Diesel Truck Maintanence

[ChuckS]

Bought my 2007 GMC duramax classic new. Here we are in 2019. Truck has 129K on it. Added cost? Nothing. I run delo 400 oil. Truck is stock..stock size tires. During non use times I go out every 3 days or so and fire it up and idle for about 15 minutes.

Parts over the years... two sets of tires.. on my third set of dual battieries.. normal transmission and frt/rear and differential fluid changes twice since bought. Drained and filled radiator and block with antifreeze.

Still on factory set of brakes.. new shocks last year.

Runs like new.. 13.5 towing fifth wheel.. 21 on hiway at 65 without RV.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Bought my 2007 GMC duramax classic new. Here we are in 2019. Truck has 129K on it. Added cost? Nothing. I run delo 400 oil. Truck is stock..stock size tires. During non use times I go out every 3 days or so and fire it up and idle for about 15 minutes.



Parts over the years... two sets of tires.. on my third set of dual battieries.. normal transmission and frt/rear and differential fluid changes twice since bought. Drained and filled radiator and block with antifreeze.



Still on factory set of brakes.. new shocks last year.



Runs like new.. 13.5 towing fifth wheel.. 21 on hiway at 65 without RV.

That is kind of what I was expecting to hear. You do not have to be a diesel mechanic to maintain one of these well. Thanks for sharing!

[77cruiser]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

During non use times I go out every 3 days or so and fire it up and idle for about 15 minutes.

That's not good for anything, better to not touch it if not driving it.

[MarkEHansen]

Originally Posted by 77cruiser

That's not good for anything, better to not touch it if not driving it.

That's right. What you'll find is that the oil collects moisture. When you run the engine hard enough, the oil heats to the point of burning this moisture out - which is a good thing. Running the engine at idle does not get the oil hot enough. You need to get it up to driving temperature.

Otherwise, you're just circulating this frothy mess around your engine, which can cause some real harm.

When I researched this before, I was able to find pictures of the inside of an engine which had been treated this way. They were a real eye-opener.

[77cruiser]

Only thing that might need more attention on a diesel is the air filter & fuel filter.

[rhagfo]

The only extra maintenance cost I see on a diesel are the fuel filters, and if you have a Ram with the Aisin transmission.
Scheduled service is fluid drain and refill at 30K, then 90K about 8 qt of fluid at about $5 a qt for Mobil 3309.
Then at 60K, and every 60K after that Drain, drop pan and change filter. The filter runs about $75 plus fluid.

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by 77cruiser

Only thing that might need more attention on a diesel is the air filter & fuel filter.

In deed. Every 10k truck gets Air and Fuel filters.

[cookinwitdiesel]

Something interesting I came across that validated what was shared by members here was this for the new 2020 Chevy/GMC HDs:

"Sierra Heavy Duty models equipped with the Duramax Diesel also feature an integrated engine after-run cool cooling function, which can continue to idle the engine after extended and exhaustive periods of use, allowing for proper cool-down of vital underhood components."

https://www.gmc.com/gmc-life/trucks/...ailer-like-pro

Nice they are building in intelligence around that important need for the health of the engine. I assume that runs on its own after you "turn off" and exit the truck?

Given it is the same L5P Duramax as the current gen, it would seem to indicate this was in fact a concern with the current gen as well and should be given the appropriate attention.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by cookinwitdiesel

Something interesting I came across that validated what was shared by members here was this for the new 2020 Chevy/GMC HDs:

"Sierra Heavy Duty models equipped with the Duramax Diesel also feature an integrated engine after-run cool cooling function, which can continue to idle the engine after extended and exhaustive periods of use, allowing for proper cool-down of vital underhood components."

https://www.gmc.com/gmc-life/trucks/...ailer-like-pro

Nice they are building in intelligence around that important need for the health of the engine. I assume that runs on its own after you "turn off" and exit the truck?

Given it is the same L5P Duramax as the current gen, it would seem to indicate this was in fact a concern with the current gen as well and should be given the appropriate attention.

I believe that ALL turbocharged diesels today use the engine oil to cool/lubricate the turbo bearings. Those bearings spin at extremely high RPM's and are powered by engine exhaust to make them spin. Due to this, they operate at extremely high temperatures and shutting them down when hot can cause the oil to "coke" or solidify in the bearings. This can lead to premature failure of the turbo system and expensive repair.

All of the turbocharged diesels recommend after a "hard pull" or "heavy engine use" that the engine be run at idle to allow sufficient cool down of the engine, especially the turbo section. That can be done two ways, first by intentional idling of the engine monitored by the owner/operator or secondly, by some automatic feature that allows for a "set and forget" or "automatic idle time" accomplished by the truck computer system. Ford has had this as an option for several years, I'm unsure of RAM's capability and now, it seems that GM is offering a "engine management feature" to automatically idle/shutdown the engine allowing the owner to leave the truck without sitting there, monitoring the idle.

I don't have that feature, although I understand it's just a software update to the computer. When I'm towing, I pull to a stop, leave the truck idling, check my tires, hitch, trailer (do a walk around inspection) which takes 3 or 4 minutes. At the end of that time, the engine has cooled down enough that I can safely shut it off and walk away. To me, I probably wouldn't use the feature in a busy, isolated area like a rest area, as I prefer not to leave my truck idling (with/without keys in the ignition) and walk away with strangers around the area. That said, in an emergency (like needing to get to the rest room RIGHT NOW) I have left the truck running, locked the door and used the keypad to unlock the truck after the crisis was over.... YMMV

[chuckster57]

My old truck has cool down, it’s called leave it idle while I check in at the campground, and then at my site. Pyrometer has to read under 400 for me to consider turning the key.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

My old truck has cool down, it’s called leave it idle while I check in at the campground, and then at my site. Pyrometer has to read under 400 for me to consider turning the key.

Wow, that hot? I would wait until I reading at or very close to 300 degrees.

[77cruiser]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

My old truck has cool down, it’s called leave it idle while I check in at the campground, and then at my site. Pyrometer has to read under 400 for me to consider turning the key.

Works for me. That's how I do mine.

[Ken / Claudia]

On the 7.3 after I had gauges installed many years ago I read 400 was the shut down OK temps. Until then I gave the 7.3 trucks I owned close to 5 minutes as possible.
Now the 6.7 has a factory gauge, I wish it showed real temps not just 0-4 with markings in between. Interesting enough that ford shows me the temps of the engine oil and transmission down to the single digit degree, why not the turbo? I belive that is just as important.

[mikec557]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

My old truck has cool down, it’s called leave it idle while I check in at the campground, and then at my site. Pyrometer has to read under 400 for me to consider turning the key.

Okay I don't know much about my diesel (only had it 6 months, still reading and learning). I googled "pyrometer" and GMC. What comes up is for 2007 and older models. Mine's a 2018. Why is it I don't see a pyrometer for newer trucks? I've begun making sure I let it idle a while before shutting down, but I'd like to see a gage that said it is cool enough.

Mike

[77cruiser]

I guess they don't think it's needed, but it's nice to have. You could buy one & install it or have it installed.