New Duramax In GM Heavy Duties!

[TheDuke]

General Motors finally announced the much anticipated horsepower and torque ratings for the all new Duramax diesel engine in their new 2017 HD pickups last week, at the opening of the Texas State Fair. Horsepower has jumped to a class leading, 445 and torque has jumped to a second best in class, 910 ft.lbs. All the new diesels will be easily recognized by a new "functional" ram air hood scoop. 90% of the parts, are "all new" in the 6.6L diesel! GM claims that the new engine is the quietest in the segment. Amazingly, all three HD truck manufacturers now offer a diesel engine with 900 or more ft.lbs of torque! Ford-925, GM-910 and Ram-900. In just one years time, Ram went from first to third. All of these new diesels are amazing, compared to what was offered just ten years ago! Smoke em while you have em boys! I wonder who will be the first to hit the "magical 1000 mark?"

[AWCHIEF]

Mileage?

[moosetags]

This new version of the Duramax replaces the LML which has been in use since 2011. The new Duramax has been designated as the L5P. The new functional hood scoop is really cool.

I sure hope that they have ironed out the DEF problems of the LML.

Brian

[nvestysly]

TheDuke,

Thanks for starting this thread. Should lead to some useful discussion.

Here's a video from The Fast Lane Truck:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxkB_u8EvFM

[kdickinson]

I think I may need to have one ...

[Jaxon]

Originally Posted by moosetags

I sure hope that they have ironed out the DEF problems of the LML.
Brian

.
What sort of DEF problems are there with the LML engine?

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Jaxon

.
What sort of DEF problems are there with the LML engine?

I have a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Duramax that I have owned from new. It now has 110,000 miles on it.

I have experienced the "Poor Quality DEF" warning on five occasions over the past five years. Each time we were traveling with the Airstream and went to GM dealers in different parts of the country. These dealers were in California, Utah, Florida, Ohio, and Maine.

As it turned out, none of these warnings were caused by bad DEF. On two of these occasions, the dealer was able to shoot a new code to the truck's system (per GM service bulletins). On one occasion, the dealer replaced NOX sensor #1. On another occasion, the dealer replaced NOX sensor #2. On the most recent occasion (July, 2016), the dealer replaced the DEF pump module.

None of this had anything to do with DEF quality. It was all caused by malfunctioning electronic hardware and software. The first four DEF incidents were covered under the GM 100,000 miles extended diesel warranty. The most recent service, where the DEF pump was replaced, was on my dime as the truck had passed the 100,000 mile mark by then.

This DEF thing has been a giant pain since I have owned this truck, and this is the only problem that I have had with it since new. I started researching DEF problems several years ago. I have read numerous articles on the issue. The consensus of opinion seems to be that the Federal Government forced the manufacturers into this before the technology to monitor the DEF system was ready. Accordingly, DEF problems are not rare on these trucks. Thinking that maybe another brand was better, I have done extensive reading on forums for Ford and Ram diesel trucks. It seems to be the same story industry wide.

Unfortunately, my load situation requires a diesel tow vehicle. A gasoline engine vehicle couldn't handle the load I am carrying. If it could, I think that I would have gone back to a gasoline tow vehicle several years ago.

Brian

[tjdonahoe]

More new hype, I will keep my 07 dodge with 6.7 at 110,000 never any problems...

[greenflag]

I have the same question as AWCHIEF. Horses are hungry and need to be fed.
My 08 Duramax with 155kmiles, 365 hp and 650 ft/lbs of torque pulls my 30 footer just fine. Mileage is 13.5 to 14.5 depending on terrain. My lowest has been 12.0 fighting heavy headwinds.
I am considering purchasing a 2018 Duramax when they are released. So I will be watching the Forums for any info on the 2017 models.

[Jaxon]

Good info, Brian. So far with our 2015 Chevy Duramax, the only issue with DEF was having to add more on the road while towing the Airstream (and that's a PIA)...
.

[KJRitchie]

While the DEF tank access is in the engine compartment which makes it difficult to fill it does provide better security. Wish my Ram had a least a locking fuel door. It would be easy to sabotage my diesel or DEF. Kelvin

[nevans]

Like Bill, I have not had any DEF problems with our 2014 GMC Savana 3500. But the van sees pretty light usage - 55k km or 34k miles.

Other problems such as rotting brake and AC lines, but no DEF issues.

Neil

[Pick]

Wow, the new Duramax engines have more power an torque than Mack trucks had back in the early 80's when I was driving. 300HP and around 900 foot pounds of torque, would pull 80,000 pounds pretty easily.

These new pickup trucks also cost more than a Mack did, too!

[Tater]

Our 15 LML hasn't had any of the problems of the first year. We did have a DEF heater issue which will put you in limp mode eventually. Diesel Tech told me he can't reset codes in diesel like he can in gas engined vehicles. EPA is the reason the software will put us in limp mode which could be very dangerous in the remote areas of the country. We have 58,000 miles on our 15 Silverado.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Pick

Wow, the new Duramax engines have more power an torque than Mack trucks had back in the early 80's when I was driving. 300HP and around 900 foot pounds of torque, would pull 80,000 pounds pretty easily.

These new pickup trucks also cost more than a Mack did, too!

You got that right, these engines are more like GM'S toro- Flo v8's in the late 1960's and 1970's. They would run easily with the 250 Cummings grossing 80,000 lbs, for one long summer and it was down hill for them after that, 2 years they were done...these are not a heavy duty diesel, these are a light duty engine, I wonder if they still are using the 2 small pins to hold the timing gear to the crankshaft, instead of a key?.....