Chevrolet 6.6 duramax

[Rustywreck]

My current truck has served me long and well - over 300,000 miles; however, rust has taken its toll.
I've been looking for a replacement for some time with little luck.
My situation:

• I have a 70 mile round trip to work which I take every day.
• I would only be taking the truck once a week, unless otherwise needed.
• Because my route is rather lonely, dependability is important.
• Since it would be parked most of the time, I don't want to spend a large amount of money on one.
• I would like the truck to be able to pull my tractor on rare occasions.
• My experience with diesel engines is limited to my tractor, which has required nothing more than oil and filter changes.

I am considering an 2002 Chevrolet 2500 with a 6.6 duramax. I know I don't need that large engine, but when buying used I'm kinda stuck with what is available. The truck has 193,000 miles on it. The body and underside are in excellent shape (no rust).
I have heard/read where diesel engines are good for high miles. My question: is 193,000 miles too many?
For those with experience with this engine, are they dependable?
What kind of fuel mileage can I expect?

I have done internet searches for reviews on several trucks (makes, engines, etc.). For every positive review there is an equally negative review. So, I am asking TBN members for their opinion to limit the scope of opinions; also, I can put a little more trust in the people here.
Thank you for your input.

 

[dodge man]

My only comment would be to make sure its really rust free. Knowing what the roads are like in Illinois as far as salt goes, I find it hard to believe its rust free unless it was parked in the winter or very well cared for.

As far as the D'max goes, I know there is certain years that are suppose to be better, but I can't tell you which ones. Injectors going bad tend to be the expensive issue.

 

[aarolar]

Sorry I mis spoke that's a LB7 I would avoid them if possible due to injector issues.

 

[Deere Dude]

For that truck I would ask if injectors were ever changed and when. I have an 02 Duramax dually and love it but the rumor is that after 140,000 injectors are on very borrowed time and it is a $3,000 hit. Years 01-03 I think. They have great transmissions though.

I have 120,000 on mine without anything major other than a electrical switch a while back and front wheel bearings. I would not think 200,000 is to many.

 

[aarolar]

For that truck I would ask if injectors were ever changed and when. I have an 02 Duramax dually and love it but the rumor is that after 140,000 injectors are on very borrowed time and it is a $3,000 hit. Years 01-03 I think. They have great transmissions though.

I have 120,000 on mine without anything major other than a electrical switch a while back and front wheel bearings. I would not think 200,000 is to many.

It's no rumor the injectors in the LB7s are prone to failure and expensive to repair.

 

[Helitech]

I own a 2001 D-Max, and I'm a diesel mechanic at heart...LB7 injectors are indeed a problem, as well as head gaskets. I did my own head gasket job and still managed to spend almost $3,000 on it!

 

[aarolar]

That being said pretty much any other version of the Duramax is bulletproof.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My current truck has served me long and well - over 300,000 miles; however, rust has taken its toll. I've been looking for a replacement for some time with little luck. My situation: [*]I have a 70 mile round trip to work which I take every day. [*]I would only be taking the truck once a week, unless otherwise needed. [*]Because my route is rather lonely, dependability is important. [*]Since it would be parked most of the time, I don't want to spend a large amount of money on one. [*]I would like the truck to be able to pull my tractor on rare occasions. [*]My experience with diesel engines is limited to my tractor, which has required nothing more than oil and filter changes. [*] I am considering an 2002 Chevrolet 2500 with a 6.6 duramax. I know I don't need that large engine, but when buying used I'm kinda stuck with what is available. The truck has 193,000 miles on it. The body and underside are in excellent shape (no rust). I have heard/read where diesel engines are good for high miles. My question: is 193,000 miles too many? For those with experience with this engine, are they dependable? What kind of fuel mileage can I expect? I have done internet searches for reviews on several trucks (makes, engines, etc.). For every positive review there is an equally negative review. So, I am asking TBN members for their opinion to limit the scope of opinions; also, I can put a little more trust in the people here. Thank you for your input.

