6.0L- ? Changes

[rjwest]

On the 6.0 L engine:

What did they change and what years did they fix the noisy engines...

Geting ready to look for used gasser,

[Lawnboy]

I really don't know. But my '04 (with a 12/03 build date)is CSK free, and runs like a raped ape.

[Heartbeat Hauler]

I believe '02 is when the piston slap was addressed in the 6.0L engine. I have an '04 2500 Sub and it is quiet, but is not in the "raped ape" catagory.... :D
JP

[Lawnboy]

Guess your 'Burban is hauling around a little more "Junk in the trunk" than my reg cab. Plus I have the 4.10's.

Nothing like the downshift to 1st at say 45 mph!

[Heartbeat Hauler]

Originally posted by Lawnboy:
Guess your 'Burban is hauling around a little more "Junk in the trunk" than my reg cab. Plus I have the 4.10's.

No doubt. If I had it to do over I would have opted for the 4.10s.
JP

[rjwest]

What kind of fuel milage are you getting.

I think i've had it with my 6.5 diesel.
My old 5.7l gasser was cheaper to run and much more
reliable....

And to old to keep fixin.....

[Vivayo]

RJ
I have an '02 and hear what I think is the CSK for the first 30-60 seconds when I start it. I don't know the build date but I bought it July of 02, so it was well into the production year. I mentioned it to the service manager when had the tailgate cables replaced and he said that it hasn't proven to be a reliability issue. I probably won't keep it long enough to find out. Not that I'm anxious to get rid of it, I really like the truck, but I'll get "new truck fever" before I get enough miles on it to worry.
I have 4.10s, and saw 14.8 MPG running unloaded on a 500 mile roundtrip to NYC running about 70MPH. That was on the winter blend gas. I get anywhere from 11.5 to 13.5 MPG in mixed city/hwy driving. I have a pretty light foot but do experience an occasional wheelspin ;)
I've seen 16.5 MPG on a tankful when trying to maximize mileage, but where's the fun in that...
Charlie

[rjwest]

Vivayo, thanks for info, Need to get out from under my 96 diesel dually, to old for all the constant
repairs. I can't afford new and hate to go to a ford or chrysler,
Your milage is only slightly less than my Diesel, and I'm sure your truck is a Lot cheaper to maintain and more reliable


I run a truck camper, ( 12-13 mph loaded ),
Have you had any experience, milage , with a load or
towing,

[Vivayo]

RJ:
No significant towing experience. We have a 33'
travel trailer but I've only gone short distances
with it so far. We're toying with the idea of taking a trip to Arkansas next spring (~1,100 miles each way) and based on what others have said, I expect about 10MPG. I've carried a couple of loads in the bed (a pallet of landscaping stone @ 3,000 lbs and our 1,100 lb golf cart home about 50 miles for winter storage) and found the 6.0 had adequate power - I could'a got a speeding tickt if I'd kept my foot in it ;).
I only have 21,000 miles on it but I've had zero problems. All things considered, I'd buy the same truck again - but with a long box instead of short. The truck is already big enough that another ~18" wouldn't make that much difference and the extra bed length would be handy.
Charlie

[Quack_Addict]

I average about 9-10 MPG with my 6.0L crew cab 8' bed HD towing my boat; the terrain I tow over is about 60% level ground and 40% up and down mild to steep hills. The boat is a 23' Rinker, loaded with gear and fuel, the boat and trailer are probably 6500-7000lb. The truck rides like a dream when towing but it you have to put your foot into it to get up to speed getting on the highway. Towing through the hills is alright but there's a couple hills you nearly hold it to the floor to avoid decelerating. Unloaded and not towing, the truck gets about 13-14 MPG.

[Chris-NJ]

i bought an 02-2500LD in 9/01, had the csk, gm gave me warranty till 100K mi. it now has 50K on it and the csk seems to have vanished. tows a 8K trailer pretty well. 12mpg dry

[Dave Heyink]

Newbie agrees with you rjwest. After this week, I am about ready to trade my 6.5 in too. The truck has been great - works hard, better on fuel. But when repairs come - ouch! New heads, lifters, glow plugs, turbo ... My 2003 6.0 has been excellent. It replaced a 2000 K2500 HD with a 350 that my wife cracked up. I've had it about a year and a half, and have gotten a best of close to 15 MPG. It does suck it back when working though, like pulling our 9000 lb skidsteer, or plowing snow. Otherwise, it has had no service issues, and has gobs of power. And I like it better than the one my wife messed with.

[rjwest]

GMC driver, I've been looking for a 4x4 ext cab
3/4 T 8ft 350 gasser or 454, preferably std shift.
Can't afford a newer 6.0 without the " diesel knock"

Hard to find.....

As soon as I get a replacement, the 6.5 is history. Feel bad after all the work I put into it.

