Hey everyone,


This is my first post. I have spent the last 2 evening reading almost every thread on this board from the last 3-4 months. There definitely is a wealth of information on here!


Tomorrow I am picking up a 2004 Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax/Allison LLY motor truck. I have a few questions just to get me out of the gate with this thing.


1. Do I need to use any fuel additives to make sure the pump gets proper lubrication?


2. Power Programmers: I drive about 25-30k miles a year and probably 10k of that is towing anything from a bass boat to a gooseneck trailer with a tractor(around 11k lbs.). I was wondering about adding a programmer for towing and a little extra performance. I have had good success with hypertech and even though they don't offer the greatest performance I would probably stick with them(if available). I am a little concerned about injector failure in correlation to aftermarket add ons so this would be probably the only mod that I would make if any. Also what wil happen to my warranty if they find out I am using a programmer?


3. I've read alot about the breakin procedure and checking all fluids. The only thing I couldn't find is if you have to "prime" the Allison screw on filter or if simply screwing it in is adequate? I looked for it but never did find a description of what it takes to change out the trans filter.


This is my second diesel. My last one was a powerstroke and it was a good truck but I have wanted an HD since it came out. I can't wait to get it tomorrow evening. I'm sure I'll have some more questions but hopefully one day I'll be able to contribute to the group as well....the truck is scheduled to go in Monday morning and have a gooseneck hitch installed. Once I get some breakin miles on it I'm gonna be able to see what she'll really do.


Take care.





-lee-

Fuel additives....no..but I am seriously considering secondary filtration.





Power programers....consider a box...I have mauled this over and over....bottom line...what happens if the truck breaks down along side the road and your programer is at home...or...the programmer some how looses the stock program...you are screwed! A box you simply remove and no evidence of after market upgrades.





Fluids....I changed everything including front and rear differential fluids at 3000 miles...opinions here vary so do a search. Hope this helps.

Lee,

Congrats on your new truck! What a great feeling, huh?

The questions you ask don't have single answers. You will need to search the many posts on this site and draw your own conclusions. Everyone has a different opinion on each subject you asked about. I have lots of questions, too and continue to weigh my decisions as I see the experiences of other owners here. Everyone here is cool, so keep asking and keep SEARCHING the site! Good luck and welcome!

I would MOST seriously consider a good alcohol-free additive AND secondary filtration. Make sure that whatever additive you are using has a good lubricant package. There are plenty of good options worthy of your consideration as far as secondary filtration goes. Even a stand alone lift pump or a lift-pump/filtration package is worthy of your consideration, IMO. If nothing else a lift pump with keep your fuel filtration functioning at maximum effectiveness.


The reasoning is this, in short: The Bosch injection system is European technology and operates at extremely high pressures. European fuel is very clean and has a good lubrication factor whereas the North American fuel is found to be lacking considerably in this regard. There have been a number of fuel system related failures with the technology when utilized in North American trucks. It should not be inconceivable that contaminants and lack of sufficient lubrication will wreak havoc on a high pressure operating system. Perhaps you can connect the dots. There are possibly other reasons for injector failures, but what I am offering should be quite compelling. There IS proof that secondary filtration does give you much cleaner fuel---that alone is worth what little effort and relative little money to do such an upgrade…at least for the peace of mind.


Personally, I would stay away from power-adders that further increase the fuel pressure, but that is just me. I can see not justification in it when impressive gains, with in some cases the added benefit of a slight increase in fuel economy, can be had with chip/programmers that manipulate timing and/or pulse-width.


I would also wait for the Predator programmer to come out if you have your heart set on a programmer.


I would not leave warranty work to chance no matter what kind of relationship you have with your dealer/service department. Yank the box for warranty work.


Immediately check your fluids when you get your baby home particularly your differential fluids as some have been found to be only half full....or is that half empty. Here is a helpful link: http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7184&KW=rear+differential+brea k+in


Tranny filter is a spin-on with no priming necessary. You do have an internal tranny filter, but that is changed later. The FUEL filter will require the plunging of the prime button…the number of times depending on how you perform your maintenance. Here’s another helpful link: http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1579&amp;PN=1<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif Welcome to the site! Lots of great information and assistance is available from the members. As you search you'll find we agree on certain issues and disagree on others. I'm mechanically challenged myself so I tend to pose questions versus offer much technical advice. There are some extremely knowledgeable guys on here who are extremely patient with guys like me http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Heart.gif.


