Is there a GOOD FIX for Dmax Tranny Cooler Lines

[Diamondpilot]

Used diesel prices are as high as I've ever seen them. If they won't give him anything for his truck they are either shortchanging him or there's more to the story. Have him check Kelly Blue Book against what the dealership is offering, my guess is that it's worth a lot more than their offer.

The fix to the transmission lines is to have a shop fabricate new ones. It's not that expensive and it will fix the problem. The GM hoses suck and most seem to leak in cold weather.

He just came over to bum some dog food and we looked up the value and its worth between $25,000 and $28,000 depending on condition. I would put his as average so its right at about $26,500 trade. Not too good on a 3 year old $50,000 truck. The big problem here is the dealers are flooded with them.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Well the leak got worse so he took it in. They tell him its no longer covered under the 10yr 100,000 mile power-train warranty. Its only got 62,000 miles on it. Like I said he has had them replaced twice before so its had 3 sets total on it and they all leak. Very common issue but not covered under warranty is not. He is going back tomorrow to cause a stink. I told him to forget it and we will fix it right since GM can not.

Here is the best kit he could find.

LLY/LBZ/LMM 2006-2010 3-Line Trans Line Repair Kit [LLY/LBZ/LLM 2006-2010] - $225.00 : All Season Diesel Performance, Your Duramax diesel performance headquarters by Tony Burkhard owner of the Dirty Hooker

I think he is crazy for spending that much on it. I could get compression fittings or weld on fittings and make up hydraulic hoses to get rid of all the junk for under $75.

Chris

 

[Ford850]

That's the problem with these big warranty claims. People buy vehicles based on them and in the end they rarely get to use them past the basic 3 year periods.

 

[schmism]

I know it doenst add anything to how to fix the problem... but its threads like these that i see pop up more often than not that further convince me not to EVER buy a brand new anything off a lot.

In other words, would anyone ever consider buying a 2-3 year old Dmax TODAY with the known issues and refusal to fix the problem by the dealer/GM?
And if thats the case why would you gamble like that on any other spiffy new anything? (for instance) Who's to say in 2-3 years that new V6 turbo ford isnt going to be in the exact same spot as current Dmax owners?

Or put another way, id love to pick up a $50K (new) truck that is 3 years old for $25K and do a few aftermarket fixes for a few known issues. And if thats the thinking of others, then it would make sense for the owner who is WAY upside down on it to do the same and continue driveing it.

 

[Builder]

i've got an 01, so it's an lb7. i'd have to assume it has a different transmission line setup, because i haven't had a recurring issue. i replaced my lines and the disconnect fittings two years ago, and they are still good. they made about 7 years on the original set, and they weren't replaced due to their own fault - the liquid road melting solution they used (still use?) here has wreaked havoc on the underside of every vehicle. for me it's brake, transmission, and most recently fuel lines. maybe there's an issue with the tranny lines on the lbz, but my father has an 07 (classic) with about 75k on it now and he hasn't had a problem with his either.

the intermediate steering shaft is certainly a common failure item. i had one done in my truck just before the warranty went, and i'd swear it rattled soon afterward. i think i just ignore it now, or maybe it was something else rattling. i think they are more of an annoyance than anything else - never heard of a catastrophic failure, though i'm sure someone has a story. as far as a one time replacement under warranty? that sounds kinda odd. if it's still under the original factory warranty years and mileage then i'd think they'd have to replace it. maybe it's in the approach. if not, ask another dealer?

while they're at it, they might want to check inner tie rod ends. those seem to be a weak spot too. left side seems to be more common from my experience.

Mine seeped the slightest bit at about 10K. Took it to dealer and they were replaced free of charge and never leaked since. They'll get a tiny bit of seepage in the winter, but not nearly as bad as the rear main seas or steering boxes on my Fords. I had to carry bottles of fluid around to top them off they leaked so much.

 

[Builder]

I know it doenst add anything to how to fix the problem... but its threads like these that i see pop up more often than not that further convince me not to EVER buy a brand new anything off a lot.

