There is another overheating poll that is going now that does not exactly pin down the overheating issue.

This poll is for people that tow loads greater than 10,000lbs.

For the purposes of this poll "overheating" will be at the point you reached 230* or more and you could tell the temperature would keep rising unless you let off the throttle or in your opinion it stopped rising because the hill ended.

IF YOU DO NOT PULL OVER 10,000lbs PLEASE DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE POLL


If you have multiple LLY trucks you may vote as many times as you have trucks that fit the conditions of the poll.

The only exception to the conditions above are if you tow LESS than 10k and still get hot, then please vote under hills or flat ground gets hot, whichever applies to your overheating.

.

It would have been interesting to see LLY 04.5 vs 05 . I don't know if anyone officially said there were any changes or not.

I tow a 44' race trailer that scales #14265 loaded. Had overheating problems for first 500 miles. Then I changed the motor oil with Delvac and cut off the muffler. Now the fan only comes on when I pull up a pretty good grade. I dont know if this helps any.

You really should seperate out 04.5 and 05 trucks. They list a larger water pump for 05 - did that happen at 04.5 or at 05? Regardless of this, it appears that the 05s have less issues than the 04.5s.

You really should define overheating as something that a gm service department (or any service department) would accept as overheating. Running 230 is not overheating. And saying - it looked like it would have overheated won't get you very far. Sorry - I am a critical engineer who thinks this thing is getting a little overblown.

I think that driving the truck in a "reasonable manner" should also be taken into account. Ya know - call me silly - but I don't think pushing a truck up a 7% grade with full load on at 70 mph is a smart thing to do! The air density is low at higher altitudes and you have less cooling effect - what's wrong with backing off and doing 50 for a couple of miles?

- jeff

The truck is "supposed" to be a work vehicle. It SHOULD be able to handle it's own thermal output under full throttle 24/7 no matter what. I find that to be reasonable for a $50,000 tow machine built "like a rock" and sold as a towing master. I also find it unreasonable when Fords and Dodges pass by with no temperature problems under the same conditions. They aren't "backing off for a few miles" then why should we have to? Are these trucks comparable or not?

There are no significant changes 04.5 versus 05 except the hood and grill, the water pump came in with the first LLY's. We already know that 05's overheat too. The main reason you perceive 05's as having less of an issue is there are less of them out there getting worked hard.


Anyone with common sense can tell when the temps are on the rise with no end in sight, thats why I qualified it that way. The average person is NOT going to run the truck into the red and wait for bells and whistles to go off and end up on the side of the road. They are going to let out because the temps are climbing and the a/c has fallen away and they have a horrible gut feeling that they might be walking soon. At 250* or 260* or more there has to be thermal damage onsetting and reduced engine life. I guess the service department wants you running it until it shuts down before they will admit there is a problem.

The truck shouldn't get to 230*, thats already better than 25* above normal, more than a 10% increase and when it is so quickly climbing up and past that then it doesn't take a genius to see what will happen soon.

Just my .02 (worth everything you paid for it!)
.

Towed my toyhauler this weekend (11500lbs) up 6% grades in the 110 deg. heat of southern cali. with no problems. Fan came on a few time when temps got above 210 but then droped the temps below that. Truck ran perfect

Towed my toyhauler this weekend (11500lbs) up 6% grades in the 110 deg. heat of southern cali. with no problems. Fan came on a few time when temps got above 210 but then droped the temps below that. Truck ran perfect

This is how the truck should perform.

The truck is "supposed" to be a work vehicle. It SHOULD be able to handle it's own thermal output under full throttle 24/7 no matter what. I find that to be reasonable for a $50,000 tow machine built "like a rock" and sold as a towing master. I also find it unreasonable when Fords and Dodges pass by with no temperature problems under the same conditions. They aren't "backing off for a few miles" then why should we have to? Are these trucks comparable or not?

There are no significant changes 04.5 versus 05 except the hood and grill, the water pump came in with the first LLY's. We already know that 05's overheat too. The main reason you perceive 05's as having less of an issue is there are less of them out there getting worked hard.


Anyone with common sense can tell when the temps are on the rise with no end in sight, thats why I qualified it that way. The average person is NOT going to run the truck into the red and wait for bells and whistles to go off and end up on the side of the road. They are going to let out because the temps are climbing and the a/c has fallen away and they have a horrible gut feeling that they might be walking soon. At 250* or 260* or more there has to be thermal damage onsetting and reduced engine life. I guess the service department wants you running it until it shuts down before they will admit there is a problem.

The truck shouldn't get to 230*, thats already better than 25* above normal, more than a 10% increase and when it is so quickly climbing up and past that then it doesn't take a genius to see what will happen soon.

Just my .02 (worth everything you paid for it!)
.

As you said previously, you are not having any overheating trouble with your truck. You seem obsessed with this issue - even though you are not experiencing it and now are whipping up others to think they are having an issue when they really don't...

And 230 is not overheating - my lb7 would push to this temp when pulling a big load. No big deal.

Just my 2 cents...


- jeff

As you said previously, you are not having any overheating trouble with your truck. You seem obsessed with this issue - even though you are not experiencing it and now are whipping up others to think they are having an issue when they really don't...
- jeff

I guess the next time my DIC says "Engine Coolant Hot" I'll just ignore it and keep on going.

Thanks Jeff.

No - I would say you should try removing some of your mods and slowing down before you jump all over chevy's butt and say the truck is junk...

The truck should be driven appropriately for the given conditions - running it WOT in "stressful conditions" without overheating is an unrealistic expectation that also comes under the heading of "abuse".

There are now guys here who say their truck is running too hot based on temps that aren't 210 or somewhat high egts when pulling a hill. I just bought a new 3500 - call me old fashioned - I leave it stock and drive it with my brain engaged and I am confident that it will serve me well.


- jeff

dmax lover... my truck is one of those that overheat. i do back off when it gets close to the red so that i dont melt something and end up walking. your like the dealership in saying unless it shuts down there was no heat issue. this being said i guess the only way to get your attention and the dealership is to blow it up. my truck is 100 percent stock. i also have a 03 duramax that has no problem pulling same hill, same load. i am very glad that people like TxChristopher are willing to help us in fixing the problem.

I don't see how a 5" exhaust and a class V hitch has anything to do with overheating, which it does with the stock tune as well as the tow tune. Further, I don't think running at WOT pulling a load that is lower than what the truck is rated to pull should be considered abuse.

If your's doesn't overheat, great for you, but for those of us that are having issues with no real support from GM find it upsetting.

For my 04.5 LLY, I put gets hot, because on my trip to/from Philly last weekend, coming back towing 15k#, a few times at higher altitudes, the temp rose. It did not get to 230, but that is becasue I let up when it got two bars over 210. If I had not let up, based on how it was rising, it would have continued.

After meeting BigBlockBill in WV and swapping hood/grille, it only started to warm up once, and not as fast as before, so I think the '05 Grille helped.

Maybe lucky for me that I live here in Houston and tow 6k more often than not. Problem is if i do decide to go into the mountains on a trip I would expect my truck to not have an issue with temps. I am not so sure that it won't.

I am not "obsessed" with solving it, I just like to help if I can. I am the guy that pulls the other guy out of the ditch while you drive right by.

.

04.5 3500 LLY/Alli 11' bed the truck comes in at 8200lbs pulls a 20' gooseneck that is 4500lbs all day just about everyday. Been all the way to Baltimore,Md / Salt Lake city, Ut/ all over west texas at least twice a week here lately. Most of my loads average at 11K-12K so with a little math 8200+4500+12000= 24700lbs I just turned 98K miles today and NO I repeat NO overheating problems with the LLY.

I think the biggest frustration about these trucks is there is no two that act the same. which is probbly the biggest contributing factor why they never can get the BS ironed out!

....Now have a poll about the Alli getting hot and taking forever to cool off..... so in short I aint babying my truck because of the engine.

I tow a 15,000# 5er and the temp gauge nevers gets any hotter than it does while not towing. 65 mph.

04.5 3500 LLY/Alli 11' bed the truck comes in at 8200lbs pulls a 20' gooseneck that is 4500lbs all day just about everyday. Been all the way to Baltimore,Md / Salt Lake city, Ut/ all over west texas at least twice a week here lately. Most of my loads average at 11K-12K so with a little math 8200+4500+12000= 24700lbs I just turned 98K miles today and NO I repeat NO overheating problems with the LLY.

