I have been looking throught this forum and All I have been reading about is the ploblems the dmax have. I am 18 And I will have to get a used one with like 60-90k to be able to afford one and I will have to drive it for the next 6 years Io only drive like 10k a year But i don't want to get a truck all I got to do is dump cash into.

If you would not get another dmax what kind of diesel would you get and why.

Well personally if I was not able to buy another Dmax, I would not buy another diesel at all. I like my truck and have not had any issues with it. Runs great and trouble free.. I think if you take the time to find a nice truck in the price range you can afford and with lower miles (if possible) you will be happy with it. As for injectors, there is no need to worry about those as on the older models they are covered up to 200K miles. I think the other problems that you are reading about are small in the grand scheme of things.. Good luck

I had a dodge diesel - great engine, worthless transmission, not very comfortable. I have a 2002 D-max now that I bought about 2000 miles ago with 79000 on the clock. This truck has plenty of power, great transmission. I just put 575 miles on it today and stayed comfortable the entire day.
That being said, these forums are intended for people to get help with their problems, so most post on any automotive forum will be about these troubles, you can't really judge these trucks by what you read here. I don't think you will find many people on this forum that would trade their Duramax on any other diesel.
Take a look at the forums for the other manufactures, if you REALLY want to read about problems check out the TDR ( http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ ). You won't believe the problems there! And Fords site is the same way.
I think that all the manufactures have good Diesel trucks, for me the Duramax is the best - looks, power, driveability, comfort, I think GM has it all.
Keith

I know that people like to like to express there problems and sometimes go overboard. It is kind of like my atv i got a kaw. brute force 750 4x4 it is super fast it will go anywhere and it rides nice and if you spend about 300 bucks on aftermarket parts you will never have any problems. so know how the problems go and nobody will never say anything good about what they got.

I think GMC2500HD and kwhitlow gave great points.
I too would have to think hard about another brand of diesel if I could not get a DMax.
I would look at a 2002 Ford if I really had to. This is my only other preference of diesel behind the DMax.

Like mentioned earlier, this is not a chat room although alot of it goes on. It is a forum to help other owners out with peticular problems. Some big and some small.
You can also get skewed results by talking with owners of a curtain brand. There is a lot to be said about brand loyalty. And those who are, will make any excuse to say their purchase was the correct one just to save face. This is said for not only GM, but also Ford and Dodge.
Now I will say that these DMax's have become a major craze as far as power horses.
So if you buy a used one, check it out very good. The previous owner may have hot rodded the thing and it may not last as long or have lots of hours on it. This was a topic just recently and the new owner new of the trucks history but still decided to purchase it. He than had problems and was upset about the truck and giving bad remarks about thr DMax. He is trying to fix the truck and I feel it will work out in the end.
There will always be lemons out there. Don't let that bad one ruin the whole bunch.

You can have my DMAX when you pry it from my cold dead fingers. :D

If i had to get one today, It would be a CTD.

The LLY has me a bit freaked. 1093's, Overheat... things that would really irk me.

A good used 04 LB7 would be my next choice.

Ford? They Still Make those? LOL

I do not think I would buy another Duramax. I have had a lot of trouble with mine, including head gaskets. Thank goodness I have a bumper to bumper extended warrenty or I would be out around $6K. The main reason about not getting another Duramax is the aluminum head. No one will ever convince me that aluminum is a good material to make an engine out of.

I do not think I would buy another Duramax. I have had a lot of trouble with mine, including head gaskets. Thank goodness I have a bumper to bumper extended warrenty or I would be out around $6K. The main reason about not getting another Duramax is the aluminum head. No one will ever convince me that aluminum is a good material to make an engine out of.

I too lost a head gasket BUT.... it's not very common. No way would I use the aluminum heads... as designed on the Dmax, as a reason to not purchase one. I feel they are an advantage.

Knowing what I know now, if I was 18 and looking for a diesel I think I would have to get an older Cummins. Way too much risk money wise to buy a used Dmax with over 50,000 miles. It's just the way GM/Isuzu designed them.. strong but weak like a BIC lighter.

Why would you want to buy another Duramax, when GM markets it like a
disposable "Bic lighter"???