In other words, would anyone ever consider buying a 2-3 year old Dmax TODAY with the known issues and refusal to fix the problem by the dealer/GM?
And if thats the case why would you gamble like that on any other spiffy new anything? (for instance) Who's to say in 2-3 years that new V6 turbo ford isnt going to be in the exact same spot as current Dmax owners?

Or put another way, id love to pick up a $50K (new) truck that is 3 years old for $25K and do a few aftermarket fixes for a few known issues. And if thats the thinking of others, then it would make sense for the owner who is WAY upside down on it to do the same and continue driveing it.

Mine was more than happy to fix mine.....

 

[Diamondpilot]

Mine seeped the slightest bit at about 10K. Took it to dealer and they were replaced free of charge and never leaked since. They'll get a tiny bit of seepage in the winter, but not nearly as bad as the rear main seas or steering boxes on my Fords. I had to carry bottles of fluid around to top them off they leaked so much.

You are lucky then. His will leak a 1/2 half qt or more a week. They have been replaced 2 times now and are just a bad design. I will end up fixing it right for him since GM can not.

I have done a bunch of research on this and the common thing is location. More north, the more they leak. You hardly see it south of the Ohio River from my research. Up here where we get plenty of snow and cold its common.

Chris

 

[Builder]

You are lucky then. His will leak a 1/2 half qt or more a week. They have been replaced 2 times now and are just a bad design. I will end up fixing it right for him since GM can not.

I'm pretty sure there's a GM mechanic that can fix them right.:laughing:
I've seen a few guys switch to braided lines, but it's really uneccesary. The updated factory lines just need to be installed correctly and the problem goes away.

I have done a bunch of research on this and the common thing is location. More north, the more they leak. You hardly see it south of the Ohio River from my research. Up here where we get plenty of snow and cold its common.

Chris

Well, I live in Philadelphia area and it's plenty cold & snowy here. Between my HD and all the other guys I know that have them, we only have minor seepage. That's what my research has concluded. BTW: I'm north of the mighty Brandywine River. :laughing:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not to get into a big argument here but the GM parts are not a fix, its the same old crap. I am sure there are great mechanics GM here and there that could fix it but they have their hands tied. They could not install a non oem part under warranty.

As for cold and snow, it does not even compare to where I live. I am in Coatsville/Philly a few times a week. The company I work for is based in Valley Forge. It gets crappy there no doubt but we get way more snow and its much colder. I would guess we have had 6 days or more where its been below 0 in the morning so far this year. We have had 5 snows now that were 4" or more and we had the 3 snowiest December ever with just over 26". I know that does not compare to guys who live just south or Lake Erie for snow or temps that our friends in Canada see but its much worse than what I see in Philly weekly.

Chris

 

[Builder]

Not to get into a big argument here but the GM parts are not a fix, its the same old crap. I am sure there are great mechanics GM here and there that could fix it but they have their hands tied. They could not install a non oem part under warranty.

As for cold and snow, it does not even compare to where I live. I am in Coatsville/Philly a few times a week. The company I work for is based in Valley Forge. It gets crappy there no doubt but we get way more snow and its much colder. I would guess we have had 6 days or more where its been below 0 in the morning so far this year. We have had 5 snows now that were 4" or more and we had the 3 snowiest December ever with just over 26". I know that does not compare to guys who live just south or Lake Erie for snow or temps that our friends in Canada see but its much worse than what I see in Philly weekly.

Chris

We had 84" of snow last year, but my gosh, you'll dispute anything:laughing:
I'll give you it's colder where you are, but as far as the lines go, it's not the same old crap. There is an updated tranny line set. I got them installed and they're better. The tech that installed them told me it's the way you install them, not the lines themselves that are the problem.

I have no doubt better lines could be installed. Braided would be better.

Give your helpless GM neighbor these part numbers for the updated/improved lines :
20759973
20759972
20759971