I am very close to order my first duramax (waited more than 3 years already...). Everyday or so I am reading in this forum about the probems with the new LLY engine (injectors, turbo charger...the list goes on).
So I am slowly having doubts if I should really get into all this kind of trouble. I am very happy with the Avalanche and would have to trade that in for the new Silverado (or Sierra).
Is there a chance to find out how many folks on this forum exist and how many of them have problems with the engine or other vital components?
I am also a member of the Avalanche forum (don't laugh its really a nice truck!) and there were many problems in the beginning since introduction of the AV. All of the major problems have been addressed and solved by GM.
Is there anyone out there to advise me to sell the fantastic riding troublefree super quiet Avalanche to get into the duramax? Before the Avalanche I have driven 2 Landcruisers with Diesel engines for more than 10 years - I really love Diesels...
Frank

I replace my vehicles every 10 or 12 years.


If I had a Chevy Avalanche I was totally happy with, I would have never considered the Duramax truck I have now. If you trade vehicles every couple of years, I do not think that you would will reap the benefits that a nice diesel has to offer. Of course, that is just my opinion.


Flame suit on.





Gar

biggar
when I came here I could simply not afford the duramax and bought the Avalanche since it was 10.000 $ cheaper. I kept my Landcruisers for more than 10 years and would still drive them now but since I could not bring them here (because there exists no Diesel LC in this country) I was forced to sell them. I am like you and will normally keep my trucks forever... thats THE main reason I am looking for the duramax and NOT the normal GAS V8.
Frank

I am curious as well..... I hope more people chime in here. Especially those who have never had problems.....


I am doubting my decision as well..........

I have both a '02 2500 HD Dmax/Ali and a '03 Avalanche. Both loaded with everthing incl leather.


Pros and Cons - my perspective.


The Dmax is the family economy vehicle. Gas prices have gone up (don't we know...) and in my area diesel has hardly budged. As a daily driver, the Av costs a $170 a week to drive, the HD about $100.


Cool factor. The HD has it. 'Specially with the 4" exhaust announcing my arrival.


Yes, I've had my injectors replaced. But all 8 were done under the new policy, and my truck falls under the 200,000 mile warranty. I have to believe they will support the LLY if problems surface.


Enhancements - you can get lots of extra horsepower for relatively little money.


The wife hates the HD. That can be either a pro or a con. Even when it was stock, it was too truck-like for her. The exhaust system finished it.


The Av is quieter - stock to stock - rides better, is more maneuverable. I refer to it as a tall four wheel drive LaSabre.


Towing - no contest, the HD takes it.


Is the LLY troublefree? Probably not, but nothing is. Luck of the draw, if you have a troublefree truck, that might be an incentive to keep it.


To those that have LLY's and are wondering if they made the right choice, don't let the fear of what MIGHT happen tomorrow ruin enjoyment of the truck today. Drive, have fun, don't worry.....


Good luck on your choice.

Thanks WillowCreekStable to give me your perspective. I dont think my wife would hate it - don't know if she would love it like the AV though. Its HER daily driver and NOT mine. I got a company van which I have to use most of the time. I drive the AV only evenings, weekends...long trips to Florida etc.
YES there is that big COOL factor, thats what I am looking for.
I have all this plans in my mind - putting on the big exhaust, nice wheels, some extra power...and listen to that Diesel sound!
It must not be exactly troublefree but some kind of reliability would be surely nice to have. Louisiana is not exactly Diesel country, so I am not too sure to find a good Diesel mechanic over here.....

Got mine May 14, great truck, wife loves it too. It's really quiet, lots of power and it's been gettin 16-18mpg on the DIC. Kids love the DVD player and the wife and I like the XM radio. We'll have this truck a long time so diesel was the best choice. I pull a 32ft. enclosed trailer with my car in it and I can't believe the power it has up the hills, its un real. You won't regret it. Haven't had any problems with it. It's been fun doing all the ad ons, Tires, nerf bars, painted bug deflector etc... Took three months to get it from when I ordered it. but it was definetly worth the wait!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif Stick around this site, there's alot of cool people on here that have loads of information!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

I have just over 3K on my LLY. Aside from the fuel guage issue, the truck has been trouble free. The engine is very stout, and await anxiously for performance upgrades. It tows anything I put behind it with ease. The allison is easily the best auto tranny I have ever driven. Order one, the bottom line is they hold resale very well, if by the end of 3/36 you ae not satisfied, trade it for different ride.