Only so many flicks in it and then you have to throw it away. like a "Bic" there are no owner replaceable components, no availability of major assemblies period.
(Try phoning around for aftermarket or replacement fuel injection injectors/modules.)
You have to compete with dealers for major components that come up at used auto part recyclers, because even the dealers can't get parts from GM.

Run while you still have the chance, GM will be out of the Diesel powered pickup market very shortly.

I love the way the truck looks, rides and the quiet power of the engine... That's the good news.

The bad news is that I don't have any confidence in the engine's fuel delivery and injection system (specifically the injectors). :(

I tow a 35 ft, 14,000 lb 5th wheel RV and the most important factor in a vehicle is total RELIABILITY !!! I am constantly worried that the engine will shut down at an inopportune time, or pour diesel fuel into the crankcase, stranding me and my family, while I'm somewhere in the remote mountains or "BOONIES".

If were to purchase another diesel truck tomorrow, it would be a Freightliner FL60 - mid sized truck with a CAT 300 hp diesel and Allison 6 speed World transmission. No CDL license is required to drive them, they come customized with air ride seats, wood interior trim and all the trimmings for not a whole lot more than a new GMC Sierra 3500 Dually. They tow more and you can get them serviced everywhere.
:exactly:

.

Your my type of guy!

I too think the FL60 is the only way too fly.
I would go with the Air Ride Suspension and a 15 speed Tranny.
I know several Hot Shot-er's that have nearly a million kilometers on their FL60's, equipped with 3126 Cat engines and had to only do routine maintenance on them.

Cat's HECU fuel Injection system is a hallmark, simple and hard to beat.

I have been looking throught this forum and All I have been reading about is the ploblems the dmax have. I am 18 And I will have to get a used one with like 60-90k to be able to afford one and I will have to drive it for the next 6 years Io only drive like 10k a year But i don't want to get a truck all I got to do is dump cash into.

If you would not get another dmax what kind of diesel would you get and why.


If you find a truck you like go with it, no matter what you get theres a possibility your gonna have probelms with it, but all you can do is drive it and hope for the best, if it tears up fix it and go on, shCensored t happens, Thats just my oppinion though, i love my truck and if i ever do buy another one it will be a duramax no matter what my experiences are with the truck iv got now. what ever you get have fun with it:ro)

I believe I would stick w/the Dmax. I accept the fact that its new/current techology in a new century and adjust my expectations accordingly. Instead of insisting on 500,000 mile service life, 200,000 miles seems to be where it stands at the present and would seem reasonable to assume it will increase as the technology matures. Currently, its competitors followed its lead and employ the same technologies now and are/soon will be experiencing the same level of risks/issues.

Some worry about using aluminum alloy heads ~ like I worry about such things when riding in an airliner at 32,000 ft? My neighbors '01 had a valve train mount bolt to break allowing the assy to back off and did also suffer a cracked head out of it ~ but can't eliminate risk by eliminating bolts out of our eng design ~ freakage happens ~ just need to keep in context.

You know I read these comments about worries of alluminum head problems, injector problems, etc... and all I can say is look at the other brand sites and see what they have. You will find they have injector issues, rail issues, and even head issues, yeah not alluminum but still problems.
If you are worried about things that MIGHT happen then dont ever buy anything. Now I don't want to sound mean, but everything you buy has a POSSIBLE problem. It is good to get as much info as you can to make a great purchase, but untill you actually have a problem with somthing all you are is assuming the worst and never benifiting from anything.
The glass can also be half full.
On a side note just how functional or practicle is a medium duty truck like the FL60 for every day driving? Not everyone has the extra money to be able to purchase a vehicle for daily driving, one for hualing firewood, one for hauling a large trailer, and one for sporting around in.

I hope someone at GM reads this forum and understand that the reputuation of the GM diesel trucks is going down the toilet quickly! I was going to buy a new '06, but life is too short to buy guaranteed breakdowns! I decided to cancel a long trip around Mexico because I don't trust my expensive GM diesel truck! Where will my 9th repair in 50K miles occur? In Alta Gringo, Mexico, 150 miles and two weeks from a set of injectors! I am always amazed at guys who basically say, "I don't care how much trouble I have with my truck! I love it and I would buy another one!" It seems to be a mechanical version of MY COUNTRY RIGHT OR WRONG! I never understood that logic either! I love my country and my truck enough to want it to do what it should! When either one doesn't, I' m going to fight to make it do the right thing rather than put on blinders and simply excuse it! Denial ain't just a river in Egypt! Come on GM, correct the quality control problems and get some injectors that last! This isn't rocket science, there are injectors in diesel engines that actually work!

