Duramax Diesel 3.0

[Kinish]

Long story short, she wanted a Sierra AT4 with a sunroof. This one (the one I own), doesn't have a sunroof, but it has everything else. I don't like sunroofs anyway.

I'll never understand wanting a sunroof. That shit's (the sunlight) annoying as fuck.

 

[Ripping Lips]

From what I've heard, stay away from the earlier 3.0L Duramax's since they had some issues, but it could've been more to do with Chevy in general with their electrical issues. Personally, I'd just stick with gas and diesel is not worth the headaches and extra maintenance such changing fuel filters, adding diesel exhaust fluid, and running diesel conditioner to prevent your fuel from gelling in the winter. Another issue with some diesel pickups is that you can't use the high flow pumps at truck stops without a funnel adapter or you will have to use the regular nozzles at the gas pumps.

Going forward, Chevy is the one who will offer a half ton diesel since Ram is dropping their ecodiesel option next year I believe. I actually owned the 5.0 Cummins in the Titan XD and it was a pretty good engine, but Nissan couldn't fix the emissions issues and the AISAN transmission just didn't pair well with that engine, and it always shifted hard. Now I drive a Ford Ecoboost and those engines are nearly bullet proof and has a similar torque curve to a diesel.

 

[Eloot224]

Curious if anyone on here has this engine in their Tahoe / Suburban or Yukon

2019 Tahoe I enjoy it. I had them put 22” rims on it. Looks much better. I’d recommend.

 

[aBgRdFn]

I have a 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 with the 3.0. Had it 2 and a half years. Best engine in a truck I have ever owned. Way more pulling power (torque up near 500 lbs), and quicker than any gas engine truck I have owned over the years. Quiet, no diesel fumes or stink. When I first got it 2.5 yrs ago, diesel was actually cheaper than gas, so that was nice.

I originally never thought I would want a diesel, let alone a 3.0 ltr. Wife wanted a truck, we were looking for one for her, they had a 2020 Sierra AT4 diesel (the truck I ended up getting) on the lot. I scoffed at the idea of it, thought it would be a dog. We had just driven a 2020 Sierra with the 6.2 ltr gas engine same day right before the 3.0 diesel Sierra. The 6.2 has some balls for sure, very fun to drive. I expected the 3.0 to be a dog. Immediately after pulling out of the dealer lot I hit the gas, and it took off hard and quick. I couldn't believe it, was sure it would be a dud.

Long story short, she wanted a Sierra AT4 with a sunroof. This one (the one I own), doesn't have a sunroof, but it has everything else. I don't like sunroofs anyway. I still didn't plan on getting the truck, but they offered me such a stupid high price in trade for my current rig, plus I got 10K off the new Sierra (right as Covid was hitting, so there were huge rebates, etc and the dealer was itching to make a deal), that it was a no brainer for me to do the deal. Right now my truck is worth 8 to 10 K more than I paid for it 2.5 yrs ago.

I have described how it is quick and torquey, but yes it also gets excellent mileage. On the hwy I get 23+ mpg, would get more but I have bigger tires/wheels so that cuts it down a bit. Pulling my job trailer, which I do every day, it gets almost double the mileage of any gas truck I have ever owned pulling trailers, and I've owned a bunch being a contractor.

My wife did end up getting her AT4 a few months later - same truck, with a sunroof and different color. I had to search for 2 months to find one online as they were impossible to get since Covid had just started hitting, they shipped it to us at no charge from CA. Hers is not a work truck, mine is, so mine gets much heavier usage. But that's fine, that's why I bought it.

So yes, it's a good engine. They have a bit upgraded version of the 3.0 coming out in the 2023 models, a little more torque and HP.

Thank you for the very informative reply. Exactly what I was hoping for!

 

[Pipe Line]

From what I've heard, stay away from the earlier 3.0L Duramax's since they had some issues, but it could've been more to do with Chevy in general with their electrical issues. Personally, I'd just stick with gas and diesel is not worth the headaches and extra maintenance such changing fuel filters, adding diesel exhaust fluid, and running diesel conditioner to prevent your fuel from gelling in the winter. Another issue with some diesel pickups is that you can't use the high flow pumps at truck stops without a funnel adapter or you will have to use the regular nozzles at the gas pumps.

Going forward, Chevy is the one who will offer a half ton diesel since Ram is dropping their ecodiesel option next year I believe. I actually owned the 5.0 Cummins in the Titan XD and it was a pretty good engine, but Nissan couldn't fix the emissions issues and the AISAN transmission just didn't pair well with that engine, and it always shifted hard. Now I drive a Ford Ecoboost and those engines are nearly bullet proof and has a similar torque curve to a diesel.

