We are very good about servicing my 2015 Chevy 3500, have had no problems in 3 years of ownership–still very low miles (15K) and two days ago, the “service engine” icon popped up with a related warning about checking emissions. We are full on DEF fluid. Needs an oil change, but not critical. I’ve scared myself by reading some online forums regarding emissions/exhaust problems with the Duramax trucks. Please tell me I’m not about to spend my pay raise on this!!
Our recent experience with a similar issue on our 2011 Duramax cost us $1200 to replace the tank as apparently it’s not practical/possible to service the sensors and other components. :mad:
I hope you have better luck and/or it’s still under warranty.
Ahh! That’s what I’m afraid of… 
. Not sure of warranty status but my 3 yr has passed but hopefully my mileage will help keep me warrantied. It sucks because we are down to just two vehicles and commuting will be a neat trick this week if it has to go to the dealership. And I prefer the Chevy dealership in north Portland which adds a whole level of traffic hell to deal with crossing the bridge. Sigh.
Have you changed the fuel filter recently? It’s probably time to change it, at 15k miles if it hasn’t been done, even with the DEF.
I had a check engine light come on in the spring ('01 Duramax), along with the limp mode (Uh-Oh), and a full injector diagnostic and check up and all it seemed to be was the fuel filter needing changing. So far, 6000km later with diesel conditioner, so good.
Anyway, a fuel filter change is never a bad thing, and could be a very cheap fix.
the Chevy warranty has a a lot of loop holes
When they say the ruck has a Five Year 100,000 mile warranty… well it just does not and they should be forced to stop claiming such
For trucks equipped with a 6.6L Duramax diesel engine, the diesel engine, except those items listed under “What Is Not Covered” later in this section, is covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Defects and performance for heavy duty truck emission control systems including those found in 6.6L Duramax® Diesel Engines are covered for the first 5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
excluded is the entire pressurized fuel system (in-tank fuel pump, pressure lines, fuel rail(s), regulator, injectors, and return line), as well as the Engine/ Powertrain Control Module and/or module programming.
Most of the time IME this can be a simple sensor that failed. Not sure how a fuel filter would trigger the check engine light. Unless the filter has gotten clogged and there is a fuel pressure drop.
“3 years of ownership–still very low miles (15K)”
Very low? This is like brand new to me, lol. I don’t buy new cars/trucks. The average person puts 10-12,000 miles per year on a car or truck. If not more.
If you have to put any money into servicing with only 3 years and 15k of miles. I would be very disappointed and PISSED.
I heard a commercial for one of the major auto parts stores that will “plug in” and run a diagnostic test for free. The same that a dealer will do. This should tell ya what is going on, What sensor is bad, etc. Worth checking into. Some sensors are cheap and easy to replace. Others no so much.
[QUOTE=clanter;n10231010]
the Chevy warranty has a a lot of loop holes
When they say the ruck has a Five Year 100,000 mile warranty… well it just does not and they should be forced to stop claiming such
In other words just about everything that may fail and cost a lot to fix.
1 Like
In other words just about everything that can/may fail and is expensive to fix. Total BS
1 Like
If the message is “service emissions system” that is a known issue on the LML Duramax - there is a sensor in the DEF tank that fails. The work should be covered under your powertrain warranty. Take it to another dealer if yours is telling you otherwise.
1 Like
Soloud-- that’s my understanding as well, and yes, I’m going to pitch a fit if they charge me for it. Yes it’s that message. Yes, I’m irritated that a barely used (and much loved) new(ish) truck is having this issue. It is a “third” vehicle we use mainly for hauling horses, hay and other big stuff. Plan on having it for many, many years so we maintain it well. This was a huge surprise. Have appointment at dealer for Saturday. No way to make it to the city in rush hours traffic after work this week.
1 Like
Not only did it go into limp mode, I got the dreaded P0089 code to go with it, Had always been told it could mean the injector pump had gone (again, after 3 years!) or injectors were bad or the fuel return line was gone. All mechanic could find was the fuel filter…
Good Luck @Calvincrowe
1 Like
This is a known bad sensor so you can rest assured it has nothing to do with the care of the truck. People had them fail on 5,000 mike trucks and 85,000 mile trucks.
Unfortunately the reality of diesel trucks 2012 model year and newer is they have complicated emission management systems and you are more likely than not to have issues varying from minor to extremely expensive with them. One option if you live in a state that allows it is to delete all that. I don’t live in one of those states, so my new truck is gas.
1 Like
Indeed. That’s why pre-2012 diesel trucks are holding their value extremely well.
I even found a place in TX that will do a partial “re manufacture” of the truck. You can get everything from just a “touchup” to full reman with overhaul. Prices ranged from just under $10,000 to a top of about $28,000. That’s a big bite of the apple but given that new trucks run $60,000 plus and have lots of known issues (tip of the hat to the D.C. Alphabet Soup on that one ) it sounds like that may be the way to go for my low mileage 2008. We’re probably a few years out, yet, but that time is coming.
G.
1 Like
Is that what “deleted” means in used truck ads? i always wondered what that meant. And no I didn’t buy one that was “deleted”.
I have several friends who’ve purchased trucks with the DEF system. Some waited until the warranty* was expired and then removed it. Others did it as soon as they got it home. A few did it the first time the system failed.
G.
*I’m told removal voids the warranty.
1 Like
The worst part of the DEF system is that they don’t tell you that you need that stupid doo-hickey funnel thing to get the 5 gallon jug of stuff into the little hole in the side of the truck. I was driving home from the vet and every ten miles I keep getting a message that my speed was going to be lowered to 25?MPH in 50 miles unless I got the DEF fluid in my truck. That was going to be WONDERFUL driving on the interstate with the trailer. And I had a 5 gallon container of DEF with me but could NOT get it into the tank where it was supposed to go.
Luckily I made it home before my speed was shut down. Then I found out about the majick funnel. They need to tell you about that when you buy the truck.
1 Like
RRRRIIIIIIIGGGGGHHHHHTTTT! Somebody tying to sell you a $50,000 truck is going to warn you you’ll be parked along the side of the road without the Majik Funnel!!! 
Yeah, I’m pulling your chain!!!
I’m going to be very nice to my 2008 truck.
G.
1 Like
I’m not sure what to tell you if you didn’t realize that something that comes in a 5 gal container was going to require a funnel to put it in the truck.
I mean, how do you put oil in it? Or does the dealer do all that for you?
it is beginning to appear just buying the the thing has voided the warranty
When I was working in manufacturing, yes any customer modification to the product relieved the manufacturer from any obligation as the customer assumes the role of manufacturing when they alerted the product …or installed the product in a method that was contrary to the instructions which became the lightening rod on an wrongful injury claim
3 Likes
