Hi all,

I'm new to owning a diesel, so please go easy on some of my "stupid" questions. I would like to start doing some of my own maintenance on my truck due to the overwhelming charges from the local dealership (ie. Oil Change $105.00!!).

From what I have read here in the forums, an oil change is not that difficult do to.. (correct?) Is there something "special" about oil changes on a diesel (Duramax) engine?

I also want to change the fuel filter and I'm pretty sure that I can do that with the step by step guide that Eric (aka dmaxalliTech) posted back on 10/25/03. Thanks Eric!!

Now that I have decided to do my own maintenance, where is the best place to buy the parts?? I've checked some of my local auto parts stores (Walmart, AutoZone, PepBoys, etc.) and if they carry the items, they are out of stock and are pretty pricy at that. I asked my local dealer and they have the parts, but are a little high in price according to my searches on the web. Can anyone recommend a good on-line parts store for parts (especially for air, fuel and oil filters)?

If anyone knows of a good "in-person" store in the Baltimore area, I'd like to check that out also.

If anyone could give me some feedback on the following parts that are recommended by the owners manual, I'd appreciate that also. (ie good or bad parts, etc)

Air Cleaner A1618C
Oil Filter PF2232
Fuel Filter 97256734
89016324
TP1298


Thanks for any and all help.

Newbie Diesel Owner,
DawgInMD (aka Dave)

Hello,


Not sure about your milage or warranty situation but whenever you do your own maintenece it is a good idea to keep all receipts and a detailed maintenece log. Mine includes the date/time/milage/hour meter and what parts/fluids/adjustments/inspections I performed. Of course this matches the receipts. The number one reason a warranty claim will be denied is lack of maintenece or proof of it! GM or aftermarket warranty.

<DIV>If you have an Advanced Auto store near you, you can get AC Delco oil filters for $7.95 each.</DIV>
<DIV>Go to the Allison dealer for your trans spin on filters I think there around 8 bucks.</DIV>
<DIV>Also if you have a Tractor Supply or Farm and Fleet store by you they carry diesel oils.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>This is where I get my stuff for the oil and filter changes.</DIV>
<DIV>I use Shell Rotella 15w-40 I get at the Tractor Supply for $16.95 (this is a ten quart bottle)</DIV>
<DIV>With the prices I pay for oil and filter, I can do an oil change for around $25.00 or so. If I take my own oil and filter to the dealer they do the oil change and grease job for $9.00.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Hope This Helps</DIV>

The oil change is very easy. Right now I'm using Rotella T synthetic from wally World at $9.97 a gallon. Be sure you have a container that will hold 10 qts!! Wally sells them for less than $10.00. Local supplier was out of Baldwin filters so I got one from NAPA. Their filters are made by Wix, one of the best out there. I've used the NAPA Gold on all my vehicles up to now. The only good thing I have ever heard about Fram filters is their price!

John R.


You said go to the Allison dealer?? I just payed GMC 20.00 bills for a spin on.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif And that was a reduced rate do to buisness account.


ON EDIT: Spin on retail 21.23 my price 16.92 ACDELCO air filter38.00 retail my price 20.00.


I think I am getting soaked!Edited by: Bronco

Bronco, find someplace else to get your filters. We can get Baldwin up here cheaper than that!

Definitely go to Allison dealer for spin on filter. I have one near me in Houston that deals more with MD trucks (Isuzu, In'tl) delivery type trucks but is Allison dealer.... my price out the door with tax was a little over $9.


Kenny

DawgInMD,


I do my own maintenance and I have found some deals to be had.


1. Choose your oil.


My oil of choice is Mobil Delvac 1300 Dino oil for the first 10,000 miles. Then I will be switching to Mobil Delvac 1 synth. The nice thing about Delvac 1300 is that Walmart sells it for about 5.88 a gallon. That's a big savings when you need almost 3 gallons for an oil change. Shell Rotella is also sold at Wally world and is a very good oil also. I just don't like the smell. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


2. Choose your oil filter.


I use Baldwin B1441's due to very good reviews from various Diesel and oil forums and from work. It has very good filtering qualities and that is really what you want a filter to do. I order my filters in half case quantities for about $7.00 each from Associated Diesel's web site. This is a good price for these filters. Other good ones are Wix, NAPA Gold, Hastings. I find that buying filters in quantity is the best way to get a good price on a very high quality filter. Whatever you do, the word is to stay away from Fram. I guess the quality differs from one style of filter to another and their Diesel filters are not considered worthy.


