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Thread: new owner

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    USA Pennsylvania
    Posts
    2

    Default new owner

    Ok..Totally new to diesels. I am however a backyard mechanic trained by my grandfather..a full time mechanic.
    Heres the deal, I bought a 2001 Chevy with 183k miles..2500 HD allison automatic all maintenance records are there,,the owner even changed teh cabin air filter..and all fuel/transmission transfer case fluids and filters as manual required.

    Questions are..what should i look for other than obvious stuff..leaks bent parts etc. and any good/bad stuff about this year?


    thanks,
    keith

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Loyal WI US
    Posts
    10,792

    Default Welcome aboard

    Well ordinarily I start by suggesting that you do fluids and filters, but with detailed records I'd say just drive it and see what if anything doesn't seem right. Don't be afraid to ask if somethig seems odd.

    Transfer case pump rub is something best fixed as a pre-emptive strike. Check out teh Feature Articles and Product Reviews on the site.
    Kennedy Diesel-owner
    More than just a salesman-I use and test the products that I sell on a daily basis!
    Superflow Lie Detector in house
    2002 Chev K2500HD D/A CC Long LT 11.77@ 124mph at 7700# fuel only-e.t. needs help
    2005 Chev K3500SRW D/A CC Long LT(SOLD)
    2007 Chev K2500 Classic EC Short LT (Sold)
    2012 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC Long LTZ Happy Birthday to me! Built 1 working day after my birthday and delivered 7 days later.
    2016 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC short LTZ

    Custom tuning in house using EFI Live tuning software!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2000
    Location
    Montana
    Posts
    11,382

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    USA Pennsylvania
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Yea i forgot to tell you i changed the engine oil and fuel filter as well as clean and re-oil the K&N air filter. I figure a clean start is best. Based on my experience; I can tell the truck seems clean and not beat up..bought it from a dealer. like i said i've worked on vehicles since i was about 8 years old but have absolutely no experience with diesels.

    aside from the miles, this truck is cherry..it is almost like new i know i sound like a used car salesman, but i mean it..there isn't even wear on the armrests. its got brand new tires and the brake pads look like they have another 30 to 40 k miles on em..almost new. front end still tight..no play in ball joints...checked all teh basic stuff.

    one more thing i have a question on is the aftermarket Banks power pack..im not sure if there is a chip in it but there is a banks turbo and exhaust. the also is a switch for a banks engine brake. I tried the engine brake..no effect. I contacted banks in regards to this ..no help. I'd assume there is some hardware in the engine compartment to make the system work. Any pointers on what to look for?

    I will be towing a 6,500 lb 30 foot camper. i pulled it about 400 miles last week, had no problems at all but did install a sway bar..the trailer sways a bit when passing 18 wheelers; i didnt have that prob when towing it with the 1/2 ton 5.3...i couldnt pass em..lol. did have some sway with 1/2 ton too tho. mostly wind related.

    Mileage is 15 mpg city...15 mpg highway towing above 6,500 lb trailer..no data on highway empty.

    thanks for any input..and thanks for the welcome wishes..

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Loyal WI US
    Posts
    10,792

    Default

    The brake pads last about forever, but perform poorly. Check out the rear faces of the rotors and see if they are rusty and flaking. Salt eats them up badly and many only have 1/3 or less of the surface in contact.

    The Right rear wheel seal is likely leaking. Every one that I have had apart has had the park brake shoes all gunked up with oil. They don't seem to get bad enough to seep externally, it's almost like someone at the factory doused the shoes with oil when assembling. On the plus side this rotor/drum comes off really easily.


    So what I do is a 4 wheel brake job lubing slide pins with dielectric grease and Car Quest GMD (Gold Metallic Disc) pads These are the severe duty police/ambulance brakes nd they flat out work. Not as good as the '11+ trucks, but a huge improvement over the glazed rotor stock stuff.
    Kennedy Diesel-owner
    More than just a salesman-I use and test the products that I sell on a daily basis!
    Superflow Lie Detector in house
    2002 Chev K2500HD D/A CC Long LT 11.77@ 124mph at 7700# fuel only-e.t. needs help
    2005 Chev K3500SRW D/A CC Long LT(SOLD)
    2007 Chev K2500 Classic EC Short LT (Sold)
    2012 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC Long LTZ Happy Birthday to me! Built 1 working day after my birthday and delivered 7 days later.
    2016 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC short LTZ

    Custom tuning in house using EFI Live tuning software!

  6. #6

    Default

    After baselining the truck...

    Kennedy Diesel sells an excellent Tow/Economy tune for the LB7 that is a great improvement in every measurement over the first year programming. Combined with a Boost Valve to increase turbo boost to burn the extra fuel, you'll see better unloaded economy and an amazing increase in towing performance.

    I ran the tune/valve on two trucks towing over 250K miles with nothing but great results.
    2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L daily driver
    • Previous owner of two 1994 6.5L K3500s, '01, '02, and '05 6.6L K2500s, '04 C4500, '06 K3500 dually, '06 K3500 SRW, '09 K3500HD SRW, '05 Denali
    • Total GM diesel miles to date : ~950K

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Teton Valley, Idaho
    Posts
    1,873

    Default

    the only thing I'd do besides what's been mentioned is to get rid of the K&N filter and replace it with stock.

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