3.0 Duramax opinions/experience??

[Flyjunky]

Like the title says, anyone have any good or bad things to say about the 3.0 Duramax in either the chevy or gmc platform?

I like the specs on paper but I don't know anyone who has one to get some real firsthand experience. I have a feeling the truck market might come back down to earth in a while and I want to be ready when it does.

 

[tdhanses]

Love mine, have a 2021 GMC SLT with 25k on it. No major issues, have towed 12k behind it on accident when my dump trailer was overloaded getting gravel, pulled it like a champ but wouldn’t recommend.

City driving I avg 23mpg hand calculated and hwy i’ve gotten over 30mpg for 400+ miles.

Hardly uses def when not towing, about 5k between fill ups and I’ve only gotten def at the truck stop pumps, when towing it sucks the def.

I would say avg towing mpg is 14-15mpg. The computer for mpg is always lower then hand calculated.

It has a soft cushy ride from the factory but I put a Rough Country 3.5” lift on it and now it sits close to 3/4 ton ride height and the factory tires look perfect so no need to get new rubber, ride is now stiffer but still smooth.

I have Timbrens on it for towing to reduce sag but think airbags would be better.

I really wish they would put this motor and trans in a 3/4ton, it’s the perfect setup for towing and efficiency.

In the mountains it does better then my 2019 F250 6.0 gas did towing.

It’s not an off the line drag racer but has plenty of get up to pass when needed even when towing.

I’d highly recommend it.

 

[Ucsdryder]

He pretty much nailed it all. I can pull 26 driving city if I baby it. I freaking love mine, minus the extra dollar a gallon for diesel. Which really pisses me off because diesel should be cheaper to refine than gas!

 

[c670809]

I don't own one so please keep that in mind. I was considering buying one but the new design uses a belt driven oil pump. The belt is supposed to be changed at 150,000 miles and the transmission must be pulled to do that. I was not able to find what the cost would be. People were throwing around $3000. I don't know if that is correct but the design decision made me decide it was not for me.

 

[tdhanses]

I don't own one so please keep that in mind. I was considering buying one but the new design uses a belt driven oil pump. The belt is supposed to be changed at 150,000 miles and the transmission must be pulled to do that. I was not able to find what the cost would be. People were throwing around $3000. I don't know if that is correct but the design decision made me decide it was not for me.

So after 10-13 years you have a maintenance item, doubt cost will be that high but even if it is, that’s less then $300 a year based on ownership, we’ll know more with time as some already have over 100k on their trucks.

The belt isn’t a concern imo.

 

[Flyjunky]

Love mine, have a 2021 GMC SLT with 25k on it. No major issues, have towed 12k behind it on accident when my dump trailer was overloaded getting gravel, pulled it like a champ but wouldn’t recommend.

City driving I avg 23mpg hand calculated and hwy i’ve gotten over 30mpg for 400+ miles.

Hardly uses def when not towing, about 5k between fill ups and I’ve only gotten def at the truck stop pumps, when towing it sucks the def.

I would say avg towing mpg is 14-15mpg. The computer for mpg is always lower then hand calculated.

It has a soft cushy ride from the factory but I put a Rough Country 3.5” lift on it and now it sits close to 3/4 ton ride height and the factory tires look perfect so no need to get new rubber, ride is now stiffer but still smooth.

I have Timbrens on it for towing to reduce sag but think airbags would be better.

I really wish they would put this motor and trans in a 3/4ton, it’s the perfect setup for towing and efficiency.

In the mountains it does better then my 2019 F250 6.0 gas did towing.

It’s not an off the line drag racer but has plenty of get up to pass when needed even when towing.

I’d highly recommend it.

That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I would lift it as well so it's good to know it didn't affect mileage too much.

Is there any reason, besides options, to go with the gmc vs chevy?

 

[Flyjunky]

He pretty much nailed it all. I can pull 26 driving city if I baby it. I freaking love mine, minus the extra dollar a gallon for diesel. Which really pisses me off because diesel should be cheaper to refine than gas!

I know, that makes my dad upset as well. Bottom of the barrel gas is more expensive than regular, I don't get it.

 

[Flyjunky]

I don't own one so please keep that in mind. I was considering buying one but the new design uses a belt driven oil pump. The belt is supposed to be changed at 150,000 miles and the transmission must be pulled to do that. I was not able to find what the cost would be. People were throwing around $3000. I don't know if that is correct but the design decision made me decide it was not for me.

From what I've been able to research it does sound like a pain but I'd be willing to deal with it down the road when it comes time.

 

[tdhanses]

That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I would lift it as well so it's good to know it didn't affect mileage too much.

Is there any reason, besides options, to go with the gmc vs chevy?

I don’t think mileage is really affected unless you put on bigger heavier tires.

I prefer the look of the GMC, other then that I think they have trims that have similar options.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Bringing this back up. I need a truck. I am all over the place. I do not NEED a diesel at all. But 70% of my adult trucks have been diesels. I am 53 and only ever owned ONE new vehicle. 2004 Dodge 3500. Kept it all 239,000 then moved it.

