It let me down for the last time.......

[nmu98]

NMU I have the same truck with around 30K. No problems with my truck, but am curious what the problem was.

I have escalated this up and the regional manager (whatever his title) says that GM knows about this problem and thinks they have the fix with running holes in the intake and the cold front on weather below 40 degrees. Well, it keeps happening to me. The only thing I can think of is my garage. Right now I keep it heated because I am working out there. That might be causeing the condensation in intake or Map Sensor. My tractor and wifes car do not seem to mind it though....

I really think this was an error in engineering and that GM thinks they have it solved. But with cases like this, I feel hung out to dry. I get the same P101 over and over with zero luck in getting it fixed. I have to drop off the truck again tuesday and they are going to throw some parts at it and see if they can correct it.

I have seen gelled fuel cause disappearing driveability issues. Just a thought considering you were in the U.P. of MI. when you had the issues.

I had fuel from a Michigan truck stop. It was only 15 degrees and I had additive run in the fuel. I highly doubt it was gelled. I also had about 600 miles on a new filter. Yesterday, at 35, it did it again, so gelled fuelseems VERY unlikely.


-----

I have to say that the GM dealership diesel mechanics are far and few between. I had a tech work on my radio and he knew everything you could imagine. Took me in the shop and showed me why the problem was happening and then did an update and showed me that it was corrected. He even fixed a squeek that he was hearing. He was up on everything. The diesel mechanic in all 3 dealers I have been to knew less about the TSB's and issues with the LMM than I did after reading online for a few hours. I was much happier walking into a Ford dealer and getting someone who knew their stuff.

The fact of the matter is, the dealerships cannot solve my problems with this truck. I will not own another GM product as long as I can live without it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The fact of the matter is, the dealerships cannot solve my problems with this truck. I will not own another GM product as long as I can live without it.

I think you will find they will do what they can but it probably will not solve the issues. All the techs know and are authorized to do is what they are thought. The only parts available are what GM has even though there is probably a aftermarket fix out there. To get this truck fixed right you need to take it to a out of network diesel speed shop and find someone who really knows these things. The issue is this will void the warranty. I will say that GM seems to be doing a much better job at making the customer happy. I dealt with my dads Corvette all last summer and was overall happy with the service dept although it still has a few squaks and issues. I was dealing with the car because he lives in San Diego 1/2 the year and the car is hear in Indiana. May be a new Hemi Challenger on the horizon for me to do the same thing with.

Back when I bought GM's, up till 2005, they could care less if you were happy or not. Times have changed. Market share is shrinking and everyone is trying to save whats left and their jobs so things seem to be better from a service standpoint.

Chris

 

[bdeboer]

"says that GM knows about this problem and thinks they have the fix with running holes in the intake and the cold front on weather below 40 degrees. Well, it keeps happening to me. The only thing I can think of is my garage. Right now I keep it heated because I am working out there. That might be causeing the condensation in intake or Map Sensor. My tractor and wifes car do not seem to mind it though...."

NMU thanks for the reply, mine sits in an unheated attached garage. I ran about 300 miles Saturday in temperatures from 35 to 20 the truck ate snow, rain, and alot of road salt. No problem, I wonder if you have an issue with wiring harness.

An interesting thing about my truck is that it was supposed to have a winter cover, but it was missing. The dealership in Columbus OH doesn't even order their trucks with them. This truck was a trade from a dealership in Indiana. They said they would send one, but I am still waiting 18 months later. What I am saying, is that I do not have one. The dealership also has one less customer.

Hope you're luck improves

 

[Diamondpilot]

"says that GM knows about this problem and thinks they have the fix with running holes in the intake and the cold front on weather below 40 degrees. Well, it keeps happening to me. The only thing I can think of is my garage. Right now I keep it heated because I am working out there. That might be causeing the condensation in intake or Map Sensor. My tractor and wifes car do not seem to mind it though...."

NMU thanks for the reply, mine sits in an unheated attached garage. I ran about 300 miles Saturday in temperatures from 35 to 20 the truck ate snow, rain, and alot of road salt. No problem, I wonder if you have an issue with wiring harness.

An interesting thing about my truck is that it was supposed to have a winter cover, but it was missing. The dealership in Columbus OH doesn't even order their trucks with them. This truck was a trade from a dealership in Indiana. They said they would send one, but I am still waiting 18 months later. What I am saying, is that I do not have one. The dealership also has one less customer.

Hope you're luck improves

I had the winter cover for my 3500 Dmax I sold and my neighbor has one for his 3500 Dmax, neither one of us ever used it and we have had temps down to -20 or better. I currently have 2 Powerstrokes and one that was totaled out and never used a winter cover in 10 years of diesel truck driving in Norther Indiana winters.

Chris

 

[ultrarunner]

I had the winter cover for my 3500 Dmax I sold and my neighbor has one for his 3500 Dmax, neither one of us ever used it and we have had temps down to -20 or better. I currently have 2 Powerstrokes and one that was totaled out and never used a winter cover in 10 years of diesel truck driving in Norther Indiana winters.

Chris

I'm in CA... what's a winter cover?

 

[WilliamBos]

I'm in CA... what's a winter cover?

A cold front, sticks over the grill, to cover the rad, and keep the freezing cold air from going through the rad, preventing the coolant from warming up.

They are more common up here, and farther north.

