GMC Duramax vs Ford Powerstroke? - Montana Owners Club

GRHooper · 07-03-2010, 04:41 AM

I've recently purchased a 2007 GMC SierraHD 2500 diesel with the 6.6L Duramax engine and Allison transmission; it has 32K miles. I've learned that the routine maintenance for this truck includes changing the fuel filter every 6,000 miles; not an inexpensive proposition. Thus far I have gotten up to 18 mpg on the highway and 11 mpg towing my 37' 3605RL.
Conversely, the Ford Powerstroke diesel requires the fuel filter to be changed every 20K miles. Besides the fact that I think the Ford is better looking, I'm considering trading the GMC for the Ford (2007 or 2008 F250 diesel) in order to try to minimize maintenance expenses. I am NOT a gearhead or mechanic by any stretch of the imagination so I'd appreciate your thoughts on whether this trade makes sense and what I'm missing. Thanks!

sreigle · 07-03-2010, 06:52 AM

From comments others have made in the past I thought the Duramax fuel filter change schedule was for every 15,000 miles. My Dodge is 15,000 miles. My Ford 6.0L powerstrokes were 15,000 miles. I don't know about the Ford 6.8L or the new 6.7L Ford.

By the way, if you decide to trade for the Ford, the 2007 will be the 6.0L and the 2008 would be the 6.8L. You mentioned both years is why I am commenting on it.

I'm wondering where the 6,000 mile requirement is coming. Could it be that's the recommendation for draining water from the filter? I used to do that occasionally on my Fords but never had enough water to make it worth the effort so kind of quit draining it and just had it changed every 15,000 miles. I figured if the light comes on telling me there's water in the filter, then I'd drain it.

Good luck. I hope you don't end up with the expense of having to trade trucks again.

Sinterior · 07-03-2010, 06:59 AM

Every 6000 miles? That's wrong, here is the GM Duramax Maintenance schedule. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33348.
Every 10,000 miles, but I go by my Drivers Info Center (DIC) and go at least 15,000 miles before it advises to change fuel filter. This is my 3rd Dmax and I've never had a fuel problem yet

ps, I just Googled it and now GM recommends fuel filter changes every 15,000 miles

GRHooper · 07-03-2010, 08:12 AM

Didn't do enough research.......thanks!

padredw · 07-03-2010, 11:54 AM

On our 2002 Chevrolet Duramax/Allison the recommended life of the fuel filter was 15000 miles. On our 2008, the onboard computer monitors the life of the fuel filter,and my experience is that it is considerably longer than 15000 miles. The oil change is also monitored and, again, I find it longer than going by the previous mileage number.

Permit me an additional word: We have found our Chevrolet to be a dream when towing in the mountains of Colorado, where we are at present. The tow/haul held us down to 45 with almost no use of brakes coming down Monarch Pass. Just a testimony!

CamillaMichael · 07-03-2010, 12:31 PM

Jerry,
Sometimes we can get so involved with one aspect of a purchase that we lose sight of other important matters. In this case, since you asked for thoughts, you might want to make sure the Ford you are looking at as a trade for your GMC has at least the towing capability of your GMC. After all, not all F250s are created equal.

Tom S. · 07-03-2010, 01:33 PM

As stated, you should get 15,000 miles on a fuel filter, unless you get bad fuel. If you put on a prefilter, you get more, at least 30,000.

Hemlockusa · 07-03-2010, 03:44 PM

I wouldn't consider the expense of trading trucks over a 10 dollar filter....But that is just me.

The Oldguard · 07-03-2010, 04:51 PM

With the “Ford” 6.4 under heavy driving, or towing you have to replace the fuel filters every 10, 000 miles or four hundred hours which ever comes first. It’s in the manual!!!

ONERUNNING · 07-03-2010, 07:27 PM

Looks like everyone beat me to the plate. I was looking it up in my owners maunal for my 2007 Silverado 2500 HD D/A, and it's 15,000 like every one is saying. I've been going by the DIC on the dash, which is showing I have 8% life left on my filter. So it's looks like I be replacing the fuel filter soon.

mlh · 07-04-2010, 04:10 AM

Jerry
I drive a 08 6.4 Ford and love it. If you wont the most dependable tow truck ever built keep your Chevy!
Lynwood

TLightning · 07-04-2010, 06:05 AM

I'm not a brand fanatic, but at this point I do not trust Ford. Within a decade or so, they've gone from a 7.3L, to a 6.0L, to a 6.4L and now a new 6.8L. Except for the 7.3L, that needed some emissions improvements, the changes are mostly due to problems. Rather than fixing the problems, they built new engines...with more problems. If you want a Ford, that's fine (I've owned a couple) but I'd give them a few years to iron the bugs out of the new one. It's pot luck on the older engines...might get a good one, might get a bad one.

