Hello,

First post ever on any forum board. Wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for all the info you provide (good & bad)http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif. As my sig says I ordered a 2005 2500HD about 6 weeks ago with the 6.0 4.10 gasser combo. At the last possible minute this week I changed the order to the D/A combo thanks in part to info obtained on this site (as well as others)and talking with other owners. Anything other than a GM was not an option. Being a very capable DIY mechanic I was still a little hesitant with the new (to me)diesel maintenance but feel I have a pretty good handle now on what to expect thanks to your info! Thanks again!!
That being said I still need a little reassurance on my decision. $5000 is a lot of money for a working man with a mortgage and 3 kids under 12 years old (BTW-my 2 boys are thrilled to death that Dad's getting a diesel). I plan on keeping this truck for 10+ years. On paper the D/A should eventually pay for itself in fuel savings(at least that's how I sold the wife on it http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif). I know I will be pleased with the power and performance. This truck will basically be the second family vehicle and my daily commute vehicle 50 miles per day - 20K per year. I plan on keeping it stock. I do frequent light towing of 2500 lbs or less and a rare heavy haul (but who knows what the future brings).
Not having a Duramax manual yet (or even the truck)I have the following questions lingering as I begin to stock up on items and reassure myself of my decision:

1.) Best all season oil grade for Michigan weather - 5W-40 or 15W-40 or should I be running a seperate winter & summer grade?

2.) What about the short (5-6 mile) unloaded trips from the garage to town and back at 35-55mph highway speeds? I know extended idles are not recommended without an idle booster but will the truck be able to just "start and go"? (Winter & Summer)

3.) Re: The short trips in question #2. Once I get to town does the turbo still need a cool-down period or is driving at these slower speeds enough for an immediate shut-down? Are short trips damaging?

4.) I'm an avid outdoors man and spend alot of time in the woods in the winter. I'm told that the Duramax will start without using the block heater in very cold conditions. What's your take on this?? I plan on using a fuel additive. Being stuck out in the woods with a truck that won't start on a cold night is not appealinghttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif

Well, I think I've used up my time here http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif but I sure would appreciate your imput! Thanks again!!

The first time your drive it, all your doubts will be long gone. Trust me, you won't regret it!

skoryaro,


Welcome to the site. I don't know anything about oil, so question #1 is out for me.


I wouldn't worry about idling for long times. I idle mine when I fuel, and other times when it won't be on for long (10 minutes when the wife runs into a store quick), but if it is going to be on for longer than that, I shut it off. No big deal if you want to idle it longer.


You won't have to worry about starting the truck in any weather, even in low temps I only had the wait to start light for a second at most. You CAN drive it immediately, but when it was cold I always let it warm up a minute or two. In the summer, I only let it warm up 10-15 seconds, sometimes more. When I don't let it warm up as long, I take it easy on it for a while until it starts to get up to normal temps.


I've never used the block heater. . . .should cover #4.


There are guys on this site that know a lot more about these trucks than I ever will and will share more I'm sure. Just take care of it and you will be fine.


Ask away, don't worry about using up your time. The search feature on this site is a great way to find tons of information quickly.


Dennis

First off welcome............


dmaxallitech has posted his recommendation for maintenance and it is available in the LB7 and LLY forums.


You will love the diesel.........once you own one you will never want a gasser again.


All of us said at first we would keep it stock.............GOOD LUCK http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Look around.........ask some questions.........


<A href="javascript openWin('pop_up_profile.asp?PF=481','profile','too lbar=0,location=0,status=0,menubar=0,scrollbars=1, resizable=1,width=590,height=425')" target="_blank">


</A>howard m18 can track your baby......till delivery.........he has been known to get things done quicker too..........


Thttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gifNYEdited by: GMC-2002-Dmax

Tony,

Thanks! I got DMAXALLITECH's recommended maintenance schedule before deciding on the D/A and it's what made me relize that the maintenance was going to be no big deal. Very helpful as was another post on changing the fuel filter.

I can comment on the diesel paying for itself.


I have kept a spreadsheet since the truck was new that considers the difference in mileage between a big block and a diesel, towing, highway and city driving, as well as the differnce in price between regular and diesel (one of the things the wife has to put up with for marrying an anal engineer!). At just over 45,000 miles, I am up slightly over $4,000 in fuel savings. Considering cost on what I paid for the diesel upgrade, I am already money ahead.


Incidently, my average diesel cost verses what regular would have cost over the life of the truck is just under one cent per gallon in favor of diesel. The last couple of months have pushed it to the diesel side.


This does not take into account difference in maintenance dollars for things like 10 quart oil changes verses 5, etc. Though with a bypass filter, I am money ahead there as well.