I think the biggest frustration about these trucks is there is no two that act the same. which is probbly the biggest contributing factor why they never can get the BS ironed out!

....Now have a poll about the Alli getting hot and taking forever to cool off..... so in short I aint babying my truck because of the engine.


In many ways I feel the same as you. Guys around here tow way way way over rating without issue. Our thick air and flat ground really helps us. Thing is we don't have 5,000ft+ and 5 mile 6% or 7% grades to be SURE our trucks work right. I love my truck and it seems very capable, but the evidence is undeniable that a problem exists in the design.

CFK2 is also in Houston, again nice thick sea level air.

Some guys owned and towed thier rigs over a year before finding out the hard way.

.

If the poll would have been limited to just heavy and at altitude then even more would be in the overheat category and less in the not overheat group.

No engine over heat here. Trans had some issues, but they are taken care of now.

NO overheating as far as I can tell... My guage ALWAYS reads 210 ! The fan sure comes on at strange times though,,,,,

Current standings:


12 get hot

19 do not


Anyone wanna wager on how many in the "do not get hot" category have not towed that weight at real altitudes?

Either way it doesn't matter. There is a problem with the LLY cooling ability, thats obvious. So how to make GM do something about it? This concerns ALL Dmax owners as a bad rep for towing will KILL the value of your truck. Thats one of the major reasons the overheat problem is something I want cured.

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NO overheating as far as I can tell... My guage ALWAYS reads 210 ! The fan sure comes on at strange times though,,,,,

My truck is the same. It is right there just under 210* like it is glued there. Can't budge it even trying. Fan is like yours too.

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Tx, add 2 more to overheat. It won't let me. Still my trucks don't get as hot as this thread did.

I agree with Tx. If I set my cruise , with an acceptable weight I should never see anything over 230!

No - I would say you should try removing some of your mods and slowing down before you jump all over Chevy's butt and say the truck is junk...
The truck should be driven appropriately for the given conditions - running it WOT in "stressful conditions" without overheating is an unrealistic expectation that also comes under the heading of "abuse".
There are now guys here who say their truck is running too hot based on temps that aren't 210 or somewhat high egts when pulling a hill. I just bought a new 3500 - call me old fashioned - I leave it stock and drive it with my brain engaged and I am confident that it will serve me well.
- jeff
I would tend to agree- if for a fact my 05 could do what my 01 can do, we ran the same trip several times , same fifth wheel, and hotter OAT 101/102 last year, the same hills that last year I was walking at 70/75 with no Censored dam its hot and what happened to my A/C, the 05 was at 50 ish and 235+, no power, bells going off and the Wife POD because I spent $$ on a truck that can't do what the 01 dose. The Dealer is trying, new fan clutch, re flash, but GM has been no help to them. We own 5 Dmaxs. 01,02,03,05 2500 hds, and the 05 Dually, I know I am just over the 23.5k but the 01 was a Long way over the 22k and gave me no grief in 60k+ miles, the 05 has had new trans, I over sized the trans cooler, new fan clutch, 2 reflashes, and just likes to cook its self I guess. It not only OH's at altitude but will also do it @ 900' if the hill forces a down shift, and this was @ 68 mph not 75 like out west. Just makes me -:t

I am with Tx on this one too. Living on flat land below sea level, never had any problem...but I paid big money for this truck and it has to perform if I really need it.

Driving at 5k altitude flat level 75 miles/hour without any load forcing that super dragging fan on and off permanently shows me that there is something wrong with that design....and it has to be fixed! I am glad that these obsessed people waste their time on that problem - for all of us! :exactly:

don't hold back blizzard ):h

i have also seen some temps start climbing and didn't like what i was seeing...that was with an empty (almost) 7X16 cargo trailer, in western VA. not even any great altitude there. just wind resistance. no mods as i have said before. I do now so we will see.

Current score, adding in Ricks other two he was unable to vote for:


20 do get hot

23 do not get hot


Looks like the LLY is a superstar at instilling confidence in its owners. Do you think running around in a vehicle that makes the owner worry its gonna crap out is the experience GM is wanting people to have?

.

For your 20'ish owners on this site with problems thier are 50,000 out thier with NO problems!!!!

TxChristopher it seems like you are simply searching for ways to blame your truck and ake it valid...

I and my bud's have all towed and done it as it should be and had "0" problems... MY fan has never come on to my knowledge, of coarse I don't know what it should sound like so it may have!!!!

Your pole should consist of more characteristics like:

-Type of trailer - Enclosed or Open and Hieght
-Type and Size of load if Open
-Exact wieght of trailer
-Wieghts in truck / Bed

-Tire Size - Air Pressures Correct??
-Oil Brand used - Synthetic or Dino
-Tranny type - Auto or Manual
-Power Programmer and Setting of HP/TQ. Used
-Exhuast - Aftermarket/Stock
- Propane?

- Grades Pulled - % of grades
- Ambient Temperature - Humidity level???
- Area of Country located

-Mileage of truck???
-Maintenance Upkeep
: Oil @ seccomended or early ( I change oil every 3,500 mi.)


THIS IS SOME OF WHAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT!!!

not, "MY Buddy got passed by a Ford or Cummins when i was pulling 10,000 lbs. on a grade with 7,500 mi. Oil, tires 15 psi to low with my 12 ft. high Enclosed 38 ft. trailer, with 4 of my buddies riding and extra tires in the bed, anf the Ford or Cummins blew by me with somesort of enclosed trailer."

Perhaps it was an Empty trailer?????

If you think the overheating is an issue coem ride with me and my frineds, ts no problems for us, here in Eastern, NC!!!!

And if you want to make this info useful, you need to see both sides of the FENCE and all THE EGGS IN THE BASKET!!!!

WILL

I am by far not a DuraMAX fan at all as you can tell, I own a Powerstroke. On a 6.5% grade I can blow the doors off my buds Duramax with it on Tow mode with a SCMT. Hes pulling about 1000 lbs less too. He also suffers from heat problems on a long pull of a grade. He informed the dealer of the problems he was having and they said it was normal conditions said you cannot hold a diesel wide open pulling grades. He then informed them that he (grossing 1,000 lbs less) is getting the headlights sucked out of his truck by a PSD pulling flat or hilly. They said it was normal and overheating was too. Said that a DuraMAX is more reliable than a Ford overall Cheby says. I don;t think have room to talk since the DuraMAX is overheating and the Ford isn't........

bullets are gonna fly here, meanwhile my 2 bone stock brand new trucks set alongside the road, puking anti-freeze!

FWIW,

This thread and this thread alone, has throughly convinced me that I dont want a Chevy. I have a 99 chevy 1500 gasser with 96K miles and basically NO problems, but my next truck will most likely be a Cummins.

This thread scares me, also I live in Denver and drive the BIg mountains often.

trout

Here is what I posted in the other poll along with some additional comments below.

"With the edge on level 0 which I think affects timing only, I have more problems with over heating than if I have it on level 2. This may be because of the power requirements to move the heavy loads. I have never had it puke coolant or show over heat on the dic, but I have always reduced the throttle to prevent the dreaded having to pull over. I have had the edge hit 239 degrees, this pulling 14,000->20,000#, 60-70 mph, running a 2->5 mile hills, ?? grade @ 75->85 degrees, and 3400->4500 ft elevation. The only time I hear the fan is after 237 degrees and by then I think it is to late. I'm getting the fan replaced as I type this."

Not sure what is being considered altitude but being a fair ways above sea level and getting hot is how I voted. The temp display on the juice attitude takes off like a rabbit while the stock temp guage does not move up to the centre notch until the attitude is over 217.

I had the fan replaced yesterday, and do hear a slight fan noise in the morning that I did not have with the original fan. I won't be doing any heavy towing until the end of the month, so I'll have to wait an see if it improved or fixed the problem for ME.

