Duramax

[Wiz]

Pulled these actual comments of off the tractornet site, guys talking about their new Duramax's. Gotta feel sorry for them.





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john4nh

(Silver Member)

08/07/02 08:27 PM

DURAMAX

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Well a while back you guys had a discussion going on about the diesel trucks. Someone said they had heard of a head problem with the duramax, but didnt know anybody. Well now you

do. . I have a 2002cc4X4LT with the dura and the allison. Found out today that one of the teeth

on the flywheel is broken. Probally from trying to start it with water in the cylinder. Water

does not compress very well in a diesel. Of course they wanted to know if I ran it hot. For those who dont know the truck has a central message sytem to warn you when you start

getting hot. If that warning is ignored by you then the computer cuts power output to help

cool things down. But with all that said no never have I gotten it hot. Its really not looking

good as far as Iam concerned, I spent about $38000 on this thing.



Kinda in shock right now, no really feel sick...



Post Extras:

cowboydoc

(Star Member)

08/07/02 08:36 PM

Re: DURAMAX [re: john4nh]

Reply







Sorry to hear about your truck John. I very seriously considered buying that truck a few months ago when I bought my new Ford but that aluminum head scared me off. But I know

exactly how you feel. My new F-350 dually is going in for a new transmission tomorrow with

only 3500 miles. Oh those wonderful automatic transmissions, NOT. Never again. Your

warranty should get you a new motor. Best of luck with it all.

 

[JoeyD]

Head gaskets could only be a GM problem right?

I don't see how one instance would be enough for anyone to think it's a common problem.

 

[Steve M]

I saw a GM 3500 flatbed dually with a Duramax/Allison this morning. I like quiet. It sounded good and when he left the McDonald's parking lot, the exhaust note sounds great! It looked like it was totally stock including the exhaust. I saw one at an RV show that was idling and it had a nice exhaust note as well. I'm impressed with them but they are high priced.

 

[JoeyD]

Steve, I argee about the high price. If DC follows suit with the 03 Ram's, they will be at 50k with the new model.

 

[Pit Bull]

I have found that paying more does not alway get you more. I like my truck just fine.

 

[Snow man]

Not defending the dmax,but no truck is perfect,and from what ive seen the dmax/allison is at least as reliable as the Dodge/Cummins at this point. from a total package point of view. I have freinds with them,and none of them have had any trouble at all,all are driven hard,and working trucks that do not get babied. They are very quiet,and the exhaust does have a nice snarl to it stock.

 

[CumminFast]

If the Chevy's did not have the Duramax badge, I would not be able to tell if it was a diesel or not. IMO diesels are supposed to be loud. Duramax seems more like the women's edition diesel. If I paid for a diesel, I want everyone to know I paid for a diesel.

 

[JoeyD]

Is there a EPA standard for noise on new vehicles? I thought the reason for the GM being quiet was split shot injection and it seems the others will follow with their new diesels. I personaly don't mind a queit motor.

 

[Doubleclutch]

One thing we all have in common here- we like our trucks. I saw a nice lifted d-max 4x4 (sorry no VIN #) in Avila Beach yesterday. They look so much better lifted- anyway, while I was looking at the D-max, HE was looking at my Dodge. Beyond brand... stuff, you still have to appreciate the work a guy does to make his truck better.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Just my 2c.



I would rather have chronic lift pump problems than chronic head gasket problems ( there are more chronic weaknesses in the Dura-whatever but I'll stop at this ).



Wonder if Mr Good Wrench will figure out the problem is the iron block / aluminum head expansion rate differences?



I'll stay with tried and proven over millions of customer driven miles (Cummins) over the wonder child of GM.



I sure hope this *newest* lemon of GM's will not do the damage to the diesel market that GM's *other* lemons did in the 80's :{



It's too quiet anyway, diesels have always been noisey. I dont want the compromise with efficiency that must be made in order to make a diesel sound like a girls grocery hauler.

 

[preuber]

Hey Guys... Just thought I would add my 2 Cents worth on the Duramax... . I have a 2001 with the Duramax / 5 Spd Allison. .





I Have 233000 Km (145000 MI) on mine and I have had some problems, but not with the heads...