3. According to the guys in the know, and I would listen to them, all OEM fuel filters made for the Duramax are made by Racor. So, no matter who's name is on it, it's a Racor fuel filter. So the advice here is to buy at the best price. The sponsors of this site have good service and prices but shop on the web, there are good prices to be found. The Racor number is INF4598 for the LB7 engine. I don't know if anybody has the LLY filter yet.


4. The Air filter is a very tender subject right now for aftermarket stuff. My advice is to search for Air Filter and study up. I honestly don't know whether the AC air filter is better than the Fram or is better than the NAPA, etc. I, myself will be staying with paper elements and I will have to do some research to determine the best OEM Paper element. I got about 13,000 miles to decide.


5. Spin on filter for the Allison.


Any more times you are going to change this puppy, I would go with the Allison Filter from an Allison Shop. For me, the Allison regional repair facility is only 30 miles away and the price is $7.75 for the filter. I have not heard if any other filter manufacturer is better than the Allison one's. Again, more research is needed.


<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"

Bronco,


Stewart and Stevenson in Commerce City has the spin on filters for less than 9 bucks. Not sure how far away that is from you. I believe it is I-270 and Vasquez (sp?)


Bob

Dawg


I run Baldwin as well. Same as Dave I buy them on-line from Associated Diesel. Good price and one stop shopping. Buy in bulk and save a little on price and shipping. They carry your fuel filter,(Racor), your Allison spin on, your oil filter and your airfilter. If you are wanting all of the above they have a ready made package with all four filters. Because of the the different change intervals I but six oil filters, three fuel filters, three Allison spin ons and three air filters. I have run Shell Rotela 15W-40 in all my diesels and have been very happy. Be sure and check your rear differential ASAP. Mine along with the majority was at least a qt low. Went ahead and change the front and rear diff gear oil to Mobil 1 Syn. 75W-90.


Here is a link to Associated Diesel http://www.adiesel.com/


Welcome to the fam damily. The people on here are great. If you need anything, these guys have the answers.

I got STP PH9100 oil filters on sale at AutoZone for $1.99. The STP filters are manufactured by Champion Labs. The filter that comes on the engine from the factory is a Champion.


Can't go wrong with Delvac 1300 for $5.88 at Wally World. I saw a recent UOA between Delvac 1300 and Delvac 1 on a Mercedes Diesel. They were pretty much neck to neck, enough to convince me to stick with the 1300, not worth $30 a gallon to go to the Delvac 1 in my opinion.

Welcome, Dawg. I don't know where you are in Maryland - but I bought my Allison spin-ons and a replacement ring magnet (DO NOT FORGET THE MAGNET) from Johnson-Towers near Baltimore. Stealers had qouted me $38 for the filter and $29 for the magnet ("got to order 'em")!!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif Got my filters for $8 and the magnet for (drumroll please!)----------&gt; $0.86!!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Thanks for all the info..
DavesDMax and Bowhunter thanks for the recommendation on the website http://www.adiesel.com/
I came across them in some searches, but it's nice to hear from people that have used them.

I like the idea of a "1 stop" shopping place for the filters I need. Changing the oil, air filter and fuel fiter I think I can manage... but what is the process to replace the Spin on filter for the Allison??
Do I have to change the Allison Transmission fluid at the same time?
I'm a little uneasy trying to that on my own, given my inexperience with car maintenance.

Bowhunter.. you mentioned that I check the rear differential ASAP.. Excuse my ignorance.. but how do you do that??

Again thanks for everyone's patience with a newbie.

... but what is the process to replace the Spin on filter for the Allison??
Do I have to change the Allison Transmission fluid at the same time?



