I am considering buying a diesel this summer. My wallet cant take a new one, so used it will be. So, what years had problems? How many miles is a lot for a diesel? Any certain things to look for for signs of repair, problems or neglect?

01 (first year) seemed to have a few problems as all new things do. 02 was almost perfect except for the first set of injectors which averaged replacement under warranty at about a 70,000 average according to reports on this board. 04.5 and 05 have LLY engine. My 05 gets much poorer fuel mileage and has a lot less power than my 02. My 02 injectors went out at 70K on schedule, and I got a 200,000 mile warranty on the new ones. Sold it. Should have kept it. For my money, the 02 has been the best D/A for dependability, fuel mileage, etc.

well, i would look for stuff that you would want to do with your dad's truck when you were 16, but now that we pay the bills, you would never do.;)

Once you find a truck you like, post the VIN number in the "Ask the Techs" topic area. One of the techs can provide a warranty service history.

Give it a close inspection. That may give you an idea of how it was used. IE: holes for a fifth wheel hitch, tire wear, packed mud underneath, dirty fluids, etc.

Have a knowledgable tech and a body shop person look it over. Try to find out the history of the vehicle and ask to see the service records, if possible. The vehicle may have remaining warranty, thus making it a safer buy.

Good luck.

Not every one has access to a mechanic in order to go and look at a vehicle, but if so, do so.
If the truck has about 30,000 or 70,000 miles on it and the tires are brand new I would think it has been through some tires and maybe for the wrong reasons.
Look at the fluid levels. I mean all fluid levels and smell them. See if they smell burnt or look like they have been burnt.
Look at the grease zirks and see if they have been maintaned.
Ask about the oil history if they have one.
Look at the the exhaust manifold to see if it has had any holes that have been tapped for some addtional gauges if the gauges are not already on the truck. This is not neccessarly a bad thing.
Any year will have problems. But for the most part the '01's have the most. Personly I would go for the '02's. The injector warrenty is transferable.

Just like 1BADHD I am looking for a used truck. I don't know much about diesels, though I've always wanted one. I test drove a 2001 2500 crew 4x4 D/A with 120k miles. It had kind of mushy power, no turbo noise (that I could hear) and no surge from when the turbo spooled up. Never felt like it pulled real strong, but I don’t know what to expect from the diesel. Ok now for the dumb questions about the Duramax:


Normally is there any turbo noise?

Is there any noticeable surge when the turbo kicks in?

Is there any noticeable power band or is it that they produce such steady high torque there is no “sweet spot” where it pulls best?

Are there any problems other than the cracked injectors and cracked fuel filters?

Is there anything special to listen for or to feel when test driving them?


Thanks for any input.

You should hear some tubro noise

I would want to know the hours on the truck, it could have a lot of idle time. Also how often the fuel filter has been changed. A 1 owner truck would be the only way to go, these things are too new to have changed hands a couple of times unless u have a lemon. The 02' is the best model in my opinion, but I am biased.

I have an 01 and haven't had any problems, bought mine used 7 months old saved a wheelbarrow of cash, now have 126000 miles and still runnin strong best part is it's worth more resale then I paid for it.....There has never been too much whistle in mine my father in laws 04 has a way louder whistle.
My opinion: Run it through carfax, drive it a few times, take it to a mechanic you trust, definently check the fluids...If you like it and the gut says buy it, do it and forget about it.
I think the reason there are more used deisels on the market can be chalked up to diesel being so expensive people that didn't really use them are trading them in. Trade in is excellent and they are saving $$$ if they aren't using it.
I have a few buddies that have 01's and don't have any big problems, 1 had his injectors replaced at 91000 (no problems since now at 124000) they are all stock ..... I do have a buddy with a 01 and has put 1 new motor in it after a year and a half.....ask him and he just says "see what happens when the wife drives the truck and never looks under the hood" since it froze up because of loss of oil (they found it all over the tailgate)...
My .02 about the 01