Dino

I honestly think that no matter what truck you buy these days, its a crap shoot, You can get a bad truck in any brand, any engine or tranny combo, it doesn't really matter. They are all mass produced plastic, and manufactured each year with a bit less and made more cost effective for the manufacturer.


This is one reason the aftermarket business is big, No matter what crappy part the factory puts on, someone out there will make a better one for sale


The real fun comes in when you can learn about the rig you bought, do some of your own mods and maintenance, (If thats what you enjoy) and have the opportunity to get what you need from it. Most of these are not so cost effective considering the additions that many have made, but thats what they enjoy. Its the "smile per mile" factor.


One thing that makes it all that much more enjoyable is the opportunity to have forums like this to lean on with questions and answers to problems.


The common thread with all of us is that we love trucks including Diesels.


Buy one and enjoy it!


I love my GMC 2500HD D/A, Cowl induction hood goes on this week, cool http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif





Rob

I had one of first LLYs to roll off the line. Very happy. My first diesel and I love it. The only real problem I can gripe about is the mpg. Some folks get upper teens, some don't. I consider that the biggest crap shoot for the LLY, not if you are getting a good truck or not. You won't regret it one bit. Best damn vehicle I have ever had...except maybe for that 72' Barracuda with the 340 mopar I had many moons ago..now THAT was really fun to drivehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Let me start out by saying that this is my 3rd. GMC, truck first with a diesel. We traded my wife's 98 Suburban full leather, full load. Good or bad my wife loves this truck as do I. Have had it a little over 2 months now with no problems of any kind. We are planing a trip to Colorado the middle of this month (a little over 2000 miles round trip). Will report back with any problems or favorable comments then. As far as I'm concerned this is by far the best truck I have ever owned. In my humble opinion go for it and buy the DMAX/ALLY, hard to beat combination.........http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Thank you all folks for the many positive responses. You really made my day!


I was really getting a little desperate that my dream will not come true because of so many problems. Looks like its not as bad as it sounds. I will surely go ahead and order my duramax in less than 2 weeks.

I really enjoy this forum a lot - actually I checked into it already years ago when I was still in Germany and the duramax in a 4 x 4 Crew Cab costs more than 72.000 $ overthere (way way out of my reach - aside from horrible fuel taxes and a max. payload of only 200 pounds to be able to drive faster than 50 miles per hour because of german weight limitations....

I have 9600 trouble free miles on my lly. I pull 6000 - 11000 lbs daily from 100 - 300 miles daily. I have had it 2 months.


I own an equipment rental business in Austin, Texas. My livelihood is that truck pulling equipment to and from jobsites all through the hill country. My last truck was the 1999 Silverado 2500 with 6.0. I put 235000 miles on it with no problems,My son inherited that truck and i expect it will go another 200000. I started using all synthetics right after breakin on the 1999 along with aftermarket amsoil bypass filter system. I have since done the same with my new LLY


The Duramax is by far worth the money and the wait.


Good luck with your Decision

Have had mine for 3 months now, no problems. I work at a GM dealer ship, and see very few in service. I put on custom made 427 corvett hood scoop, 2 inch key way lift, 18s, and no muffler w/ 4inch back. Very quite still, wife loves it. Only 1,600 miles only getting 11.7 mpg in city w/some wot driving.

who66


How about a picture of that hood scoop, would love to see ithttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Paul

Well, I just bought a used 03. During my shopping I seriously looked at about 15 trucks, from the 01's through the 03's. (Mostly they were 01 and 02) By "seriously", I mean I got to the point that I ran the warranty claim reports, either on this site through the tech forum, or at the dealership. Out of the fifteen I looked at, some had many problems, but not even one had injector issues. This led me to believe that there are issues, but they are not going to occur on many (perhaps even most) of the trucks on the road. I also have friends and collegues who have used these trucks hard, and only one I know of has has injector problems. With Dodges (2nd generation), lift pump problems, and Ford has had cackle, dusting, and other problems with the 7.3. With the 6.0 PSD, the list of common problems is as long as my arm. The difference is, (IMO) GM is standing behind their problems with an extended warranty on the injectors. Ford and Dodge have not done the same (at least not yet). Edited by: st_pinetree

WillowCreekStable,


You mentioned a 200,000 mile warranty. What is covered with this warranty. My 2500HD D/A is to be delivered 06/04 and was just wondering about the warranty. Are all D/A's warrantied for 200,000 miles?


Reggie

Reggie, 200,000 miles on injectors for '01's and '02's.


It's discussed here http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9675&PN=1

Thanks for the info. WillowCreekStable!!








Reggie, 200,000 miles on injectors for '01's and '02's.


It's discussed here http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9675&PN=1