I've had my D/A for 8 weeks and love the truck. Not a bad idea to change the engine oil often during break-in. Personally I like 500, 1500, 3000, then go to regular intervals. Some will change more often, some less. Preferred oils are Mobil Delvac, Shell Rotella and Amsoil. Stay away from Fram filters, there have been studies done on these.


As for programmers I'm waiting for the TTS handheld programmer to come out, projected for September. It provides adequate HP/TQ increases without risking slipping the Allison transmission. I like the idea of having something in the cab versus under the hood, especially since my sweetie will be driving this truck on road trips and won't have the slightest idea how to pull a PCM, juice/attitude wires, etc. You're going to find a wide variety of opinions on these. Some of these guys are running 500hp/1000+tq and racing vettes, vipers, etc. Truck?


Your stock truck will easily tow your rig without any modifications to the engine. I'm pulling over 16K (stock LLY) with ease. I would recommend you convert the Ally over to transynd fluid with the first filter change at 5k miles. It was designed for the allison and gets great reviews. There are other fluids, but with potential warranty issues down the road I for one feel safer sticking with "their" products. Hard for them to argue I did something wrong. Do I trust GM to back up their product, NOPE!


Again, welcome! JJ http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Thanks for all of the information guys. I just picked up the truck and drove it home.....a whole 2 miles. The truck has 480 miles on it and apparently they had to get it from a dealership a long way away. I'm going to drive it this weekend and then Monday look at the fluids in the axles. Then I'll try to get the oil changed sometime next week. Not a pleasant buying experience from my dealer by any stretch of the imagination but I'm glad to have it home.








-lee-

leeinmemphis leave that oil in there until you get 3000 miles on her. It will not hurt anything, It will help with breakin. You know they did a study on oil filters and they said the filter only starts doing it's job after 2500 miles. The filter needs a little dirty oil to filter out the very small particles. Look at it this way Chevy says 10,000 for the first oil change, I think thats way to long. But I'm sure they have reseached this and feel that it will do no harm to your engine. You make the call. My call is every 3000 miles oil, oil filter and fuel filter. but thats me

I always change oil in a new motor at 1000 then 3000, but I heard that with diesels you should leave it in for at least 3 to 5 for some reason. FWIW...

every 3k is way to offend and expensive. ive already got over 10k on my truck. i am starting to go every 5-7k with oil changes. with my old truck i was doing over 4k a month. i slowed down mainly because of the cost of the new truck.


i do plan on changing all my fluids and filter soon

Thanks for all of the information guys. I just picked up the truck and drove it home.....a whole 2 miles. The truck has 480 miles on it and apparently they had to get it from a dealership a long way away. I'm going to drive it this weekend and then Monday look at the fluids in the axles. Then I'll try to get the oil changed sometime next week. Not a pleasant buying experience from my dealer by any stretch of the imagination but I'm glad to have it home.








-lee-





480 Miles? that's a used truck. I hope you got a good deal! Don't mean to get you upset, but I would have insisted on a Flatbed Delivery. The first 500 miles is important for break-in, and they had a guy making 10 bucks an hour 'Cruising" in your 'baby' for those critical miles?


Not sure I would have felt good about that. Hopefully, it will serve you well, and the driver did take care.

480 miles? Thats ShullBit. When I got my Toyota several years ago with 90 miles on it I was PISSED. IMO!


Wish you good luck with your new rig. I got mine with 70K on her and have done a few mods and I love driving the Dmax. Welcome. Just remember when in doubt here just pipe up and ask, you will get great FREE advice. Also if you do any kind of upgrade, check with the supporting vendors first.


Ben

Don't worry about 500 mile 'break in', I got my last 04 on a wednesday and drove it to Thunder in Muncie Saturday morning pulling a small trailer.


Set the cruise on 73mph and rolled.


When I got back I had 550 miles on it.

My truck was the same way, dealer traded from denver, had 200 miles on it. Doubt it was bad for the motor but the jerk blew the passenger side speaker I think, it has crackled since new. Gonna just replace them with some better ones rather than mess with warranty for it I think...

Lee,


Congrats on your new truck. I am located in Brownsville, TN...not too far from you. Don't worry about the 500 mile break in too much, just enjoy the truck. Where did you get your truck from? Is it a chevrolet or gmc?