Finally, I was looking at resale values the other day, and the blue book gives a $5,000 adder for the duramax in a used truck.


All in all, financially, I feel it's a no brainer. Plus, look how cheap, relatively speaking, it is to go fast!!!!!!!

"I plan on keeping it stock." http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Do you realize where you are? Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Stock!


Let the therapy beginhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif

"I plan on keeping it stock." http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Do you realize where you are? Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Stock!


Let the therapy beginhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif


Might I suggest starting with the small amenities; Juice, Attitude, Exhaust, Gages.


Next thing you know, you'll be asking Super Diesel for directions on how to make a water/meth injection system.


Good Luck,
Dennis

1.) Best all season oil grade for Michigan weather - 5W-40 or 15W-40 or should I be running a seperate winter &amp; summer grade?



Most oils today will have you well covered in temperature variations unless you get into a real cold area.GM recommends the API 15w 40 and when needed 5W 40 has been approved for cold climate and high oil pressure. I run Mobil 1 synthetic year round here in New England.If you chose to go that route I would stick with dino (conventional oil) till I did my couple quick changes .


2.) What about the short (5-6 mile) unloaded trips from the garage to town and back at 35-55mph highway speeds? I know extended idles are not recommended without an idle booster but will the truck be able to just "start and go"? (Winter &amp; Summer)


Start and go taking it easy ,just wait in the winter till volt meter settles down when heaters are up to snuff. Like any vehicle short trips will accelerate your maintains schedule and it would be best to get things up to full operating temps to eliminate moisture in oil.





3.) Re: The short trips in question #2. Once I get to town does the turbo still need a cool-down period or is driving at these slower speeds enough for an immediate shut-down? Are short trips damaging?


This can be debated . I cool mine down by looking at my EGT gauge . Some times I roll in at over 600 Degrees idling so I let it cool down to 300 degrees or less. I'm not stock although so I doubt you will ever see those temps.I don't think you will have any problems but if you are towing any just got down pushing it hard up a decent grade I'd let it idle for about 30 seconds before shut down .





4.) I'm an avid outdoors man and spend alot of time in the woods in the winter. I'm told that the Duramax will start without using the block heater in very cold conditions. What's your take on this?? I plan on using a fuel additive. Being stuck out in the woods with a truck that won't start on a cold night is not appealing


In cold climate 20 degrees or less a block heater will quicken start up and warm up for heat and defrosting but not necessary.All SAE documents I've seen shows with the fuel heater provided that the Duramax is capable starting without a block heater to minus 20 degrees .






Mac

As you can see from my signature I have had a few diesels. The D/A is the best by far, and I have 2 new ones on order, the first the be delivered Sept and the other, who knows. As to starting without using the block heater, I started mine very easily in Great Falls Montana (the cold version of hell in the winter) one morning at 25 below 0 F. Once you get 0F or below, it is better if you can plug it in although it is not a must, at least to 25 below. Oh yes, it had also sat outside all night and was not indoors.

gardnerteam,


On your '02, how long is the wait to start light on with outside temperatures in the mid teens (without the block heater plugged in)? I want to compare that to my LLY in the same range (which is less than 1 second, probably about 8 or 9 tenths).


Thanks in advance,
Dennis

Thanks to all for all the quick responses and input....feeling much better about spending $40k on a truck now.

Maybe once the shock of such a big expense wears off I can rationalize some "out of stock expenses" http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif

Rob

baimpala
My 02 required ~15 secs at -20 before the glow plugs were ready to go.



skoryaro
Congratulations, sounds like you have put the "denial" stage behind you. Meet me at the Woodward Dream Cruise in a few weeks, we need to get you past the "Rationalization" stage and into the "but Honey, I don't care about the mortgage, I need more power" stage. Ahhhh, with any luck we'll have you and your family eating macaroni and cheese in no time!

What are friends for???http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

RaceHemi,


Thanks, I guess the new plugs really do make a big difference (although I never tested them at -20!). Appreciate the info.


Dennis

ROFLMAO gardnerteam!


I live about 3 hours south of Great Falls near Dillon, MT but go to college in Bozeman (both cold places).


"Cold version of hell" --I'm going to use that if you don't mind!


In all reality, though, Cut Bank or especially Wisdom,MT would be better places to use this description. Wisdom is often listed as the coldest place in the nation if you look at the national weather.


Just thought I'd throw that in.

skoryaro, how far are u from Eric (Grand Rapids)?


Get some of Eric's Schaeffer's motor oil and fuel conditioner.


15W40 w/ a pour point less than 5wt. dino oil.

To borrow from Nike "Just Drive It"!


Glow plug light on, Glow plug light off......just go and don't look back!


Have fun with it, it's gonna be hard to remove that smile from your fact....kinda like the Joker in Batman LOL