Considering Diesel

[srm51475]

Guys,

I'm considering a Tahoe or Yukon diesel but have concerns about being the first model year with these engines. I know the Silverado and Sierra have had the diesel for a year or two and wonder if you guys would be more comfortable with the first year SUV diesel knowing it has been in the trucks for a while. Or do you think it could still have problems with the SUV platform? Thanks.

 

[Bill 1960]

It’s the same platform, I’d consider the truck reliability to be directly correlated to the SUV.

 

[Fireman591]

Same platform as the truck so no worries. The only thing different engine wise at least on the V8s from the pickups this year is the fuel management. The 2021 Tahoes and Yukon are more advanced and have a fuel control system that can shut down up to 7 cylinders if my memory serves. Not sure if the diesels do this but it is an awesome engine with torque right from the get go. My next one this year will be a diesel for sure If you have the chance drive all three engines. The diesels are rare right now but the 1500s have lots of them our there with the 10 speed so it would be pretty close to feel the get up and go on it

 

[OR VietVet]

Like has been said, don't fear the diesel engine, it is solid. Like @Fireman591 said, drive the trucks and get the feel.

 

[Z71orAT4]

I have a Yukon Denali on order with the the Duramax Diesel with a current TPW of January 25th, so with any luck it should arrive at my dealership by the middle of February. The dealership (Cadillac/GMC/Buick)introduced me to their master technician who told me that the Duramax engine has been bulletproof so far. Of course anything can go wrong but my sense is this will be a terrific vehicle.

 

[OR VietVet]

I have a Yukon Denali on order with the the Duramax Diesel with a current TPW of January 25th, so with any luck it should arrive at my dealership by the middle of February. The dealership (Cadillac/GMC/Buick)introduced me to their master technician who told me that the Duramax engine has been bulletproof so far. Of course anything can go wrong but my sense is this will be a terrific vehicle.

For the price you are paying for this rig, it better be bulletproof. Post pics of it and the engine compartment when you get it, please.

 

[Stbentoak]

Yep, Not worried about it either, both engine and tranny have been out and together long enough that this shouldn't be an issue at all. Could possibly be the best drivetrain available for this vehicle. Probably one of the last Diesel SUV's that will ever be built...

Tried to order this week but my dealer said they are waiting on allocation ( And they are a big Midwestern dealer... ) He said that between the 3 week Arlington plant shutdown and this Impending Infotainment computer chips shortages, build rates are going to slow and delivery times are sliding further and further out every week...

 

[MJenn76]

Yep, Not worried about it either, both engine and tranny have been out and together long enough that this shouldn't be an issue at all. Could possibly be the best drivetrain available for this vehicle. Probably one of the last Diesel SUV's that will ever be built...

Tried to order this week but my dealer said they are waiting on allocation ( And they are a big Midwestern dealer... ) He said that between the 3 week Arlington plant shutdown and this Impending Infotainment computer chips shortages, build rates are going to slow and delivery times are sliding further and further out every week...

I would try a different dealer. Google "Gm production lead times". Several sites for fleet dealers are showing 14-16 weeks which has been steady since October.

https://www.arifleet.com/resources/updates-projections/lead-times-downtime-production-delays/

https://www.donlen.com/production-trucks-gm.html

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[wsteele]

I recently built a house and almost to a person, the contractors all own diesel trucks. Most have it for when they have to tow something heavy, but another reason offered was long term reliability and lower overall operating costs.

Recently, I noticed when the conversation gets around to their trucks, most feel their trucks don’t deliver on most of the above, perhaps with the one exception of towing and even then, the differences are pretty paltry if at all.

Almost to a person they will admit their overall operating costs are more for their diesel truck than an equivalent gasoline version.

Many say they will move to a gasoline version the next time they buy, almost always within the same brand loyalty. The ones that plan to stay put with diesel, openly admit, when everything is totaled up, it will cost them more.

 

[OR VietVet]

I recently built a house and almost to a person, the contractors all own diesel trucks. Most have it for when they have to tow something heavy, but another reason offered was long term reliability and lower overall operating costs.

Recently, I noticed when the conversation gets around to their trucks, most feel their trucks don’t deliver on most of the above, perhaps with the one exception of towing and even then, the differences are pretty paltry if at all.

Almost to a person they will admit their overall operating costs are more for their diesel truck than an equivalent gasoline version.

Many say they will move to a gasoline version the next time they buy, almost always within the same brand loyalty. The ones that plan to stay put with diesel, openly admit, when everything is totaled up, it will cost them more.

Did any of them volunteer that when they kept the rigs that the diesel engines last longer as long as the upkeep/maintenance is done as needed? That is the one thing that I have noticed in my shops, that the diesels would come in with 200k to 400k miles and still run like a top as long as maintenance was done as needed and they did not put off any needed repairs. As long as the transmission held up, they did not have major cost repairs typically. Diesels require a fuel filter but no plugs or wires. They do need other things that gas engines don't use but typically at much longer intervals.

 

[Bill 1960]

I concur with what @wsteele reported, the economic advantages of diesel faded away 20 years ago. I can do a pretty sharp cost/benefit calculation and it’s been a wash for a long time.

When I buy a diesel -I do have one- it’s for the operating characteristics not to save $$. They are pleasant to tow with, especially at altitude.

Modern diesels are highly stressed with more specific output hp/liter compared to previous decades, with higher injection pressures, complex emission controls, etc. The mean time to failure on these won’t differ much from gasoline engines. There were some rumblings in the automotive press about design life when the latest generation of half ton diesels from the big three came to market. But it was quickly glossed over.