Abosluy, I would buy another duramax. great milieage, great reliability, no problem.

No problems with mine... Would not hesitate buying another.

Problem is, the used ones out there probably have had, or currently have problems. That is why I bought a new one.

Like some of these fellas with an axe to grind, who trade their problem trucks in on another brand. Truth be known, people come to this site to find answers to their problems they may have with their trucks. That being said, you will find a larger saturation of "problem" truck owners here. Don't let the horror stories scare you away. Still not confident? Don't let this site influence your descision alone. Go to a Dodge forum, go to a Ford forum and read the problems they are having. Gather all information you can and make your descision. ALL TRUCKS have problems, none are problem free. I decided injectors were easier to replace than the transmissions the competition was/is having problems with.

If you do decide on a used one, get some kind of warranty from the dealer you purchase it from (if it is out of it's manufacture's warranty).

I think I got a good one... It was assembled on a Friday morning. Not that if it's built any other day makes a difference, just wouldn't want one that was built first thing Monday morning. ;)

Good luck.

I would buy another in a second. I've been very impressed with the quality of the duramax I own and all of the others that I have been around. Very few problems with any of them.

Go to a Dodge forum, go to a Ford forum and read the problems they are having. Gather all information you can and make your descision.


Do that and you probably will decide against a diesel all together.

Diesels HAD some really strong positives....

Reliability
Fuel Economy
Lower Fuel Prices

All of the above are simply not what they used to be.
They are faster now.... wow faster to break down too and faster to the pump.

I think the heavy competition between the big three and the emissions rules kicking in this decade have caused the designers major headaches. More power can lead to lower reliability. The 200,000 rating of the Dmax is an indication. Years ago the good diesels were expected to do 400,000. I think the Cummins is still rated at 300,000 or 350,000 miles between major repairs. The old 7.3 Powerstroke is a long term reliable diesel...the new 6.0 Powerstroke... forget it. What a loser it has turned out to be.

For a while there it looked as if diesel was going to take off in the light truck and auto world. There is a good possibilty of a real backdown if things remain as they are today. With diesel prices the way they are, auto manufacturers are having second thoughts about introducing more diesel powered vehicles. Maybe it's a good thing. Maybe they need to leapfrog oil altogether.

Would I buy another Dmax? No way. My opinion right now is the motor is most important. Tranny second. Dodge has done a decent job with the updated 48RE auto and has no problem with manuals. Many working trucks are manuals anyway so the auto argument could be moot. Reliability wise I think Dodge has the winner hands down. Just my opinion. It's a simpler engine and much easier to tinker with. The auto can be beefed up like the Ally so no biggy there. It doesn't have all the features of the Ally but it also doesn't have the quirkiness of the Dmax /Ally combination.

You can beat me in a drag race I don't care. You can pull that sled to the top of the mountain before me, I don't care. If everyday reliability is questionable I do care.

I ordered an 05 dually crew before my 04 with 200000 miles crapped out. I sure miss the 7.3 Powerstroke I had in an 01 F350. I run into people that have 4 or 5 hundred thousand miles on their 7.3s with no major problems. I will not try to run my new 05 LLY Chevy over 150,000 (one year). I just wish GM would up the warranty to 150,000 on them. I would not hesitate to purchase a used 02 Ford with the 7.3 Powerstroke if all I could afford is used. Better interior and mirrors with an ok trans and bulletproof motor. Only trouble I had with my 3 previous F350s was pinion seal leaks. I ran them all up over 250,000 miles. Something's wrong at GM when a customer feels better in an 01 Ford with 250,000 miles than an 05 Siverado with 10,000 miles.