I'll just throw this out for discussion and thought. The frontal surface, wind conditions, and % grade can have just as big and affect as weight on the power required causing heat to be generated. I have a SS that I found, and would attach if I could figure out how to attach an xls file, that allowes you to enter height, width, desired speed, head wind, % grade, and weight.
i.e.
8.5' high x 8.5 wide going 65 mph no head wind 0% grade weighing 28000# requires 172.83 hp
8.5' high x 8.5 wide going 65 mph w/ 10 mph head wind 0% grade weighing 28000# requires 241.59 hp
8.5' high x 8.5 wide going 65 mph w/ 10 mph head wind 2% grade weighing 28000# requires 370.39 hp

10' high x 8.5 wide going 65 mph no head wind 0% grade weighing 28000# requires 191.08 hp
10' high x 8.5 wide going 65 mph w/ 10 mph head wind 0% grade weighing 28000# requires 269.63 hp
10' high x 8.5 wide going 65 mph w/ 10 mph head wind 2% grade weighing 28000# requires 398.43 hp

BigWill, since you have never even noticed whether your fan has come on or not, yet demand tiny details to be convinced there is no issue with these trucks, there is no point in going on with it with you.

Score as of now:

23 get hot

27 do not get hot

Sad part is that I know of 5 to 10 overheaters that haven't voted yet.

So BigWill, where are those 50,000 guys with no problems???? The voting isn't reflecting them much. Thats because they don't tow 10k+ isn't it?

This is like having cancer. You can have it and not know it. Not everyone pulls over 10,000lbs and especially not at altitude, many NEVER tow. So nobody can say for sure how many have issues and how many don't.

When the GM Powertrain guy gets back on the 18th I an gonna hit him with this poll. If they don't want to act faster on it then its time to try everything to get media attention on it so they will HAVE to fix it.

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RVC, I don't doubt or flaw your calculations at all.

However, the penalty for needing more power than you have is you can't go as fast as you want. It's not supposed to be you overheat. Power needed relates to speed desired, thats called horsepower.

The fact is that stock the truck generates 310hp and its cooling system should be able to take care of the heat generated by 310hp all day long without issue. All this talk of what kinda load and how much wind resistance and what grade and all that other stuff is pure BS.

Adding in those factors DOES NOT change the output of the truck, it only changes the REQUIRED OUTPUT to get it done versus time.

If anyone isn't clear on this then we can discuss it further.

.

I think most guys who DON'T overheat, DON'T read these overheating threads . . . . just my $.02 but worth considering when you're tallying up your poll.

I think most guys who DON'T overheat, DON'T read these overheating threads . . . . just my $.02 but worth considering when you're tallying up your poll.

Its just as easy to say that most that DO overheat haven't ever been to the DP or taken the poll.

This poll is like any other poll, it has limitations, but damn, 40% or better that tow over 10k and take the poll report a problem?

You tell me what it will take to convince YOU.

I swear some of you guys won't admit anything unless you personally see it or experience it. I bet 99% of the people in this country have never been to Australia, including me, but the evidence makes me sure it is there!

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I believe there is a cooling problem with some of the trucks. Keep putting the pressure on them. But to assume that all the trucks have it? Not sure. The heaviest we've towed is 17,000 combined, scaled, prior to refueling. It was last August, at altitudes up to 7000ft (Flagstaff AZ) usually at 75mph. It did briefly get warm when I was goofing off and downshifted to 3000 rpm to pass someone one a steep high-altitude grade. My truck had no cat, and a TTS Tow Tune in it.

We saw numerous trucks and cars pulled off the side of the road overheated, as it was about 110 deg out.

While I would not recommend it to anyone, on the white truck, I'm going to relocate the A/C cooler to get more air to the intercooler for performance reasons.

Honestly McRat I don't think it is every truck. There is too much evidence that backs that up. The sad part is that even while saying that I am not so sure that ANY LLY out there held at max boost for very long at altitude won't overheat. There isn't anything really proving they won't.

But anyway, there is a problem, and GM needs to address it and take care of it.

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RVC, I don't doubt or flaw your calculations at all.

However, the penalty for needing more power than you have is you can't go as fast as you want. It's not supposed to be you overheat. Power needed relates to speed desired, thats called horsepower.

The fact is that stock the truck generates 310hp and its cooling system should be able to take care of the heat generated by 310hp all day long without issue. All this talk of what kinda load and how much wind resistance and what grade and all that other stuff is pure BS.

Adding in those factors DOES NOT change the output of the truck, it only changes the REQUIRED OUTPUT to get it done versus time.

If anyone isn't clear on this then we can discuss it further.

.

TxChristopher
I had and most likely still have a truck that will over heat, can't confirm until my next heavy haul. I can confirm that I have less overheat issues when running the edge box on level 2 vs level 0 or stock. I attribute this to the fact that the truck has more hp to work with.

I do have to question your thoughts about the cooling system being able to handle full hp under full load 24/7. Even the cummins can't be expected to run without heating up under full hp/load requests. Currently there just doing a better job of cooling, on longer than average requests of full hp runs with those heavy loads.

We both agree that the dmax's ability to cool needs to be improved. What I would like to see is the dmax's ability to cool better for the longer than average full hp runs with 15,000# loads, but to expect no over heat ever is dreaming.

Towed my toyhauler this weekend (11500lbs) up 6% grades in the 110 deg. heat of southern cali. with no problems. Fan came on a few time when temps got above 210 but then droped the temps below that. Truck ran perfect


Were you towing at full throttle?

I did some checking of cooling system fluid capacities.

04.5 Chevy/GMC.......24 quarts

04 6.0 Ford psd.......27.5 quarts

04 Dodge ctd...........28 quarts

03 chevy/GMC lb7..............20.3 quarts

I think the GM vehicles need more capacity.

I also think some people tow at half throttle, and never get hot, and some of us tow at or near full throttle, and get hot.
My dic said "engine coolant hot", and it was...252 is too hot.

You tell me what it will take to convince YOU.

I swear some of you guys won't admit anything unless you personally see it or experience it.

Well, since you put it like that:

There are currently 2 LLYs in my family and a 3rd on the way. Both tow up to and over 10k in and around southern CA which is by no means the flattest or coolest location in the US.

BOTH pull like freight trains
BOTH run cool

So maybe I should just have a "SUCKS FOR YOU" attitude to your problems, real or otherwise . . . . . But I'd rather take an active roll in figuring out the issue since that's the spirit of this place as it was introduced to me. I'm just trying to pose topic for discussion and thought, not discredit you so don't jump on my nutts for participating in YOUR poll.

Don

P.S. If I see your $hit overheating on the side of the road I'll still pull over and help. :D

I find it funny how some people seem to get pissed when they arent getting the results they thought they would on a poll. TX you keep repeating that the people who are not over heating arent pulling the 10,000lbs you put in your poll. Tell you what I'll send you some scale tickets that I have from my loads. Yea I do most of my pulling in the flat lands of southeast Tx. I will say this if my truck was going to puke it would have done it going to Salt Lake City, Ut. Im thinking it would have happen while crossing CO.

Now Im not saying there isnt a problem or there wouldnt be all these overheating threads. But atleast be willing to admit some of us got lucky and dont have the probs that the others do.

Well, since you put it like that:

There are currently 2 LLYs in my family and a 3rd on the way. Both tow up to and over 10k in and around southern CA which is by no means the flattest or coolest location in the US.

BOTH pull like freight trains
BOTH run cool

So maybe I should just have a "SUCKS FOR YOU" attitude to your problems, real or otherwise . . . . . But I'd rather take an active roll in figuring out the issue since that's the spirit of this place as it was introduced to me. I'm just trying to pose topic for discussion and thought, not discredit you so don't jump on my nutts for participating in YOUR poll.

Don

P.S. If I see your $hit overheating on the side of the road I'll still pull over and help. :D


I am not discrediting anyone guy, unless you are denying there is a problem with the trucks out there because if you are then you are saying that a little over 40% of the LLY owners on the DP are either liars or are incompetent.

My truck doesn't overheat. So it isn't sucking for me at all. Gee I thought I had an active effort trying to help solve this problem.....maybe you read me wrong????

Good luck looking for me on the side of the road cause like I have said again and again, my truck doesn't have the problem (that I know of cause I dont tow really heavy nor do I have mountains). Odds are better that you will find me as I pass your $hit up, I can't stand second place and am a poor loser.

Thanks for commenting though ;)

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I find it funny how some people seem to get pissed when they arent getting the results they thought they would on a poll. TX you keep repeating that the people who are not over heating arent pulling the 10,000lbs you put in your poll. Tell you what I'll send you some scale tickets that I have from my loads. Yea I do most of my pulling in the flat lands of southeast Tx. I will say this if my truck was going to puke it would have done it going to Salt Lake City, Ut. Im thinking it would have happen while crossing CO.

