[407driver]

WELCOME to the forum.

First; I see lots of first time posters who quite obviously have not read this series of threads that is suggested by the forum creators........Their initial post describes one malady or another with which they want help..GREAT we are all here to help, BUT do us the courtesy of introducing yourself, act as if you wish to be one of us before requesting assistance...........

For the above listed reasons I am including a couple of links to forums for new members...Read Learn and Enjoy!:

****Welcome to the Duramax Forum, Please Read****

Welcome, you've come to a great place to learn more about your truck, and even find out about the one you haven't bought yet! If you're new to the whole "Forum" thing, please click here to go to the New Guy area, and click on all those threads just to familiarize yourself with a few things...

www.duramaxforum.com

Chevy and GMC Duramax Diesel Forum

www.duramaxforum.com

Secondly, kindly fill out your signature. Top Right-click on your pic for "Account Details", then "My Profile" and then in the bar middle of the page "About".. Scroll down to Your Signature, fill it out and save, easy peasy. It will show what you have every time you post and help us to help you. I have heard from several people who can't find this using their phone. If that happens, use your laptop!

If you dont know the service history of your truck you should change EVERY fluid in it to establish a baseline from which to begin a regular schedule for maintenance. Those fluids include the following:

Engine oil filter - Baldwin B1441. Here is a link to a thread that you may find interesting in this regard:

The D-Max 2019 Oil Filter Shootout

Engine Oil - Lots of opinions on what oil, read the threads and decide for yourself based upon how you drive ur truck. Just INSURE it is a Diesel rated oil. Regular engine oil does not have the proper additives for a diesel engine.

Engine Coolant (Dex Cool ONLY) Prestone brand seems to be cheapest.
Differential fluid (synthetic (Mobile 1 is good)
Transmission fluid and spin on filter (Either Dex VI (some older xmsns use Dex III) or better yet, Transynd (TES-295 specification) (Double Drain Method recommended)
Transfer Case fluid (again Dex VI or Transynd)

And the most often neglected but Very Important

Brake Fluid
Power Steering/Hydroboost fluid.

There are threads on here to teach you how to do each. Here are a couple:

How To: Brake Fluid System Flush

How To: Power Steering/Hydro-Boost Flush

DO NOT get the two fluids mixed. The results are VERY costly mistake, particularly getting PS fluid in the brake system. This forum is full of threads detailing the costly results.

Also, adding a Power Steering Cooler is a VERY good idea. It will increase the life of your Power Steering and Hydroboost systems. I chose the Dorman unit, fast, easy and not expensive at all ($50.00):

How To: Add Power Steering Fluid Cooler

All are easy and will save you a TON of money doing them yourself. It will also help familiarize you with this wonderful pulling machine you just purchased.

And remember, Search is your friend. You will learn Lots reading the threads about any issue you search for and "How To" for whatever maintenance you need.

Also a second reminder, fill out your signature as I dexcribed above at teh beginning of this thread so every one on here can see what you have each time you post. Makes it easier for us to help you.

Read, Learn and Enjoy this forum.........It is a magnificent resource for every thing Duramax-Allison, Silverado/Sierra!! :grin2:

EDIT 12/15/18:

One more piece of advice.....................BEFORE performing any maintenance which could result in any shorting to the battery, or disconnecting any removal of any major connectors, disconnect BOTH Negative battery cables first.

This will prevent the stray sparks from frying some very delicate and expensive control modules on your truck.

EDIT 1/26/19

Another suggestion, If you like this information, if you find this forum useful and hope to be able to utilize the assistance available and provided here SERIOUSLY consider becoming a Premium Member ($18 per year) or Lifetime Member ($50 one time) The expense is less than a gallon of oil per year or an oil change for a lifetime.

Doing so will help to insure this forum stays online, available to all who currently enjoy it and those members not yet acquainted with us.

For me, it was an incredibly easy decision. The help and information I received here FAR outweighed the minimal expense, and the first bit of advice I got here saved me Several Times more money than the membership fee.