All this brand biased stuff cracks me up. Cummis is the greatest, its so reliable and easy to fix becasue we all know everybody is going to be rebuilding thier cummis for cheap in their garage after they put 500k miles on em and the Duramx guys are going to just buy 10k$ crate motors when thier motors pop at 200k :rolleyes: You can make 1000hp outa one and now lets talk about people running 500k on em, factory relaibility yet better buy an upgraded trans to hopefully hold up to stock or mildly modified trucks :rolleyes: :blahblah:

Question is would I buy another duramax? Yes I would. I had injectors starting to go south on me once and got the updataed ones and have been fine thus far, injs are waranteed to 200k, motor till 100k. 50k miles on my 03 plowing snow with a huge blade, drag racing and beating on it on the street. 500HP to the rears daily and the occasional shot of N2O. It has proven for me to be a good relaible truck/motor, ect.

For what I do the Duramax is a perfect fit. It may or may not be right for you depending on what you do/want.

Would I buy another one? :rolleyes:


Hmm...I just did. :ro) 'Nuff said. ):h

Tom :pig:

Dodge's are just too loud, Ford's are just not reliable.

I just got $10000 off my new truck but that doesnt mean much if I have to give half of it back for repairs after its out of warranty. Hoping I can sell the 04 when it gets back from the dealer. Pulling a one car enclosed trailer which is 8-9 thousand pounds loaded is not taxing the Duramax and the motors should run well past 200,000 with no issues.

120k+ miles and the engine is flawless. I have not had one minutes trouble plus I'm getting 20+ MPG solo. The truck tows my 33' 5er without any problems. Now the DMF and clutch are a little weak, but that can be fixed.

The engine so far has been flawless. So to answer your question...YES!!!

MaxRock

Do that and you probably will decide against a diesel all together.

Diesels HAD some really strong positives....

Reliability
Fuel Economy
Lower Fuel Prices

All of the above are simply not what they used to be.
They are faster now.... wow faster to break down too and faster to the pump.

I think the heavy competition between the big three and the emissions rules kicking in this decade have caused the designers major headaches. More power can lead to lower reliability. The 200,000 rating of the Dmax is an indication. Years ago the good diesels were expected to do 400,000. I think the Cummins is still rated at 300,000 or 350,000 miles between major repairs. The old 7.3 Powerstroke is a long term reliable diesel...the new 6.0 Powerstroke... forget it. What a loser it has turned out to be.

For a while there it looked as if diesel was going to take off in the light truck and auto world. There is a good possibilty of a real backdown if things remain as they are today. With diesel prices the way they are, auto manufacturers are having second thoughts about introducing more diesel powered vehicles. Maybe it's a good thing. Maybe they need to leapfrog oil altogether.

Would I buy another Dmax? No way. My opinion right now is the motor is most important. Tranny second. Dodge has done a decent job with the updated 48RE auto and has no problem with manuals. Many working trucks are manuals anyway so the auto argument could be moot. Reliability wise I think Dodge has the winner hands down. Just my opinion. It's a simpler engine and much easier to tinker with. The auto can be beefed up like the Ally so no biggy there. It doesn't have all the features of the Ally but it also doesn't have the quirkiness of the Dmax /Ally combination.

You can beat me in a drag race I don't care. You can pull that sled to the top of the mountain before me, I don't care. If everyday reliability is questionable I do care.

Noticing more injector issues on the TDR site with the Cummins now that they went with the Bosch Common-rail fuel injection. Happening on new trucks. I am still not convinced about the Bosch system, when it works its great, but I still think they designed it for REALLY CLEAN fuel, which is next to non existant here. Ford has its share of issues, but I see a ton of the 6.0's on the road, so they must be getting a handle on it.

my next truck is probally going to be a dodge 2500 cummins with a 6 speed. i love my truck but i think it is time for a change

[quote=Dave from Apple Valley, CA;618357] I am always amazed at guys who basically say, "I don't care how much trouble I have with my truck! I love it and I would buy another one!" It seems to be a mechanical version of MY COUNTRY RIGHT OR WRONG! I never understood that logic either!



