Calling all Duramax owners

[pwr2tow]

Trolls, bashers, and none Duramax owners need not reply.



I might have a chance to buy a Duramax and would like input on there durability. Anything to look out for and good points? Are there any good websites I should be looking at?



Thanks for your help.

 

[LOtero]

I work at a chevrolet dealer in the shop, so Ive seen and had a few duramaxes in Im not the diesel tech but am good friends with the two.

The most common problem is injectors leaking, they have replaced a lot of injectors. Now the brand new 06 LBZ motors are having a few problems with the glow plug module, its staying on and dropping glow plugs in the cylinders. thats a select few. not all motors are having this problem, but they have changed 5 motors because of this. as for durability ther are a lot of people out there loving their duramaxes. the motor and trans combo is awesome. there was guy in a few months ago with over 400,000 miles on his truck. he transports trailers for a living, and the truck has had three injector sets and has had the botom end done. same axles just new seals. and a hub I believe.

Ive driven a couple with a juce and a hypertech. the juce was crazy fast. the hypertech was pretty fast too, it helped it spool quicker too which is needed for these trucks.

 

[pwr2tow]

MOtero,

Have they found a fix for the glow plug issue?

If they have which build dates have the issue?

Is Duramax still having injector problems?



Thanks for your help.

 

[JayGustaw]

WEBSITE www.DIESELPLACE.COM ALL DMAX

 

[Nightram]

I worked at a GMC dealer for a few years. I have to agree on the injector issues. In fact, a friend of mine just went in for injectors and had them all replaced, and 3 days later had another one fail! Luckily, GM extended the injector warranty to 250K on the injectors for the earlier D-Max's up to '04 I believe. Other that that, the only issue I have seen is on the Allison, if you get into a good freezing rain or slush condition with a lot of road spray, the Park Neutral switch can freeze and crack, and the transmission will go into limp home mode and have 1st gear only. I have done a few of those. Otherwise, they are not that bad of a combo.

 

[Grizzly]

Trolls, bashers, and none Duramax owners need not reply.



I might have a chance to buy a Duramax and would like input on there durability. Anything to look out for and good points? Are there any good websites I should be looking at?



Thanks for your help.

I'd forget the dmax and stay with Cummins, probably the best engine ever made, gas or diesel.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I totally agree with Grizzly!

The Cummins and 6-speed is the best combo in my opinion, although the d-max is better than the furd 6. ohhhhhhh in every way!

 

[MCummings]

The duramamx is a wonderfull motor, and it is not hard to tell that alot of design came from the LS series motors from GM.



It's a short stroke, big bore motor. Great for racing, and high RPM.



Injectors are a big problem, fuel lines as well.



I don't recomend buying or owning any Duramax that has over 100,000 miles. They seem to go downhill very quick after that.



I've played with some alot, and my Dad even owned one for 4 years. We thought it was ok back in '01 when it was the hottest thing on the market, but my Dad's '05 Dodge pulls just stupid good.



Merrick



www.thedieselplace.com

 

[pwr2tow]

I guess there is a bunch of reasons why I was thinking (have not decided yet) about trading for a Duramax.



1. CP-3's leak

2. tired of defending the new in-tank lift pump from the crap DC use to put out.

3. NV5600 shifts worse than the old grain trucks I use to drive back in the 60's

4. After finally buying a NV5600 to get away from the auto DC quits making them and parts are getting hard to find.

5. Universal joints are junk, more slop in the drive line than the old girl in town.

6. Dumbass DC puts a sticker in glove box claiming you can not haul an overhead camper in a 3500 series truck.

7. Some trucks having injector problems, when's it my turn.

8. DC screwed me over on my warranty on my new 1999 CTD just to get out of warranty service. Now I'am afraid if I even look at this new truck wrong DC will find a way to void it's warranty if I ever need it.

9. Waiting for plastic intercooler to blow so DC can void my warranty.



I haven't decided to trade yet and quite frankly am afraid of the problems the Duramax also has. Maybe GM's customer service will be better. I still think Cummins is the best out of all three but the package it's wrapped and sold in and by scares the living hell out of me.



Sorry to rant, winter is getting tooooooooo long.

 

[john3976]

I guess there is a bunch of reasons why I was thinking (have not decided yet) about trading for a Duramax.



1. CP-3's leak

2. tired of defending the new in-tank lift pump from the crap DC use to put out.

3. NV5600 shifts worse than the old grain trucks I use to drive back in the 60's

4. After finally buying a NV5600 to get away from the auto DC quits making them and parts are getting hard to find.

5. Universal joints are junk, more slop in the drive line than the old girl in town.

6. Dumbass DC puts a sticker in glove box claiming you can not haul an overhead camper in a 3500 series truck.

7. Some trucks having injector problems, when's it my turn.

8. DC screwed me over on my warranty on my new 1999 CTD just to get out of warranty service. Now I'am afraid if I even look at this new truck wrong DC will find a way to void it's warranty if I ever need it.

9. Waiting for plastic intercooler to blow so DC can void my warranty.



I haven't decided to trade yet and quite frankly am afraid of the problems the Duramax also has. Maybe GM's customer service will be better. I still think Cummins is the best out of all three but the package it's wrapped and sold in and by scares the living hell out of me.



Sorry to rant, winter is getting tooooooooo long.

It is pretty clear that you are not going to give your Dodge a chance, so yes I would jump on that Duramax as from what you posted I think you would be far more happy to be out of your Dodge product.



Just remember the grass is rarely ever greener on the other side of the fence.



Having said that I am on my forth Dodge, no major problems with any of them, only a couple couple of minor issues and those were on my 1996 1500 Dodge Ram.