Even just doing the above yourself, rather than taking it to some shop, will save you several times more money than the cost of becoming a Premium or Lifetime member.

I am NOT affiliated in any way with this forum other than as a member. This suggestion is merely my way of helping this forum to thrive so it stays viable and active for all those who enjoy the camaraderie we share and assistance we all receive here.

So, think about it, and I believe you will come to the same decision I did, it is Money Well Spent!

 

[BoomZackalacka]

This is marvelous and I appreciate the hell out of it, and you, good sir.

Bought my truck a few months back, and am going to do majority of the above once winter starts to come to a close. All fluids, probably brake lines, and eventually paint the frame for longevity!

 

[LeonardS]

Do you have any suggestions on things to check, change, update, purchase on a new 2019 Denali? This will be my first diesel.

 

[407driver]

Do you have any suggestions on things to check, change, update, purchase on a new 2019 Denali? This will be my first diesel.

All I know about the newest Duramax (L5P) is what I have read on this forum.

I don't believe EFI Live has been able to crack the ECM so no tunes available as of yet. You can rest assured that the best minds in that business are busy trying though.

I have heard the Banks Derringer has a unit for the L5P but I think Ive heard mixed reviews of its true effectiveness vs the sales hype.

The very best advice I can give you is to maintain it regularly, use quality fluids, filters etc.

Here aer a couple of threads you can go to and my advice is to Read, Read, Read and learn all you can about the magnificent machine you just purchased!

https://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/2017-up-non-powertrain/

https://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/2017-l5p-duramax-powertrain/

https://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/l5p-tsb-service-bulletins-recalls-updates/

https://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/2017-l5p-performance-parts-discussion/

 

[J83]

i see im not the only one tired of typing the same thing out over and over and over again.

 

[407driver]

i see im not the only one tired of typing the same thing out over and over and over again.

Copy and Paste is LOTS easier, and I dont' have to keep correcting my computer when it misspells things :grin2:

After all, most of those who would benefit from this thread just got here and need to know this stuff.

 

[KingDuramax2011]

Where is the tools section?

 

[407driver]

Where is the tools section?

Read the first post, it is at the top of every page

 

[Shawn George]

Excellent post

 

[Mrmorganja]

407driver - Awesome info to get me familiar with the new truck. I just sold my 05' cummins with 330k yesterday. so the LML and Chevy are new to me. READY to learn.
Much appreciated sir.

 

[GoBlowSnow]

If I remember correctly, if I have a G80 rear diff, I do not use anything with limited slip additives in it, correct? Just straight Synthetic (75W90 or something like that)

 

[mizterwizard]

Actually the G80 differential has clutches like a positrac and is also a locker. That gives you the smooth operation of a clutch system as well as the extra traction of a locker. GM specifies a particular synthetic fluid for this rear end. According to several sources it already has a friction modifier in it. If you want to use another synthetic gear oil it would probably be okay as long as you use a friction modifier with it.

Don't overfill the differential. There are some youtube videos where Gale Banks does testing on differential covers and oil levels. The greater risk is that too much oil will lead to greater aeration and less lube. After watching those videos I've decided that lower oil levels are better than higher ones.

 

[Hook'em_Horns!]

And if the vent becomes restricted, 4 qts instead of 3.5 qts can blow thru the axle seals too.

 

[GoBlowSnow]

Grateful for the info, thank you. What do you run in yours?

 

[Hook'em_Horns!]

Mob-1 or Schaeffer's.
4-qts of Schaeffer's on the shelf now, waiting to go in, maybe this weekend.

 

[407driver]

Mobile 1, can't find Schaeffers locally

 

[RVTugger]

Good post. Oil has been changed, fuel filter has been changed, water sensor has been changed, new batteries and repairs to the RH fender due to acid eating away the battery tray and fender bracket, all good now. Thinking about dropping the pan and changing both filters and fluid. I have a year to make this truck new again and I'm off to a good start. I like the idea of an oil cooler and changing the brake and power steering fluid.