Now Im not saying there isnt a problem or there wouldnt be all these overheating threads. But atleast be willing to admit some of us got lucky and dont have the probs that the others do.

Honest truth: I am getting MORE overheaters than I expected. How you read my mind and decided I wasn't happy with the "results" of the poll I don't know. I am neither happy or sad, I just wanted to see approximately how many out there have an issue.

I never said anyone wasn't pulling anything other than what they say they are. I said that MOST PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE TRUCKS DO NOT TOW THAT MUCH WEIGHT, THEREFORE THEY WILL NEVER KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM OR NOT.

Also the problem isn't brought out until the truck is tied on to at least that much weight.

I don't have the problem either but lets be serious, if 40% have it then damn, the rest of us can't be too far off, perhaps all we need are the right conditions. Elevation plays a key role and there just aren't as many towing at elevation as not.

Guys I can take crap but don't create crap, get your info right before you take a stab at me or anyone else.

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To me it looks like you guys that DON'T have the problem are the pissed group, you are pissed that anyone could be saying the truck has a problem.

It's funny how some people with multiple trucks have 100% success rate (power and temperature control) and others have a 0% . . . Seems odd to me (and an incredibly unlikely probability) that "flawed" trucks flock to certain people. I think the only way to REALLY compare an overheating truck to one that runs "correctly" is to take both trucks, the SAME trailer and have them both pull the SAME hill while recording some basic diagnostics. (egt, trans. oil and water temps, throttle position, boost, etc.)

Trailer wt. 15030lb , live in mountains so i have to climb every time i come home. 6-18 % grade between Big Bear and lucern no over heating. I do not race up, drive by egts keeping them at 1200 deg. Hope input helps.

Thats a great idea. Have the hot running one run in front and the normal one keep pace behind, far enough back so it has no help from drafting/wind breaking from the lead truck.

Problem is getting people together for something like that with the same trailer and all. It would be a very interesting comparison. Trucks would have to be stock though for it to really be worthwhile.

Anyone out there can get together for something like that?

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Problem is getting people together for something like that with the same trailer and all. It would be a very interesting comparison. Trucks would have to be stock though for it to really be worthwhile.

I agree that it'd be though to get people otgether and make the conditions as even as possible. If we wanted to get REALLY ambitious we'd organize several of these tests in various regions around the US to see how elevation, heat and terrain affect the outcome.

Finding stock trucks may be difficult too . . . seems most people that find their way to the DP seem to catch "the disease" pretty quickly, if they don't already have it!!!

I was just there overheating with my bone stock o5 and would have been happy to make it happen. I was overloaded to make sure I got some decent data. Coming out of needles I hit 252 degrees, and set off the first dic alarm.

Are the bullets done flying?

I am not sure why people that have trucks that do not overheat are overheated with the people that have trucks that overheat , I have only seen a very few that would trade their Duramax for anything else in spite of the problems, I can throw $$ at the problem and go up a hill 75 MPH at 28000lbs on a 130 degree day and run at 180 degrees , question being why should I buy a 45,000$+ truck that advertised "Get the Bigger Trailer " and have to throw $$ at it to work it for work or pleasure? If those of you with a cooler running truck can answer that Question , I will take my Duramax and go home never to be heard from again.

I was just there overheating with my bone stock o5 and would have been happy to make it happen. I was overloaded to make sure I got some decent data. Coming out of needles I hit 252 degrees, and set off the first dic alarm.

Are the bullets done flying?

Needles is arguably one of the hottest places on the planet. And there are some good grades surrounding it. Perfect place for testing.

I'm headed to AZ tomorrow and will be returning to CA in a few days (through Needles). Temp. is supposed to be in the high 1-teens and I'll be bringing my 36' GN car hauler back with me. With the car I'm hauling back and some parts, it'll probably only be around 8k but it'll still be a pretty dang good test. Last time I came out of there with the same load it was only about 80* outside. No problems then, we'll see about this time.

I would just like to add, that I have NEVER seen a vehicle NOT overheat when towing:..... at, near, or above its GCVW....up steep grades,.....at high altitude,.....at high ambient temps, and at WOT!

Gas or diesel, vehicles have their limits.

But my big point here is the cooling fan.

I have the 6.0 gas engine.

I plow snow with a 9'2" V plow.

On single digit temp days, any speed over 15mph would start the temps climbing until the DIC warning flashed and I had to pull over and let it cool down.

I noticed some people on snowplowing forums commenting about a TSB addressing this overheating. The solution was a different clutch for the cooling fan.

Upon repeated convincing by my dealer that my truck "alread had" the "updated clutch", I told them to replace it anyway.

THIS ALONE created a totally different truck experience for me. I could drive at highway speeds in July with that plow on and NOT overheat!

I don't know if any of this helps you overheating Duramax guys, but a clutch replacement of a supposed identical Part # SOLVED my overheating. Perhaps, there is too much of a variance in engagement/disengagement parameters.

I'm a newbey!!

The reason I came to this board is that I own an '05 LLY. I've just spent 4 days towing around Calif and Nevada and have had the fan stay on the entire time I was towing except for going down hill. The temp always approached 230 and then I would have to let off. My truck is bone stock. My trailer weighs 8000 lbs. I have been towing trailers for the last 10 years and this is the first time this type of problem has come up with any truck that I have owned previously. I have been a mechanic my whole life and this is not normal. I would like to find a fix for this problem 'cause I really like this truck.

Nils

BigWill, since you have never even noticed whether your fan has come on or not, yet demand tiny details to be convinced there is no issue with these trucks, there is no point in going on with it with you.

Score as of now:

23 get hot

27 do not get hot

Sad part is that I know of 5 to 10 overheaters that haven't voted yet.

So BigWill, where are those 50,000 guys with no problems???? The voting isn't reflecting them much. Thats because they don't tow 10k+ isn't it?

This is like having cancer. You can have it and not know it. Not everyone pulls over 10,000lbs and especially not at altitude, many NEVER tow. So nobody can say for sure how many have issues and how many don't.

When the GM Powertrain guy gets back on the 18th I an gonna hit him with this poll. If they don't want to act faster on it then its time to try everything to get media attention on it so they will HAVE to fix it.

.



WOW, how can anyone take you serious when you aren't even taking the scientific approach to the issue!!!

BTW: never said they had NO ISSUES... I said Your POLL SUCKED more or less in nicer words!!!!

My fan is attached to the crank is it not... Does it not spin ALL THE TIME???? I have never noticed the problems you claim If the fan is clutched and engaged it is spinning and I have never heard this CYCLING you are talking about....

I pull a fairly serious off-road vehicle on a heavy trailer wood decked gooseneck!!!!!

The wind dynamics of this thign isn't exactly Sleek..

That truck wieghs in at about 6,700 lbs. trailer is around 2,300-2,500 easily, Tools, Tires, People and Fuel... YOU DO THE MATH!!!!

My rig pulls fine, alot pull fine... Sure some folks are having problems!! ALL BRANDS DO!!! At least use your brain and take a POLL that is worth answering.... The Sky is Blue vs. The Sky is Light Blue, isn't much of a POLL!!!

Anyway, keep attacking me and the others it makes you look real cool!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/BigWillieStyle_21/Avatar.jpg

WOW, how can anyone take you serious when you aren't even taking the scientific approach to the issue!!!

BTW: never said they had NO ISSUES... I said Your POLL SUCKED more or less in nicer words!!!!

My fan is attached to the crank is it not... Does it not spin ALL THE TIME???? I have never noticed the problems you claim If the fan is clutched and engaged it is spinning and I have never heard this CYCLING you are talking about....

I pull a fairly serious off-road vehicle on a heavy trailer wood decked gooseneck!!!!!

The wind dynamics of this thign isn't exactly Sleek..

That truck wieghs in at about 6,700 lbs. trailer is around 2,300-2,500 easily, Tools, Tires, People and Fuel... YOU DO THE MATH!!!!

My rig pulls fine, alot pull fine... Sure some folks are having problems!! ALL BRANDS DO!!! At least use your brain and take a POLL that is worth answering.... The Sky is Blue vs. The Sky is Light Blue, isn't much of a POLL!!!