I went through 2 Torque Converters before they found out the fly wheel had not been machined right and was vibrating the torque converter and cracking it... Haven't had anymore trouble with it... That was under warrenty, but my next problem was at 173000 Km just after the warrenty had finished (160000 Km)... . 3 Injectors Bad... After fighting with them they agreed to give me the parts at dealer cost and cover 1/2 the cost... Not Bad but I was concerned about the other Injectors..... Sure enough I had another one go about 189000km putting fuel in the oil..... !!! That was my baby at $639. 00 Cdn for the Injector alone... Never mind the labour... . Then I had 3 more bad ones around the 210000Km... . My baby again... . Very large Bill. . !!!!! I got good mileage out of the brakes (205000KM) but it was very expensive cause the rotor pins were all rotten (One was broke in two) and expensive to replace... . Wondered what the rattling noise was I used to hear...



I love the truck when it is working , but amvery disappointed with the Injectors... .



I believe the 8th one is going on it cause I can hear a ticking noise again which is a clue that there is one getting bad. . !!!!



Anyone know were I can get one chaeper that $639. 00 Cdn ($426. 00 U. S. )



Thanks for listening... ... ..... Paulhttps://www.turbodieselregister.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds. cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=3428&exact_match=on&photo_size=full&query=retrieval :{

 

[JoeyD]

Texas Diesel, I feel as I was ripped off with your 2 cents of info.



After reading it it sounds more like it isn't worth half that.

 

[_MACKIN]

Originally posted by Texas Diesel

Just my 2c.





It's too quiet anyway, diesels have always been noisey. I dont want the compromise with efficiency that must be made in order to make a diesel sound like a girls grocery hauler.

Well, if you read your latest issue of the TDR you'll be repeating this statement on your own Dear to your Heart Cummins... ... The section on Third Generation, And I'll quote,"Exstensive redesign of the Cummins TD engine included major emphasis on minimizing traditional diesel engine noise. Noise levels of all versions of the engine has been reduced substantially and now approach those of gasoline engines," end quote.....



Wonder why? Seems they have moved into the Ladies market ... ... So hang on to your current model... ... .



MAC

 

[_MACKIN]

preuber,



Nice to see your working that D-max... ... You should if you haven't check out =>http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/2001.htm

Someone there may be able to assist you in your quest. . All though they are not available in the aftermarket... ... Some one may have some answers for ya... ... Good luck... ...



MAC

 

[WadePatton]

The clatter is cool, but it's the INLINE SIX SOUND that I love. That'll never be beat by a V- freakin' eight, no matter what pipes you hang on it.



I have to wipe a silly grin off my face every time I hear a Durastroke at idle, it just sounds so silly!Oo.



You guys that like 'em FINE, more power to ya. I put 228,000 miles on my last F-150 for a total of 329k on the unit. My first truck was a 1974 ford 300six-three onna tree. My 1977 F-150 is a permanent farm truck. I've never seen a Chivvie that I liked outside the late 60's, early 70's models.



I like this (my first mopar) Dodge/Cummins more every day, but I have no interest at all in the 3G trucks. (ruined interior and whisper motor) I'm keeping my eyes open for a 12v just to play with!

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by MACKIN



Well, if you read your latest issue of the TDR you'll be repeating this statement on your own Dear to your Heart Cummins... ... The section on Third Generation, And I'll quote,"Exstensive redesign of the Cummins TD engine included major emphasis on minimizing traditional diesel engine noise. Noise levels of all versions of the engine has been reduced substantially and now approach those of gasoline engines," end quote.....



Wonder why? Seems they have moved into the Ladies market ... ... So hang on to your current model... ... .



MAC

I know, I know, sob :{



JDCAMPO, send me your address and I'll send you a penny

 

[Tomscreek]

I have to agree with the above statement "no truck is perfect". Dodge did a poor job on engineering the 4x4 front end. However if they had just beefed up a few areas there and added some grease fittings they'd have an almost perfect truck. They fell into a very good thing with the Cummins!!! I really have to wonder why anyone who wants a diesel truck would want a motor that has 40% more parts, fewer main bearings, shorter track record, harder to service, less torque ( I don't care what the numbers say), etc, etc. I suppose to some, the crew cab issue is enough to buy another brand. I suppose the auto trans issue is too but for me who wanted a 6 speed, quad cab truck, it's a no brainer!!

 

[fest3er]

... I really have to wonder why anyone who wants a diesel truck would want a motor that has 40% more parts, fewer main bearings ...

Something I've been puzzled about. Shouldn't a row of 4 cylinders have 2 fewer main bearings than a row of 6 cylinders? If not, where should they be put? If so, why is the difference brought up as though it were a defect?

Just curious... .

Fest3er