[Dave Heyink]

As someone who has had both, I should tell you that going from a 6.5 to a 454 is gonna be a bit of a shock. Our 454's are the sole reason the fuel guy stops to fill my 1500 gallon tank once a week. (We use alot of gas powered equipment as well). Don't get me wrong - I like these engines. They make hard work easy. But to be honest, I know the best I ever got with my 2000 crew cab was on a 1000 mile trip up north and back, where I averaged 12.5 MPG. We use this truck to plow snow - I get maybe 8 MPG. We both know this is less than half of my 96 6.5. Now the 350s I've had average around 15 MPG through regular use. And my 6.0 gets about the same, maybe a bit better. Our 6.0 is an '03, so no CSK, yet (about 38,000 miles).

[rjwest]

GMC Driver 80-90 % of my driving is with a 3000lb truck camper. Get 12-13 with the diesel.

Was getting 10.5- 11.5 with my 93 350 gasser (1/2)
ton, I know, way over loaded, but with air bags ithandled it well, AND I got over 200k trouble free
miles with minimal repairs .

What I am saving on fuel with the diesel.
I am losing on Filters, oil changes, extra parts,
and never knowing when it will quit running.

I felt very confident I would not get stuck in the
woods with the gasser, No confidence in the
6.5l Diesel.

Wish I had another 83 6.2 diesel, 232K miles
, Replace Pump 1 time, 1 starter, 1 alternator,
set of brakes, AND 17 MPG with the camper.
Just had to shift a lot.

Just hope I get lucky and find anoter 3/4 ton gasser.

[Dave Heyink]

Good luck in your search. I just spent a ton on my 96 6.5 too, and I hope this is it for a while. I stopped it at the shop on my way home today, and they were just preppin the block to put the new heads on. Both old ones had cracks between the valves. Also the valve springs were getting weak, and the rubber seals let bypass of oil down the valves, causing alot of carboning up, and then the vlaves wouldn't seat anymore. So two new heads, plus a turbo (not gone yet but showing signs).

I've never had a gasser do this to me.

[rjwest]

Now I don't feel so bad, No major engine problems at 113k miles. Started adding " Power" options,
think I'll back off to just the Exhaust....

Something keeps telling me, SELL, SELL SELL.

But the darn thing Runs real smooth, at least when it runs ""

Did have a lot of noise 2 days ago, was a cold 30 degrees, really knocked for about 5 minutes.

OK this morning, Again, No confidence.....

[Dave Heyink]

Well, now I'm not sure what to do. I picked up my 6.5 this morning. Ran pretty good. Mechanic assurred me everything was ok, and double checked everything. I drove about ten miles, and was almost home, when it just died. I was doing about 45 MPH. I coasted until it stopped, but had a hard time getting it going again. So we towed back to the mechanic, and no one around. They closed at noon.

Now I'm ****ed. They're calling for snow tonight and I'm back to only two plow trucks. They just better fix the POS so I can get rid of it.

[rjwest]

Have you looked in the 6.5 forum.


Most common is the FSD fail, than pump.

If 94-95, OPS sw. Or Lift pump on all models.

In cold weather : fuel heater could be an issue.

Add lots of anti gell.

[Dave Heyink]

Well, today I found out that it spun a bearing. What's next? It'll get a full rebuild by a diesel shop. The mechanic is gonna help out on the cost. And a warranty until I get rid of it.

[rjwest]

I really feel for you. At least I do not depend on my truck for a living.


What happened to you, Is excatly why I do not have any trust in he 6.5l diesel.

I'm retired and was travelling a lot with a truck camper, Just don't need agravation of a failed eng at my age, especially with the truck camper on back..

[madmatt]

some 03's got the csk but in my experience it's not a reliabilty issue. i put 86k on mine, 80% of the time it was balls out w/ a 24'er out back and still got 11-12 mpg wit er. i'm gonna miss that truk!!!!!!!!

[ 01-17-2006, 02:45 AM: Message edited by: madmatt ]

[Dave Heyink]

I finally got word yesterday that the 6.5 motor is back, and the mechanic is starting to install it. Turns out that the thrust bearing was siezed and spinning in the block. The block had to be spray welded and line bored. The crank was cracked, and two mains were gone. They went through seven cranks before they got a good one. I will have zero confidence in this POS when I finally get it back.

In the meantime I have found some good gassers, and I'm gonna look at one a little closer next week. I'll keep you posted.

[rjwest]

GMC Driver, sorry I lost track of this post,

Went looking for 6.0L MPG info and found it,

How did you make out with the Engine overhaul,

still have the 6.5, but getting some coolant
in oil and a thunk in bottom. gotta find a truck..

[Heartbeat Hauler]

Sounds like all the money that is being spent one might consider a "crate engine" long block from some place like Penisular Diesel. They don't look like they are too terribly expensive and you would know you are getting good parts... Just a suggestion.
JP

[Mark Rinker]

If you read my profile, you'll see that I have experience hauling and working with all the above mentioned engines and drivetrains.

Without hesitation, I would recommend buying a used Duramax/Allison with ANY mileage to make the purchase price work over a 6.0L/4L80E.

You'll make part of your higher truck payments (or pay back your savings account) with the fuel savings. Can't say enough about the DMax after owning two 6.5s.