Background> I own a '16 Chevy Colorado 2.8L Duramax diesel pickup. Engine manufacturer: VM Motori of Italy. Same manufacturer of the Ram 3.0L EcoDiesel. No issues with my truck.
I happened to notice the complaints of a FEW Colorado Duramax owners posting that they had to either: A) Replace the original turbo, B) threw a rod or
C) cracked or threw a piston through the block. (broken wrist pin). Usually, this happened at highway speeds or pulling a substantial load. This typically occurred when the truck had under 110,000 miles on the truck. In a few cases I read about, owners only had 40K on their trucks. Could be a metallurgical issue? I won't begin to tell you the quote for replacing this engine with labor costs. I'll just say you better have "deep pockets." Usually, owners were using dealer supplied 5W30 Dexos2, Pennzoil Euro L 5W30 or Mobil 1 ESP 5W30. Usually, these engines gave "no warning" before they blew. I will add, General Motors decided to kill this engine, beginning the '23 Colorado model year. Will Colorado owners be offered the GM 3.0L Silverado Diesel engine?
Stay tuned.
A couple of things:
* If I am not mistaken, the original Ram EcoDiesel called for a 5W30, low ash motor oil, like Pennzoil Euro L 5W30 or Mobil 1 ESP 5W30. Recommendation was
later changed to the current Rotella T6 5W40, after engine replacement issues became a problem.
* Colorado Duramax owners in Australia (a much harsher climate) come from the factory with 5W40 Dexos2 in their sumps, not the 5W30 Dexos2 as is recommended, here in the USA & Canada. I guess we can "thank" the EPA fuel economy mandates. 5W40 Dexos2 is as hard to find in the US as hen's teeth.
If you ever get the opportunity to drive one of these trucks with this engine, you'll quickly understand why owners LOVE the engine & say it's best part of the entire truck. Where else can you find a mid sized pickup that has a 7,500 tow rating? That can also easily give you over 30 mpg in highway driving. I see about 32 mpg (26 city). If I decide to trade in this truck, (which I may), I have had offers equal to what I paid for it when new. (Only 25K on mine).
I decided early on, I rather risk plugging up the DPF emissions unit, than replace an engine. I ran Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W40 (ht/hs 3.8) this past summer without issues (loved it because it quieted an already quiet engine with no fuel mileage penalty). I am running Delvac 1 ESP 5W30 (ht/hs 3.6) now with confidence, since it Exxon/Delvac's flagship oil that mentions extended drain capabilities.
What say you? Is Delvac 1 ESP 5W30/40 an upgrade over Mobil 1 ESP 5W30 in regard to extending engine longevity in this application? I also considered the new Delo 600 ADF in 10W30/15W40 viscosity. I didn't expect VM Motori to make an engine as likely to go over 200,000 miles as a Cummins diesel, Powerstroke diesel, or GM 6.6L Turbo Diesel. I can't wait until someone offers an EV mid sized truck - and all this motor oil talk will be a distant memory.
I happened to notice the complaints of a FEW Colorado Duramax owners posting that they had to either: A) Replace the original turbo, B) threw a rod or
C) cracked or threw a piston through the block. (broken wrist pin). Usually, this happened at highway speeds or pulling a substantial load. This typically occurred when the truck had under 110,000 miles on the truck. In a few cases I read about, owners only had 40K on their trucks. Could be a metallurgical issue? I won't begin to tell you the quote for replacing this engine with labor costs. I'll just say you better have "deep pockets." Usually, owners were using dealer supplied 5W30 Dexos2, Pennzoil Euro L 5W30 or Mobil 1 ESP 5W30. Usually, these engines gave "no warning" before they blew. I will add, General Motors decided to kill this engine, beginning the '23 Colorado model year. Will Colorado owners be offered the GM 3.0L Silverado Diesel engine?
Stay tuned.
A couple of things:
* If I am not mistaken, the original Ram EcoDiesel called for a 5W30, low ash motor oil, like Pennzoil Euro L 5W30 or Mobil 1 ESP 5W30. Recommendation was
later changed to the current Rotella T6 5W40, after engine replacement issues became a problem.
* Colorado Duramax owners in Australia (a much harsher climate) come from the factory with 5W40 Dexos2 in their sumps, not the 5W30 Dexos2 as is recommended, here in the USA & Canada. I guess we can "thank" the EPA fuel economy mandates. 5W40 Dexos2 is as hard to find in the US as hen's teeth.
If you ever get the opportunity to drive one of these trucks with this engine, you'll quickly understand why owners LOVE the engine & say it's best part of the entire truck. Where else can you find a mid sized pickup that has a 7,500 tow rating? That can also easily give you over 30 mpg in highway driving. I see about 32 mpg (26 city). If I decide to trade in this truck, (which I may), I have had offers equal to what I paid for it when new. (Only 25K on mine).
I decided early on, I rather risk plugging up the DPF emissions unit, than replace an engine. I ran Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W40 (ht/hs 3.8) this past summer without issues (loved it because it quieted an already quiet engine with no fuel mileage penalty). I am running Delvac 1 ESP 5W30 (ht/hs 3.6) now with confidence, since it Exxon/Delvac's flagship oil that mentions extended drain capabilities.
What say you? Is Delvac 1 ESP 5W30/40 an upgrade over Mobil 1 ESP 5W30 in regard to extending engine longevity in this application? I also considered the new Delo 600 ADF in 10W30/15W40 viscosity. I didn't expect VM Motori to make an engine as likely to go over 200,000 miles as a Cummins diesel, Powerstroke diesel, or GM 6.6L Turbo Diesel. I can't wait until someone offers an EV mid sized truck - and all this motor oil talk will be a distant memory.