My Cummins has frozen up on me a few times the last couple winters. I have angrily impulse shopped for a regular gas F150 but the deals have been atrocious on trade ins. I'm not rich by any means so the deal has to be pretty good for me to pull the trigger on a gas truck again.

 

[Poor_and_Stupid]

From what I've heard, stay away from the earlier 3.0L Duramax's since they had some issues, but it could've been more to do with Chevy in general with their electrical issues. Personally, I'd just stick with gas and diesel is not worth the headaches and extra maintenance such changing fuel filters, adding diesel exhaust fluid, and running diesel conditioner to prevent your fuel from gelling in the winter. Another issue with some diesel pickups is that you can't use the high flow pumps at truck stops without a funnel adapter or you will have to use the regular nozzles at the gas pumps.

Going forward, Chevy is the one who will offer a half ton diesel since Ram is dropping their ecodiesel option next year I believe. I actually owned the 5.0 Cummins in the Titan XD and it was a pretty good engine, but Nissan couldn't fix the emissions issues and the AISAN transmission just didn't pair well with that engine, and it always shifted hard. Now I drive a Ford Ecoboost and those engines are nearly bullet proof and has a similar torque curve to a diesel.

I was gonna bring some of this stuff up too as I hadn’t seen it mentioned until your post.

You gotta deal with DEF which everyone loves (sarcasm). It’s very corrosive so always take extra care when putting it in.

As stated above winter time is probably the crappiest part about owning a diesel. Conditioner helps but it has failed me a few times in semi trucks and a combine once. Best thing you can do is pay the extra money for #1 fuel. Some fuel stations will have a pump with number #2 and another with #1 during the winter. Others may call it a winter blend. If it’s not posted, go in and ask. #1 is the hassle free way to go. Went ice fishing in North Dakota a couple years ago and -20 was the warmest it got. -40 over night and didn’t have any trouble.

 

[Ripping Lips]

My Cummins has frozen up on me a few times the last couple winters. I have angrily impulse shopped for a regular gas F150 but the deals have been atrocious on trade ins. I'm not rich by any means so the deal has to be pretty good for me to pull the trigger on a gas truck again.

I understand the frustration and I remember when growing up my dad was cussing out his Cummins for his fuel filters gelling up and having to replace them because he never got the correct fuel in them and etc. Diesels are great is you are always towing something, but for running around town as a grocery getter, you are better off with gas.

 

[Ripping Lips]

I was gonna bring some of this stuff up too as I hadn’t seen it mentioned until your post.

You gotta deal with DEF which everyone loves (sarcasm). It’s very corrosive so always take extra care when putting it in.

As stated above winter time is probably the crappiest part about owning a diesel. Conditioner helps but it has failed me a few times in semi trucks and a combine once. Best thing you can do is pay the extra money for #1 fuel. Some fuel stations will have a pump with number #2 and another with #1 during the winter. Others may call it a winter blend. If it’s not posted, go in and ask. #1 is the hassle free way to go. Went ice fishing in North Dakota a couple years ago and -20 was the warmest it got. -40 over night and didn’t have any trouble.

Plus DEF has expiration dates that you have to look for and it then if you don't use it quick enough, the shit will start to crystalize in the truck's DEF tank and cause idiot lights to go off, which was a problem in the Titan XD. The biggest thing with a diesel is to ensure that you clean fuel and have it treated all of the time, especially with some of the biofuel blends that will start to build up algae in their tanks.

 

[Pipe Line]

I understand the frustration and I remember when growing up my dad was cussing out his Cummins for his fuel filters gelling up and having to replace them because he never got the correct fuel in them and etc. Diesels are great is you are always towing something, but for running around town as a grocery getter, you are better off with gas.

I live in both worlds but it's very frustrating. I tend to procrastinate with the fuel additive and then get pissed off when it's too late and I'm toast lol I most likely would have already pulled the trigger on a trade but the deals suck and I have a cushion spot on monthly payments that I can't really go above and anything too far under isn't worth it.

 

[tman87]

From what I've heard, stay away from the earlier 3.0L Duramax's since they had some issues, but it could've been more to do with Chevy in general with their electrical issues. Personally, I'd just stick with gas and diesel is not worth the headaches and extra maintenance such changing fuel filters, adding diesel exhaust fluid, and running diesel conditioner to prevent your fuel from gelling in the winter. Another issue with some diesel pickups is that you can't use the high flow pumps at truck stops without a funnel adapter or you will have to use the regular nozzles at the gas pumps.