Anyway, keep attacking me and the others it makes you look real cool!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/BigWillieStyle_21/Avatar.jpg


Thats great Will. I need another poll that makes sure that these guys are running the correct air pressure in their tires, thats what is leading to the overheating.

I don't want to do your math. If you are not sure go put it on a scale. The poll was for people towing 10,000lbs or more, doesn't sound like you tow that much, your buds might not be either.

.

I was a little hesitant to post on this thread. Discussing a potential inherent flaw with our trucks gets pretty close to the bone, understandable! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM! :o:

What I wouldn't give to be able to strap a 10k+ lb load behind my truck and hit the roads with no worries about overheating. The sad truth is the guys that are overheating aren't making this up, they are sick about their trucks doing this. -:t While we're happy for those of you that can strap a load behind your trucks and tackle Mt Everest without any worries, trying to discredit or belittle those of us with "hot runners" serves no positive purpose and only fans the flames. :exactly:

I purchased my truck to pull a 5ver for my business and for pleasure trips as well. Mama JJ pulls the rig more than I do. Often she'll pull and I'll fly in later. Every time she hits the road I am constantly calling her asking about the temps, she thinks I'm a pest, in actuality I'm a nervous wreck. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/redface.gif I love my truck, but I don't trust it not to overheat on her. :(

This is one reason I've been an active participant on the overheating thread since its inception, much like TxChristopher has. If you take the time to read that thread hopefully you would come to the conclusion none of us are fans of overheating and not trying to make it our own cause. TxC along with numerous other DP members have spent numerous hours dissecting, analyzing, running their trucks hard, modifying airbox's, etc., in an effort to run this to ground. TxC is representing those of us on that thread with the GM powertrain folks since he can "talk the talk", he knows his stuff. :ro)

TxC is simply trying to gather some reliable data to provide to the GM engineers in order to build a fire under them in hopes they will put the necessary resources to solving this issue asap. We would appreciate the DP members constructive assistance with this. JJ's out. :)

10-4 JJ, I love my truck and it makes me sick that I can't do the same load I can with my 01- just want GM to make good on a other wise great truck. It's no fun going on vacation and worring about getting there, just ask the better half- I get D@$ P$@@#.

Thats great Will. I need another poll that makes sure that these guys are running the correct air pressure in their tires, thats what is leading to the overheating.

I don't want to do your math. If you are not sure go put it on a scale. The poll was for people towing 10,000lbs or more, doesn't sound like you tow that much, your buds might not be either.

.


I'll tell you what you are about the most ignorant SOB I have ever heard of....

Your little poll doesn't do anything. I listed about twenty things that you could consider in your poll before taking it to higher authority.

Having all that information from the over-heating crowd is what will give great background information to the GM crowd you are supposadly going light a fire under!!!!

BTW: my truck is around 6,700 , trailer is actually 3,400 ( found the old spec. sheet) , two sets of tires are another 900 , 2 tool boxes and miscellanious parts for the wheeling trip 500 lb.

11,500 lbs..... HHHHmmmm that seems to be over 10K..... I know my D-max wieghs in at 7,200 with my other tool box and me in it 1/2-tank of fuel since it was wieghed that the truck pull... Combined I am at 19,000 lb. give or take....

I know what it is to pull the wieght, others pull more, some pull less, SOME HAVE ISSUES w/ OVER-HEATING, SOME DONT!!!! My rig pulls it fine and has since day one... I would gladly go to the scales but I can't the closest ones are probable 1.5 - 2 hrs away towards Virginia!!!

I would think if you were making a case to get the problem that some guys are having acknowledged, that you would at least be prepared with some sort of numbers behind it!!! GUESS, your " BECUASE I SAY SO WILL MAKE" GM really take notice alot quicker...

You stay on your totum poll, keep downgrading folks who are trying to give an outside view, Whatever makes you feel like you did something today on the Internet Big Guy!!!!

I can't even think clear about the issue anyore becuase your are just being obtuse!!

SO, Good Luck with your way!!! Hope that the isue can be taken care of. I'll keep pulling with my correct air pressure on Good Oil with a Ballanced load, that has horrible Wind Resistance and just keep my mouth shut as you continue your pointless POLL QUEST!!!

WILL

i saw needles mentioned and just to let you all know i have towed through needles the past 6 weekends in a row . only with about 7000 pounds though . some air temps were 118 degrees . i also have 38.5 inch tires and an 11 inch lift . maybe i get better air flow being so high . who knows ? engine temp never moves 205 and tranny always runs 150 -190 in that type of heat loaded or unloaded .

I'll tell you what you are about the most ignorant SOB I have ever heard of....WILL

"Hey Mr. Pot, this is Mr. Kettle, you're black!"

One of the issues that some of you are forgetting here is altitude. I have no overheating issues towing my 10k+ loaded trailer here in AZ with OAT above 100* UNTIL I HIT ABOUT THE 5,000 FOOT LEVEL (OAT 75-85*). Then all hell breaks loose. This problem gets worse with increased elevations. (AZ max's out at ~7,200 ft. with any sort of high speed grade, and that would be west bound on I-40 from about Twin Arrows to Flagstaff. And today would be a good test as Flag is supposed to hit 90* which is above average.)

What myself and others here are trying to identify is why, and why some trucks are effected and others are not.

If you don't think that we have not gathered all sorts of parameters to help narrow this issue down, then go read the 40+ page thread. BUT DON'T SIT HERE AND ***** AS THOUGH WE HAVEN'T.

Further, IMHO I feel that my truck should be designed to haul up to the max advertised trailer weight of 13,400 (which I'm scaled at 2,800 under) in stock trim and control MAP (a 5" exhaust with no cat only helps) anywhere in the US, not to exceed posted limits without mechanical concerns.

Will, I don't NEED to consider 20 things. The trucks are rated and sold to tow right at 15k or so. Are you trying to tell me that 10,000lbs should be a problem??????

I made it easy, only 2/3 of rated weight, and 4 in 10 can't f'ing do it.

I am happy for you that your truck does fine. I am happier for me that mine does too.

If you would have spent half the time trying to trash this poll making your own complex poll filled with 20 excuses why the truck can't come close to doing what it is SUPPOSED to do then maybe you would have your answers by now.

You go hit GM with a blizzard of tiny facts. I am keeping the issue simple...... CAN THE TRUCK, NOT JUST SOME, BUT ALL OF THEM, DO WHAT THEY ARE TOUTED AS CAPABLE OF DOING.

There is no disputing the poll, it resoundingly says NO THEY CANNOT.

Have a nice day. :)

.

DUDE... I AGREE WITH YOU.... THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TOO.... CAN YOU NOT READ!!!!!!!

I simply said to look deeper at all the parameters to figure why some trucks are doing it and some are'nt...

READ, ABSORB the POST of mine!!! I AGREE... I just said that you can't compare the old Apples to Oranges here without the finding out what the Over-heating trucks and Non-Overheating trucks have in common as well as how they differ..

I have read the other thread as well and have since it started as I had a hot running tranny for a while, and looked their for answers as to why I was spikeing tranny and Engine temps. occasionally uloaded!!!!!!!!

Why are you beotching with someone who agrees with you... GOOD LORD!!!


I will no loonger respond to this thread unless what i have to add is helpful to the guys with problems...

Tryign to discuss with you is like trying to talk with my 10 yr. old little brother!!!! It's wastign everyoen heres time as well as yorus and mine!!!

We'll never have 100% buy-in from everyone on this, so let's agree to disagree and move on.

This is a poll, 3 questions asked, check the block and have a great day! If you have overheating issues bring em to the overheating thread. If you have gripes with someone PM them and settle things.

Nuff said? JJ's out!

Will I don't want to diagnose it or fix it, I want GM to do that. We all paid for them to have all the ducks in a row. They claimed they did. Reality says they don't.

Where have you been for the past year? I haven't seen you in the thread offering to help. We have already gone through the details you are talking about many many MANY times over. Just cause you show up a year later doesn't mean we should start over and cover the same ground twice or three times or more.

A few of us have been trying hard for a year to figure out why they do or don't. We have learned a lot in that time. GM has the resources to come get someone's truck that has the problem and put temperature and pressure and flow sensors all over the damn thing and identify WHY it does what it does and HOW to fix it. They are legally responsible to do that.

