So what else do I need to know about 6.6

[oldtimr]

Hi all, gonna be long because brevity is not my strong suite. Here we go.....

I started searching here this morning to educate myself on the Chevy diesel trucks. I just put my personal 2002 2500HD into duty as a service truck. At 49 years of age in the midst of the precursor to the economic collapse of the good ole USA I decided to start my own business and that truck will carry my carcass and tons of my tools all around the oilfield. I have always been in Ford trucks, bought by others and driven hard by me so I really don't know much about my Chevy PU. I bought it with 24k miles in 2006 and it now has all of 50K.

I'm mainly looking to learn what is going to bite me, because I have always practiced what I call a "keep Tim rolling" philosophy,,,,,if it is going to break I will own the part to fix it on the side of the road and I am more than capable of doing just that. I have replaced 2 sets of Ford rear wheel studs on the side of the highway, not to mention at least 3 blown intercooler hoses on 7.3's and 2 blowed to smitherenes intercooler hose clamps on the 6oh, 2 or 3 crank sensors, several of the old 7.3 valve cover / injector harness connector repairs, and bandaided a fuel line that was spewing directly at the turbo,,,, all on the side of the road.

I would rather work my tail off than rely on somebody to come rescue me. I just need to know what's going to go kaput. On the Fords I was buddies with all the Ford mechanics so I could quiz them. I don't know any of the local Chevy mechanics.

I also came here to learn if my maint practices were up to snuff. I learned that I need better fuel filtration and just got through buying one from lubricationspecialist llc, so I'll get my act together there.

I use rotella oil and wix oil filters...and carry spare of each and a fuel filter.

I discovered I have a cabin air filter so I have to look for it. I'm thinking I'll just beat hell out of it and put it back in if it's not shot. I can't smell anyway.

I have been wanting to change antifreeze in that thing for a couple years now,,,,, anybody use conventional antifreeze and any problems there? GM had a class action lawsuit I had read a couple years ago over the dexcool problems.

How about sensors that may go out on me and attempt to strand me?

Do the Chevies have electrical demons? Mine has acted stupid about engaging cruise control a few times but I rarely use cruise so it hasn't been an issue. And the other day I had my GPS plugged in and it ran the GPS' battery down. I plugged in a second device to see if maybe my GPS plug had blown it's internal fuse and lo and behold the Power outlets started functioning,,,,that seems like a loose ground. Those 2 silly things combined with them having the PCM ECM whateverCM turn the alternator on and off makes me wonder if GM went the way of Chrysler in electronics inability?

I had heard a few years ago that the 4WD needs exercised occasionally, or the solenoids can't kick it in. I use mine at least once a month since then.

I had a dealer service the tranny at 29K, and I dump the pan every other oil change and do the little filter every oil change. Just bought 3 Allison filters from lubricationspecialists too, because the daggum Wix filter is made in China.

All replies appreciated, and thanks for taking the time to read all this mess.

[DmaxMaverick]

Hi all, gonna be long because brevity is not my strong suite. Here we go.....

I started searching here this morning to educate myself on the Chevy diesel trucks. I just put my personal 2002 2500HD into duty as a service truck. At 49 years of age in the midst of the precursor to the economic collapse of the good ole USA I decided to start my own business and that truck will carry my carcass and tons of my tools all around the oilfield. I have always been in Ford trucks, bought by others and driven hard by me so I really don't know much about my Chevy PU. I bought it with 24k miles in 2006 and it now has all of 50K.

I'm mainly looking to learn what is going to bite me, because I have always practiced what I call a "keep Tim rolling" philosophy,,,,,if it is going to break I will own the part to fix it on the side of the road and I am more than capable of doing just that. I have replaced 2 sets of Ford rear wheel studs on the side of the highway, not to mention at least 3 blown intercooler hoses on 7.3's and 2 blowed to smitherenes intercooler hose clamps on the 6oh, 2 or 3 crank sensors, several of the old 7.3 valve cover / injector harness connector repairs, and bandaided a fuel line that was spewing directly at the turbo,,,, all on the side of the road.

I would rather work my tail off than rely on somebody to come rescue me. I just need to know what's going to go kaput. On the Fords I was buddies with all the Ford mechanics so I could quiz them. I don't know any of the local Chevy mechanics.

I also came here to learn if my maint practices were up to snuff. I learned that I need better fuel filtration and just got through buying one from lubricationspecialist llc, so I'll get my act together there.

I use rotella oil and wix oil filters...and carry spare of each and a fuel filter.

I discovered I have a cabin air filter so I have to look for it. I'm thinking I'll just beat hell out of it and put it back in if it's not shot. I can't smell anyway.

So far, so good. Many of us here are of the same type.


I have been wanting to change antifreeze in that thing for a couple years now,,,,, anybody use conventional antifreeze and any problems there? GM had a class action lawsuit I had read a couple years ago over the dexcool problems.

The class action suit was a settlement. Nothing was ever proven, other than poor maintenance practice can cause problems with the cooling system. This is not unique to Dexcool. Properly maintained, Dexcool is the best, by far, option for your truck.


How about sensors that may go out on me and attempt to strand me?

None that will leave you stranded or take you out of action. The electronics are generally very reliable.


Do the Chevies have electrical demons? Mine has acted stupid about engaging cruise control a few times but I rarely use cruise so it hasn't been an issue. And the other day I had my GPS plugged in and it ran the GPS' battery down. I plugged in a second device to see if maybe my GPS plug had blown it's internal fuse and lo and behold the Power outlets started functioning,,,,that seems like a loose ground. Those 2 silly things combined with them having the PCM ECM whateverCM turn the alternator on and off makes me wonder if GM went the way of Chrysler in electronics inability?

Not at all a common issue. And, no, GM hasn't gone the way of Chrysler. Healthy batteries and good terminal connections will keep you in the pink for the most part.


I had heard a few years ago that the 4WD needs exercised occasionally, or the solenoids can't kick it in. I use mine at least once a month since then.

Never heard of it being a problem, but it couldn't hurt to exercise it once in a while. Do the same with the A/C when it isn't used often. If you use the defog or recirc setting, it will cycle the compressor.


I had a dealer service the tranny at 29K, and I dump the pan every other oil change and do the little filter every oil change. Just bought 3 Allison filters from lubricationspecialists too, because the daggum Wix filter is made in China.

Overkill, but nothing wrong with it. To bad about the "Hecho en Chinas" thing.


All replies appreciated, and thanks for taking the time to read all this mess.

No problem. Most everything else specific to your truck can be found in the "sticky" threads at the top of each forum, or with a simple search. If that fails, don't hesitate to ask.

Welcome aboard!