DURAMAX DIESEL POWER

For the last two decades, Chevrolet has consistently improved it’s already bulletproof diesel engines, with the current result being nothing short of a spectacularly powerful, reliable power plant for its line of light duty trucks. Since its conception, Duramax has been an innovative and respected brand, with over 1.5 million engines produced right here in the United States. While these are some of the toughest engines on the market today, at Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa we know that proper maintenance and repair is what keeps them that way for years to come. Our team of certified technicians are well qualified to fix or maintain anything, including your Duramax diesel. Skip the dealer prices and enjoy the peace of mind you get from quality service, by contacting Mercie J Auto Care today for all your repair and maintenance needs.

ABOUT DURAMAX

The Duramax Engine is a General Motors diesel engine family for light to medium duty trucks. The 6.6-liter Duramax Engines are produced by DMAX, a joint venture between GM and Isuzu in Moraine, Ohio. The Duramax Engine was released in late 2001 into the Chevrolet and GMC chassis vehicles. The Duramax Engine was replacing the old 6.5-L Detroit built engine which was a big jump forward in technology. GM was the first of the manufacturers to make this jump and gave GM an added advantage in the diesel truck market. The Duramax Engine utilized the new Bosch Common Rail Fuel system. The early fuel systems included an ECM (Engine Control Module), CP3 Injection pump, FICM (Fuel Injection Control Module), and injectors all of which we are familiar with and work on.

The later version fuel system did away with the FICM and utilize a CP4 injection pump.   The Duramax Engine had some issues that appeared not too long after initial release. GM extended the warranty on the injectors to 200,000 miles due to failures that were widespread. Changing the injectors on the LB7 Duramax Engines was a little time consuming since they were located under the valve cover. Air bubbles in the fuel lines turned out to be the cause for the premature failure of the injectors. When these air bubbles were present in the fuel line they accumulated in the CP3 pump. When the injector went to fire the bubble would get between the injector plunger and the injector tip. With the bubble there, the injector plunger has no fluid damping when it comes into contact with the injector tip causing a small gap to form over time. Once that gap grows large enough fuel is allowed to flow through continuously since the  rail is pressurized so high. The computer system was unable to determine if this is happening so the check engine light would not notify the driver. The only way to determine if this was happening was to measure the return fuel flow rate. 

Here we keep up with issues like fuel flow rates and updates in the Duramax diesel engine so that we can provide quick diagnostics for you and answers quickly which equals more efficient repairs and less cost.  Trust your diesel truck to the experts!

Specialty services for Duramax include:

    Duramax injectors
    Duramax EGR coolers and valves
    Duramax CP3 injection pumps
    Oil coolers
    Head gasket replacement
    Head studs
    Turbo replacement and rebuild
    Injectors
    High-pressure oil pumps

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR YOUR DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE

When do you need to schedule maintenance for your diesel engine and what is needed each time?  For your convenience, we've added the preferred maintenance listing. 

7,500 MILES
    •    Change engine oil and replace oil filter
    •    Rotate Tires
    •    Inspect engine air filter minder, replace filter as required

15,000 MILES
    •    Change engine oil and replace oil filter
    •    Inspect tires for wear and measure tread depth
    •    Rotate tires
    •    Inspect engine air filter minder, replace filter as req.
    •    Replace engine- and frame- mounted fuel filters
    •    Inspect steering linkage, suspension and if equipped, driveshaft and ball joints
    •    Inspect engine cooling system and hoses
    •    Inspect brake system
    •    Inspect exaust system and heat shields
    •    Check wheels for end play and noise
    •    Inspect and lubricate 4x2 ball joints
    •    Inspect and lubricate steerring idler arms

22,500 MILES
    •    Change engine oil and replace oil filter
    •    Inspect engine air filter minder, replace filter as req.

30,000 MILES
    •    Change engine oil and replace oil filter
    •    Inspect tires for wear and measure tread depth
    •    Rotate tires
    •    Inspect engine air filter minder, replace filter as req.
    •    Replace engine- and frame-mounted fuel filters
    •    Inspect steering linkage, suspension and, if equipped, driveshaft and ball joints
    •    Inspect engine cooling system and hoses
    •    Inspect brake system
    •    Inspect exaust system and heat shields
    •    Change automatic  transmission fluid and external filter element
    •    Check wheels for end play and noise
    •    Inspect and lubricate 4x2 ball joints (except F-450 / F-550)
    •    Inspect and lubricate steering idler arms

37,500 MILES
    •    Change engine oil and replace oil filter
    •    Inspect engine air filter minder, replace filter as req.

45,000 MILES
    •    Change engine oil and replace oil filter
    •    Inspect tires for wear and measure tread depth
    •    Rotate tires
    •    Inspect engine air filter minder, replacefilter as required
    •    Replace engine- and frame- mounted fuel filters
    •    Inspect steering linkage, suspension and, if equipped, driveshaft and ball joints
    •    Inspect engine cooling system and hoses
    •    Inspect brake system
    •    Inspect exaust system and heat shields
    •    Check wheels for end play and noise
    •    Inspect and lubricate 4x2 ball joints (except F-450 / F-550)
    •    Inspect and lubricate steering idler arms

52,500 MILES
    •    Change engine oil and replace oil filter
    •    Inspect engine air filter minder, replace filter as required

60,000 MILES
    •    Change engine oil and replace oil filter
    •    Inspect tires for wear and measure tread depth
    •    Rotate tires
    •    Inspect engine air filter minder, replace filter as required
    •    Replace engine- and frame- mounted fuel filters
    •    Inspect steering linkage, suspension and, if equipped, driveshaft and ball joints
    •    Inspect engine cooling system and hoses
    •    Inspect brake system
    •    Inspect exaust system and heat shields
    •    Change automatic transmission fluid and external filter element
    •    Change manual transmission fluid
    •    Check wheels for end play and noise
    •    Lubricate 4x4 hub needle bearings
    •    Lubricate 4x2 wheel bearings
    •    Replace wheel bearing grease seal
    •    Inspect and lubricate 4x2 ball joints (except F-450 / F-550)
    •    Inspect and lubricate steering idler arms

Talk to our professionals today at  Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa about scheduling your diesel engine maintenance today and before you decide to replace your diesel vehicles if you have engine issues.   We look forward to working with you to keep your diesel vehicles on the road.