howdy folks. New diesel owner here. This is my first new diesel. I ve always had gassers but have worked on diesel machines, excavators, dozers, etc. Never worked on em much though. Dont know too much yet. Wondering if anyone can shoot me some tips on maitenence, care, must haves, must do's, and vice versa. Truck is a 04 Duramax 3500. Only has 2500 miles and I wanna make sure I dont do anything, or not do anything for that matter, to hurt her.
thanks
Jake

I think the most important thing you can do is to keep the fuel clean to avoid injector problems. The general consensus around here is that a major part of accomplishing this is to add a 2 micron fuel filter in series with the factory Racor filter.


However, there are differences of opinion of how that is best accomplished, particularly, whether the 2 micron filter should go between the fuel tank and the factory set up (in other words, before the Racor factory filter), or after the Racor factory filter. There are theoretical advantages and disadvantages to each. I believe a pre-filter set up is less likely to provoke warranty issues. I am sure that searching the files on this site would yield much useful information to catch up.


Of course, the best way of keeping fuel clean is to buy clean fuel. Most of us try to frequent stations that deal in large volumes. Big truck stops are ideal. However, any place where you see a good number of large diesel commercial vehicles filling up is likely a good bet, as the drivers will not patronize a source of poor fuel.


The fellow who set up this site sells a complete kit, including mounting bracket, filter base, filter, fuel lines, etc. to accomplish the installation of a 2 micron Caterpillar spin on filter between the fuel tank and the factory filter. It is a pretty slick set up. I have been running one for almost a year now. Look for "Nicktane" in your searches.


I don't know if you have an Allison or not, but many who do have upgraded their ATF to the Allison "TranSynd" ATF, which can take more abuse than Dextron.


Motor oil, lots of opinions. If you plan on using synthetic, the top of the line is Mobil Delvac 1, which is now being sold in some WalMarts and other places, repackaged as Mobil 1 Truck and SUV oil, viscosity 5w-40. A little cheaper (and some say not a real synthetic) is Shell Rotella synthetic. This is available at WalMart for under $13 per gallon, and is what I am using.


In conventional oil, the leaders are Mobil 1300, Chevron Delo 400, and Shell Rotella T. Of this group, I lean toward Mobil 1300 as it seems to have the highest additive levels.


And there are more opinions on fuel additives than there are on women, religion and politics.


Hope you enjoy your Duramax.


Poke around this site. There is much to learn here.

The 3rd thread on this section is titled "Rec maint list and handy reference". It was posted byDmaxalli Tec, aka Eric. He is a Gm certified Master Technician and this post is a vey well written, comprehensive list and commentary on maintenance o0f your truck.


There is another sectio on DIY, and it has well written articles on how to accomplish all that maintenance.


We all have our own opinions as to the best oil, fuel additives, etc. so all I can say on that is read, think and decide. Although I do think most all of uis agree to avoid Fram Filters like the plague! Once a top line filter, but now, since a buyout/merger, they are trash.

You have to be careful trashing Fram fuel filters........and fuel filters only.......because all the fuel filters for our trucks are made by the same company and simply rebadged for the different company's. I will agree that Fram everything else is junk.

I agree about fuel filters, all are repainted & relabeled Racor. Sort of forgot to mention that.


Only a few years that Fram was the most highly rated oil filter in tests done by Consumers Report. But them they went through a buyout/merger and wound up as part of Allied Signal, none of whose products are very impressive as to quality.


Now their OIL filters are junk,and I haven't taken a look at their air filters lately' I've always used AC or K&N. Think I may try Amsoil air filter on my DMax.