, no pun intended, with these activities. Thanks in advance.
    Jim
  • bigcusbigcus Member Posts: 1
    Just bought an '04 2500 HD duramax and the previous owner was nice enough to tell me the fuel gauge is off by about 80 miles. I noticed when i filled it up the gauge went way past the full mark, he also said that the estimated remaining mileage on the trip comuter shows more mileage than you have. Any ideas on where to start?
  • tmoo5969tmoo5969 Member Posts: 2
    MY 01 DURAMAX just started acting up, it starts fine and runs good for a bit then looses most of its power.check engine light is now on. if you pull over and let it sit for a little while, it starts and runs fine, eany idea?
  • folbfolb Member Posts: 54
    Change the fuel rail valve on the driver side. PPE out of California sells them.
  • pearce369pearce369 Member Posts: 10
    My allison was jumping out of reverse with a "shift inhibited "message also sticking in 4th gear. Repaired under warrantee, it was a broken 3/ 5 shift piston. it showded no codes except when stuck in 4th. Tis is FYI only is case someof you run into the problem
  • tmoo5969tmoo5969 Member Posts: 2
    thank you, your a life saver
  • simplynangelsimplynangel Member Posts: 1
    My boyfriend has a 2006 Chevy Silverado HD Diesel with a 6.6 liter engine. While driving through Sullivan, MO white smoke started pouring out the exhaust. The vehicle was towed to West Bros Chevrolet. The diagnosis was a bad #1 fuel injector. The injector was changed and the problem still existed. The truck was towed back to Erickson Chevrolet in Milan, IL and that's where they advised us the engine was blown. These problems all began when the water pump was replace in January 2010. After it was replaced, it constantly read low coolant level. We were putting in excess of 3 gallons of coolant/water into the truck. Oil pressure kept jumping up real high but there never was a mix of oil and water together. We feel that we may have received a defective water pump but noone has ever been able to find or explain the problem with the truck loosing coolant. Even Harbor Chevrolet in Long Beach CA looked at the truck and they said it had air in the system. We are now dealing with GM regarding this problem. If anyone else has had similar problems, please contact me at my email address dodgee95@aol.com.
  • mindypmindyp Member Posts: 1
    Have an 03 Duramax 2 wheel drive with under 100K miles on it. No programers ever. The truck will shut off after I have let it idle for 10 minutes or so. Yesterday it shut off while i was idling in a parking lot. Usually it shuts down after it idles and I get in it and drive it a mile up the road. Once it shuts down it will not re start for 10 hours or more. Been to 3 dealerships a 2 individuals and no one can figure this out.
    Checked all fuses, changed 3 relays, new ignition, did load test on batteries and a few other things. does not throw codes. Oh and when it shuts down and you try to re start you will get the radio and dash lights but the fuel gage does not register. That is on the first click when you try to turn it over from there everything goes off. It loses all power and will not even thing of turning over. I am guessing electrical or something... Please help!
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hello MindyP,
    I apologize that you are experiencing a concern with your vehicle. Can you please email me your VIN and current mileage so I can look into this further? You can get my email by clicking on gmcustsvc. Thank you,
    Mariah GM Customer Service
  • ponychicponychic Member Posts: 1
    Hi,
    I have a duramax 2003 automatic.. it is doing the same thing... shifting out of gear and showing "range shift inhibited" on the display.. 2 dealerships have not figured it out.. I am so frustrated.. all they want to do is drive my truck and see if it does it again! I don't have time for them to keep my truck and drive it around! I am taking your post to the dealership! did you get your issue resolved?
    thanks
  • slyjoeslyjoe Member Posts: 4
    If no one has responded call me at 702-528-4282 and I can tell you what is wrong, I had the same problem with my 2004.

