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Are the small diesel engines in pickups any good ?

Posted on 9/4/25 at 6:58 pm
Posted by lgtiger
LA
Member since May 2005
1432 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 6:58 pm
Don't tow anymore, just want 1/2 ton. Just hear the bad not the good. May stick w gas but not thrilled w the very small block high tech they are using these days
Posted by Recovered
Member since May 2016
701 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 7:02 pm to
I know several guys with the 3.0 GM that love them. But get ready for the anti gm guys to come yelling about the fluxataor wet socket in gill flirter that you have to send the truck to the moon ti have replaced.
Posted by Jack Daniel
Gold member
Member since Feb 2013
28317 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 7:34 pm to
You talking about the oil pump that runs off of a belt?
Posted by Recovered
Member since May 2016
701 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:01 pm to
I don’t know what exactly it is someone just always tells us how terrible the engine is because of the 200k mile service on the part.
Posted by RichJ
The Land of the CoonAss
Member since Nov 2016
4907 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:03 pm to
quote:

You talking about the oil pump that runs off of a belt?


I understand your concern, but the recommended replacement interval is 15yrs/200k miles. Good luck getting a modern light duty gas engine to last that long.
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20472 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:05 pm to
I have heard nothing but good things about the 3.0. The oil belt is the only negative I have heard, not sure what that cost is for that though.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
70776 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:11 pm to
quote:

Good luck getting a modern light duty gas engine to last that long


I personally know of all flavors of light duty gas engines lasting that long recently. A friend just got rid of a dreaded 5.3 chevrolet with an 8 speed and 400k miles, just because he felt like he'd got his money's worth from it.

The internet is an abyss of doom and gloom. I'd avoid hemis just because stellantis deserves to go out of business for not redesigning that engine yet. Otherwise, id buy anything on the market right now with confidence.

Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
23245 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:24 pm to
Aren’t they still more expensive? Throw in the increased cost of diesel and I just don’t see the point personally. I just did a 3 hour road trip with another family, I took my 7000 lb boat in my ford 5.0 and I got 9.3 mpg. My friend has the f250 with the 6.7 and he got 11.5mpg pulling a pontoon boat. I know the 3.0 diesel gets better not pulling, but I can’t see making up the price difference and everything repair wise is also going to be more.

I’d personally love a small diesel, but the price point just doesn’t make sense unless diesel gets cheaper than gas imo.
This post was edited on 9/4/25 at 8:25 pm
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
3922 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:27 pm to
I have a 2022 z71 with 70ish thousand miles and the only issue has been a bad coolent control valve at around 60k it was replaced under warranty and no issues since.
It gets 27mpg on the interstate if I stay at 70mph.
I have several buddies with them and so far no glaring issues, one of my buddies has 150k miles on his and hasn’t changed the oil pump belt yet, new models recommend at 200k ours it is recommended 150k miles.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
70776 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:28 pm to
quote:

personally love a small diesel, but the price point just doesn’t make sense unless diesel gets cheaper than gas imo.


Loaded you'll never notice too much difference in a gas and a diesel. The diesels going to be better, but its usually offset by people towing faster with them.

Small diesels shine lightly loaded.
Posted by Recovered
Member since May 2016
701 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:28 pm to
2400.00 dollar price difference vs the 6.2.
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
82723 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:29 pm to
quote:

friend just got rid of a dreaded 5.3 chevrolet with an 8 speed and 400k miles,


That’s impressive for any truck, and especially impressive if it had cylinder deactivation
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
23245 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:30 pm to
quote:

2400.00 dollar price difference vs the 6.2.


But that’s not a fair comparison is it? Most guys want the gas mileage and the 6.2 is worse and more expensive, so is the 5.3 not better? I honestly don’t know but that’s what I’d assume

ETA: I meant the 5.3 a better comparison in regards to price point and fuel economy.

ETA2: so who is the best target market for the diesel? Honestly just asking? Guys that drive a lot and pull something light? Pulling heavy it’s not right?
This post was edited on 9/4/25 at 8:32 pm
Posted by ruger35
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
1661 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:32 pm to
My only experience is with three people at work who had them. All had problems, 1 went through the lemon law process, second guy got tired of doing the oil consumption tests in the process of doing the lemon law with his and traded it in.
Posted by Recovered
Member since May 2016
701 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:34 pm to
And here we go!
Posted by highcotton2
Alabama
Member since Feb 2010
10308 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 8:35 pm to
quote:

have heard nothing but good things about the 3.0. The oil belt is the only negative I have heard, not sure what that cost is for that though.


Know a guy who bought his wife a Yukon with the baby Duramax and on the way home the the rear main engine seal blew out and lost oil pressure. Engine had 9 miles on it. GM did not have an engine to put in it so they pulled the engine and rebuilt it at the dealership. I told him he was nuts for allowing that. There is zero chance I would not have had a new vehicle after that.
Posted by SmoothBox
Member since May 2023
2250 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 9:13 pm to
The 3.0 GM…the good ones seem to be good until you have to change that expensive arse belt.

However, the bad ones grenade and Grenade bad. Also when hauling heavy the fuel mileage ain’t much if at all better than a gasoline vehicle.
Posted by RichJ
The Land of the CoonAss
Member since Nov 2016
4907 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 9:27 pm to
GM 5.3L lifter issues <15k miles, 6.2L throwing rods @ 300mi, Ford 3.5L & 2.7L turbo engines overheating & blowing turbos, Ram I-6 twin turbo overheating & dropping turbos, Toyota V6 Turbo engines being replaced. Please tell me again who currently makes a dependable, reliable gas engine available for purchase…
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20472 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 9:32 pm to
5.6 Nissan, used now, they quit making them.

5.7 Yota, 5.0 Ford. All the rest are a crap shoot at best.
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
82723 posts
Posted on 9/4/25 at 10:32 pm to
quote:

5.7 Yota, 5.0 Ford. All the rest are a crap shoot at best.


Not anymore
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