For pickup fans, the Chevy with the 2.8L Duramax diesel engine is considered a good engine.
This is not just because the four-cylinder workhorse output, 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It’s also because the small diesel engine that can hit 27 MPG average qualifies it as the ideal choice for Colorado or Canyon owners.
Suppose you are interested in these smaller diesel pickup trucks that offer impressive performance numbers and the utility of a pickup.
In that case, you also need to be aware of the problems you might experience while using the 2.8L Duramax diesel engine. It all began in 2006 when the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado Midsize pickup models finally said “I do” and married the 2.8L Duramax engine, bringing it to American soil.
This became a better option over the traditional diesel engine types that are bigger, more expensive to buy, and costly to maintain, like the 6.6L Duramax, featured in GM’s heavy-duty trucks.
2.8 Duramax Major Problems
The 2.8L Duramax was offered in the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana cargo/passenger van a year after. Despite the noteworthy features and importance, the 2.8L Duramax may have some weaknesses.
The key issues are listed below:
- Limited Towing Capacity: The 2.8L Duramax engine is not suitable for towing heavy loads above 8,000 lbs, which may be a limitation for those needing a truck for heavy-duty work.
- Common Mechanical Issues:
- Sensor Failures: Frequent sensor malfunctions can impact engine performance and require repairs.
- EGR Clogging: The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system can get clogged, affecting the engine’s efficiency and requiring maintenance to clean and restore functionality.
- Part Malfunctions: Other engine components are also prone to malfunction, particularly with higher mileage.
- Maintenance Challenges:
- Dirty Codes: Issues often arise from “dirty codes” that can be resolved by cleaning the EGR system, as detailed in the maintenance schedule.
- High-Mileage Concerns: For trucks with high mileage, it may be necessary to replace the diesel particulate filter, adding to maintenance costs.
- Costly Maintenance Requirements:
- The engine requires specific high-quality OEM or AC Delco parts for maintenance, which are more expensive but provide the best fluid properties and filtration qualities.
Overall, while the 2.8L Duramax engine offers excellent fuel economy for a truck, it comes with limitations in towing capacity and higher maintenance costs, making it less ideal for heavy-duty use.
How many miles will a 2.8 Duramax last?
Diesel engines are known to last longer than gas engines, plus Duramax is one of the most reliable diesel engines on the market. Based on many owner reviews, you can expect to go as far as anywhere between 300,000 to 500,000 miles. Moreover, since diesel costs more than gas, you will be spending more on fuel, which interprets why Duramax engine costs more than traditional gas engines.
Assuming it is not put to an early holed piston potentially repairable death by an injector failure, these pretty low stress engines can run a long time, 300K miles or even far more seems like no problem at all, as far as the spinning “hard parts” are concerned.
Chevy Duramax 2.8 diesel reviews
As per the owners’ reviews, the overall performance of the Duramax 2.8 diesel has been positive with many of the owners surpassing the 100,000 miles mark without any major issues. Only a couple of owners declared some challenges after 100,000 miles.
If you’d asked me in the first 89k miles of this was a good option I would have told you it is the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Miles 90k-105k have been the most frustrating on any vehicle I’ve ever owned.
Just my experience and I have a deep love/hate relationship with this truck. Take it all with a grain of salt because I’m salty AF over all this.
2.8 Duramax fuel Consumption
Economically, the 2.8 Duramax engine boasts an impressive fuel economy of 22 MPG City and 31 MPG Highway for the 2WD ( based on the initial Duramax models).
The fuel economy rating has changed since its inception. It could drop if you include aftermarket components or performance modifications such as lift kit, bigger tires, etc.
On Duramax lifespan, the key is to maintain your vehicle regularly to get a full life out of it. Not neglecting activities like oil changes, tune-ups, and other necessities puts the vehicle in a more feasible situation to last much longer.
Maintaining a 2.8L Duramax engine to avoid problems
Many vehicles’ longevity and performance in the long run somehow depend on how you operate them. To avoid the potential problems that might be experienced with the 2.8 Duramax engine, just stick with scheduled/recommended maintenance, as well as quality fluids/filters; you’ll be fine.
It is also important to focus on using the correct weight, type, or specification of engine oil and other lubricants. And for the record, the diesel 2.8 is selective. Coming down to the engine speeds, it is important to give it what it requires, nothing more and nothing less.
Conclusion
As pointed out earlier, what sold the truck with the 2.8 Duramax engine is the MPG rating and impressive towing capacity. Looking at some of the potential 2.8 Duramax Problems discussed above, you will realize that they are birthed compared to other diesel engines.
If we compare the small Duramax diesel with the Large Duramax, Cummins, or Powerstrokes, we will continue to see loopholes. The 2.8 Duramax engine is a great engine for its league.
Even if it can’t pull heavy loads like the heavy-duty trucks, 7,000 lbs are more than enough for your race car, small/medium boat, or travel trailer. Despite the identifiable problems, it is not called “Duramax” for nothing.
Tomas is a retired Chevy Auto Technician that brings decades of hands-on experience and expertise to the table. He’s also a father to two incredible daughters. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help you solve and find reliable information on Chevrolet vehicles. Whether it’s troubleshooting engine problems or providing tips for maintenance, Thomas is committed to helping Chevy owners keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.
