Dan Southworth

Wanting to know if anyone is experiencing difficulties in obtaining parts for their Duramax 3.0L diesel. I took mine in three weeks ago (having just purchased the truck three weeks prior) with a check engine light on and experiencing heavy DEF usage after weekend of towing travel trailer approximately 800 miles. Diagnostic showed a bad Particulate Sensor. The dealer ordered the part and told me it would be arrive in several days. Unfortunately, I was informed by the dealer several days later the part is on backorder with no estimated date of delivery. They have provided the same message since. I also pursued this through the Chevrolet Customer Service line with no results. My problem is that I've been instructed to limit miles on the truck and no towing to make sure there is no further damage to the emissions system. Since I bought the truck primarily to tow a travel trailer the guidance not to tow has made the truck useless for my needs. Given that, at this time, I do not know if the part will arrive next week, next month or next year and my use of the truck is severely limited, I want to find out if parts availability is a common problem with this engine or if this is an isolated case.

Having similar issues with very high DEF usage, Just bought the truck last month primarily to tow 25 ft travel trailer (4700 lbs dry, est 5700 lbs loaded). On our first trip with travel trailer from our home in The Villages to Pensacola, 400 miles. Not long after leaving the house got a message stating we had 2000 mile range on the DEF. Checked gauge and it showed 3/4 full. Just on the other side of Tallahassee, roughly 250 miles into the trip, message came on the we had 300 mile range, Gauge showed 1/4 full. 100 miles later, 50 miles from Pensacola, warning came on stating DEF tank was empty. Bought DEF once in Pensacola and filled it for trip back to The Villages. Same problem on the return trip, used up entire Def tank on 400 trip. Difference this time was when DEF ran dry max speed was immediately reduced to 65 mph. I estimate that I used about 8 gallons of DEF for the 4 day 1000 mile trip, 800 of that towing. DEF usage calculation was 1 gal of DEF for every 11 gal of Diesel. Significantly higher than what I was told DEF usage would be. During the entire trip the check engine did not come on. The check engine light finally came on the following day when not towing the trailer. Took vehicle to dealer and they have diagnose a faulty particulate sensor. Problem is the part is backordered with no estimated time of delivery. Have been told not to do anymore towing until part has arrived. Reading through other threads, it appears this engine might had not been tested fully under towing conditions. Emission systems appears to be overcompensating when fuel usage increases when towing, I have experience minimal DEF usage when driving truck not towing,