Duramax is a very popular and versatile truck, being offered in a wide range of power levels and with a range of trim levels. But despite this versatility, many owners still have concerns about the reliability of the truck. With so many trucks on the road it is easy to find examples that have gone bad in a relatively short time, but there are a few years that you can put off buying a Duramax.
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The Duramax V8 engine is designed to run very well and to provide a good balance between power and efficiency. It has a lot of longevity, being offered in various versions for many years, and there are some models that have been on the road for over 10 years. In the early years, when it was still a new technology, some problems could be expected, but these have all been fixed by now. The original version of the engine was designed to run on regular diesel fuel and in that application it has proved to be very reliable.
You will find that many owners still buy the newer versions of the Duramax as they have more power and are more efficient than the earlier models. However, newer models are also more expensive, and so some owners still prefer the older models. Newer models may also have a few issues that owners find they cannot live with, and they will continue to run older models instead.
Duramax Years to Avoid
These are year models when the engines may have had some issues, and these can be hard to detect. The most obvious sign of an issue is that the engine will not start. It may have no power or it may have no sound at all. Other problems include that the injectors may not be working correctly, or the fuel filter may be clogged.
These problems can all be traced back to an electrical issue, but it is very hard to find. The main problem is that many owners simply do not notice these issues until they are forced to replace the engine. Some owners even drive the truck for a while before they notice any problems. So it is always worth checking these models out before you buy one.
The Duramax is a great truck, and many people have no issues with them, but if you want to be sure of getting a good one, then avoid buying any model from the following years:
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- 2001 – 2004 Duramax LB7
- 2004 – 2005 Duramax LLY
- 2006 – 2007 Duramax LBZ
- 2007 – 2012 Duramax LMM
Duramax Years that are Safe to Buy
In 2011, Duramax diesel engines had major revisions and this resulted in new engine management systems and new engines. The result was a significant improvement in reliability. The revised Duramax engines have more advanced technology, including fuel injection, advanced lubrication systems and a lot of other things. The Duramax diesel engines are also available in a hybrid version that runs on compressed natural gas.
These changes have resulted in a new version of the Duramax diesel engine that is more reliable than the original version. This new version of the engine has proven to be very reliable and this has been proven by many truck owners who have had their trucks for many years.
Here are some years that are safe to buy a Duramax diesel engine:
- 2010 – 2017 Duramax LGH
- 2011 – 2016 Duramax LML
- 2011 – 2021 Duramax XLD25
- 2012 – 2021 Duramax XLD28
- 2014 – 2021 Duramax LWN
- 2017 – 2021 Duramax L5P
- 2019 – 2021 Duramax LM2
The trucks that have the new version of the Duramax diesel engine have proven to be very reliable and they can easily be trusted to provide many years of trouble free service. However, it is still important to check the details of your vehicle and to make sure that it has the updated engine.
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Ask a Mechanic Live NowTips to Prolong the Life of Your Duramax
If you are going to buy a Duramax, it will be important to learn as much as you can about the vehicle before you make the purchase. There are a few simple things that you can do to ensure that your truck will last a long time.
The first thing that you should do is take care of the vehicle. The first rule of maintaining any vehicle is to make sure that it is maintained properly. This means making sure that all of the fluids are changed and that you have the right parts. This is especially important for a Duramax as some of the engines have a tendency to wear out faster than other engines.
The second thing that you should do is to check for recalls. While it may be hard to get your truck in for repairs if it is not covered by a recall, it will be worth it in the long run. You will save money on maintenance costs and on buying new parts, but more importantly you will be able to avoid catastrophic failure of your vehicle.
You should also take care of your vehicle when you are driving it. There are a few things that you can do to keep your Duramax in tip top shape while you are driving it. One of the most important things that you can do is make sure that you use premium fuel. The less wear and tear on the engine, the longer it will last before going bad. Also, use synthetic oil because regular oil tends to break down more quickly than synthetic oil and can cause more problems with sludge buildup inside of the engine which can eventually lead to damage or complete destruction of the engine itself.
Lastly, make sure that your truck is well maintained by having regular maintenance done on it regularly by a professional. This will help keep the vehicle in top shape and will also make sure that you are not paying for unnecessary repairs that could be avoided. The sooner you start having maintenance done on your Duramax, the longer it will last.
The longevity of a Duramax depends on a number of factors. If you take care of your truck and maintain it properly, you can expect to get a few more years out of it than if you don’t.
Max Anthony
Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.
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