rvghostdriver · 07-04-2010, 07:01 AM

Said like a true GM owner Tom. The problem is you are only part right. Ford went from the 7.3 to the 6.0 to meet the emissions standard for 2003 that the 7.3 does not meet, not because of trouble with the engine. That is still a very good engine. Ford had troubles with the 6.0 and went to the 6.8 for 2008. They had a disagreement with International and decided instead of making the 6.8 meet the 2010 emission standards they would build their own and they built the new 6.7. GM made a lot of changes to the duramax diesel to make it meet the standards, too. At least Ford didnt try to make a diesel out of a 350 gas engine (snicker) like GM tried to sell. I don't trust GM. I had too many problems with them. We all have our likes and our dislikes. You can like yours and I will like mine.

sreigle · 07-04-2010, 07:24 AM

Well, I think all brands have had their good and their bad. From what I'm hearing the new Ford engine is outstanding, as is GM's Duramax and Dodge's Cummins. That's a very good thing for us. It's difficult to buy a new diesel truck and make a bad choice of drivetrain.

SlickWillie · 07-04-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by rvghostdriver

Said like a true GM owner Tom. The problem is you are only part right. Ford went from the 7.3 to the 6.0 to meet the emissions standard for 2003 that the 7.3 does not meet, not because of trouble with the engine. That is still a very good engine. Ford had troubles with the 6.0 and went to the 6.8 for 2008. They had a disagreement with International and decided instead of making the 6.8 meet the 2010 emission standards they would build their own and they built the new 6.7. GM made a lot of changes to the duramax diesel to make it meet the standards, too. At least Ford didnt try to make a diesel out of a 350 gas engine (snicker) like GM tried to sell. I don't trust GM. I had too many problems with them. We all have our likes and our dislikes. You can like yours and I will like mine.

6.8L? At least the GM owner knew what diesels Ford built. The 6.8L is the V10 gasoline engine.

Now back on topic. I checked my DIC and I show 50% filter life at about 12K miles.

Montana Sky · 07-06-2010, 10:12 AM

Having logged almost 200,000 miles on my two Duramax diesels, I made the leap and bought an 09 F350 Powerstroke last fall. I have just over 25,000 miles on this truck and am planning on going back to the 2011 Duramax as soon as I can locate one loaded up the way I want it. I have had nothing but problems with my 6.4L and the best fuel economy I've seen is 14 mpg. Typical highway (empty) for me is 12.5 to 13.2 mpg. Love the King Ranch package; but the lack of power and performance, not to mention the poor fuel economy, has me reconsidering keeping this truck. My opinion is to stay with the Duramax.

CamillaMichael · 07-06-2010, 10:29 AM

It is pretty difficult to pick a truck for someone else to buy...as has been pointed out in this thread, we each have our own particular preferences. Also, as Steve pointed out (and I agree), the US truck manufacturers build some pretty good trucks...would any of us want to buy a truck built in China? I do not believe just because some of these US built trucks have had some problems is just cause to rule out any particular brand...the bottom line is that Jerry, and any of us in the market for a truck, will have to make our own decision. And while we are on the topic, I do not trust sheep in wolves clothing. Whatever truck you buy Jerry, I hope it will pull your rig for many happy and safe miles.

TLightning · 07-06-2010, 03:07 PM

The pot will really be stirred when Honda and Toyota come up with diesel duallys!

skypilot · 07-07-2010, 05:59 AM

To add a couple of more ingredients to the soup in this boiling pot -- you've also got to consider that the newer (07.5 and newer) trucks have the Particulate Filter that requires regenerations (there goes that fuel economy); and then the 2011s will all need the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) which is currently selling for a lot more than we were told to expect. With the 2011s you gain a little bit of mileage back but I have to wonder if it will be enough to offset the DEF expense.

As someone said earlier in this thread - it is hard to tell someone else what to purchase -- we each have our favorites (I'm a Ford person at heart but the 6.0L problems I had have me driving Dodge right now waiting on the real world results for the new 6.7L; (edited to correct it from 6.8

). I have a friend who is a Duramax fan also currently driving a Dodge because of injector problems he had with an earlier GMC who is waiting on the new Duramax to come to market. It will be interesting out there for sure!!)

8e3k0 · 07-07-2010, 06:02 PM

Actually the new 2011 diesel in the Ford is a 6.7 and not a 6.8.
We are running two 09 F350s with 6.4s and had to make changes because of fuel mileage and poor performance. We work our trucks harder than anyone pulling a RV (farm; tandem dually 30 foot goose necks, etc.). After the changes some 12 months ago, we are getting superior results from the 6.4; it is one tough engine; had to replace one rad otherwise no problems whatsoever.
This discussion could go on for ever; as each of us have priorities in what type of service we want from a super duty truck and it is still nice to have a choice from the big three!

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