6.2L or Duramax reliability

[steiny93]

I dump in a 2.5 appx every 10K miles from Wally World. About 10 bucks... a total non issue.... And a great oil change container!

You get 10k miles out of a 2.5 gallon container of def?
Really? Are you sure?

We have 5 of the baby dmax's in a group here at work and all of use get around 1k miles per gallon of def when empty. Towing they use significantly more (8.2 gallons during my last 1500 mile trip pulling 5k lbs).

GM also states the 1k per gallon number as an estimate.

 

[StephenPT]

You get 10k miles out of a 2.5 gallon container of def?
Really? Are you sure?

We have 5 of the baby dmax's in a group here at work and all of use get around 1k miles per gallon of def when empty. Towing they use significantly more (8.2 gallons during my last 1500 mile trip pulling 5k lbs).

GM also states the 1k per gallon number as an estimate.

Must've been a typo. I'm about to add my second 2.5G jug and just hit 7K on mine. Five gallons in 7K miles seems to be very reasonable usage and inline with many other owners of the LM2. Also, I have not done any towing up to this point.

 

[Pro299]

You get 10k miles out of a 2.5 gallon container of def?
Really? Are you sure?

We have 5 of the baby dmax's in a group here at work and all of use get around 1k miles per gallon of def when empty. Towing they use significantly more (8.2 gallons during my last 1500 mile trip pulling 5k lbs).

GM also states the 1k per gallon number as an estimate.

I've yet to put in more than one 2.5 gallon jug of DEF between oil changes at 5K. I do not tow with the Yukon, however, so my experience is to just pick up a jug after an oil change and when it's down to 1/2 on the gage I pour it in.

 

[steiny93]

I've yet to put in more than one 2.5 gallon jug of DEF between oil changes at 5K. I do not tow with the Yukon, however, so my experience is to just pick up a jug after an oil change and when it's down to 1/2 on the gage I pour it in.

wow; you are using significantly less def then what we are seeing

[no towing; empty only] If the def tank is full; following the oil change ticker (I believe this is 7500 miles) on the dash, it will consume the def tank and nearly be empty again after putting in a 2.5 gallon jug.

right now; my biggest complaint on the baby dmax is the size of the def tank; they should triple it

 

[Seamus]

I've yet to put in more than one 2.5 gallon jug of DEF between oil changes at 5K. I do not tow with the Yukon, however, so my experience is to just pick up a jug after an oil change and when it's down to 1/2 on the gage I pour it in.

I am about the same. I use very little DEF under normal driving. I bought 10- 2.5 jugs a year ago and never need DEF. It goes to half right around my 5K oil change. Towing I use plenty. 1-2 jugs in 1600 miles of towing to Va.. I am doing about 12K a year and adding DEF 1-3 times of a 2.5 gallon jug.

 

[xycrazy]

I own the 6.2L and I’m quite happy with it. Did a trip to Canada. 1,500 miles in 5 days. I averaged 19.3mpg. No problems whatsoever. I’m at 35k miles right now and it’s the 2021.

That being said, I would go for the 5.3L next time. Plenty of power and significantly better gas mileage (got around 20.8 mpg on a 500 mile road trip in a 2021 rental Yukon)

The 6.2L is not worth the extra money in my opinion. The 5.3L with the 10 speed automatic in the 2021+ models is a totally different beast than in the old model. I know what I’m talking about since I had it in my previous 2017 Yukon and it was night and day.

Go with the Duramax if you can get it or take the 5.3L if you don’t want to get annoyed with DEF fill ups

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

The 6.2L is not worth the extra money in my opinion. The 5.3L with the 10 speed automatic in the 2021+ models is a totally different beast than in the old model. I know what I’m talking about since I had it in my previous 2017 Yukon and it was night and day.

It is (over the 5.3) if you tow! The 3.0 comes at a Discount to the 6.2 in the Denali...so...if you are looking at that trim, its a no brainer to go w/ it if Fuel Economy is your goal.

Incidentally, over a 750 mile set of road trips over 3-days, I averaged 21.6 in my Denali (6.2), but it was all 2 lane roads, didn't really exceed 65 MPH the whole time, no wind.

 

[NoYukonYet_1Jeep]

Hey Raj welcome to the fun / forum.