 

[wsteele]

Did any of them volunteer that when they kept the rigs that the diesel engines last longer as long as the upkeep/maintenance is done as needed? That is the one thing that I have noticed in my shops, that the diesels would come in with 200k to 400k miles and still run like a top as long as maintenance was done as needed and they did not put off any needed repairs. As long as the transmission held up, they did not have major cost repairs typically. Diesels require a fuel filter but no plugs or wires. They do need other things that gas engines don't use but typically at much longer intervals.

I think the thing that appears most irksome to the guys that have flatly stated they are going back to gas is how frustrated they are at the cost of ongoing out of warranty repair work. Seems a lot of the things that would be considered engine accessories have pretty high failure rates and the cost of those components are very high. I have owned quite a few diesels long ago and none had the kind of issues these guys talk about.

 

[Stbentoak]

As an owner of 3 of them, the single biggest issue is the emissions controls. That has been their only downfall in my book. Any work I've had done has been covered under the vehicles warranty or federal emissions warranty....I go 10K on oil changes, Use Wally World DEF, and compared to my last gassers that used premium fuel only, I'm way ahead in fuel expenses. Diesel is .40 cheaper than Premium where I am, and I go 40% further on it. My EcoDiesel Grand Cherokee goes 600+ miles on a tank, and my wifes F pace gets 40+ mpg on the highway. No petrol vehicle will ever come close. I used to own a RAM hemi and it was 100.00 a week in fuel. Now I go 2 weeks or longer on one tank.
My hopes are that the Yukon Denali will give me 25+ MPG in a package that will allow my family to all go in one vehicle vs having to take 2 all the time and transport my grandkids all over the state for school competitions and college visits that are upcoming. I plan on buying the GM extended warranty to get me to 5/60...

 

[Dave Mathews]

As an owner of 3 of them, the single biggest issue is the emissions controls. That has been their only downfall in my book. Any work I've had done has been covered under the vehicles warranty or federal emissions warranty....I go 10K on oil changes, Use Wally World DEF, and compared to my last gassers that used premium fuel only, I'm way ahead in fuel expenses. Diesel is .40 cheaper than Premium where I am, and I go 40% further on it. My EcoDiesel Grand Cherokee goes 600+ miles on a tank, and my wifes F pace gets 40+ mpg on the highway. No petrol vehicle will ever come close. I used to own a RAM hemi and it was 100.00 a week in fuel. Now I go 2 weeks or longer on one tank.
My hopes are that the Yukon Denali will give me 25+ MPG in a package that will allow my family to all go in one vehicle vs having to take 2 all the time and transport my grandkids all over the state for school competitions and college visits that are upcoming. I plan on buying the GM extended warranty to get me to 5/60...

GM no longer has extended warranty. They are all off brand.

 

[Stbentoak]

GM no longer has extended warranty. They are all off brand.

Not true.. You can buy a true GM extension (2 years /24k..) to your factory warranty no deductible. Mirrors your factory warranty...

 

[SAdude]

Not true.. You can buy a true GM extension (2 years /24k..) to your factory warranty no deductible. Mirrors your factory warranty...

I was also told by the dealer that GM no longer offers their own extended warranty. Have a link you can share with any info?

 

[MJenn76]

Not true.. You can buy a true GM extension (2 years /24k..) to your factory warranty no deductible. Mirrors your factory warranty...

Easy Care... Maintenance Contract... 5y/100k $3,090.... Straight off my paperwork

https://easycare.com/

Tire/Rims... Maximum Auto Group $750

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[OR VietVet]

It may say GM on the paperwork but it is likely a third party that backs it.

 

[MJenn76]

It may say GM on the paperwork but it is likely a third party that backs it.

Thats not GM

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[wsteele]

As an owner of 3 of them, the single biggest issue is the emissions controls. That has been their only downfall in my book. Any work I've had done has been covered under the vehicles warranty or federal emissions warranty....I go 10K on oil changes, Use Wally World DEF, and compared to my last gassers that used premium fuel only, I'm way ahead in fuel expenses. Diesel is .40 cheaper than Premium where I am, and I go 40% further on it. My EcoDiesel Grand Cherokee goes 600+ miles on a tank, and my wifes F pace gets 40+ mpg on the highway. No petrol vehicle will ever come close. I used to own a RAM hemi and it was 100.00 a week in fuel. Now I go 2 weeks or longer on one tank.
My hopes are that the Yukon Denali will give me 25+ MPG in a package that will allow my family to all go in one vehicle vs having to take 2 all the time and transport my grandkids all over the state for school competitions and college visits that are upcoming. I plan on buying the GM extended warranty to get me to 5/60...

I think maybe the difference in what the guys I know feel about cost of ownership of their diesels and yours, likely is centered on how many miles they put on truck between purchases. Most of these guys are well into the hundred(s) K range on the Odometer before they are ready for their next buy. What they all seem to agree on is the out of warranty cost of ownership on their diesel is very disappointing.

Also, while all agree the mileage is way better on their diesel versus a gas alternative, they are looking at engines that run fine on 87 octane and that is fully 15% cheaper here than the diesel alternative. Throw in most can buy "Top Tier" 87 octane regular here at Costco for about $2/gal versus the roughly $2.55/gal diesel will run them, the actual out of pocket gas costs savings are not what they might appear when looking at the Monroney sticker.

It sounds like you have it all worked out for your needs. I am just reporting what many around here who have been devout diesel owners for many generations of trucks are saving about their next purchase. These guys pay close attention to their costs over the life of their truck.