Going forward, Chevy is the one who will offer a half ton diesel since Ram is dropping their ecodiesel option next year I believe. I actually owned the 5.0 Cummins in the Titan XD and it was a pretty good engine, but Nissan couldn't fix the emissions issues and the AISAN transmission just didn't pair well with that engine, and it always shifted hard. Now I drive a Ford Ecoboost and those engines are nearly bullet proof and has a similar torque curve to a diesel.

Mine hasn't had any issues. I believe a few of the 2019 3.0's had some kind of issue, but they fixed it pretty quickly. I do have to change the fuel filter every 20K miles. DEF costs $22 to fill up the 5 gallon DEF tank. I get about 2K miles out of a 5 gallon DEF fill. I live in one of the coldest places in the lower 48 here in MT, many days in Dec, Jan, Feb even March can not even get above zero for highs. Never had an issue even on days where it is -25 (can and does get even colder here) starting up or gelling. Never had an issue with filling it up being any different speed than filling up with gas. I think this 3.0 ltr has very little extra maintenance than what gas engines have, and way fewer maintenance items than older diesels have/had. DEF mostly. Changing the fuel filter more often I guess. Other than those 2 things, can't think of a single thing really.

 

[Alum-Ni]

I know three friends that own the 3.0 Duramax and all love it. Everything I've read says it's been a great and reliable motor.

I'm in the market for a new truck, but man the 3.0 and the 6.2 gas motors right now are stupid high in price.

 

[Drue629]

No one knows how the 3.0s are going to hold up long-term. Half the reason you buy a diesel is for its longevity. Plus now, all of these diesels have the DEF crap and so much emission equipment which kill the gas mileage and the longevity. I had a 2006 2500hd that was deleted and it got like 27mpg.

 

[Kinish]

No one knows how the 3.0s are going to hold up long-term. Half the reason you buy a diesel is for its longevity. Plus now, all of these diesels have the DEF crap and so much emission equipment which kill the gas mileage and the longevity. I had a 2006 2500hd that was deleted and it got like 27mpg.

Yeah. The best part of owning a diesel is waiting for the warranty to expire, then deleting all the emissions and tuning it and doubling your gas mileage.

 

[huskermack]

Yes you can. Ask the guys that had the Ford 6.0L Cummins what they think about it… same can be said of the 5 liter they put in the newer Titans..
I have heard good things about the newer Ram Cummins, and the 6.6 Duramac though. Haven’t heard anything about the 3.0 though.
But there have absolutely been bad diesels. The Ram Ecodiesel has VERY mixed reviews. I’d do extensive research on a new engine model, and wait at least a year.

I can tell you all about the 6.0 woes.
$10k later and it's been a great van though.

EDIT - btw The 6.0 Ford diesel was not made by Cummins.
It was made by Navistar.

 

[aBgRdFn]

I know three friends that own the 3.0 Duramax and all love it. Everything I've read says it's been a great and reliable motor.

I'm in the market for a new truck, but man the 3.0 and the 6.2 gas motors right now are stupid high in price.

Right. It really has to be one or the other though. Forget the 5.3

 

[dsbigred1]

I can tell you all about the 6.0 woes.
$10k later and it's been a great van though.

EDIT - btw The 6.0 Ford diesel was not made by Cummins.
It was made by Navistar.

Ahh, my bad. It was a doosie! Tried to get rid of one a few years ago- 2006 F350 Lariat, and had a helluva time finding a buyer because of that

 

[huskermack]

Ahh, my bad. It was a doosie! Tried to get rid of one a few years ago- 2006 F350 Lariat, and had a helluva time finding a buyer because of that

When I bought my Sportsmobile van, the 6.0s were selling for about $10k less than similar V10 equipped vans.
I got the 6.0 knowing that we were likely to have problems, and when we did I was prepared to spend the money.
Then we ended up with a trustworthy diesel which gets 15 mpg+ vs. a 7-8 mpg V10 pig.

I tried to find a 7.3 at the time.
Anyone who had one for sale sure knew it was the one to have.

 

[Kinish]

I can tell you all about the 6.0 woes.
$10k later and it's been a great van though.

EDIT - btw The 6.0 Ford diesel was not made by Cummins.
It was made by Navistar.

Once you bulletproof that motor, it will damn near go forever. But w/out doing that? total trash pile. haha

 

[BIG TONE SOPRANO]

Curious if anyone on here has this engine in their Tahoe / Suburban or Yukon

I only want to know if you back in?

 

[Alum-Ni]

Right. It really has to be one or the other though. Forget the 5.3

GM is really pushing that 2.7L V4 crap now. A lot of 5.3's on the market, but yeah.....I want either the 3.0 or the 6.2