I’ve had **two** 2023 Yukon Denali’s now, yes read that correctly. Our first was with the 6.2 L and the motor was blown after less than 4000 miles. Our second replacement 6.2 L Yukon also 2023 Denali has just over 4000 miles right now and everything is going well.

I saw someone mention that the 6.2 L makes the truck somewhat of a hot rod. Funny comment but couldn’t agree more. I had the option to replace with the Duramax but I didn’t want to give up the rumble of the 6.2 L V8. I also went with the cat back performance exhaust system, and it really sounds pretty awesome. I’m in Southern California and most of my trips are usually at least one hour, so I am definitely sacrificing for the gas mileage I would have had with the Duramax motor. That said I couldn’t be happier although I haven’t checked my bank account in a while, I think last month we spent about $800 on gas. Mind you, that included 2 Vegas trips . Good luck with your decision. My advice is get whatever makes you happy. You’re spending $90k either way.

 

[raj07]

Thanks a lot for all the advice. I have boiled it down to two options. Denali XL with 6.2L, I'm ok spending some more on fuel plus the vehicle will be exclusively for road trips. Second option - practicality - well optioned SLT with Duramax. The second is hard to find. I think I will end up with the first one - heart vs mind..high power and rumble and all !

 

[Hotrod61483]

I'm surprised there's not more people Rallying with the 6.2L. IMO the 6.2L is hard to beat in reliability and performance, I've owned several and they have proven themselves to me. I drive a 2015 Yukon Denali XL and it's the same Echotec 3 engine from 2015-2020. I can't attest to a brand new one, nor do I know about any issues the newer one's have had. That being said I have heard of a lot of the 6.2L engines with the notorious GM Lifter Tick. Luckily mine hasn't started ticking yet, but my 2010 Yukon Denali XL was plagued with a slight lifter tick. It didn't really affect the reliability of it, it's still capable of 300+ thousand miles even with a slight tick. This is just me, but if I had the choice between the 5.3L, the 6.2L, or the Baby Duramax I would choose the 6.2L hands down.

 

[StephenPT]

Thanks a lot for all the advice. I have boiled it down to two options. Denali XL with 6.2L, I'm ok spending some more on fuel plus the vehicle will be exclusively for road trips. Second option - practicality - well optioned SLT with Duramax. The second is hard to find. I think I will end up with the first one - heart vs mind..high power and rumble and all !

Duramax fuel economy is tough to beat - yeah, a V8 sounds cool, don't get me wrong, but the diesel clatter has a charm in and of itself.

Here's our most recent trip - Shelton, WA to St. Helens, OR using I-5 and HWY 30. If any of you know that route it's mostly flat, but not "Kansas" flat. Cruise was set at 65mph on I-5 and 55mph on HWY30. I know some of you don't drive these speeds and would get run over doing much less than 80mph where you live, but in the PNW the highest speed limit sign you'll ever see is 70mph and all the two-lane highways are 55mph. Also, rig was full - 5 kids and their car seats, two big coleman coolers in the back + swim gear, clothes bags, etc.

 

[Tinbadtin]

The duramax fits this type of heavy vehicle very well. All the torque down low, easy cruising with little revs and unbeatable fuel economy. Perfect for hauling lots of people, stuff, tow or all of the above.

Literally nothing about this platform has characteristics for any type of “hot rodding”. If you want a hot rod there are much more capable options, even in SUV form (AMG GLS, X7 M50, SQ7).

 

[Eusibius2]

I love my Z71 6.2L!

 

[OR VietVet]

Duramax fuel economy is tough to beat - yeah, a V8 sounds cool, don't get me wrong, but the diesel clatter has a charm in and of itself.

Here's our most recent trip - Shelton, WA to St. Helens, OR using I-5 and HWY 30. If any of you know that route it's mostly flat, but not "Kansas" flat. Cruise was set at 65mph on I-5 and 55mph on HWY30. I know some of you don't drive these speeds and would get run over doing much less than 80mph where you live, but in the PNW the highest speed limit sign you'll ever see is 70mph and all the two-lane highways are 55mph. Also, rig was full - 5 kids and their car seats, two big coleman coolers in the back + swim gear, clothes bags, etc.

View attachment 406649

Made that trip before. Beautiful. Anytime I can get away from Pewgene, Or., I take the chance.

