Concerns about purchasing GM Diesel Truck
Looking to upgrade tow vehicle and finding a good used vehicle in my price range is a challenge. See lots of Diesels in my price range with around 125000-150000 miles. Is that too much and what shoul...
Forum Discussion
Head gasket issues, overheating issues, or other issues is way overblown by those who do NOT own or have owned a 2001 thru 2005 GM Duramax. I'm a retired 39 year automotive engineer and engineering business owner having worked closely hands on with Ford, GM, and Chrysler on components for Pickups, Vans, and SUV design, engineering, testing, and reliability certifications.
So much false unsubstantiated propaganda bull has been written abut these issues mostly by those with a pointed or vehicle brand agenda. GM warranty documents show less than 2% of the LLY owners had claimed or reported LLY overheating as of 2016, 12 years after the LLY was first sold in 2004 mid-year. 3.1% claimed or reported head gasket issues during the same time period. Less than reported on Ford diesels and on a par with Dodge/Ram Cummins.
My own experience:
I personally can verify my 2004.5 LLY Duramax only been used for RV use pulling our 12,840 lb scale weighed Carriage 5th wheel or the 11'4" Lance TC and often pulling a 2150 lb boat behind since truck was ordered new and received in March 2004 and now has 207,131.8 miles on the odometer presently. It's strictly OEM stock and has never overheated pulling the 5th wheel even in the western mountains passes/roads at over 9,000+ feet and has also been up Pikes Peak twice and MT Evans once now at 14,000 feet. Yes, the pipeline and Tioga Pass too. To Alaska on the Alaska Hwy and back on the Cassiar Hwy from Michigan.
Never had a head gasket issue either and the truck and the Duramax has been worked hard.
So much false unsubstantiated propaganda bull has been written abut these issues mostly by those with a pointed or vehicle brand agenda. GM warranty documents show less than 2% of the LLY owners had claimed or reported LLY overheating as of 2016, 12 years after the LLY was first sold in 2004 mid-year. 3.1% claimed or reported head gasket issues during the same time period. Less than reported on Ford diesels and on a par with Dodge/Ram Cummins.
My own experience:
I personally can verify my 2004.5 LLY Duramax only been used for RV use pulling our 12,840 lb scale weighed Carriage 5th wheel or the 11'4" Lance TC and often pulling a 2150 lb boat behind since truck was ordered new and received in March 2004 and now has 207,131.8 miles on the odometer presently. It's strictly OEM stock and has never overheated pulling the 5th wheel even in the western mountains passes/roads at over 9,000+ feet and has also been up Pikes Peak twice and MT Evans once now at 14,000 feet. Yes, the pipeline and Tioga Pass too. To Alaska on the Alaska Hwy and back on the Cassiar Hwy from Michigan.
Never had a head gasket issue either and the truck and the Duramax has been worked hard.