My 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 was problem free.



My 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 was problem free.



My 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 has been problem free.



The kicker is all four of these trucks have had automatics in them.

 

[pwr2tow]

Just remember the grass is rarely ever greener on the other side of the fence. .

How true, that's why I'am sending out feelers.



Once bitten, twice shy.

 

[MCummings]

I guess there is a bunch of reasons why I was thinking (have not decided yet) about trading for a Duramax.



1. CP-3's leak

2. tired of defending the new in-tank lift pump from the crap DC use to put out.

3. NV5600 shifts worse than the old grain trucks I use to drive back in the 60's

4. After finally buying a NV5600 to get away from the auto DC quits making them and parts are getting hard to find.

5. Universal joints are junk, more slop in the drive line than the old girl in town.

6. Dumbass DC puts a sticker in glove box claiming you can not haul an overhead camper in a 3500 series truck.

7. Some trucks having injector problems, when's it my turn.

8. DC screwed me over on my warranty on my new 1999 CTD just to get out of warranty service. Now I'am afraid if I even look at this new truck wrong DC will find a way to void it's warranty if I ever need it.

9. Waiting for plastic intercooler to blow so DC can void my warranty.



I haven't decided to trade yet and quite frankly am afraid of the problems the Duramax also has. Maybe GM's customer service will be better. I still think Cummins is the best out of all three but the package it's wrapped and sold in and by scares the living hell out of me.



Sorry to rant, winter is getting tooooooooo long.

I couldn't figure out if you were describing a duramax, or a Cummins...



They have nearly identical problems.



1. CP-3's leak, and the low pressure side goes out.



2. OEM Fuel Filter does not filter fine enough.



3. & 4. ZF transmission ain't that great... GM won't put the ZF transmission behind thier new LB7 motor rated only at 360/650.



5. Drivetrain slop and U-Joints are only the begining. My '98. 5 went 110k miles before it's first u-joint went, and my Dad's D-max would eat the rear one every 35k.



6. GM doesn't put a sticker in the glovebox, they just decline warrenty after they service the truck. .



7. Almost 100% Of Duramax's have had injectors replaced.



8. GM and warrenty? Good Luck on modded trucks. Stock trucks too... Rusty fuel lines? Your problem. Poor Fuel Filtration? Your Problem. .



9. Wait for the injectors to fail so GM can void warrenty.







Just previous experiances from owning one, and servicing several.



Merrick

 

[DBogo]

the new motor is the LBZ, if you need more dmax info check out www.thedieselgarage.com theres a few great dmax guys over there

 

[Dieselnut59]

U-joints? Heck, I still have the FACTORY ones on my 1996 (and 2003, and ALL of the 1992-1998 work trucks!) The only U-joints I have replaced are the front out-board ones on my 1996 4x4. Replaced them with greasable type and have never had another problem. I would MUCH rather have a greasable u-joint than chev's cheesie c-v joint, saggy front-end crap! Can't beat a solid axle for durability!

It is pretty sad that you would give up a bullet proof engine and good powertrain for a mediocre engine and powertrain. If you want to sell that Dodge/Cummins, there are planty of folks here that would LOVE to have it! I would NEVER have another V-8 engine, gasoline or diesel. Ford had a good 6 with the 300 (4. 9), Chev has the new trail blazers with the inline 6, Mercedes, Jeep and BMW all offer inline 6's. I want durability and nothing beats the durability of an inline engine.

That being said, if you are not happy with your Dodge, I believe chev would be a very distant second for a diesel truck, but WAY ahead of furd. The powertrain on the furd is as good as Dodge (solid axles), but the 6. 0hhhhhhh ruins it. The duramax seems to be a good engine and I know several people with them, but they do not work them, just ride in or race them. Keep the Dodge. Chances are great that you will not have issues with it. Chances are great you WILL have issues with the v-8 diesels.

 

[JUeckert]

pwr,if thats what you want,do it. i recommend you try a few sites that are known for gm diesel talk. personally i'am not fond of a duramax[aluminum heads]but i know of a couple of guys who own them[actually 4] and none have had a single problem. last week i took a 96 model 6. 5 gmc to the ******* to have the new inj pump timed,while there i saw 2 dodges with cummins engines torn down,one ate a piston because of a failed injector[04 model] the other was a 05 that dropped a valve into a piston. both of these trucks had less than 50k on them,and had no mods. i saw no duramax powered trucks in the shop. [this was a dealer that sales both gm and chrysler products]. after talking to the service writer,he stated that neither brands were popular in the shop[failure prone]but the early duramax powered trucks that came in,generally suffered from failed injectors. now the latter cummins powered dodges suffer the same problem,failed injectors. [common rail]. pay yer money and take your chances!

 

[tractorseller]

I've owned two Duramax trucks. One was a lemon, but nothing to do with the engine or transmission, it had a computer problem with the transfer case (2003 model). They bought it back, I went out and bought a 2004 model, ran the crud out of it, pulled a bunch of stuff I shouldn't have been pulling with a 3/4 ton truck, and never a problem. I wanted a manual transmission and Chevy's manual transmission stinks, so I bought a Dodge. The Allison transmission was easy to service and worked like a champ. I programmed the engine with the Hypertech and it ran great. Much faster than the Cummins off the line. I think it's a wash. This Dodge has had some problems, including the huge white cloud of smoke at cold start-up that they can't/won't fix. I have some transmission/drivetrain noises too, but I just ignore them. Cummins pulls a big load of tractors and a fifth wheel awfully good though.



It wouldn't scare me at all to get another Duramax. The engine compartment is cramped, but I think they're good engines. For whatever it's worth.....