Duramax 6.6 2001

Durawhat · October 13, 2001

:stupid:

I have a 2500HD SuperCab/long bed/Duramax 6.6/Allison tranny. [This is an Izusu engine.]I purchased the unit as new. Actually the vehicle had 105 miles on the odometer and sales papers but a first title. I followed the Owners' Manual for my part of the engine break in TO THE LETTER. Its

oil/filter has been changed 3 times with proper oil/filter.

At about 300 miles I started hearing clicking as in a valve that needs grinding and valve seat reground. At 7,000 miles the noise is still there.

The dealership identified the problem with TAC. Seems a few Duramax 6.6 engines have this valve noise. The problem is with the relief pressure valve in the engine's oil system.

There is NO FIX according to the dealer after consulting with TAC [whatever that is]. The problem is supposed to go away on its own at about 7k miles.

I have yet to pull my 5th wheel any distance and at highway speeds. I have pulled it to determine how it 'mated' with the truck and to take it to get warranty work on the trailer. I pulled the 5th wheel AFTER 500 miles and did not exceed 45 mph for a total of about 64 miles on 2 trips.

However, I will be pulling the 5th wheel soon on Interstates at 70 mph where legal. My question is in parts:

1. Why is there NO FIX for this problem?

2. If the engine 'breaks down' in a GM dealership 'desert' somewhere, just what does one do at the side of the road? And if and when one arrives at a Chevy dealership or GM dealership for repairs, how will it be repaired? Tear the engine down and hope-- at my expense and indirect expenses [e.g. motels/food]? I've been there and done that out West.

HELP!!!

Kansas Kid · October 13, 2001

I know this probably isn't what you are going to want to hear, but for most this ticking noise has been going away at around 7-10 thousand miles and not coming back. It seems to have no detremental effect on the engine, other then being annoying.

I have heard from several people who visted the Duramax plant in Ohio and asked this very question to the engineers who work there. The engineers said that they had torn down several engines to find the cause of this noise and none showed signs of abnormal wear. Several members of another diesel site who also have this problem have been having their oil analyised, which also shows no signs of problems. I don't really think you need to be worried about having a breakdown during your trip. And quite honestly, you need to get that trailer hooked up to your truck and make the engine do some work. You will never get a diesel engine broken in without doing some type of heavy pulling.

I really can't answer either of your questions, because nobody has had an engine failure because of this problem. I'm not even familiar with who you should call if the truck breaks down in the middle of nowhere, but somebody here will. I just wanted to relay to you what I have heard about this problem.

Shaners · October 14, 2001

If you do break down, push the onstar button if you have it...

In 1972 I was traveling through Arizona with my parents pulling our pop-up with a brand new Chevy Townsman wagon and the car threw a rod. (less than 3k miles on it)

Back then warranties weren't very good, but GM eventually replaced the motor and reimbursed all expenses. I believe we were stuck for about 4 days though...

I would expect better treatment than that today...

quadrunner500 · October 17, 2001

Love the story I read over at the Diesel Page. Guy was telling how when growing up, had explained to him all the possible noises that a gasoline engine makes, and how to tell when there was a problem. Then he heard a diesel tractor fire up, making all manner of noises. He asked, how do you tell when THAT engine has a problem? Guy replied, "when it quits running."

Kansas Kid · October 17, 2001

Thats pretty much the way to tell anything about the typical diesel. If it stops running, you've got a problem. I've heard one Duramax with this ticking noise, and there is no way a person would hear it if the Duramax was louder like the PSD or Cummins. Come to think of it, how can we know they dont?

02_2500hd · October 19, 2001

One of the differences with Chevy vs GMC, according to the GMC dealership owner I purchased from is that if your vehical breaks down, something like more than 150 miles from home, GMC will pick up ALL expenses to get you back home including hotel and meals.

Not the main reason I went GMC, but it is a nice touch.

gary