    Jarrett
  • pearce369pearce369 Member Posts: 10
    Yes my service department fixed mine it was showing no codes until it stuck in 4th gear then it showed a stuck shuft solenoid code. Service romoved and opened it up and found a broken 3/5 shift piston. It was replaced it and other parts which came in a repair parts kit. Have been back on the road since with no problems. Good luck with getting it repaired.
  • pearce369pearce369 Member Posts: 10
    Yes it is fixed it was a broken 3/5 shift piston since repair I have had no more issues.
  • gottadiygottadiy Member Posts: 1
    I pulled my camper to colorado this summer, ran great till I hit the high cold climate. It started limiting RPM's at 2800, thought it was the cold thin air. Went up Pikes Peak, RPM's were about 1800, kinda scary at 14,000ft. When I headed south at 100 deg. it ran like crazy. Back in the mountains, 1800 RPM.s again, changed the fuel filter, ran like a scalded ape ever since. When I tore into the old filter it had a bunch of sludge in it, I had been running a lot of cleaner through before my trip.
  • folbfolb Member Posts: 54
    If you run some biodiesel thru, it will clean as well. What year truck? My 2005 had a similar problem but mine was fuel rail pressure. PPE out of California sells a vavle to allow more pressure. No more problems. Jeff
  • 04duallygal04duallygal Member Posts: 2
    FYI ! 6 tows and 6 trips to the dealer and the solution to stalling is resolved! My 04 dually had intermittent stalling right after start, at freeway speed, or just whenever it felt like it. Prime and purge and it would restart then eventually stall again. 5X glow plugs replaced, 2X injectors replaced, no solution..... It was the fuel filter housing hairline crack and sucking air. Replaced and NO problems since! Hope this helps everyone!
  • build4build4 Member Posts: 1
    Harmonic balancer is right hand thread. You need to be on a lift with 3/4" drive socket and 4' pipe extension on breaker bar. Damn that lock tight. Ha ha
    Give it a quick sharp snap and it will break free.
    Good luck
  • elkhunter0069elkhunter0069 Member Posts: 2
    I have a '07 DuraMax Diesel and only get around 14MPG. I think that is very low. I just turned 45,000 miles. I drive senseably; not hard on the gas pedal. What kind of mileage are the rest of you getting.
  • scribe2scribe2 Member Posts: 3
    My '04 Duramax (chipped w/Edge and K&N filter system) gets 21-22 mpg at 65-70 mph. At 75-80 mpg mileage is 18-19 mpg. Although it's been chipped I believe the mileage improvement is no more than an estimated 2 mpg. The vehicle has 72,000 miles on it and I live at 900 ft. above sea level on geneally flat terrain. I do believe your mileage is unusually low.
  • elkhunter0069elkhunter0069 Member Posts: 2
    I live in SD and around here it is mostly flat also and our elevation is not very high either. I have taken it in to the dealer and all they asked is "any warning lights on" and I said "no" and they said then the truck is running fine. There is nothing wrong or some light would be coming on. I have talked to other truck owners and they say they have been getting much better mileage than I have been getting. Don't know why????
  • bones417bones417 Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2010
    OK let's make sure we are talking apples to apples. Is your 14 mpg your average overall or is that highway mileage? I have an 07 classic 3500 my average overall highway and city is 13 mpg but if I get on the interstate hold it below 65 I can get 22 mpg. I think 13 average isn't bad this isn't a small truck, I didn't get the Duramax for mileage I got it because it can pull my fifth wheel trailer. I live in Utah at about 4200 feet and nothing is flat.

