CptDondo

Hi everyone:

Fairly new to the forum. I sold my 2001 Express and I'm about to pick up my new-to-me 2010 3500 Duramax. It has 125K miles, so I'm hoping it's good for another 150 or 300K miles.

So.... What do I need to look for to make it last another 10 years? Lots of highway driving, towing, pretty much fully loaded. I'm looking at getting it converted to a 4x4, and then what else?

Based on my experience with my last Express, heat buildup is going to be a problem. So how best to keep the parts form cooking? Tranny cooler, bigger radiator, electric cooling fans?

Also, how do I get the VIN decoded to see the original build options?

Thanks!

CptDondo

OK, found the decoder. Turns out the upfitter screwed up the VIN on their sticker. Using the original VIN sticker worked.

tech2

best thing you can do for a diesel...drive it...don't idle excessively.
your year is before the dpf and def injection...these system are constant headaches.

CptDondo

That's the plan. I have a 2015 MB diesel and a 1984 MB diesel, and the 1984 for all its faults is rock reliable. DEF is a constant PITA even on the MB diesels.

This is my first foray into American big iron diesels.

I thought the idling was only for DPF. Are there other issues with idling the older diesels? (Not that I plan to but I will have to idle for an hour at a time every so often.)

CptDondo

Any idea why the Duramax was derated for the Savana from 300+ HP to 250?


Code Years Power@rpm Torque@rpm Redline (rpm)
LML (Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD) 2011–2016 397 bhp (296 kW) @3000 765 lb⋅ft (1,037 N⋅m) @1600 3450
LMM (Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD) 2007–2010 365 bhp (272 kW) @3200 660 lb⋅ft (895 N⋅m) @1600 3450
LMM (Chevrolet Kodiak Medium Duty (LYE option), GMC TopKick Medium Duty (LYE option)) 2007–2010 330 bhp (250 kW) @3000 620 lb⋅ft (841 N⋅m) @1600 3250
LMM (Chevrolet Kodiak Medium Duty (LRX option), GMC TopKick Medium Duty (LRX option)) 2007–2010 300 bhp (220 kW) @3000 520 lb⋅ft (705 N⋅m) @1600 3250
LMM (Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana) 2007–2010 250 bhp (190 kW) @3200 460 lb⋅ft (624 N⋅m) @1600 3450
LMM (Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana) 2011–2016 260 bhp (190 kW) @3100 525 lb⋅ft (712 N⋅m) @1600 3450

StanVan

A programmer will bring that HP back and then some. Diesels are good like that.

Artie1

Only MY2010s built in late 2009 came with the LMM and no DEF - and are rare. Majority of model year 2010 were built in actual year 2010 actually have the LGH engine.

CptDondo

1GB9G5B67AXXXXXX - the 6 in the 8th position should be LMM, no? So may be I hit the lottery. Still don't know wny GM would derate the engine HP for the vans. At a total WAG i'd say it had something to do with cooling in the very tight doghouse on the vans. Or may be the 6L90 tranny in the vans v. the Allison in pickups.

StanVan

I could be wrong, but these look like RPO codes, found on the sticker on the passenger door.

CptDondo

From here: https://www.buyautoparts.com/blog/ho...l-engine-code/

LMM

VIN Digit: 6 for 2500/3500 pickups and vans, 9 for 4500/5500 Cab and Chassis Silverado, Sierra, TopKick or Kodiak

Applications: 2007-2010 Silverado, Sierra, Kodiak, TopKick, Express and Savana

Details: This engine was released with the all-new GMT900-chassis 2007 Silverado and Sierra. It features more emissions controls than any previous Duramax diesel V8, including a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).