I will be purchasing a 2001 GMC extended cab 8' bed with a Duramax this weekend. I was refered to you guys buy a local car club member, this seems to be the place for questions. I was wondering if there is anything I need to look out for with the 01 engine being that it is the first year? The truck only has 29,000 miles on it and has been taken care of very well, it's like brand new.
I have never owned a diesel before so I completely new to this. I was wondering as well, What kind of fluids/filters are you guys running? What are the best for the truck? I guess the other question I would have is, what fluids/filters do I need? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif I am assuming that the owners manual will tell me most of the information that I need, but I am an enthusiast and like most of us I like to use the best products out there for my vehicles.

Thanks,
JonEdited by: ur2slow

Ahhhh - another Michigander! Welcome to the forum. I was in
the same boat as you not too long ago. Your questions have been
asked and answered 1000 times already. Do what I did, use the
search option and spend hours reading. You'll get answers /
opinions to just about everything and will be an expert in no timehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif



Good luck!

I am a fairly new DMax owner as well and I have been educated by this forum. 01 Crew cab long bed 4X4.


Always buy fuel from high volume stations like truck stops. The chances that the fuel is clean is higher and the quality is better. If you can find premium diesel, get it. It is worth the extra cost. More power and better mileage.


I run Amsoil diesel synthetic oil. Better oil pressure, better mileage and longer change intervals. 10000 miles.


Change fuel filter every 15000 miles.


Run Diesel Treat 2000 fuel additive in the winter. Keeps fuel from gelling up, easier starts, more power. The fuel efficiency of a diesel retards in cold weather.


Keep your foot out of it. Stay below 2000 rpms and you will get all of the fuel economy benefits of the diesel engine. I go 70mph at 2000rpm and get around 16-19 mpg depending on conditions.


You WILL have to have your injectors replaced. They are of faulty design and GM has acknowledged this and has issued a special 7yr 200,000 mile warranty on them. Be prepared for your truck to be down for a significant amount of time, since the injectors are on backorder. Mine happened around 100k but others have happened earlier. By the time yours need replacing, they may not be on backorder anymore however.


You made a great purchase. I love my truck and do not regret buying it in any way. Have fun!!

Welcome, and wow a 2001 with less than 30,000 miles on it. Why only 29,000 miles? Did the owner have medical problems or something? A truck like this with low miles or lots of miles would make me wonder. I only have roughly 14,000 miles on mine but I am only able to drive it half the year if that. Do you know the owner very well?


Well now for maintanance. I would say to start using a good synthetic oil if not already. RP, Amsoil, and Mobil 1 to name a few. As far as filters go there are as many good ones as there are oils. I use the remote dual Amsoil filter set up. For the 2001 I would hightly suggest looking into additional fuel filtering. Many here have the answers to that one.


The 2001 models are not quite as equipted as the 2002 or newer models. The 2002 models don't have everything like the 2003 and newer but you can easily add it to a 2002.


Look for any velcro or addtional attachment means to hold any power boxes or programers. More than likely these trucks have had them on it. And if it did than maybe the owner may have abused it. Meaning the tranny. Take it for a run and see how it shifts. These have a learning tranny and it may be able to tell you how the owner drove it by the way it shifts.


Look closely at the front end and check the sterring components. Look for loose/worn out tie rods. Also check the engine oil for signs of fuel in it. This truck should quallify for the 200,000 mile injector replacement.


Many more drivers here have a lot of experience with that year of truck. Good luck and happy driving.

Write down the VIN number and take to a dealer. Have them look it up and see what kind of repairs have been made. Good luck!!!!!!!!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

I would start by changing oil, oil filter and fuel filter. Unless you know if the previous owner changed the fuel filter. Check or change the differentials and transfer case if 4X4. Allot of trucks come from the factory with low fluid levels. Better yet have dealer throw it in on the deal. Edit..if ya got the G80 (locking diff.) it's recommended to change the fluid at 5000. Have the dealer throw that in too.


Check the spare for proper p.s.i. I got mine new and had a flat. The spare was too low to use, dealer didn't prep. it very good.


Then just look around the forum, lots of good info. Form lots of good people........Edited by: SaguaroKid

All good info but I would add do not use Mobile 1 oil it is not rated for a diesel. The correct Mobile is truck and suv. Just thought I would let you know.

Also one of the forum techs (Dmaxallitech) lives in Grand Rapids.
Very knowledgable. Also has an online store. Ofcourse I
just had a brain fart and can't think of the URL........http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif







Hah! Found it........www.gmdieseltech.com.






Edited by: Max Owner

Thanks for the info guys, I will be doing a lot of reading on this thin in the near future but because of the fact that I am picking this up this weekend and I am working da and night, I figured I would take the easy way out and post the questions. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif The truck was owned by an 80 year old fellow that recently passed away. He purchased the truck to tow a trailer down south once in a while and only made the trip once. The truck is like new so I'm pretty sure the mileage is correct. Well it doesn't sound like there are any clear cut problems to look out for, wich makes the purchase that much easier. I wouldn't even be buying a new truck except for the fact that I was rear ended last week and they totaled my truck. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif It is very hadr to find an extended cab 8' foot bed in a 2500 around here rate now. I am picking this truck up for $20,000, wich seems to be a pretty good deal considering the price of these things new and there resale values.

Thanks again for all the replies.

Old guy trucks are the best ones to get.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Old guy trucks are the best ones to get.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif


It probably got a pretty easy break in. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif

UR:


You and I are living parallel D-Max lives. I just bought a 2001 Crew with only 15,000 miles on it. Sat in a barn barely used. Still smells new. Showed it to a couple of buddies and they couldn't believe it.


I changed the oil and air filter as soon as I got it. I'm going to change the fuel filter this weekend.


Check your tires for dry rot. Mine had it, so I took it to the dealer and got 4 brand new tires for free! My truck is still under factory b-to-b warranty.


I paid $20k also--so we both bought right.


I have put a total of about 600 miles on my truck and still can't believe my luck. Searched for months and would have paid more for a higher mileage truck, so I think I must be living right.


Good luck with it and happy Diesel Forum reading. My wife thinks I'm obsessing about my new truck. You know, she may be on to something....


Rip

Welcome to the Forum, fellow Michigander!!!!

Your name is more right than you know when it comes to these trucks, but you'll find that out quickly!!!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif

You can search all day for info on every topic you can think of, they've all been brought up at one time or another.

Tom

Welcome to the Forum, fellow Michigander!!!!

Your name is more right than you know when it comes to these trucks, but you'll find that out quickly!!!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif

You can search all day for info on every topic you can think of, they've all been brought up at one time or another.

Tom

The name came from one of my old race cars I had and I just stuck with it for my forum names. The plate is now on my wifes mini-van! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif

I've seen that van on I-96 before. Small world!

Tom

BTW, you can post your VIN in the "Ask the techs" section and ask GMCSID to do a dealer service check on it......Edited by: TheBac

01 and 02's have an extended warranty on the injectors. Check it out with a local ealer. You might have a local dealer get you a printout of GM service on the truck, all the dealer needs is the VIN. Bloomfield Hills is a nice place. I used to caddy at Bloomfielf Hills private golf course, aalso worked at the Wabeek Estate for awhile when I was a kid. Lived on Auburn Ave between Auburn Heights and Rochester Rd. Left there in 45 and have only been back to visit. Don't miss those salted roads a bit.