Not a problem, Dawg, we're always glad to help. No need to change tranny fluid. The Allison filter is a small red spin-on cartridge on the driver's side of the tranny (right under the driver's door). (ENGINE NOT RUNNING during this process!) You will lose the fluid in the old cartridge and a few ounces more that will drip while swapping out. Make sure you retrieve the ring magnet (it will be on the top of your old filter or up around the threaded nipple on the tranny. Wipe it off good with a rag. Fill the new filter full with new ATF, put the ring magnet on it and tighten it one full turn after contact. You will lose about an ounce of fluid and it's not even readable on the tranny dipstick!

Thanks Tom.

I was under my truck last night looking around and saw the Spin on Allison filter. I was worried in order to change it, you had to replace all the fluid (ie as in an oil change). Glad to hear you don't have to to that!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Which Brand ATF do you use? (Synthetic or not?)

Thanks,
Dawg

I'm running Amsoil synthetic ATF. A lot of people are running Transynd synthetic (make sure you get that from an Allison dealer!) and some are recently reporting that they are using Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. Factory load is Dexron III.


Rear diff fluid is checked via the fill hole on the right rear of the punkin cover. There's also a drain plug on the bottom left of the diff casting that takes a 3/8" socket or breaker bar. Capacity is 3.78 quarts, which should put the level just below the fill hole on level ground - but many are reporting trucks delivered over a quart low.

DawgInMD: I feel the same as you. Since pruchasing my K2500HD, I've done all my own maintenance. Just keep the reciepts and write up a description of what you did on the date and mileage. Don't be intimidated. Just schedule the work on a Saturday or other day when you have plenty of time. If you take your time, even the little quirks can be fun. I found that changing the oil & filter, fuel filter, air filter, transmission spin-on filter, and differential fluids have each been pretty easy. They each just take a little time.

Now I actually look forward to upcoming maintenance items. I really enjoy working on the truck. It's almost turned into a new hobby!

I would recommend that you get a set of Helms Service Manuals if you don't already have them. Although pricey, there's lots of useful information in those manuals.

Happy Maintaining!

IDLE CHATTER,


Ring magnet? Got a picture? Hope I did not pitch mine!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif

IDLE CHATTER,


Ring magnet? Got a picture? Hope I did not pitch mine!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif





IIRC it's about the size of a 50 cent piece (maybe a little bigger) with a hole in the center and is about 1/4 inch thick. Mine was a dark grey/black in color.

Here ya go:


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/C11_allis8.jpghttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/21F_allis9.jpg


I bought my truck in October of 2001 and two weeks later drove it from Wisconsin to San Antonio, TX. I knew that an Allison filter swap was recommended at 1500 miles, so I took a tranny and oil filter along with me on the trip. I had the engine oil &amp; filter and the tranny filter done at a Jiffylube in San Antonio. I found out about the ring magnet about a month later on a group page. DOH! Edited by: Idle_Chatter

Great pictures. One thing to mention, I had went to NAPA and got the spin on filter for the allison. Went to change, and saw the NAPA filter did not have the nice flat spot for the magnet to sit on. Also, the magnet would have nearly covered all of the holes in the filter, the holes were closer to the center than the OEM. So, I returned the filter to NAPA and got one at the Chevy dealer since the allison shop was already closed for the day.

Just went out and checked. No magnet.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif I changed my filter at 7800 and 15k. I never remeber pitching the magnet.

tundracamper,

You mentioned the Helms Service Manuals.
Where does one go about getting these and when you say pricey... around how much is that?

Tom (Idle_Chatter), thanks for the ATF info.
Question for you on checking the rear diff...
Did you drain the fluid to determine how low it was??
Or is there a way to measure how low you are?
and excuse my ignorance once again... what is the "punkin cover"?

I just ordered a set of Baldwin filters (air, fuel, tranny and 3 oil) from Associated Diesel ($66.18 delivered to my house.. not too bad I don't think. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif )

Once they come in.. I guess I'll be underway.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Great pictures. One thing to mention, I had went to NAPA and got the spin on filter for the allison. Went to change, and saw the NAPA filter did not have the nice flat spot for the magnet to sit on. Also, the magnet would have nearly covered all of the holes in the filter, the holes were closer to the center than the OEM. So, I returned the filter to NAPA and got one at the Chevy dealer since the allison shop was already closed for the day.