    Also it seems to me that most people I talk to about fuel mileage seem to stretch it a bit(maybe trying to justify paying the extra for the diesel). I say this because some that I have talked to that claim far better mileage than I get, when we go on trips pulling similar loads when we do stop for fuel we are within 1 or 2 gallons of each other in fuel used, they should have used far less than I did since they get much better mileage. I don't know maybe it's the new math.
  • fredenfreden Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2010
    You bought too new of a Duramax to get any better fuel mileage than the earlier LLY or LBZ engines. The 07 classic down to the 06 engines were the best for mileage, and 310-360 H.P.. The new LMM with 390 HP are not as good. I have owned many of both.
    One ton truck with pulling power and respectable fuel mileage is a lot better than FORDS same if not worse mileage, if you can get out of your rental car enough to drive it or the earlier 6.0 they had in 04, where you kept looking for the "power" switch.
    I get 14 mpg city in my 08(programmed to 500 hp) and about 22 hwy. My last 05 got 18 city & 24 hwy. Like the new one better, and I can make a 5L GT mustang look stupid!
    The 8th digit in your v.i.n. tells you if you have the fuel saving #2" LLY #D"LBZ if it's a 6
    it is the same as mine LMM 390 H.P. A LITTLE TOUGH ON FUEL,BUT THE BEST TRUCK ON THE ROAD!
  • folbfolb Member Posts: 54
    I have an 05 2500 with tool boxes. I have a PPE power adder programmer that plugs into the OBD II and on average I get 19.8. If I really watch my lead foot and go hiway, I've gotten 29. Seriously.
  • mercstormmercstorm Member Posts: 1
    I have an 07 classic LBZ - 4 x 4 20 K miles on it bone stock. I get an average of 13.9 in town and 17.8 on the hwy. Everyone is talking fuel mileage on there dura max. One guy gets 14 mpg another 20. But the question should be comparing apples to apples, who has 2 wheel drive, and who has 4 wheel drive???????? :shades:
  • folbfolb Member Posts: 54
    2005 duramax 4x4 town and highway normally about 20.5. I have the PPE power adder. setting 3 of 10. Better air/fuel mix I guess. Gotten 29 before on a 1 1/2 hr drive to DC.
  • davetxdavetx Member Posts: 5
    I have an '04 3500 GMC crew-cab and long bed (8'). Everything is stock but I use synthetic oil. On my best day, I can get 14-15 mpg combined driving and 17.5 highway. I plan on installing a cold air intake and 4" exhaust with a Bulldog programmer in the near future. I love the power I have when pulling our 36' fifthwheel RV and the comfort of the ride. When pulling my fifthwheel, I average around 10 mpg, so long as I keep it between 55 and 60 mph.
  • folbfolb Member Posts: 54
    I have a Bullydog I'll sell you. I wasn't impressed. I got the PPE. It has 10 settings. I keep it on #3 and have gotten 29 MPG. 2005 crew cab with tool boxes.8' bed.Duramax and single 4" I think, exhaust.
  • bullwinkle1942bullwinkle1942 Member Posts: 1
    I just bought a 07 3500 crewcab dually in Dallas and took it to Toronto Ontario and got 22mph on the highway doing 75 on cruise.
  • barrailbarrail Member Posts: 27
    My 05' has116000 and runs great.
    but my last trip,I kept it under 70mph the whole time and got less than 17mpg. The truck is stock from the day I bought it brand new. I would expect worse mileage when I have my tools in the truck,but this trip the truck was empty. If I wentv with a chip,what kind of problems or damage to my truck should I expect? anybody?
  • folbfolb Member Posts: 54
    My 05 has 93k. I have the Pacific Performance Engineering(PPE) OBD II programmer. I keep it on tune 3 out of 10. Seems the faster I go, the better mileage I get. 29 MPH on an hour and a half trip to DC. I changed the fuel rail valve to a PPE valve. I have experienced a trans problem because of too much power which puts too much pressure in the tranny lines. Bullydog and PPE have kits to put in the trans to prevent this but I haven't done that. I really only had trouble when towing thru the mountains. Easy to reset with the programmer though.
  • slayersmithslayersmith Member Posts: 7
    I am having this same problem. What was your fix?
  • barrailbarrail Member Posts: 27
    Here is my two cents, I have (diesel domination's ) duramileage ez tyuner . I've only experimented with the lowest ,2nd lowest and 2nd highest settings so far, and I haven't noticed much difference in mileage yet. I'm running a 6'-8' bed full of hand tools but not towing with it . all the settings seem to all but eliminate turbo lag but the weather has been to cold to get any decent mileage. So far, transmission seems to be working fine. Hope this helps in somesmall way.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    slayersmith,
    Have you resolved the issues with your vehicle?
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • slayersmithslayersmith Member Posts: 7
    Christina,

    GMC only wants to pay half to get my truck fixed. It will still cost me 2k-2.5K to get fixed!!! The truck only has 80K on it, GMC should pick up all the cost!!! I don't have 2K to fix the truck right now! This sucks!!!!!!

    Can you get me Dan Downings phone #? I would like to talk to him, my so called district specialist Jerrod at ext. 11060 is not so helpfull!!!

    Aaron
  • cls3cls3 Member Posts: 1
    Hello, Could someone give me some advice? I have ordered a 2011, shortbed duramax 4x4,crew c. I've been reading the posts about chips and realize that that's probably my best bet. I plan on pulling a 32 ft. 5th wheel but still will be doing every day driving without the 5th wheel. I'm concerned about effecting my warranty, creating trans. issues and selecting the correct chip/exhaust. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, CLS3
  • slayersmithslayersmith Member Posts: 7
    My truck is stock, can't help on the chip part.

    My advice would be not to buy the Duramax unless you want to change out your head gaskets at 80K miles! If you do buy get the extended waranty!!! Diesels are very expensive to fix!!!! Replace head gaskets 3.5K-4.5K to fix!

    As you can tell I'm not to happy with GMC right now! It is the end of February I have been dealing with this since the 1st of the year. It's been 2 months and I am finally suppose to ge my truck back today!!!!

