I'm bummed - Been a Chevy man all my life and spent extra money back in '05 for the dependability and reliablity of a diesel. 2500 HD Silverado CrewCab 4x4 barely made it past 100K miles and now it's a:a) Doorstopb) Paperweightc) Boat anchorCoolant in the oil, oil in the coolant, and motor is seized.Truck's never been modified - Bone stock with regular maintenance, no commercial use - just a daily driver and weekend camper puller. Anyone else had this issue? ~ venting~ According to a popular diesel forum it's "a fact of life" with all diesel engines, no matter what the make. Really? Then wherein lies the advantage to a diesel over gas?

I'm with you. I've had some big time repairs starting at around 100k on my Ford. The advantage is the pulling power (torque). Other than that, I can't see it.

It's a man-made, fairly complicated object so things can happen. There are lots out there with many, many miles on them. You got unlucky enough to get a bad one.

Many 04 and 05 duramax engines suffer blown head gaskets. It is mainly due to some defective turbo components and design. If you want to really understand it here are some links. It is worst when towing heavy in elevated areas on hot days. The hardware changes suggested here should be in every 04 and 05 duramax to help avoid what you experienced.http://killerbeeperformance.com/induction/induction-overhaul/http://killerbeeperformance.com/lly-overheating/lly-induction-overheating-explained/http://killerbeeperformance.com/lly-overheating/thermal-feedback/thermal-feedback-primer/http://killerbeeperformance.com/lly-overheating/thermal-feedback/thermal-feedback-loops-in-turbocharger-applications/

Never showed any sign of overheating - Installed a ScanguageII and engine temps were always about 180-190 non-towing / 200-210 towing. Believe me, I watched.If this is the best GM can do, we shoulda let'em go belly up.

Sorry to hear it OP, they usually last a few more miles than that. I'm sure some of the GM guys will step up shortly with some good advice.

Duramax bites the dust - Blown head gasket @ 102K miles

196 Replies

mike_mck
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
justALnow wrote:
Goose2448 wrote:
Since when the heck does a Duramax or any diesel truck get 25 mpgs, let alone 29? Are you reading that off the dash? You know they are pretty inaccurate, right?

Good point, it probably does better than that. :B

That's what the ScanGuage II reads - might not be accurate, but just pointing out the improvement.

My 99 f550 with 4.88 Dana 135 gets 45 fully loaded and almost 75 empty. :R
Goose2448
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
FishOnOne wrote:
MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
5600 not to bad. Friend I work with had hid 08 Harley ford 6.4 go south and he is spending 16,000 on a new motor that ford did not cover. I know you didn't get a new motor but sounds like your set for the long haul!!

Wonder what this guy had to spend to get his engine repair that GM didn't cover? :W

Ya'll do know that Ford is not a division of GM, right? HAHA

And for $16K I could have a full on race engine, trans, turbos, the works. Granted I would have to do all the work my self, but that $16K would be well spent.
W4RLR
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
UsualSuspect wrote:
I am not sure I would look for a new crate engine yet. Find a good diesel mechanic first and have him look at it. Depending on how long it was driven like that you may just need to replace the head gasket and see if the heads are warped or not.

Glad to hear you are back on the road.

As to the post I quoted, I second that. When my EGR cooler failed, it put coolant in the cylinders and locked up the engine. My diesel mechanic pulled the glow plugs and then the engine would crank, blowing out the water. I had the heads pulled and decked and new head gaskets put in along with a new oil and EGR cooler and other goodies. The truck runs like a champ. Spent less than $5K parts and labor. Of course I had a PowerStroke 6.0 liter, so your mileage may vary.
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2013
FishOnOne wrote:
MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
5600 not to bad. Friend I work with had hid 08 Harley ford 6.4 go south and he is spending 16,000 on a new motor that ford did not cover. I know you didn't get a new motor but sounds like your set for the long haul!!

Wonder what this guy had to spend to get his engine repair that GM didn't cover? :W

Gas power looks better by the day................
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jul 28, 2013
45Ricochet wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:

Wonder what this guy had to spend to get his engine repair that GM didn't cover? :W

LOL
If I heard it right it was deleted and had 180k miles. What is the warranty anyway on GM trucks :W

Guy could cleaned it up himself with some Sea Foam :R

Sea Foam wouldn't fix a cracked piston... :W
45Ricochet
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
FishOnOne wrote:

Wonder what this guy had to spend to get his engine repair that GM didn't cover? :W

LOL
If I heard it right it was deleted and had 180k miles. What is the warranty anyway on GM trucks :W

Guy could cleaned it up himself with some Sea Foam :R
ls1mike
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2013
justALnow wrote:
#40Fan wrote:
I have to ask about the honing of the cylinders with piston installed. Not something that is normally, if ever, done.

Hell, I dunno. Maybe that's not what he said. Whatever, it runs good, he warranteed it, and he has to camp with me in 3 weeks.

The guy in this post?

He said 5600 dollars. Am I missing something?
Goose2448
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
justALnow wrote:
Goose2448 wrote:
Since when the heck does a Duramax or any diesel truck get 25 mpgs, let alone 29? Are you reading that off the dash? You know they are pretty inaccurate, right?

Good point, it probably does better than that. :B

That's what the ScanGuage II reads - might not be accurate, but just pointing out the improvement.

Best I have ever seen is 20.6 mpgs to the keys hand calculated, dash showed 21.4. I know the more idle time and the more starts and stops throws it way off too. Though you are correct in that its somewhat consistent, just not accurate.
justALnow
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
#40Fan wrote:
I have to ask about the honing of the cylinders with piston installed. Not something that is normally, if ever, done.

Hell, I dunno. Maybe that's not what he said. Whatever, it runs good, he warranteed it, and he has to camp with me in 3 weeks.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jul 27, 2013
MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
5600 not to bad. Friend I work with had hid 08 Harley ford 6.4 go south and he is spending 16,000 on a new motor that ford did not cover. I know you didn't get a new motor but sounds like your set for the long haul!!

Wonder what this guy had to spend to get his engine repair that GM didn't cover? :W