 

[timswi]

Ya know the INTERNET is a great thing, but it sure can fuel worry like V10's spitting plugs and how hard the plugs are to remove. Being a bonafied do it your selfer I prepared to do the plugs on my 2004 with 101k miles with great apprehension. I blew the plug wells out, pulled the COP's and and cracked the plugs a quarter turn prepared to spray carb cleaner down on the plugs. Well just for the heck of it I spun one out. No problem and no issues with any of the ten plugs. The last time I had an issue with a plug in an aluminum head was on a Toyota Corolla. My Ford F350 V10 crew cab has been an absolutely positive experience. Let me tell you about the 3/4 ton Chevy F350 that I had before that........forget it.

Cary

Cary,

It's not the maintenance removal that's the problem...The plugs blew out of the heads on their own.

I felt the same way when I replaced the factory plugs in my 97 Chevy 5.7 at 120,000. The plugs came right out. Just gotta be careful.

 

[mjncad]

I have escalated this up and the regional manager (whatever his title) says that GM knows about this problem and thinks they have the fix with running holes in the intake and the cold front on weather below 40 degrees. Well, it keeps happening to me. The only thing I can think of is my garage. Right now I keep it heated because I am working out there. That might be causeing the condensation in intake or Map Sensor. My tractor and wifes car do not seem to mind it though....

I really think this was an error in engineering and that GM thinks they have it solved. But with cases like this, I feel hung out to dry. I get the same P101 over and over with zero luck in getting it fixed. I have to drop off the truck again tuesday and they are going to throw some parts at it and see if they can correct it.

This nonsense reminds me of my '83 S-10 with the carbureted 2.8 V-6. If the weather was cool and rainy, getting the thing started was almost impossible. Two different Chevy dealers tried to fix the problem unsuccessfully. I gave up on the dealers and took it to an independent shop and they drilled out the rivets in the choke housing and replaced them with self tapping screws. Making the choke adjustable like the old days solved the problem and only cost me $10 in shop labor. The S-10 was serviced at the independent garage from there on out.

However with all the computer controlled stuff on vehicles now a days, one is almost forced to go to a dealer unless there is a diesel specialist as suggested above.

You shouldn't have to consult the weatherman as to whether you can drive your truck or not.

Unfortunately I think you need to find a way to cut your losses with this lemon with as minimal financial pain as possible.

 

[nmu98]

NMU thanks for the reply, mine sits in an unheated attached garage. I ran about 300 miles Saturday in temperatures from 35 to 20 the truck ate snow, rain, and alot of road salt. No problem, I wonder if you have an issue with wiring harness.

An interesting thing about my truck is that it was supposed to have a winter cover, but it was missing. The dealership in Columbus OH doesn't even order their trucks with them. This truck was a trade from a dealership in Indiana. They said they would send one, but I am still waiting 18 months later. What I am saying, is that I do not have one. The dealership also has one less customer.

Hope you're luck improves

Here is the TSB Gm keeps shoving in may face. Although all this is done and it still codes out.....


Subject:Snow Intrusion into Air Cleaner, Check Engine Light On, Engine Reduced Power Message, DTC P0101 Set (Perform Repair as Outlined)

Models:2007-2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 Series

2007-2009 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 Series

Equipped with 6.6L Diesel Engine (VIN 6 -- RPO LMM)





Condition
Some customers may comment on a check engine light illuminated with a message that displays Engine Power is Reduced on the DIC.
Upon further investigation, a scan tool may reveal DTC P0101 set in history or as current.
Cause
This condition may be caused by snow getting ingested into the air cleaner box and restricting the air intake to the engine.
Correction
Verify the condition by questioning the customer as to when the condition occurs (during or right after a snow storm).




Using the new air cleaner cover, GM P/N 20821430, drill five 25 mm (1 in) holes in the cover as shown.
Install the emission label, GM P/N 19180225, to the new cover.
Remove the existing air cleaner cover and install the new cover with holes. Provide the customer with the original cover and instruct them to reuse for summer.
Instruct the customer to install the grille opening section only (1st design, 2 piece cover) of the winter front. If the customer has a one piece cover (2nd design) or no cover at all, obtain the grille opening section only, GM P/N 25822811 (GMC) or 25822812 (Chevy). The air cleaner cover with holes and the grille opening cover must be installed to ensure a complete repair. This repair allows warm air to be circulated into the air cleaner, which melts the snow.
Parts Information
Part NumberDescription
20821430Cover, Air Cleaner
19180225Label, Emission
25822811Cover, Radiator Grille Opening (GMC)
25822812Cover, Radiator Grille Opening (Chev)

 

[Diamondpilot]

I agree. I have had to do this twice. I lost nearly 20K trading both my 2500 4x4 Hemi and my 3500 Dmax. It came down to I could not use them reliably for my business and was afraid to put my family in them for fear of getting stranded. It was a real shame with the Dodge. At the time we had it my wife drove it. We bought it brand new and I drove a Regular Cab F-350 7.3L 4x4. I had to go out and buy a used Saturn to tote the family around in because the Dodge was our only 4 door vehicle and I was afraid to drive in more than 30 miles from home.

What I am saying is sometimes you have to cut your losses and have a expensive lesson. Its a tough pill to swallow but for me had to be done and in the end I am glad I did.

The fix they listed above is a bunch of crap. It shows there is a problem and they know about it but want you to solve the issue by jerry rigging the intake box to draw air from inside the dog house area. What a bunch of crap!

Chris