RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Tow Vehicles: 2004 chevy Duramax LLY's horrible MPG

RV Blog

  |  

RV Sales

  |  

Campgrounds

  |  

RV Parks

  |  

RV Club

  |  

RV Buyers Guide

  |  

Roadside Assistance

  |  

Extended Service Plan

  |  

RV Travel Assistance

  |  

RV Credit Card

  |  

RV Loans

Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Help and Support  |  Contact

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Tow Vehicles

Open Roads Forum  >  Tow Vehicles

 > 2004 chevy Duramax LLY's horrible MPG

This Topic Is Closed  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Prev
Sponsored By:
The Mad Norsky

Yankton, South Dakota

Senior Member

Joined: 04/14/2003

View Profile



Posted: 05/04/12 01:03pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I previously owned a 2003 Duramax 3500 dually crew cab 4 X 4. Never, never got that bad a fuel mileage when not towing. Usually around 16 to 18 MPG, depending on my foot and wind speed.

I DID have injector problems. I'd follow others suggestions and check out mechanical problems first.


The Mad Norsky, Doll, Logan, Korey & Rocky
2011 Ford F350 Power Stroke dually
RV'ing since 1991

We never know where we're going till we get there!

larry barnhart

wenatchee. wa usa

Senior Member

Joined: 03/30/2001

View Profile





Offline
Posted: 05/04/12 01:07pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

NewsW wrote:

Need more specifics, mileage, maintenance, etc.

If it is a DRW, 12mpg may not be that unusual.

Winter fuel and cold weather use also gets a lot less mileage.



We have a dually and that is just poor mileage not because of 4 tires in the rear.
chevman


chevman
2001 35 ft avalon alpenlite RK
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy
easyrider/reese airhitch
trailair center point suspension
JT Strong Arm Stabilizers
KSH 55 inbed fuel tank
Garmin 2720
scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors


45Ricochet

North Idaho

Senior Member

Joined: 09/04/2009

View Profile



Posted: 05/04/12 02:10pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

You might try Lucas injector cleaner first as it does not contain solvents to clean the injectors unlike some other additives. Maybe start driving it harder also. These diesels weren't made for nuns No disrespect


06 Ram 3500 CC LB Laramie 4x4 Dually 5.9 Cummins Smarty Jr 48RE Jacobs brake
GVWR 12,200 RAWR 9350
06 Grand Junction 34' High profile 15500 GVWR 3200 pin Mor/ryde 5500 Onan genny Dual A/C Wet bolts
27' Hallett 502, 500HP


NewsW

US

Senior Member

Joined: 02/06/2012

View Profile



Posted: 05/04/12 02:14pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I routinely see 9-12mpg average in intense cold (-30F), short trips, winter diesel, long idle times, lots of use of heater, etc.

Need specifics to ask what the issue is...


Oh.. normal mileage with summer diesel, 65F or higher... 18mpg at 75mph.

22mpg at 55-60mpg.

kaydeejay

SE Michigan, USA

Senior Member

Joined: 07/26/2004

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 05/04/12 05:40pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have a 2005 LLY. I get better mileage than that towing my fiver (12.5 - 13mpg)!
Consistently get 20 mpg highway at 70mph not towing.

I think you have bigger issues than 2 extra wheels.

FWIW, these are NOT the LB7 injectors that caused major issue on the early D'Maxes (up to 2004 1/2) so I'd be surprised it you have an injector problem.

And the larger turbo mouthpiece is not going to fix your mileage, it helps the engine breathe better when working hard and may help keep operating temps down a little. That and the air cleaner from a 2006 LBZ are the standard fix for the few LLYs that do overheat.

I suggest it's time for some professional diagnostic help.

* This post was edited 05/04/12 07:48pm by kaydeejay *


Keith J.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver.
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC/SB/DA 2WD, LBZ air cleaner, 52 gal Titan tank, Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax cover, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors, TST TPMS.


jbadtoy

Sin City

New Member

Joined: 11/19/2011

View Profile



Posted: 05/04/12 06:03pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

You should be getting way better mileage than that,when was the last time you cleaned the air filter or changed the fuel filter?


07 Z71 1500 4x4 6.0
08 3500 Dually 4x4 just for work
05 2500 D MAX 4x4 8 inch lift 37 inch toyos tuned,4inch exhaust,intake and more.
26ft Carson Inbox loaded for the toys
28ft Caliber One Boat
18ft Carson Car trailer

Engineer9860

Eagle Scout dad

Senior Member

Joined: 08/10/2003

View Profile



Posted: 05/04/12 07:18pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

+1 on the injectors, or a programming/timing issue.

Have the computer checked for codes.

My Chevy 2500HD gassers get 15~16 mpg empty, so something is definately wrong with yours.

BTW, the turbo mouthpiece is to correct an overheating under load issue, and should have little effect on mileage.


In Memoriam: Liberty Belle


KD4UPL

Swoope, VA

Senior Member

Joined: 03/16/2008

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 05/04/12 08:01pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Which engine do you have? They changed in mid year in 2004. The early '04s had the LB7 which was known for injector problems. The latter '04s had the LLY which did not have injector problems. Look at your VIN, if the 8th digit is a 1 you have the LB7, if it's a 2 you have the LLY.
Either way, you should be getting much better mileage. I get 12.5 mpg hauling my truck camper, the truck and camper weigh in at 13,000 pounds. Empty and unloaded I can get 17 mpg.

TugCE

Leesburg, Florida

Senior Member

Joined: 06/10/2008

View Profile





Offline
Posted: 05/05/12 07:57am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have a 2005 4x4 with 285's and I see an average of 14.5-16.0 average in town and the highest I have ever got is 23.5. The 23.5 was traveling at 55 mph in 60 degree temps and was hand calculated. On the average tank with mixed town and highway I can count on getting 16.

I would start with changing out the Air and Fuel Filters plus I would dump some good treatment into the fuel tank on the next fill up.

Stupid question but is there any chance that you might have a brake caliber that is hanging up? That can and will kill your mileage.

I am a member of the Diesel Place and it is a great place for information on Chevys. Here is a link to it. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/index.php


Please let us know what you find.

* This post was edited 05/05/12 08:14am by TugCE *


I am a Retired U.S. Merchant Marine Chief Engineer
05 Chevy 2500 4x4 D/A with Helper Springs and Air Ride Air Bags
06 R-Vision RW3360 Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler
97 FLTCI converted into a Roadsmith Trike by The Trike Shop of Daytona

This Topic Is Closed  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Prev

Open Roads Forum  >  Tow Vehicles

 > 2004 chevy Duramax LLY's horrible MPG
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Tow Vehicles


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:

© 2013 RV.Net | Terms & Conditions | PRIVACY POLICY | YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS