Does towing hurt D-Max power?

[Firestrike87]

If I was to buy a 2003+ Duramax that towed like a 5th Wheel a lot, and it had near 100,000 miles, should that push me away from purchasing one? Does it hurt the engine and trans like it would on a gaser? I want a diesel to make it fast, and occasionally tow, but mostly for fast. So is it not a big deal if a Durmax towed heavy trailers a lot?

[AZdragger]

you gotta be kidding me..... Diesels love to be pushed

if anything, you should be more concerned with the suspension from all hte towing

[Firestrike87]

I have absolutley 0 knowledge about diesels. I have a friend with one and he put the Banks 6 Gun kit on it and it is fast and now I think that I am addicted. If anyone has any other info for me that would be awesome.

[AZdragger]

Originally Posted by Firestrike87

I have absolutley 0 knowledge about diesels. I have a friend with one and he put the Banks 6 Gun kit on it and it is fast and now I think that I am addicted. If anyone has any other info for me that would be awesome.

If you know 0 about diesels then i'd suggest a lot of reseasrch before getting one, and doing even more research before you decide to start mod'n it.

1st thing to do is gauges so that you have info about : Boost, EGT's, oil pressure, etc. etc..... the more info you know the better off you are.

[Firestrike87]

It would be a little while before I get a new truck. I have to sell mine first (which I just put a for sale sign in it) then find a good price on a diesel. Where would you suggest doing research about diesels? I have read many of the threads in the Diesel Tech. and learned a little bit but I want to learn more about maintence, upkeep and the main differences between gas and diesel. Thanks for your help AZdragger.

[AZdragger]

lots of ways to find out more about diesels.

There's a new magazine out to....... think it's called Diesel Tech or something like that i got a few copies of it when it first came out and it's got some pretty good info.

From what i've heard Diesel Register or what not is a pretty good site for learning stuff as well. Millions of ways to find out more about diesels, just a matter of starting to look, lol...

[AZdragger]

lots of ways to find out more about diesels.

There's a new magazine out to....... think it's called Diesel Tech or something like that i got a few copies of it when it first came out and it's got some pretty good info.

From what i've heard Diesel Register or what not is a pretty good site for learning stuff as well. Millions of ways to find out more about diesels, just a matter of starting to look, lol...

[chrisk1500]

Check out diesel power magazine......

Also do a lot of reading over at dieselplace.com if you are interested in a Dmax....

[Firestrike87]

Cool, thanks chrisk1500.

[01silverado2500]

Dieselplace.com is the best forum for our Duramax Diesels. I just joined there after the purchase of my new LBZ. Read up on them .... they are great trucks, wish I went to a Dmax sooner!

[smokin dmax]

I agree, I have learned so much, and saved alot of money at the diesel place. Lots of very smart people there!!

I have talked to alot of people around here and the precption(sp) of the duramax has changed alot. Back in '01 every one said how duramax's were useless and aluminum heads, injectors bla bla bla bla... Now they seem to have alot more respect for it. two even traded in their goats for one.

Oh and all the duramax's have a Allison Trans so, unless you start adding above 80hp, they are very strong and shift well.
Of course there are several mods for the trans to fix that.

[smokinjoez]

Dieselplace.com is the best forum for our Duramax Diesels

You can also check out

http://www.thedieselpage.com/duramem.htm

[Ryan98948]

Originally Posted by smokin dmax

Oh and all the duramax's have a Allison Trans

[phatchevy06]

Diesels are monsters...enough said. There is literally no other fuel type that can be pushed as hard and efficient. You need to seriously start researching them if your going to purchase one. It's completely different from a gasoline setup. There's a reason why many institutions and schools that deal with automotive training have completely separate classes and courses JUST FOR diesel technology.

[Sierra Stud]

Other things to consider, diesels require more $$ to keep them going, fuel filter's every 10-15K, oil changes cost more(3X more oil), and if you get one with quite a few miles on it, you'll be more/less looking at injectors and glow plugs... not cheap. I'm not trying to sway you away from them, but consider everything. There great on mileage, power, and will never stop as long as you keep a good track record with your maintenance. I will never regret buying mine, its the best truck I've ever owned and couldn't ask for more!

[Firestrike87]

Originally Posted by HD Stud

Other things to consider, diesels require more $$ to keep them going, fuel filter's every 10-15K, oil changes cost more(3X more oil), and if you get one with quite a few miles on it, you'll be more/less looking at injectors and glow plugs... not cheap. I'm not trying to sway you away from them, but consider everything. There great on mileage, power, and will never stop as long as you keep a good track record with your maintenance. I will never regret buying mine, its the best truck I've ever owned and couldn't ask for more!

Thanks for the heads up, but when you say "quite a few miles" what does that mean? Also, how often are you supposed to change the injectors and glow plugs? What is a rough idea for price's on changing them? Is it difficult to change a fuel filter on a diesel? I have never had to replace one so don't know if it is difficult at all.

[Sierra Stud]

Originally Posted by Firestrike87

Thanks for the heads up, but when you say "quite a few miles" what does that mean? Also, how often are you supposed to change the injectors and glow plugs? What is a rough idea for price's on changing them? Is it difficult to change a fuel filter on a diesel? I have never had to replace one so don't know if it is difficult at all.

Well it really depends, glow plugs: 175k and up . Injectors again it really depends on maintenance, if you keep up on it, they can go a long time. As far as replacement cost if a injector shyts the bed, through the local dealer here its $1,094.00 for the left side and $954.00 for the right... Thats only for ONE injector(depends on which side) Now as far as glow plugs go, maybe someone else can chime in on that one, as far as I know they are not near as bad as the injectors.
The cost to replace the fuel filter at the dealership here is $87.50. I personally don't do that myself, I hear you need the proper tools and its a bish.

Now that sounds bad but don't let all that sway you too much with not getting one, you can go over a million miles with these bad boys. Just think what can go wrong and how many trucks you would go thru to hit a million miles with a gas engine. Just food for thought, hope this helps.

[Firestrike87]

Is it true that all the Duramax's between 01 and 03 have injector issues? Is there a solution to that? If I buy a used truck, I won't have a warrenty, and I don't want to pay $1,000 dollars to get an injector replaced because GM had faulty injectors. I realize that 01 and 02 have a 7year warrenty on injectors, but I want an 03 or newer, which doesn't have that same warrenty. Is there even an aftermarket solution to the injector problem? If there is at least a solution, that would completly change my mind on going diesel.

[Sierra Stud]

Originally Posted by Firestrike87

Is it true that all the Duramax's between 01 and 03 have injector issues? Is there a solution to that? If I buy a used truck, I won't have a warrenty, and I don't want to pay $1,000 dollars to get an injector replaced because GM had faulty injectors. I realize that 01 and 02 have a 7year warrenty on injectors, but I want an 03 or newer, which doesn't have that same warrenty. Is there even an aftermarket solution to the injector problem? If there is at least a solution, that would completly change my mind on going diesel.

Well I have heard there is an injector issue, I have also heard that GM fixed the problem with a different filter. Someone on here mensioned the new filter in a thread, but I can't remember which one. Try calling a local dealer and ask if they resolved the injector issue, that might be the best solid answer you can get.

[Firestrike87]

Thank you for all you help HD STUD. I really appreciate it.