Actually I'm a little past due on the 5K service, so I have a few questions (and yes I did a search ;) ):

- Max (dmaxalliTech) posted a maintenance schedule, but I believe it was going to be updated. Is there an updated one for the 04.5 LLY? If yes, where?

- I know this one is a religious war like dino vs syn, but is there any reason why I shouldnt take to a Jiffy Lube? I've never been very comfortable with the results I've gotten from various dealers in my area, but have been relatively pleased with the results from JL. I know they have Penn 15-40 Diesel, I took my '95 6.5TD to them it's entire life, till I traded it in at 130K. Do the JLs have adequate parts, etc, to service my D/A as it should be? (e.g. correct oil/fuel filter, diff lube, etc)

(I know there's a lot of techs that are members, not trying to slight anyone, if my dealer had techs that were members, I wouldnt be asking this question. )

Thanks,
Greg

Not to talk bad about JL, but they may or may not have the proper items, ie: specified oil with CI4 and CH4 codes. I have been to some JL's where the technician stated that they didn't have the proper oil but they could use another one, against recommendations from manufacturer. As far as the Penn 15-40 Diesel, I found that my 95 6.5TD had burned it up like there was no tomorrow. I always stated for them to use Rotella T after that. They will never touch my dmax.
the fuel filter change is easier on the dmax than on the 6.5TD.
any tranny services, JL might not be able to get the filter except from the dealer and the synthetic fluids as well. You can get some of the fluids from various websites but don't know of anyone having them locally in some cases.
JL wants to sell you on several things and their technicians aren't of great quality in the different stores. if you have one you can trust and feel comfortable, go ahead with caution.
If you aren't a do it yourselfer, find a mechanic in your area that you can trust and has a good track record. You can also find a regular diesel injection shop that may be able to do maintenance on your vehicle or go to the stealer.

I have had my Duramax's done at Jiffy Lube since day one. No problems. We started out using Rotella from them with Lucas oil additive. Now we supply Rotella synthetic from Walmart. Seams to work great.

If youhave a good dealer-Get a price from them to do the lube, oil and filter change with you providing the oil. Get Rotella 15-40 or 5-40 synthetic at Wal-Mart. Dealer here charges me 30 bucks for the service including the oil filter. To me the advantage of having the dealer do the work and using OEM filter is less of a hassle if warranty work has to be done because something fails. For what it's worth.

I think it all comes down to the person doing the work as opposed to the location. I know some fast lube joints are notorious for missing grease zerks and the like, but I have also heard the same of the lube guy at the dealer. The upper steering link zerk on the passenger side is one zerk commonly missed. Never noticed until the idler arm (I think that is the one) needs replaced after 50K. Lets face it, changing oil is not rocket science, but sloppy work can cause many headaches (double gaskets on the filter, stripped plug threads, missed grease zerks, etc.)

How about the revised recommended maintenance schedule? Go by the mantenance schedules in the book or just good LOF service?

I take my own oil/filters in to the dealer and have them do the change, costs about $15.00. What they do is take the $29.95 super duper - while you wait oil change price and deduct the product ( 5 qts oil and filter on a “normal” oil change) and what is left is the $15.00 labor.
This is cheap insurance for me so that if anything goes hinky i use my canned line YOU PEOPLE ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO TOUCHED THIS TRUCK - that usually shoots down any arguments as far as warranty liability.

Why am i so anal taking it to the dealer? I’ve gone through two Mfg. buy backs and if you have anyone else BUT the dealer touch it, it makes for a more drawn out fight.

But with the dealer ONLY touching it - they don’t have a leg to stand on.

Secondly by bringing it in often you get a relationship with the service writer and he /she gets to know you and will do let you in on “secret quiet recalls” - you know the ones where the dealer knows all about them, but never tells it’s customers.

It never hurts to throw a tip in every now and then.

Anyway, it’s worked for me on all my last vehicles with all top four mfgs.

Well, dropped my baby off at the dealer last night, we'll see what it comes back like. I asked for: first service Maint I, check tires and rotate if needed, reflash (provided #) due to low speed surge, and change tranny external filter. When I talked to the service writer/manager yesterday, she was questioning why I would want the filter changed as they dont normally do that until 25K miles. Because it says so on page 6-5 of the Duramax Supplement!!! :rolleyes:

Picked her up last night, first time in I dont know when the bill was less than $100. :D Bill was $89; Maint I service (brought in my Mobil Delvac 1300 oil), rotate tires, reflash, and replace tranny filter. Felt like this was pretty good, even got my partial gallon back! :cool: Maybe my faith in dealers is starting to be restored.

The service mgr was very insistent that I change the fuel filter every 10K miles, sounds like good advice, which matches the maintenance schedules, if you alternate Maintenance I and II every 5K.

Gregj,

Which Dealer did you take it to?

Gregj,

Which Dealer did you take it to?
Jim Harris Pontiac GMC in town, that's where I bought her at. When I gave them the flash info, they knew what I was talking about. She's about due for the 10K, may just go to J/L this time. I'll change the fuel filter out before I take it. I want to switch to Mobile 1 Truck & SUV, but cant find a full case of it anywhere, may have to stick with the 1300 till then.