OK, I know I am setting myself up but I really would like some sincere advice. I am looking at a 2002 Silverado Duramax Diesel. If it was a gas engine I would know what to look for but I am not completely sure on a diesel engine. It has 130,000 miles on it. Is this too much for a diesel.

If you were the one buying it, what would you look for? What options wanted or the ones to steer clear of?

Gauges, programmers, intake, exhaust and any other modifications...I would avoid. Otherwise, just like any other vehicle, get history if you can and then hope for the best. Even today's gas engines will last if taken care of. Diesel engines will outlast the truck. BTW, I believe 2002 may have some electrical issues with the gauge cluster. Check with dieselpage.com

Thank you ScottCO. That gives me a couple of things to think about.

Come on Guys, I know there is more than one diesel owner out there who has some good advice. Help me out please.

I have had a diesel for a grand total of a year and it has given me zero problems so I have no real ideea what to look for other than the turbo whine make sure it has that whine

If its used can you ask the guy what kind of milage he was getting no load and under load should be better than 16 no load no worse than 12 under load.

I have had my D-Max for about a year and a half. At 130,000 it should be just broke in

I made 18 MPG driving 70 to 80mph on a 2,000 mile trip last summer unloaded. I got 9mpg last weekend pulling my 28ft 5er with a 16ft car trailer with 2 ATVs on it last weekend over the Rockies.

I'm going to step away from the engine, and cover the other basics. Make sure the rotors/drums are good. Take it for a ride with the windows down and radio off, listen for the clunks, rattles, knocks, grinding, etc. Universal joints, suspension, brakes, etc... My Brother-Inlaw is a Chevy man, and if memory serves right, he had gas line issues (I know your looking at diesel), Brakes were another. With any luck that year was before the crappy steel used to make the rotors on my '05 malibu.

I have a 2001 D-Max with about 140,000 miles. The only problem I've had was with fuel injectors leaking fuel into crankcase which was fixed under warranty and they extended the warrranty to 150,000 miles. This was redesigned on next year model. I have not had any other mechanical or electrical problems at all. Brakes still have about 75% life left. I get about 17-18 mpg in town, around 16-20 mpg towing my 30ft fith wheel. Worst milage I got was 9-11 mpg towing a 32ft goose neck with John Deere tractor, about 16,000 lbs, from Tennesse to Texas at 70-75 mile/hour.

I only have about 40K on my Duramax, but I understand that mileage you are looking at should be no problem as long as the rest of the truck is OK.

dieselplace.com, they are the know it all's regarding the duramax, and there are guys there that can run the vin for you.

Just STAY AWAY FROM '94 6.5's with atuomatic trans. I know the questions wasn't about this, just wanted to use the $10 grand lesson I learned to possibly benefit someone else that might read this!!!

I knew there was more. Please don't stop now, it's all good information. I really appreciate it. Don't be shy, just step right on in, I'll listen.

Thanks guys.

The only thing I can add is get a real diesel, Cummins!

I thought about that but I haven't found one of them either. It seems that once someone gets their hands on a diesel they don't want to ever let it go. If they do let it go, it generally goes to a younger member of their family.

If I could just afford new... I would get a...

I just traded this.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p241/BrandonKrukow/T.../truckmarch07004.jpg


for this
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p241/BrandonKrukow/T...auler/megacab001.jpg


My old one sat on the lot a few days and was gone. I do miss it, it was kinda part of the family. I should have never got rid of it but I cant aford 2 of them.

I have been a chevy man my entire life but this is my 3rd Dodge/Cummins and after owning them and test driving a few Chevy/Dmax's I will stay with my Cummins. Just look under the hood and ask yourself what one is gona be eisier/cheaper to work on if nesasary.

Well I finally found a truck and a dealer that would deal. I could not believe the arrogance of most of the salesmen. They absolutely didn't care if they sold me a truck or not. There's the price, take it or leave it. On another note, 1-ton duallys are hard to find. I see the last post was in November and I have only seen four duallys on the market. bkrukow, It almost looks identical to your dually, color and all. I guess I am going to drive it for a few months and find out if there is something I have overlooked - then let the modding begin. I think I wil start with one of the higher end Edge products. (Edge products are built in my back yard here.)

I think thedieselstop.com is a good site for diesel knowledge. 02 was only the 2nd year for Duramax.