I guess you pretty much described me but the way I see it if you like somthing like I do my truck and my country, you stand behind it and back it up wether or not you approve of what its doing. I mean my truck might start falling apart tommorw, i hope not, but if it does yea im gonna be upset but im not gonna go around trashin GM or the duramax, i mean stuff happens, youv just gotta take it and go on with your life, your just as likely to get a POS ford or dodge as you are a chevy, theyv all got probelms ..................... :rant:

ARRRGH! :blahblah: Nay sayers. I know we all need someplace to vent about our problems, but please! You guys are a tiny percentage of the owners of these engines. I don't think the that all of our problems put together qualify as reliability issues. Yes! I would buy another, in a heartbeat. Great truck!

Well greenforce:
I like ratlover's responce! but I did notice his signature, look at that list of add-on's..:muahaha:
If you buy another Dmax Ratlover, it will be a small fortune of add-on's to make a guy cry like a kitty cat....:lol: :joke:
We all need our hobbies....:thumb:

Greenforce:
You are young, and money is the main essiential element in todays way of fun, and if money is limited, your selection will only allow you to chosse accordingly, there are good things and bad thinkgs about all makes of trucks, this site is and was created for the Dmax owners, and some of us know why this site was created, but anyway, you will hear of bad things about these Dmax'es since this is the number one site that exists for any help and suggestions on anything regarding the Duramax, wether it's from general informations, to do it your self things, to advanced info like we see from the main group on here that keep re-engineering theses Dura'maxes to last longer and longer. Unfortunatly, time is the only element on which truck is right for you, after you have bought them you will find your truck that fits you...
Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend.....:D
Greenforce,
would you like to buy a 2002 Chev Duramax with 27,600 miles on it?, mines for sale!!!,
I guess that goes out to anyone else that want's to know..:muahaha:

Ah, My next truck is coming anyways.

1 More Month before i can post pics!

HELL Yes I'll buy another DMAX. Probably not for a long time though!

This is funny, I just talked to my father-n-law last night, he wanted to know why my truck was in the shop. I told'm the injector bug finally got it and it was surging like there was no tomorrow (which GM fixed to my complete satisfaction except the little service managers refusal to check valve lash but thats another story) this is the first duramax problem since I bought my truck used in 2002 and besides replacing the silly dual drive shaft it is the only warranty work performed now at 198,948 miles and running as strong as the first day I drove it and I pull the 3 horse trailer every weekend!
Anyway he tells me he was driving to the store in his truck, which takes me by surprise since he traded it in on a Hemi durango 6 months ago, I guess he saw the guy who bought it at the market a few weeks ago and he was telling him how much his wife was hating life lifting the baby into the back seat and driving the monster....So my mother-n-law took him down and they bought it back from the guy.....Yea I guess he would buy another one .....HA

Buy another one- Why this one runs perfect but if it ever gets totaled or destroyed a Duramax Hell Ya in a heartbeat but it would have to be an 01 or 02 since the 03 and 04 look like every other truck made by the general (butt ugly) and I like the LB7, hopefully they can get a handle on the front clip and make it look decent again?

M truck is finally paid off and I am gonna run it another 200000 before I even think about dropping in a crate motor but when the time comes I won't even think twice...timeless beauty like a 72 regular cab longbed cherried out flinging mud and dirt till the cows come home....
:grd:

I recently traded in my 02 for the 05, and I totally regret it. There was nothing wrong with my 02, and they were way cooler looking in 02. I am starting to get over it, but I now know what buyers remorse is. I am sure I will come to love my lly, but I am not there yet.

Ah, My next truck is coming anyways.

1 More Month before i can post pics!

What ya getting?

What ya getting?

Freightshaker M2 Business Class.
Ext Cab Sleeper
Full air Cab/Seats/Suspension
Eng Brake + Exhaust Brake
5.22 Rearend 6 speed Allison HS3000
Flatdeck 12'
Hitches
Auragen Power Station
MBE 4000 260/880 Hi Torque engine

Accuride 22.5's with Michelin XDE Tires

Fire engine Red with metalflake
and more... but the list is not with me right now

I already did. :D

I ordered an 05 dually crew before my 04 with 200000 miles crapped out. I sure miss the 7.3 Powerstroke I had in an 01 F350. I run into people that have 4 or 5 hundred thousand miles on their 7.3s with no major problems. I will not try to run my new 05 LLY Chevy over 150,000 (one year). I just wish GM would up the warranty to 150,000 on them. I would not hesitate to purchase a used 02 Ford with the 7.3 Powerstroke if all I could afford is used. Better interior and mirrors with an ok trans and bulletproof motor. Only trouble I had with my 3 previous F350s was pinion seal leaks. I ran them all up over 250,000 miles. Something's wrong at GM when a customer feels better in an 01 Ford with 250,000 miles than an 05 Siverado with 10,000 miles.

