I just wanted to start a positve thread about the Duramax trucks. I purchased my 2002 about 4 months ago and have put on about 7000 miles. So far the truck has met and exceeded all my expectations. I get 20mpg hwy with #2 fuel and 13.5 mpg towing my 7K lb boat. The engine has ran flawlessly.


I just changed my first fuel filter thanks to the technical article on this forum board. My filter had 37,000miles on it and I know it hadn't been changed by the looks of it. Even with a bad filter my truck experienced no injector issues. Anyway, just posting that I am a very happy duramax owner and glad I went with the LB7.Edited by: B_Alaska

Keep the fuel filter changed and don't neglect the transmission either; you will have a good truck for quite awhile.



Enjoy.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif



P.S. Don't forget to plug it in, either. Buuurrrrrrrrrrrr!


Edited by: Max Owner

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif

Alaska:


I, too, just joined the ranks and I feel like a kid with the GREATEST new toy who just can't wait to show it off to his friends.


I'm not the most mechanically inclined. Was changing the fuel filter difficult? The truck I just bought sat in a barn for much of it's life (it's an 01 with only--get this--15000 miles on it). Should I change the fuel filter on general principles because the diesel fuel would have by definition sat around for a while in the truck?


Thanks and let me know how your cold weather experience is with a diesel. That's the only thing that worries me.


Rip

Fuel filter is pretty easy. In my case I park at the curb. Gives a little more height, to stand on.

You can use petrolium jelly to allow rubber seal (in center of filter)
to slide on easier. Also use on O-rings. Helps hold the big
o-ring in place. I use the procedure in the Do It Yourself (DYI)
section. Fifteen minutes taking my time.



P.S. Changing the filter on a newly purchased used truck is the best way to go. Then you know when it needs it next.


Edited by: Max Owner

Rip,


I am also a new diesel owner. I bought mine back in June. I love it. where bouts do you live? I am in the St. Peters area and I can show and if needed, help you with changing the fuel filter. Its not that bad. I am disabled and was able to do it by myself. Just let me know if you need or want help and yes, if your truck is a 01 you should change both your engine oil and fuel filter.

Rip,


I have only started the truck at 20 F so far, we have not had a very cold winter as of yet. You could tell the truck didn't start as easy at 20F, but no problems what so ever. I will do a test in my driveway to see how low I can go for starting temp. I do a lot of snowmobiling in the winter and am often parked on the side of the road in -15 F, but that was with my previous gasser. I am hoping the Duramax will atleast fire up at those temps, it may not be the best for it, but that's part of winter recreation.


The filter change was easy with dmaxalliTech's tech article and filter wrench ordered from his website. The reason I waited 7000 miles to change the filter was because the stealer told me they had changed it at the 120 point inspection for GM certified used vehicles. I, being a moron believed himhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley7.gif. Below are some pics of the filter, I have only seen one on this forum like thishttp://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley19.gif, I am not sure a filter can be in worse shape unless it had holes in it. http://dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/BAlaska/2004-10-29_095151_Fulel_Filter_001_2.jpg


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/BAlaska/2004-10-29_095301_Fulel_Filter_002_2.jpgI noticed a signifigant increase in engine performance after the filter change, I don't use near as much throttle to cruise at 55 now and it seems to accelerate smoother. Is this common when changing out a really bad filter? I hope I didn't cause future problems with the stock filter in there for 37K. It runs good now, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.Edited by: B_Alaska

Hustler:


I live in Chesterfield--so we are a quick 10 minutes apart. Now that I have a new toy, miles mean nothing to me!!


I would greatly appreciate your showing me how to change the filter! And at the same time you can give me some of your other helpful tips. Let me know how to get ahold of you and we can plan a time to do it.


Had the oil changed yesterday. Changed the air filter (just a Fram from Wally Mart) and HOLY COW did I notice an improvement! The air filter was really dirty--it seems a rodent had set up shop in the box and we had to vacuum out a bunch of acorns.


Thanks for the advice and I'm very glad I found this site.


Rip

Rip, I sent you an pm. I put on my email and phone #.

Alaska, are there any special cold weather add-ons that you guys in Alaska use, like fuel tank heaters?

Alaska,


I don't know where you bought your truck from, but I have heard some stories about the Kenai dealership. I take mine to Alaska Sales.


Good luck on your truck. I have had mine since it was born and I am very happy. Do a search if you have not already to find more about addtitional fuel filtration. I use a bottle of Stanadyne every third tank. I have changed my fuel filter once with only 14,000 miles and it still looks good.

Alaska, I too have had my '02 since it was born. Love it. reading your guys post sure makes me home sick http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley11.gif. raised on the Keani (Kasilof) and Wasilla.


I change my first one at 32k http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif, it was clean no rust in canister or anything. I do better service now, next job is to r&r the tranny fluid with amsoil. stay safe http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gifEdited by: AkDually61

If you have not done it already I would change all the fluids through out the truck with the exception of the radiator and the brake fluid.


Just a good thing to do with in about 1000 miles on any new vehicle or slightly new.

Thanks for the advice.


I have yet to really test the truck in cold temperatures. I have started it in 10 F with no problems. I did drive up to Anchorage last week when it was -15F and the engine temp didn't get above 180 and the tranny actually shifted down because it was too cold. I don't have any type of cold front on the truck.


BlakeEdited by: B_Alaska

I have had my 02 for about 3 months now and I am loving it 75,000mi and no noticed problems changed the oil, fuel and spin on trany filter after the first 4,000 I had it and wow I could feel a difference in acceleration and the trany runs about 40 degrees cooler. I couldn’t imagine the spin on filter making that much of a diff. but it was a welcome surprise. My buddies are all Ford guys and one of them complements me on how nice my truck is all the time and he has a 6.0L. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif gota love the D-MAX

That's a nasty looking filter, looks like ya pulled of the Prince Williams beach after that oil tanker ruptured.


I'd change the rear end lube, should have been done at 5K and allot of em came low level from factory. Mine did. Might want to put synthetic lube in front diff. too, it comes with dino. It needs a white breather cap.


Did ya get the front grill cover for cold weather?