    Good luck!!!!!
  • folbfolb Member Posts: 54
    I have a 2005 and love it. I put a PPE programmer on mine. It plugs into your OBD II reader. Nice thing about that is unlike a Banks system which is installed under the hood with lots of wires and such, you can unprogram it to take it in for service. My tranny can't take all the power though. Can only go to 3 out of 10. Better gas mileage too. PPE, ATS and Bullydog all sell some tranny upgrades for the slip issue under too much power. Haven't gotten mine yet tho.
  • barrailbarrail Member Posts: 27
    I to have an 05' d-max and love it. It has been a stock truck up until 116,000 when I put a diesel domination programmer in it. The programmer offers options like trouble shooting engine codes, different tire size reprogramming, and its simple to install. If the truck has to go in for warranty, you reset the trucks settings back to stock. I have close to 4000 mi. with the programmer and, with the weather starting to warm up, I 'm starting to see my mileage improve slightly. Hope you have as much good luck with yours as I have.
  • dieselrookie3dieselrookie3 Member Posts: 7
    buy it, take care of it, don't add a thing to it(after market), love it. The best truck I have ever owned. My 2008 diesel 6.0 4x4 3/4ton Sierra has been flawless in power and I pull a 25ft trailer in steep terrain with no problems. I've had some minor issues which were dealt with thru warranty.
    I would not add a thing to the motor or exhaust, for warranty reasons but also because it simply does not need it.
  • bones417bones417 Member Posts: 6
    Leave it the way it comes! I have a 2007 Classic 3500 crew cab and I pull a 35ft fifth wheel in the mountains of Utah and Idaho. It comes stock with all the power you need you can pull your trailer faster than any one should on the flats uphill it doesn't matter. I know several people that have chiped there trucks and yes they do get power gains but all those full mileage increases that are written about on this and other sites I havn't found anyone that has actually gotten more than a few miles pre gallon gain. You can't drive yout truck far enough to ever offset the cost. Maybe that's why it seems some people over state the gains they have gotten.
    I love this truck I have just over 60,000 miles and no problems.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    slayersmith,
    Please keep me updated on your situation.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    bones417,
    I'm happy to hear of your satisfaction with your truck. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • slayersmithslayersmith Member Posts: 7
    Christina,

    Got my truck back 2 weeks ago from the dealer (after they pulled the heads and sent them off to the machine shop and put it all back together). Drove it 10 miles to my work from the dealer and when I got to my work coolant was spewing all over the place. Had a flat bed truck come pick my truck up, couple of days later dealer calls me back saying it needs a new cylinder head. Waited a week for new cylinder head, dealer starts putting engine back together and calls me and says it needs new exaust valves in a couple of cylinders. Was told last week that I should get my truck back this week. I have been dealing with this since the end of December. The truck barely has 80k miles on it. The duramax diesel engine is a piece of crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Aaron
  • barrailbarrail Member Posts: 27
    Slayersmith; sorry to hear your trucks giving you so much trouble. Besides myself, four of my friends have D-max's and have had very few problems. One 05' with the LLY has 350,000 with the original brakes on it. another 05' has 200,000 , but the chicago weather destroyed the fuel lines. that was a frame off to repair it. mine has a 121,000 with only regular maintaince. hope you get to the bottom of the problem. Does the repair shop work on D-max's very often? good luck.
  • slayersmithslayersmith Member Posts: 7
    Barail,

    My truck is an O3. I loved this truck before all the problems. The 80K miles I have on it are all long distance road miles on weekend trips. It's a good lookin truck. It's sits with a cover on it in my driveway during the week. I was told when I bought this truck that the engine would break in at 100K. Very disapointed with this truck.

    You might want to check out getting extended waranty, if you have to do any major work to the engine it is very expensive. Blown head gasket on the duramax is a 34 hour job at $100 per hour, you know what I'm saying! Thats just labor, parts are another 12 to 15 hundred bucks.

    I am lucky, I have a beater that I drive for work, If I did'nt, wonder how much a rental car would have been. Truck has been down now for 2.5 months at 40.00 per day = Doh!!!!!!!!

    Duramax = FAIL!!!!!!!
  • dixmaxdixmax Member Posts: 1
    Our 02 'Max" has 97k miles, mostly long distance. No internal problems
    'yet'. Wonder if a chip would be an option for better mileage and power at this point.
    I don't have the readout computer, but I keep exact "per mile", "per tank" records. I get 9-10MPG with 12k trailer, 17-18MPH solo around town.
    Anyone had any experience with the new 2011 "DEF" system? Reluctant to buy it.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Slayersmith,

    My name is Michelle, I am assist Christina at this time. I have read over your correspondence with Christina. I can understand the frustration that you are going through with your situation.

    We would like to set up a case for you. Please, e-mail us the following information:
    -Your first and last name.
    -Your completely contact information and the best time for us to contact you.
    -The VIN of your truck
    -The current mileage that is on your truck
    -The name and location of the dealership that you have had the to for this issue

    Once we receive this information we will be able to set up a case.

    Sincerely,
    Michelle P., GM Customer Service (assisting Christina)
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