The poll never was really here for comments anyway, I never asked for any. All it does is ask whether you tow over 10,000lbs without running hot or not.

Its pretty simple. If you can't understand it then you are the ignorant SOB, and no matter what, I promise you that you jumping MY ass again and again won't solve $HIT.

.

I weigh 17,800 empty ,truck and trailer, I have never pulled anything lighter so I don't know where the problem starts , I have pulled long hills in Tennesse with a Big load ( over 28 thou ) and done it easily at 210 +or- and I have pulled less hills in Oregon with lighter loads and gone to 250 + in 2 to 3 miles , I believe I have a problem and would ask those of you with nothing nice to say , say nothing , this is not a problem of a few hotheads that want an excuse to buy a Ford or Dodge , this is a problem where people like myself love our trucks and don't want to fry the engine before its time .SOOOOOO, those of you with nothing to do but ***** , get a new web site going and call it DURA*****FEST and leave the space for the constuctive Post's.

Come on guys, your scaring the kids.):h

Thank you carhualer, well said! Thank You TxCristopher for trying to find a solution to this overheating issue even though yours does not overheat. My truck also overheats whenever it has to WORK. Light loads and/or flat ground it runs perfect. The owners Manuel to my truck says it can tow a trailer of 15,400 lbs and has a GCWR of 22,000 lbs. Nowhere did the Manuel say I have have to stay on flat ground and can only tow in the winter. IT IS PAST TIME FOR GENERAL MOTORS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, AS IT DOES EFFECT EVERYONE THAT OWNS A DURAMAX. As can be seen I have made very few post since joining because almost everyone here was trying their best to figure out this issue without mudding the waters. Thats as it should be. General Motors only talks about weight of a trailer, not height, not what it is hauling, not the time of day, not the color of the trailer, not what mods you may have (although Ill bet they would love to know so they could cancel your warranty.) Not tire pressure, ( Even General Motors knows any jerk with half a brain will check their tire pressure before hauling heavy.) I think asking if a person hauls over 10,000 lbs is enough information for General Motors to know they should be working their a$$es off to fix this problem! Rant Over.

LT, well said! :ro) Back to the poll guys! :D On the 18th TxC will be talking with one of the GM powertrain boyz, he needs to be able to show GM this is a real problem for some of their truck owners. ;)

If we don't see some pro-active, immediate response from GM then the mods need to come off our trucks and take them to the stealerships. I make a pretty healthy truck payment each month, I want my moneys worth. JJ :)

I have now read quite a few posts indicating that altitude plays a very BIG role in the overheating issue.

Is there ANYBODY pulling a big trailer high in the mountains with an LLY dmax that does NOT overheat?

I know that all has been discussed to death since more than a year but what could be the difference between truck A or truck B with the same engine? There are NOT that many possibilities....fan clutch?....makes me wonder if not ALL trucks will overheat under that same conditions with some variation....

OK guys one more time. I CAN MAKE MY TRUCK OVER HEAT AT UNDER 1000 FEET ELEVATION!! I do not think it is altitude related specifically. I was at 240 today in Kansas at 900 feet at under 22,000 pounds gross.

It is the length and steepness of the climb, or resistance to movement that causes it. Could be wind also. It just seams like you have to go up to get there.

I pull 13,000# on mostly flat land in MI wwith Edge EZ on 1 and normal engine temps. My egt will only get up to 1,000 under hard acceleration then drop down to 600

i find it interesting that some people overheat at lower elevation. i pull a fifth with total weight of about 21000 and it never runs above normal regardless of hill or temp at lower elevation. but when i pull it around 7000 to 8000 ft big problems. this just goes to show everyone truck is different. i hope there is a fix soon for im scared to go anywhere for the truck might not make it. i agree and thank you for your comment carhauler and i am very thankfull for everyones help on trying to fix this.

It would have been interesting to see LLY 04.5 vs 05 . I don't know if anyone officially said there were any changes or not.

I have a 2005 CC Dually and tow from Maryland too Missouri twice a month and no over heat problemes. Last trip truck and trailer 19600#, trailer 8 1/2 wide 8 tall 32' long. Baltimore to Breezwood all big hills, PA turn pike all hills, and I 44 in MO Ozarks BIG hills.

Track now has 6000 miles on it. Round trip 2200 miles. Milage towing 11.8 mpg over the hole trip.
BobA:cool:

TX - Thanks for the time and effort you've put into this issue. Running WOT up long grades w/load in a big Peterbuilt has never caused overheating problems for me - they are designed to handle that. Piston eng. aircraft have no heat problems running WOT during takeoff and long climbouts, either nomally aspirated or turbo charged, because they're designed to accomodate these conditions. Is my GMC 05, 2500HD 4x4 w/ D/A designed to actually do what it's advertised to do?? I agree with you that it should slow down when pulling a load up a grade - not overheat.

I have a 2005 CC Dually and tow from Maryland too Missouri twice a month and no over heat problemes. Last trip truck and trailer 19600#, trailer 8 1/2 wide 8 tall 32' long. Baltimore to Breezwood all big hills, PA turn pike all hills, and I 44 in MO Ozarks BIG hills.

Track now has 6000 miles on it. Round trip 2200 miles. Milage towing 11.8 mpg over the hole trip.
BobA:cool:

Are you towing full throttle up these hills? Mine only overheats at WOT.

Are you towing full throttle up these hills? Mine only overheats at WOT.

If he says yes, and claims to get 11.8, I'll call BS.

Big hills my a$$. Come out here to AZ in the summer, and I'll show you some stretches that will make your truck poop its' pants! :D Why do you think the proving grounds are here for GM, Ford, Nissan etc.?

In '99 I saw GM testing the Dmax trucks up SR87 to Payson with some pretty impressive loads. Apparently they figured they didn't need to test the LLY...-:t

Oilbrnr said,

If he says yes, and claims to get 11.8, I'll call BS.


I agree!

See, thats the real problem. People around here would call the hills up around Austin area BIG hills, but to someone that lives in or near real MOUNTAINS the same hills would be a joke.

I hate to ruffle anymore feathers than already have been so far, but lets just say if you pull your load everywhere you go and you never take it off cruise control then the BIG hills you think you are pulling really aren't jack.

NOW WITH THAT SAID, BEFORE ANYONE BLASTS MY ASS, I didn't say anyone is BS'ing about their load or their hills, I said if you pull all over with just CRUISE CONTROL then your hills are a joke.

Shields up. :lol:

.

1. some dont know what thier trailer wt. 2. some dont know what a real climb is. 3. Some are not over heating and some are.

Are you towing full throttle up these hills? Mine only overheats at WOT.

I tow at 69 mph in cruise and tow mode, no over heat. I'm sure there are many hills higher and longer but in the Ozarks is where I tow. The tractor trailers are in the far right lane with flashers on for under 40 mph.
So far I have no complaints on my GMC's towing capability.
BobA:cool:

How funny. I just mentioned cruise control tow folks. Maybe its just me, but the cruise isn't really capable of working the truck.

It's cool, there are several factors to take into account when looking at the poll results. I feel confident if we WORKED the trucks in the 60% category HARD that many of them would end up in the 40% category.

Shields up.

.

Never had a problem w/ my 02 or my 04.5.
I will let you know how things go this weekend going up Monarch pass in Colorado with 15k 5th. wheel in tow. went almost to the top last year - NO PROBLEM

some of the hills around here i can only climb at about 24mph floored.

I think this explains why some get hot and others don't. I tow full throttle up hills to keep up with the flow of traffic. I think all these trucks will overheat at full throttle towing 10,000 or more on long grades when the oat is above, say, 80. I feel the non-overheaters are not towing at full throttle for long periods as we are.

i have no choice but to climb some of these floored. its the only way to get up them. i also have a 03 lb7 that does not overheat pulling same load. also tried it with my dads 03 ford and it has no problems. can't really say all trucks would overheat while full throttle climbing hills because i have proof that theory doesnt hold up.

