Diesel engines have many nuances when compared to their gas counterparts, fuel injectors being one of them. Unlike fuel injectors used on direct injection gasoline engines, diesel injectors often have a higher failure rate and shorter lifespan due to their more extreme operating conditions. When these injectors fail, it can lead to a cascade of performance issues, increased emissions issues, and even engine damage.
As the winter months rolls around us diesel owners get an unexpected bit of stress added to our plate. Diesel fuel gelling is a very common issue most diesel owners who live in areas where the temperature drops below 32 degrees will face at least once in their lives. Not only is this issue frustrating and stressful when it occurs, the mere trauma from past experiences can lead to constant stress during these cold times. No one wants to get out of work in the pitch black freezing cold only to find that their truck won't start at all. But what should you do in the event that your truck won't start or stay running? Luckily we have a step by step guide on how to properly fix this issue once it has occurred.
As a preface, this issue is caused when the paraffin wax used in diesel fuels (for lubricity and proper viscosity) start to solidify. While gelling can take on varying levels of severity from cloudy fuel all the way to a squishy solid mass. Diesel fuel gelling is never a thing you want to expeirince. At its most mild levels it can cause poorer fuel economy, less power, and be pretty hard on your fuel system. At its worst I can clog fuel lines, filters, pumps and even injectors while potentially causing irreversible damage to your fuel system. If you live in a cold climate take precautions by adding anti-gelling agent into your fuel before severely cold temperatures start setting in to avoid all of these issues.
How can you tell if your 2.8L turbo is failing?
There are a handful of obvious symptoms that will tell you there has been a catastrophic failure. However, that's not wildly helpful in preventing the issue, nor will it help prevent the problem from happening again. What you really want to know about is the early warning signs. You want to know about the early indicators of an issue and you need to understand why it happened.
Obvious Symptoms of Complete Turbo Failure:
- Visible damage to the inducer of the compressor wheel
- No boost, absolute 0 psi.
- Loud whine or screeching sound from the turbo
Has your stock 2.8L Duramax Turbo already failed? WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT!
The 2.8L Duramax came onto American soil in 2016 in the form of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. This little Duramax is anything but small. This truck, and we can attest, gets the job DONE.
This Duramax is made to help you tow light loads and help that daily drive feel way more comfortable. It’s one of the reasons the SPADE tuning for this 2.8L platform has been immense. The immaculate MPG rating and towing capacity are what got you in the seat of this truck. GM really nailed it on this model and it continues to sell in large quantities. The 7,000 lbs towing capacity is more than enough for that pop-up camper, small boat, or that weekend race car making it out to the track.
When I told my wife about the truck, she said "Okay, if my truck is so great, why tune it?"
Well, as always, these trucks leave the factory with a lot to be desired. Tuning makes a night and day difference in your driving experience. Adding switchable tuning setup to the truck is the difference between being able to tow the trailer, and feeling comfortable and safe towing that load behind you. Tuning adds reliability, better drive-ability, and it feels like a tougher truck overall.
2.8L Duramax Tuning/Spade Instructions
We have streamlined the 2.8L Tuning Process! Tunes are now sent pre-loaded. HOWEVER, TO INSURE YOUR VEHICLE CAN BE PUT BACK TO STOCK YOU MUST READ YOUR STOCK FILES BEFORE FLASH.
We've logged thousands of miles on our 2.8L Duramax Canyon - hundreds with a 5,000-pound load. We continue to find this medium duty diesel worthy of a closer look. When combined with DuramaxTuner.com calibrations you'll discover it can be incredibly fun and responsive to drive.
After all the 2.8L diesel Colorado and Canyon trucks we have tuned you might think we would get bored with them. In reality, it has had the opposite effect. Every time you drive one of these it's hard not to be impressed with it. The seats are comfortable, interior is well equipped and because it's such a light truck (compared to the 3/4 and 1 tons we usually drive) it feels nimble. Especially when you have the SPADE with DuramaxTuner.com's custom calibrations.
You might like the 2.8L Duramax Canyon/Colorado if:
The 2.8L Duramax in the Colorado and Canyon is a great engine! Overall they are great trucks!
They get even better once you fix the biggest complaint about them: the Dead Pedal.
Let's say you're driving your new Canyon 2.8L fresh from the factory, no aftermarket tuning. You want to pass, so you step on the throttle, and wait, and wait.
The turbo charger has to lead the charge. There's a transient response rate. The delay in that transient response is the dead pedal.
The dead pedal delivers less power than the driver anticipates. The untuned 2.8L feels like there's a tennis ball stuck behind the pedal.
Tuning for the 2.8L Duramax
The 2.8L, 4 cylinder Duramax was released to the North American market in the 2016 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. This small truck offers a few note worthy features in the diesel powered configuration.
Features like a luxurious interior make it nice to be inside the truck. Comfortable seats, a fancy dash, and other little things in the cabin make an impact on driver experience. Although for you, the MPG rating and impressive towing capacity is what really sold you on the truck. 22 City and 30 highway is outstanding for anything with a truck bed.
Towing and payload is higher than usual on a small truck platform. 7,000 lbs is more than enough for your race car, small/medium boat or travel trailer.
Sounds great so far, so why tune a 2.8L Duramax?
2.8L Duramax Tune Loading Instructions
The 2.8L Duramax in its factory trim is rated at 180 HP by GM and carries a full compliment of emissions equipment to keep it clean and quiet. Backing up the new power plant is the 6L50 transmission. Both the engine and transmission use existing power train control modules which have allowed the team at Duramaxtuner.com to quickly gain access and make improvements. Over the past several months, we've worked with our customers and on our in-house truck, to develop and test tuning for this platform. After hundreds of revisions, we're happy to have a product that significantly outperforms GM's calibration in power, driveability and mileage.
By working through the engine and transmission calibrations together we significantly widened and raised the factory torque curve, settling on a peak of 460Ft-Lbs which is very near the rated capacity of the transmission. With the wider torque curve, we're able to shift the truck sooner, and engage torque converter lockup sooner without bogging the truck. This means less operating RPM and ultimately lower fuel consumption numbers. Best of all, these calibrations work without any other modifications to the truck, meaning that you still get a quiet, clean, smokeless truck that can be returned to stock at any point.
Below are the Tune Loading instructions for the DuramaxTuner.com 2016 model 2.8L SPADE. If you would like help over the phone, feel free to book an appointment with me, and I will be available when you call.