Thanks I just opened the box and looked at my Wix filter. I see what you mean, it's going back to NAPA and I'll be stopping at the Allison dealer. Does the Allison filter come with a new magnet?

here you go, dawginmd, www.helminc.com (http://www.helminc.com)


john


02 3500 cc lb 4x4 lt/10 lug conversion,xde 245r 19.5 alcoa's,edge/attitude,afe,trandsynd,banks acutator,amsoil.bypass delvac 1, bilsteins,magnaflow,putco full running board system


38' prowler quad slides 14100lb's loaded

Thanks I just opened the box and looked at my Wix filter. I see what you mean, it's going back to NAPA and I'll be stopping at the Allison dealer. Does the Allison filter come with a new magnet?





No, the filter does not come with the magnet. If you need another one, you will have to buy it.

I ordered a set of filters from Associated Diesel a few months back and when I went to change the Allison spin on I noticed the Baldwin replacement had the holes closer to the center and thought the same thing, the magnet might restrict fluid flow. Got on the phone with Baldwin engineer and he assured me that they had researched that exact thing and even though it looks as if the magnet might cover the holes, the way the top of the filter is convexed the magnet does not restrict flow. This was a couple of months ago but he said they were in the process of redesigning their Allison filter to eleminate any concerns. Checked with a few guys here and they reassured me that it was OK to use. http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1834&amp;KW=Bowhunter


Who knows if he was speaking the truth but I was a new D-Max owner and trusted what he said. I was about as confident at the time in my mechanic skills as Dawg is now. No problems so far. About time for another filter change and will go to the local Allison shop to get the next one. Trust Baldwins stuff exclusivly except that sort of little stuff just keeps this excessive compulsive personality awake at nights.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wacko.gif


This is what makes this sight so great. It gives us guys with no mechanical skills a chance to actually get in there and do some of this stuff our selves and truly learn to enjoy these trucks on a whole new level. Not to mention the gazillion dollars it saves us from having to pay someone to change the oil. Edited by: Bowhunter

Tom (Idle_Chatter), thanks for the ATF info.
Question for you on checking the rear diff...
Did you drain the fluid to determine how low it was??
Or is there a way to measure how low you are?
and excuse my ignorance once again... what is the "punkin cover"?



C'mon, Dawg, you're killin' me!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif (Just kidding!) The "punkin" is the big round housing in the middle of the rear differential that holds the ring gear and pinion. When you look under the rear of the truck forward, you'll see that the differential housing (punkin) has a large round steel cover held on by a ring of bolts. At about 3 oclock on that cover is a hex-head plug with a gasket which is the fill plug. (I forget the size at the moment - 15mm seems to come to mind.) You can check your fluid level by pulling this plug and sticking your pinkie in the hole and bending it downward inside the cover. If you don't hit oil with the tip of your finger within 1/2" or so of the bottom of the hole - you're low. The differential drain is a flush-fitting plug on the bottom of the housing forward of the cover and towards the left axle. It has a 3/8" square hole in it that will accept the drive connection (where you clip on a socket) of a 3/8" socket wrench or breaker bar. You should change out your rear differential lube after the first 500 miles of breakin because the ring and pinion actually lap or wear into each other producing a lot of heat and some metallic debris. To refill, you just put the drain plug back in and pump or pour the new lube into the fill hole. You can measure 3.78 quarts or just fill up to the lower edge of the hole - the 1/2" of extra lube is not going to hurt.

Thanks Tom.. I was pretty sure I knew what you were talking about, but I didn't want to assume anything.. You know that they say when you assume!! I'll be looking in the rear diff level this weekend.

Thanks John for the info on the Helms manuals. I think I'll be ordering some pretty soon.

Thanks again,
Dawg

Hello,


Called GMC truck city. They want 14.00 dollars for the filter magnet. GM Part # 29535617. This prompted me along with the suggestion of others to locate an Allison dealer in the area. B&amp;G Equiptment (970) 352-9141 Greeley Colorado. Allison spin on filter GM#29539579 9.76$ and they have to special order the magnet. No price because they have never had one in there system. I went ahead and had them order it . Figured it had to be cheaper than the 14.00 from GMC.