What the truck is capable of and how you drive are 2 different things , alot of you are going off the deep end with scenerio's .
The truck should be able to tow at rated capacity ,up ,down or around,
the driver does have to be reasonable on a 6% grade on a 110 degree day, but should be comfortable the truck will not quit or melt at a reasonable speed( this is not 25 when the truck can do it at 55) it becomes a saftey hazard when you have to go 20 up a hill that the truck will pull at speed to keep it cool enough , THIS IS ABOUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM I HAVE.I will not own a truck,or anything I don't have confidence in .
A new truck should NEVER overheat if in proper mechanical order and within MFG specs for wieght and size towed or carried.
We all need to stop going in so many different directions with this ,if GM can't fix it then everyone just pick a day and all go to the dealer and hand them the keys , I MEAN EVERYONE!!!! this will get thier attention.If GM does look at these threads latley they will likley kiss us all off!! ( I am not speaking of or to everyone , You know whos out of controll.)
IMHO!

Thats been my theme here as well, it is rated to do certain things. All the details BEYOND THAT are BS.

Either it can do it or not, and so far there are waaaaay too many NOTS.

.

Well said carhauler

Add my truck to the overheating problem. I drove 3200 miles in Wyoming,Ut,Az so on and i overheated 6 times. The truck did great on the flats and going down hill but when i put the pedal to the floor the truck would heat up fast. I almost melted the motor on one hill in UT . It had to be 259 degrees. The needle was on the front of the red line. It was scary. I had to run no a/c and the heat on full to make it home.

I have three young kid's and a wife that was pissed to go without a/c and to be off the side of the road waiting to cool the truck down.

No - I would say you should try removing some of your mods and slowing down before you jump all over chevy's butt and say the truck is junk...

The truck should be driven appropriately for the given conditions - running it WOT in "stressful conditions" without overheating is an unrealistic expectation that also comes under the heading of "abuse".

There are now guys here who say their truck is running too hot based on temps that aren't 210 or somewhat high egts when pulling a hill. I just bought a new 3500 - call me old fashioned - I leave it stock and drive it with my brain engaged and I am confident that it will serve me well.


- jeff



VERY well said, there should be a "Engage brain" warning on the "DIC":exactly:

poll has stayed 60-40 all the way from the first 10 votes thru 20 votes thru 30,40,50,60,70 etc.

It is likely not to change.

.

after reading all these pages and just comming back from a two week rockie mountain vacation, pulling a 10k 5ver, we also had two other lb7, and one lly pulling similar loads, with ambient temps in the 80 degrees, we did see on two high percent grades for over 16 miles in total(salmo and oasisso passes(8000')) that the lly was running cosiderablly hotter that the lb7s, and on the salmo pass he had(lly) to pull over because of the dic warning, now he was running a 90hp chip, but then the lb7 were also running the 110va chip, so from what i have seen their is definatly a engine high temp removable problem with some llys, and their fuel econmy down right sucks, is it the head design or what but gm better get this figured out, lets just say there were some happy lb7 boys and one real unhappy lly camper, on the hill and at the pump

TxC,

Too bad there isn't a way to just poll! :o: Unfortunately this thread keeps trying to turn into a pissing contest between owners. Maybe we should have carhauler, RickDLance, Fingers and others that tow heavy "for a living" to present their "credentials" to the rest of the crowd so they'll at least know they're not talking to a bunch of morons. ;)

It is unlikely that many of us bring anything near there experience and towing expertise to the table. They know about tire pressures, headwinds, load distribution, etc., yet because their "brains aren't engaged" they keep overheating their trucks. :rolleyes: The way some make it sound anyone that overheats their truck "just isn't thinking" or "pushing the truck too hard". No mention of trying to make a living? :mad:

If you want to address the overheating issue go to that thread. Lord knows we've heard just about everything with over 5400+- posts. :)

It's a poll guys, plain and simple, click the button, move on! :cool: Opinions are like .... well you know! ;) TxC is simply looking for "the numbers" to present to GM. There is strength in numbers, your assistance is appreciated. :exactly: JJ :)

after reading all these pages and just comming back from a two week rockie mountain vacation, pulling a 10k 5ver, we also had two other lb7, and one lly pulling similar loads, with ambient temps in the 80 degrees, we did see on two high percent grades for over 16 miles in total(salmo and oasisso passes(8000')) that the lly was running cosiderablly hotter that the lb7s, and on the salmo pass he had(lly) to pull over because of the dic warning, now he was running a 90hp chip, but then the lb7 were also running the 110va chip, so from what i have seen their is definatly a engine high temp removable problem with some llys, and their fuel econmy down right sucks, is it the head design or what but gm better get this figured out, lets just say there were some happy lb7 boys and one real unhappy lly camper, on the hill and at the pump

I would like to know, how fast is everone towing, and if there truck is modded reprgramed. I have thought of putting a Peditor in tow mode too tow with but now I wounder if it my make me over heat.:cool:
I'm completely stock inculuding tires !!!
BobA

I would like to know, how fast is every one towing, and if there truck is modded reprogrammed. I have thought of putting a Peditor in tow mode too tow with but now I wounder if it my make me over heat.:cool:
I'm completely stock including tires !!!
BobA
Bob I'm non stock (see sig) but so is my 01 and while that truck has never OH'd my 05 has run hot from day 1, I understand the hotter temps are caused by the EPA in their quest for lower emissions- but at who's $$$, this truck runs hot, runs out of power on long hills and get crappy fuel mileage. My buddy bought a 05 stroker, he don't OH, but his fuel mileage is as bad or worse than mine and he's bone stock. I fail to see the benefit to lower emissions when you are using 30% more fuel- but hey I'm not in bed with the oil Co's. As far as towinf speed- what ever the limit is depending on conditions maybe 5 over. IE 72/3 in a 70. The 05 won't pull my fifth wheel at 80 on even flat ground- it starts to get hot and then the fan comes on and I'm out of power quick if any kind of hill shows up.-:t

Only 100 votes out of more than 10.000 members - are they only 100 members pulling a heavy trailer with an LLY? From the amount of treads LB7/LLY which is 60/40 some might assume there are more than 4.000 members with LLYs on the forum which means only 2.5 % pull a heavy load?
I don't so I cannot vote but certainly would if I pull a load.

With only 40 members having a problem would that mean 40 % of all LLYs have a problem or just VERY FEW since GM sold more than 1.4 Mill trucks this fiscal year (all trucks no idea how much Silverado/GMC with dmax percentage is).
I hope that 40 trucks with a definite problem will make a difference to GM.
Please vote and support Tx (and all of us).

bob: as for our towing speed it was close to 70mph when the road was straight, the rest is curves and such, with an average speed closer to 60mph, the lly owner had a lb7 the year before with the same load and never seen the problems he now does, his dealer says their is know problem, but we all know different, as of now he is looking for an lb7 or a new cummins


I would like to know, how fast is everone towing, and if there truck is modded reprgramed. I have thought of putting a Peditor in tow mode too tow with but now I wounder if it my make me over heat.:cool:
I'm completely stock inculuding tires !!!
BobA

I've not fully kept up with the other thread, too long now. Are there any 4500 + trucks having this issue since they are the same motor,tranny, etc just in a bigger truck? Are we only talking 2500-3500 trucks? I would have to guess the 4500's+ use a different stack and have a much bigger grill opening. And forgive me again but are chevy's having more issues than GMC's? They seem to have a larger grill opening, thought the other thread discussed this but don't remember. We will be pulling into silverton CO next week so that's our first real heavy pull at altitude, will see. Pulling texas/oklahoma hills I noticed the fan on/off alot for the first time and it was pretty hot outside but the temp never moved from normal. My 5er is probably just under 10K loaded but it's also 12' high. How much money could it cost GM to sit with one of you guys that overheat, instruments hooked up and go pull a mountain and take notes?

Only 100 votes out of more than 10.000 members - are they only 100 members pulling a heavy trailer with an LLY? From the amount of treads LB7/LLY which is 60/40 some might assume there are more than 4.000 members with LLYs on the forum which means only 2.5 % pull a heavy load?
I don't so I cannot vote but certainly would if I pull a load.

With only 40 members having a problem would that mean 40 % of all LLYs have a problem or just VERY FEW since GM sold more than 1.4 Mill trucks this fiscal year (all trucks no idea how much Silverado/GMC with dmax percentage is).
I hope that 40 trucks with a definite problem will make a difference to GM.
Please vote and support Tx (and all of us).

Any statistician will tell you that you don't have to sample every member of a group to get pretty damn accurate results of the overall group response.