I would pass. The engine May last but it's a old truck. No way to spin it.


Chris

 

[WM75Guy]

My 03 has 208,000 miles. The injectors and pump were changed with the recall. It has had some issues like a water pump leaking, one of the alternators quit, and a front differential gear went out but no internal engine issues. I just had the left front hub go out last week. While it was in the shop the mechanic found the right rear axle seal leaking and the front end needed the idler arm, Pittman arm, and dampener needed replacing. I told him to do both hubs, both rear seals, and the front end work, $2700 parts and labor. Mine still has original brakes, they have 50% pad life left. Get 16-18 mpg in town, up to 23 mpg on the highway. Drops down 2-3 mpg towing a moderate load. I plan on driving it till it just plain dies.

 

[Rustywreck]

I appreciate all of the replies.
I should have added more information, but didn't want to make a long post even longer. The injectors were replaced at 170,000 miles. The price is $10,000.
I haven't run a carfax on it myself yet (i will), but the owner says it has a clean record. I haven't checked the truck out myself - I want to make sure I'm interested enough rather than wasting my and the owner's time.
I did speak with him on the phone. I told him that I would be crawling underneath it to check out the rust, and he assured me that it wasn't rusted.
This is a picture of the truck

 

[aarolar]

Not bad at all

 

[Green Power]

It looks pretty nice, if you can haggle him down to 7k i think that would be a good deal.

 

[aarolar]

Shoot it's a bargain at 10, around my area anyway.

 

[Fi-Q]

If you have proof that te injectors were done at 170k, I would say go for it... I am on my 2nd duramax myself and love it !!

 

[farm boy00]

Only thing is that the injectors may need replacement in another 100,000 or more miles. If they go out once they will again. But are good trucks. Just sold my 2005 with 427,000 and going strong besides main seal tranny to engine leaking and 3 transfer cases

 

[buickanddeere]

New GMC or Chev 1500 with the 5.3L engine and the Max Towing Package. The diesel will never , ever save enough fuel $$$ to pay for the price difference between the two trucks. Plus no Tier IV engine and emission repairs to worry about after warranty.

 

[HK45]

Ive owned a 02 LB7, 05 LLY, 15 LML The LB7 got the best fuel milage. I did have the injectors replaced twice. Overall my 02 was my favorite truck. The only other problems I had was axle seals and neutral safety switch. I say if you like it go for it. For that pice even if you have to replace the injectors a few times and head gaskets better then paying $70 thousand for a new truck

 

[arkydog]

i have a 2001 duramax 4dr dually that i hope to drive for another 20yrs. has 180000 miles, 1 set of factory injectors at 120,000 miles. the factory realized that the injectors were made wrong so they made the current style in about 2003-4. also the factory realized the fuel filters were only filtering down to 10 microns and needed to filter down to 6 microns and redisinded the filters and now they are called a colsolator. make sure you run a good filter and i run a diesel fuel additive and no problems now since i have.

there are lots of things to check but the lb7 (2001-2004.5) are considerd one of the best engines. the other year is 2006 duramax. lots of thing to improve milage and performance. just a great all around truck in my opinion. and don't worry if it runs good and doesn't smoke white while running. rob

 

[bdog]

For what you are describing I am not sure I would get a diesel. I drive a duramax but I tow heavy and frequently. I also have a gas pickup. The gas pickup (2015 F-250) regularly pulls a 13,000 lb trailer and does fine. Last week we drove it empty from the Texas panhandle to Miami, FL and back and it was getting around 17 mpg. Not too shabby and it is a lot cheaper to buy and maintain than a diesel. I love diesels but if you don't truly need one they are just a waste of money because they do cost more to maintain and operate and are a lot more expensive to fix when things go wrong. There are things that can and frequently do go wrong with the injection systems in these new diesels that cost more than replacing the whole engine in a gas truck.

If you are looking at the early 2000 vintage diesels they are not as computerized and bad but there is no way I would own one made in the last 8 years outside of warranty. Too much super expensive stuff to go wrong.