Just curious if anyone else has seen these problems I don't really do much research on the Duramax's
I have 3 friends with them 2 are 2012's and 1 2015 all 2500's not 1 of them have towed over 10,000lbs the 2 12's needed 1 passengers side head gasket replaced both at around the same mileage 30,000kms this was 3 yrs ago now in the last six months both of them needed the same gasket replaced at close to 60,000kms they did both sides and replaced both heads and now just this week the 2015 needs the passenger side head gasket replaced as well mileage is 34,000kms. Could very well be just a coincidence but these are the only three Duramax is that I know of and all three of them with the same problem

 

Sounds like the old 2.8L 6 banger chevy used in the S10s in the 80s around 80k you were most likely going to need a new head gasket. Last chevy I ever owned or will own.

 

I have a small fleet of roughly 40 trucks, most are F-150's, 2 are F-250's and 6 Chevy 1/2 tons. I do have 1 that's a 3/4 ton Duramax, a 2008 with 135,000ish miles. Other than routine maintenance I can't recall any major issues with it. It's assigned to a semi retired employee and doesn't get driven now on a regular basis. He pulled a small boat with it, I think that was the extend of it's towing.

 

Ya I have a friend with a 2009 duramax and no problems at all I think the problems that I am seeing are on the last generation with DEF

 

My first car was a used '85 S10 Blazer with this exact same problem. It also had rusted out screws in the roof rack. When it rained the headliner would droup down to the floor. It was also the first and the only Chevy I have owned.

 

I'm in the market for a new truck, 2018 or 2019 model, not sure which. I've been to the local auto shows, looked over and sat in all of the heavy duty models. I also look at all three HD forums for info on how owners are faring with their trucks. All three seem to have rock solid trucks as of 2017. There are few complaints for any of the the three. Super Duty's just caught up with GM and Ram with their new boxed frames. Ram trucks have some really nice features and Super Duty has the aluminum bodies, which I really like. GM has the best seating, front and back. There is nothing worse than buyer's remorse once you've spent in excess of $60K on a truck. I'll keep reading but anyone of these trucks will get the job done.

 

I've owned six LML (2011-2016) Duramax trucks all went far past 60,000km without any engine issues.
ALL of these trucks towed 14-20k pound loads.

 

I had a 91 s-10 with the 2.8 in it. They must have fixed the issue before I got mine, had 336k in it when I got rid of it. I stayed a chevy guy a long time until they took the bailout and became Government Motors Corperation.

 

No major or even minor issues with my Duramax's. I never even had to add an ounce of oil between changes, the dipstick was never down even right up to the service period.

My past 5th wheel was a 34' at 13K empty. Towed it like a dream, up steep grades in the Appalachians as I passed other guys towing much smaller like they were standing still.

I hope my PS is as good, even if it's "almost" I will say it will be acceptable as the DMax had that much headroom in towing. I went to the new Ford mainly b/c of the technology and aluminum body. We just upgraded our 5er to a 45' (XLR Thunderbolt 422AMP) w a 21K gross, so I figured I needed a dually (mainly for safety reasons). My first pull is May 2nd down to the Great Smoky Mountains, should be a great test for the Power Stroke~! (I'll make a ride report and post it up!)

 

Well it must be just an isolated case very strange that three of them that I know of are all doing the same thing
Hopefully it can be resolved All three trucks are very nice I've gone on trips with these friends in all of them I think they're a great truck as well
Could be dealer related also as they only have one diesel tech that is doing this on all of the same trucks

 

I think the question should be, are they running turners.

 

Nope absolutely not all trucks are bone stock even tire size the two 2012s are owned by doctors and the 2015 is owned by a contractor

 

I have a '15 3500 HD with 51k on it. We pull a 24' gooseneck with it 4-5 days a week. No problems whatsoever. Before that we had a '13, same setup. Got totaled at 156k. No problems whatsoever with it either. Matter of fact, it still had the factory brake pads and was still on the second set of tires (Michelins). We change the oil whenever the indicator is between 15-20% oil life and do all the other required maintenance. Most of this is highway driving.

 

My first vehicle was a 2.8 S10 with a 5 speed manual. I flat wrung that thing out, when I got it had 100k on it, I put another 100k on it, definitely the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.

 

Any engine can blow a head gasket. That said, one must be meticulous when installing the new one. Head and block prep are critical to success, both must be flat and true and the surface must be absolutely clean for the job to be successful. I see many posts on sites where mechanics use orbital tools, which almost guarantees an none flat surface for the gasket to set on. That's especially true where aluminum heads are concerned. If a replaced head gasket fails again after 30K, then I'd suspect the job wasn't properly done or there is a tuner in use!