I'd love to ask you this. Does Ford or Dodge warranty thiers to 150,000?? HELL no they don't. However GM did notice that they were having problems with some of their 01 & 02 injectors and they bumped the warranty up to 200,000 so there, how do ya like GM now?:nutkick: Yeah thats what I thought. Lets see how many people I can count that I know back home that have had to have had their Fords injectors (6.0L) replaced...oh thats right every person that I know that has or had one. Everyone! Now has your beloved Ford dealers raised their warranties?? Thats right NO they have not. So as far as raiseing warranty for out of the 3 brands GM is the only one that has so why are you knocking on them so bad. We all have problems but like what was said before we are a small group of people compared to how large of a market the Duramax plays a role in. What I will say is that the 7.3s are good but we have still had problems with some of the ones at work but problems will happen with the coming of miles and age no matter what brand.


Geenforce use this site to your advantage. If you find a truck get the VIN checked at the VIN check pages below to see if they have had everything under the moon replaced on it or if it looks like some of the things that have been replaced could have been from beating on it and anyhting else you want to know about the truck. Also only certain 01 & 02s have the 200,000 mile warranty on the injectors. I dont' know how to give you the link I hope someone else can do it for you so you don't have to go though hundreds of pages to find it. It give you the vin breaks that are cover under the warranty. Mine is and I am not cursing GM cause mine is "suppost-to-be" bad. I am also not walking on egg shell cause of it I still run the hell out of it everytime I take it out. Had nothing but good luck with it at 70,000 miles so it goes with out saying that I sure would buy another but it would be a LB7 cause with chips you can get more power out of them. As of now.:grd:

I'd love to ask you this. Does Ford or Dodge warranty thiers to 150,000?? HELL no they don't. However GM did notice that they were having problems with some of their 01 & 02 injectors and they bumped the warranty up to 200,000 so there, how do ya like GM now?:nutkick: Yeah thats what I thought. Lets see how many people I can count that I know back home that have had to have had their Fords injectors (6.0L) replaced...oh thats right every person that I know that has or had one. Everyone! Now has your beloved Ford dealers raised their warranties?? Thats right NO they have not. So as far as raiseing warranty for out of the 3 brands GM is the only one that has so why are you knocking on them so bad. We all have problems but like what was said before we are a small group of people compared to how large of a market the Duramax plays a role in. What I will say is that the 7.3s are good but we have still had problems with some of the ones at work but problems will happen with the coming of miles and age no matter what brand.


Geenforce use this site to your advantage. If you find a truck get the VIN checked at the VIN check pages below to see if they have had everything under the moon replaced on it or if it looks like some of the things that have been replaced could have been from beating on it and anyhting else you want to know about the truck. Also only certain 01 & 02s have the 200,000 mile warranty on the injectors. I dont' know how to give you the link I hope someone else can do it for you so you don't have to go though hundreds of pages to find it. It give you the vin breaks that are cover under the warranty. Mine is and I am not cursing GM cause mine is "suppost-to-be" bad. I am also not walking on egg shell cause of it I still run the hell out of it everytime I take it out. Had nothing but good luck with it at 70,000 miles so it goes with out saying that I sure would buy another but it would be a LB7 cause with chips you can get more power out of them. As of now.:grd:

Right on!
:ro)

The problem with saying GM did good versus FORD or Dodge is that it only applies to the 01 02 trucks. IF the injectors are the same design.....then why would they not apply to all trucks that have the same injector design??????

That is the problem!

In the special warranty extension...there was mention of 03 04 owners being dealt with on a case by case basis.

Well it does not look good. I have an 04 LB7 with 52k Miles on it and I love it. But...if GM is admitting a problem....and that problem is on all trucks...then they should extend the warranty on all of them...or change the design.

My thinking is that..after the new filter change they are waiting to see what the new failure rate is.

The truth of the matter is if you have an 03 and above....and are out of warranty...you most likely are out of luck.