Duramax DEF problems

[Mikendebbie]

"Wondering where you get the delete ?"

A diesel mechanic that I used for work on my 03 Chevy once told me he could delete the DEF system on my 2014 for $1500 - $2000. This was when I was shopping for my 2014 Chevy. He said if you do the delete you will not be able to trade the truck in to a dealer unless you put that stuff back on it. This was in May 2016 I believe, and he said he was performing fewer and fewer of the delete mods because the DEF systems were much improved since they first hit the market in 2011-2012.

[lensnel]

Posting this might just jinx me, but my 2015 Duramax has been flawless since new and now has 72000 miles on it. We survive NH winters and have towed our camper over 25000 of those miles including across the continental divide. We also tow a 4 place snowmobile trailer as well yearly. I wait until I see the warning message before adding DEF.

[Ridgerunners]

My 2013 LML went out, I replaced it, then found it was covered under a recall. You will have to sift through the recalls to find it as they are listed by a number not a topic.

[Snowhyt]

I had the def heater replaced on my 2015 Sierra 3500 about 3 years ago. It was covered under the recall.
No problems since then.

[paul01]

Get A Ram!

[Mikendebbie]

My 2014 was good until 100,825 miles when the tank heater went out.
The 9th injector (part of DEF system) went out and was replaced under warranty at 75k or so.

My 03 was not trouble free for 265k miles. It got paid off and then I made payments at $700 to $4500 ( injectors) at a time to fix stuff. I nursed it along until DW finally put her foot down and said “I’m done spending more time in mechanic waiting rooms than out looking at antiques on our trips - get a new truck or I don’t want to travel with the RV.” Made sense to me. Bought the 2014 two weeks later.

When the DEF tank heater went out on the 2014 she said “Here we go again - why don’t we get a dually that can safely tow the Monte?” Two weeks later - see my signature!

[miatadoc]

Unfortunately, this problem seems to be common among the brands. Currently on my 3rd DEF tank/heater for my 2011 F-350. Has to do with the corrosiveness of the urea solution.

[Ridgecrest]

not the corrosiveness, but when your tank is full - everything in the tank is wet, as the fluid level drops, the sensors, and heater plugs are then no longer in the fluid, they tehn have a dry crusty film on them that the DEF leaves behind on them, the dry crusty film is what causes the problem.

[Ridgecrest]

we should all sue GM and the FEDS regulation commity

[Ridgecrest]

Mikendebbie - so why are you still driving a GM, 3500 will have the same problems.

[DmaxDually]

Does the truck go into limp mode when the heater fails. Are you limited or does it run normally? I live in FL so probably my heater has never been used. I have 117,000 miles on it with no issues. If my heater goes and my truck still runs normally I will just leave it alone for now because I don't go to cold weather states.
I've always waited till my range gets down to 100 to 150 miles before I fill my DEF tank and I've always used the Peak Blue DEF in the 2.5 gal jugs since new. I never used anything else or truck stop DEF fluid.

[Last2Die]

My heater went out and I’m in SoCal. It is covered under an extended warranty, I did clear the code drove it for a few days and it came back, after about 3 times I just got it repaired. No limp mode.

[Displaced Alaskans]

I have not had any problems, but then i pull with a Cummings.

[mhs4771]

The only issues I had with my 2011 Silverado 3500 in 115k miles was the two Nox sensors had to be replaced.

[DmaxDually]

In 117K miles I never had any DEF issues...But I have had other issues...All my glow plugs were replaced one by one, my 9th injector was replaced, my steering gear was replaced, my coolant recovery tank was replaced..all under warranty.
I replaced both thermostats and also my master cylinder a couple of month ago because it was leaking where it bolts to the hydro, also flush the brake system and changed to DOT 4 fluid at that time.

[Rebel702]

2011 GMC 2500HD SRW Denali

Tank replaced under warranty/recall. Multiple check engine codes that were cleared and high temp regen by dealer. NOX sensors replaced. With only 80K miles I was feed up.
When I bought the Monty last year drove over to Ford dealer and upgraded to 350.
Bought the extended warranty so I would not have to worry about the crap the GOV has loaded these trucks with.

[lensnel]

To those who advocate for other brands... i.e. Ram or Ford
I had no predisposition for which truck to purchase in 2015. So I went to an expert, an experienced (25 years) used truck dealership owner.
Posed a simple question: "Which diesel should I buy to tow a 5th wheel?"
His answer: "You have 3 choices: Ram, Ford, or GM/Chevy. If you buy the Ram, you get a great engine. Unfortunately it is in a Ram Truck and they do not hold up. If you buy the Ford, you get a great truck. Unfortunately you have a Ford Diesel and they are fraught with problems. Do yourself a favor and just buy the GM/Chevy. Duramax/Allison hold up very well and so does their truck. Best by far."

So far, with 70+K miles across the country a couple of times. Zero problems and still not a single rattle, squeak or groan... I am happy with the choice. It is a complex mechanical machine that should have a problem at some point. I have replaced one set of 2 tires and still have the original brakes. In my experience, this truck is rather amazing.

[freich1]

Finally got my truck fixed Tuesday. I called GMC customer service and they got the ball rolling. No charge. Hope it stays fixed. This truck had not missed a beat until this happen. Hope it stays that way. Thanks for all the responses.

[RKassl]

Originally Posted by paul01

Get A Ram!

Ah NO!

[Mikendebbie]

“Mikendebbie - so why are you still driving a GM, 3500 will have the same problems.”

Nothing against Ford or ram. I got the best deal on the Chevys. DW and I looked at Fords and loved it but the ones they had in stock were $7k to $10k higher. Looked at Rams and DW did not see one she liked. Frankly in Austin I see more Ram and Ford Duallys than GM/Chevy. I also looked at used duallys but they were not cheap - not cheap enough in my mind. The price on the Rams were close but not as good as Chevy. From what I read - the perfect diesel truck does not exist...so I bought the one with the best price and the features we wanted. I hope it’s the last truck I buy.

Lots of folks have a similar question about Montana’s...”so why are you still towing a Montana? It will have the same problems...frame flex, hydraulic issues, etc etc”. We really like our Monte and the Chevy. I’ll stick with both!