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Sounded to me like mahalkita was being supportive. JJ

Didn't say he wasn't, just was indicating that the sampling of a poll is suprisingly accurate in situations like this. ;)

.

Interesting, I have only towed twice with my 05, trailer is 11,500 plus what my wife adds to that. I have never seen the water temp go over 200 degrees. Pulled one hill at full throttle, 65mph for about one mile in 90 degree ambiet temps, still stays at 200 degrees. Trans temp runs about 150-175 degrees The fan clutch engaged as it should. Possibly the clutches on some of these trucks are out of calibration. I had that in my ole 6.5 suburban.

Ok!

Interesting, I have only towed twice with my 05, trailer is 11,500 plus what my wife adds to that. I have never seen the water temp go over 200 degrees. Pulled one hill at full throttle, 65mph for about one mile in 90 degree ambiet temps, still stays at 200 degrees. Trans temp runs about 150-175 degrees The fan clutch engaged as it should. Possibly the clutches on some of these trucks are out of calibration. I had that in my ole 6.5 suburban.
Had mine changed out- better but still runs hot enough to lose power after time. For 50k GM needs to make this work, its 4 years newer than my 01, 01 runs it into the ground for towing.

I have an 03 GMC CC Dually D/A and I have noticed it getting hot lately. Not just the outside temp either. Anyway, I was pulling a #12,000 lb trencher, it was 103 degrees on the mirror, I was driving 55 MPH and still had to stop for 5 min. to let it cool off. It happened that morning with outside temps about 90. I forgot to turn the Juice off in the morning but had it on Zero in the afternoon. Engine temp was 249 and exhoust temp was around 1200. Tranny idiot gauge showed about 210. I noticed when I open my hood, you could fry an egg on anything under the hood. I was wondering if an aftermarket hood will help with keeping it cooler under the hood?

poll continues to stay right at 60-40........

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I voted last week-gets hot towing.

And Tx-I am in teh same boat with the elevation issue. I can get it how below 1K elevation and can even get to hot on an on-ramp to the freeway.

So do we get a badge or something cool for joining the overheating club? Sorry for the sarcasm but I'm going to have to add my name to the list of could have overheated it had I continued to press it. Pulling my friends 13k toy hauler over Donner pass I struggled to keep temps under 240!

My hat is off to those who are actively working on fixing this issue...

I have a 2005 3500 and I run mine stock and it has overheated on me twice and mean overheated not running hot. I pull trailers for a living,I did have 1995 f-350 that never ran hot,there is a promblem and it needs to be fixed.I tow trailers well above 10,000 lbs.
oh by the way I do not push my truck hard.

Shoulda kept the '95!!!:lol: I have a 2005 3500 and I run mine stock and it has overheated on me twice and mean overheated not running hot. I pull trailers for a living,I did have 1995 f-350 that never ran hot,there is a promblem and it needs to be fixed.I tow trailers well above 10,000 lbs.
oh by the way I do not push my truck hard.

Poll remains roughly 60-40 as it has since the beginning to now past 130 votes by heavy towing LLY owners. Still a few known overheaters that haven't voted, but regardless the message is clear.

Helllloooooooo??????????????????

GM ????????????????????

Are ya out there????????????

How about putting a team on this and making things right?

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Hello, i am new to the forum..... I am pulling a two axle 3-car 45ft trailer loaded with either cars, trucks, or a combination of the two....
I am loaded 95% of the time... I travel a min. of 600 miles a week from Lubbock, TX(3200ft) to Dallas,Tx... LOADED with 3 both ways.....

Just rolled 6k miles on the new truck and have seen 235 temp. a few times but never puked any coolant and always cooled back down quickly... My dad also just bought a 05 duramax doing the exact same thing as me, so i will be able to watch two trucks for any issues....
So far his truck has acted exactly the same as mine...
The Duramax does a fine job with the load, i like the trans. and the spring pack.... Looking for some more power though, it shifts down to easy on hills.....

One thing for sure is i will test the Duramax LOADED every week all year....so far so good! I hope it doesn't start puking fluid and getting hot like my 04 6.0 Ford-:t ...Don't get me started on that 82k miles of constant worry!

I plan on keeping up with the forums.... thanks for everyone's time reading my post.... "Keep the wheels spinning and the beavers grinnin"

Hello, i am new to the forum..... I am pulling a two axle 3-car 45ft trailer loaded with either cars, trucks, or a combination of the two....
I am loaded 95% of the time... I travel a min. of 600 miles a week from Lubbock, TX(3200ft) to Dallas,Tx... LOADED with 3 both ways.....

Just rolled 6k miles on the new truck and have seen 235 temp. a few times but never puked any coolant and always cooled back down quickly... My dad also just bought a 05 duramax doing the exact same thing as me, so i will be able to watch two trucks for any issues....
So far his truck has acted exactly the same as mine...
The Duramax does a fine job with the load, i like the trans. and the spring pack.... Looking for some more power though, it shifts down to easy on hills.....

One thing for sure is i will test the Duramax LOADED every week all year....so far so good! I hope it doesn't start puking fluid and getting hot like my 04 6.0 Ford-:t ...Don't get me started on that 82k miles of constant worry!

I plan on keeping up with the forums.... thanks for everyone's time reading my post.... "Keep the wheels spinning and the beavers grinnin"


Interesting that you voted "does NOT get hot"........

.

When my Ford 6.0 got hot it puked coolant all over the place, check engine light came on, guage continued to climb unless i backed way out of the gas for a few miles.... This is hot....and it did it all the time loaded..

My Duramax has seen 235 a few times but i never puked fluid, or triggered any lights..... also it cooled back down quickly with out me having to back out of the gas.... I therefore did not consider it getting hot... When it did this i was heavy loaded on a long uphill...

Time will tell if i am forced to change my vote.....only 6k right now..
Thanks...

I have made a little boo boo. Earlier I posted I pulled a 13k trailer over Donner this past weekend, well after speaking with my friend who owns this trailer I find out the trailer was just a tad over what I had estimated. In fact the weight actually put me over what the truck is listed to pull (oops my fault for not checking) I do like those weight distributing hitches though ):h

I am now almost wishing I had my old job back so I could hook up to a known 10k or better load and pull to see if my truck will overheat pulling within it's listed capability.

Anyone got a load they're willing to loan me :lol:

Even if you are over it should only go slower, not overheat.

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Past 140 votes now, poll still hovers around 60-40, although lately the overheaters have gained ground and the non-overheaters are actually at 57%

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Well, you can add me to the list of overheaters!
As soon as I got to the top of Monarch Pass (CO.) the ***** overheated, and I had to pop the hood and let it cool down. The outside temp was 95.
It didn't sound like the fan clutch engaged, so when I got to Gunnison the Dealer (JOHN ROBERTS CHEV) replaced the fan clutch.(Awesome Dealer!)
But on the way back, she overheated 3 TIMES on the backside of the pass, it was pretty scary pulling off on the gravel shoulder at that grade to let it cool down. The outside temp was 83.
At that point the dear wife told me I should have bought a DODGE!!!!!

She never puked any fluid, I was able to pull over after the dic indicated a problem and before it hit the redline!

After that the ride back to Ks. we had no problems at all.

Don't know what to do!
I guess I will ***** to my dealer like the rest of you guys and hopfully GM will get a clue!

Sorry your trip had to have drama. I know the wife was SURELY pissed, no man wants to hear comments like that.

Don't worry answer is coming........

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bigdaddy650r
Diesel Enthusiast


Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: KANSAS
Posts: 26

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Never had a problem w/ my 02 or my 04.5.

I will let you know how things go this weekend going up Monarch pass in Colorado with 15k 5th. wheel in tow. went almost to the top last year - NO PROBLEM
__________________
HAPPY TRAILS!




Awwwwww hell! You voted before you knew! So there are trucks in the non-overheating category that don't belong. weeeeelllll now..........

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I dont own a Dmax but I can tell you that egt's and coolant temps can be directly related until you use a lot of hp. You can still keep a lot of hp cool with the right setup but you can't keep coolant cool. Dodge guys have been dealing with this for awhile. Since the wide spread of twins in the Dodge people have been pushing the towing hp envelope and it seems to not matter if your egt's are cool enough after about 425hp to the ground. So to sumarize I'd bet your extreme egt's are directly related to your coolant temps. 15-1600* towing heavy is too hot.