 

[v3scott]

I'll throw in one more vote for the Duramax after 10k miles.

I'm in SoCal and my wife daily drives it as our family hauler. She rarely drives more than 8 mi trips and its been great. We had one issue in the first 1,500 mi where a hose clamp was loose causing an emissions error code but was fixed same day and no issues since.

This was my first diesel and while I steeled myself the challenge, I worried about any complications that cause issues with regen issues or cold weather when we go skiing. Thankfully, all that worry was for naught and I haven't dealt with anything other than normal DEF fill ups (which are super easy). Obviously in the wrong environment, ie short drives in a Minnesota winter, you may fare differently, but outside of extremes, it truly is a great daily driver.

We love the mpg as well. We only fill up every two weeks and living in a hilly area of OC we average about 20ish mi gallon on short trips. Took a long trip to Santa Barbara with stop and go traffic through LA and averaged 27.8/mpg.

On performance, the car has never felt slow. Despite the fact its a 6,000lb beast, the low end torque gives it a quick jump off the line (about the same torque as the 6.2). Passing someone at freeway speeds is no sweat. Unless I was trying to 1/4 mi someone for pink slips, I have never felt there wasn't more power readily available. No doubt the 6.2 has "more power" in real world I think you're splitting hairs you won't notice.

Last thing I'll add is I was in the same boat, battling with my head and my heart, wanting the Denali. When we got ours a year ago the Denali's were still easily seeing a strong $15k+ dealer premium. Reluctantly I followed my head and got the loaded SLT and have no regrets. Yes there are a couple things that would be nice to have but that's life. Now, whenever we load up the family to drive somewhere and everyone is comfortable, the car drives great and I glance down and see the gauge that shows "25 mpg" all I can think about is how perfect it is and I couldn't be happier.

 

[Vladimir2306]

When they talk about the efficiency of a diesel car, for some reason they always compare liters to liters. But at the same time, they forget to mention that AdBlue must be poured into a diesel engine, I don’t know how in the USA, but in Russia it adds another 1.5 liters to fuel consumption in money terms. Plus, more expensive maintenance, in particular for a diesel engine, it is necessary to change the air filter more often, and it is imperative to change the fuel filter through maintenance.
Again, diesel is more expensive oil. Well, the price is initially a little more expensive for a diesel engine than for a 6.2 engine. When I compared when buying my Yukon, I got a diesel engine savings of about 4 thousand dollars for 3 years of ownership and 150 thousand kilometers. $ 4,000 is with an initial investment in the purchase of $ 150 thousand. I figured that I was ready to overpay $ 4,000 to get a more dynamic engine than a diesel engine.

 

[Stbentoak]

You get 10k miles out of a 2.5 gallon container of def?
Really? Are you sure?

We have 5 of the baby dmax's in a group here at work and all of use get around 1k miles per gallon of def when empty. Towing they use significantly more (8.2 gallons during my last 1500 mile trip pulling 5k lbs).

GM also states the 1k per gallon number as an estimate.

Yep, I'm sure... I have 23K on mine and have put 3 jugs in it besides the factory fill. 3/4 full right now. It may not be quite 10K, but it for sure is 7K+...DEF is a non issue for me. 1st warning....dump 2.5 and motor on !

 

[steiny93]

Yep, I'm sure... I have 23K on mine and have put 3 jugs in it besides the factory fill. 3/4 full right now. It may not be quite 10K, but it for sure is 7K+...DEF is a non issue for me. 1st warning....dump 2.5 and motor on !

I wonder why your usage is so different

Here is my last 9k miles
I bought 5 2.5 gallon jugs at the same time; have used 4 of them in the Denali in the last 9k miles (20k to 29k on the truck); the remaining jug was used in an ecoDiesel.

 

[raj07]

Finally went ahead with a Denali XL 6.2L. Black color, well-optioned. The advice here was really valuable and I am looking forward to contributing as I learn more about the vehicle! Will try to post some pics over the weekend

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Finally went ahead with a Denali XL 6.2L. Black color, well-optioned. The advice here was really valuable and I am looking forward to contributing as I learn more about the vehicle! Will try to post some pics over the weekend

Congrats, and enjoy. Be nice to it till you get to 500 miles...then you can really open her up and hear her roar!