I haul nothing. But I am hugely OCD about MPG and I am Cheap AF. Retiring soon and I would like to grab a new truck prior to punching out.

Anyone else have Pros or Cons of the Baby Duramax?

A rear locker is a must for me. Most of these 1500s have auto locker. Any real world off road experience with these?

 

[Weldor]

So after 10-13 years you have a maintenance item, doubt cost will be that high but even if it is, that’s less then $300 a year based on ownership, we’ll know more with time as some already have over 100k on their trucks.

The belt isn’t a concern imo.

True unless it fails prematurely. Belts suck on a vehicle. Timing comes to mind also. Mechanical and chain muchco better. If I could use a 1/2 ton diesel I would look at it for sure.

 

[tdhanses]

True unless it fails prematurely. Belts suck on a vehicle. Timing comes to mind also. Mechanical and chain muchco better. If I could use a 1/2 ton diesel I would look at it for sure.

It’s covered under warranty to 100k, if concerned replace it then or sell it.

 

[strousek]

I picked up a new 3.0 in October and absolutely love it. I have a 2015 6.6L that I bought brand new and drove for 10 years. This truck treated me very well. You can pull just about anything with that truck but on a good week I was getting 15-17 MPG. I haven't had much weight behind my 3.0 yet but the enclosed trailer and boat I have pulled feel like nothing. I am getting 25 MPG in this truck and it drives so smooth.

Some of the reviews I read talked about lack of top end power but I live in CO and have had no issues passing people in the 50-70 MPH range up the steep canyon roads. I highly suggest this motor.

 

[Spence14]

Had one for 3 years and had around 70k miles. Traded it to get a 3/4 ton. I miss that truck every day! Pulled my skid steer with ease, but when I got upwards of 14k lbs (larger mini-ex), it didn't have the weight in the rear end to keep good traction. It had plenty of torque though!

Unless you are hauling over 12k lbs on a regular basis, I wouldn't hesitate to get one.

 

[86indy]

It’s covered under warranty to 100k, if concerned replace it then or sell it.

The little Ford diesel uses a similar belt design from what I gathered and Ive seen a few on marketplace boasting of a new timing belt at roughly 100k.

Just food for thought for a similar design.


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[LFC911]

I have a '22 GMC Sierra SLT with the 3.0L, 62k miles and love it. Added a 3-4" ready lift and a topper. Change the oil/rotate tires every 5k miles and change fuel filter at 25k miles. The only major issue i had was the coolant control valve went out last year at 55k miles and was covered under the 100k mile power train warranty. Not planning on looking for a new truck any time soon.

 

[Flyjunky]

I have a '22 GMC Sierra SLT with the 3.0L, 62k miles and love it. Added a 3-4" ready lift and a topper. Change the oil/rotate tires every 5k miles and change fuel filter at 25k miles. The only major issue i had was the coolant control valve went out last year at 55k miles and was covered under the 100k mile power train warranty. Not planning on looking for a new truck any time soon.

I’m looking at a ‘24 and was going to do a similar lift. What size tires did you put on and how much did your mileage drop?

 

[LFC911]

I stayed with the stock salad shooter wheels and went with Falken Wildpeak A/T3W LT275 /65 R20. I LOVE the way they're wearing after 31k miles on them and think they have better than 50% tread left.

 

[CHAD PEZZLE]

I bought a 2021 with 82K back in August. I've been getting a check engine light that points to the Coolant Control Valve. Lots of problems with the LM2 motors and coolant valves. It should be covered under warranty, but if it's not it can be a costly repair. I'm taking it to the dealer to have it looked at on Monday.

I really want to love the truck but there's a few pretty expensive repair items that I'm reading about people having with them that are only related to the diesels. One being the coolant control valve, and the other being DEF tank heater issues. There's also a safety recall related to the transmission.

That said, I'm not sure what I'd replace it with. I drove a 2006 Tacoma for 10 years without any major problems. Most reliable truck I owned until it got totaled. I couldn't stomach the mileage drop and price to upgrade to the Tundra.

 

[LFC911]

I bought a 2021 with 82K back in August. I've been getting a check engine light that points to the Coolant Control Valve. Lots of problems with the LM2 motors and coolant valves. It should be covered under warranty, but if it's not it can be a costly repair. I'm taking it to the dealer to have it looked at on Monday.

I really want to love the truck but there's a few pretty expensive repair items that I'm reading about people having with them that are only related to the diesels. One being the coolant control valve, and the other being DEF tank heater issues. There's also a safety recall related to the transmission.

That said, I'm not sure what I'd replace it with. I drove a 2006 Tacoma for 10 years without any major problems. Most reliable truck I owned until it got totaled. I couldn't stomach the mileage drop and price to upgrade to the Tundra.

CCV should be covered under warranty and the transmission recall can be corrected with a software update. I haven't heard of any issues w/ the DEF tank but maybe I've been lucky. I've had Tacoma's and Tundra's and still more happy with the 3.0L crew cab diesel for the towing, fuel economy, ride, tech, roominess, etc...