Vehicle manufacturers often recommend that their vehicles be taken back to the dealership for service and parts, in order to make certain all work is done properly and in accordance to any warranty specifications. Taking your Duramax diesel truck back to GM for service also improves its trade-in and re-sale value because you will have a documented service record proving the quality of care your vehicle has had during its time with you. There are several things you can do to maximize the service you get when you take your diesel truck to GM for service.
Qualifications
Before you take your Duramax diesel to the dealership for servicing, you need to talk to the dealerships service department and make certain that they have a certified Duramax diesel mechanic on staff to work on your trucks engine. Many dealerships and mechanic shops will hire uncertified technicians to do a lot of the minor repair jobs, but if you want the best quality work, you need to make sure everyone who will be touching your vehicle has been officially certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Uncertified mechanics may not have had the proper training or developed the skills they need to perform proper repairs on your vehicle. Improperly done repairs can lead to a number of different headaches down the road.
If your nearest GM dealership does not have an ASE or certified diesel mechanic on staff and available to work on your truck, find a different dealership to take your vehicle to. Make sure to document your request for a certified mechanic in the paperwork when you drop your truck off.
Documentation
Document every communication between yourself and the dealership in writing. When you bring your vehicle in for service, provide the mechanics with a list of problems that you are experiencing to make sure that they are aware of all problems and none will be forgotten during the repair process. Make sure you get a list of every part that was adjusted or changed on your vehicle, as well as information about replacement warranties. Most replacement auto parts come with some form of warranty. If you believe the repair on your vehicle should fall under warranty, read your warranty and bring a copy of it with you when you take your vehicle in for servicing.
Educate Yourself
The best protection for any diesel truck owner who is bringing a vehicle in for repairs is a solid understanding of how the engine, in this case the Duramax, works and what needs to be repaired. Read your owner manual and any recall information to keep tabs on potential problems.
A strong understanding of the problem and solution will make you an educated consumer. Being well educated about your truck means you will be able to understand what your mechanic is telling you is wrong with the vehicle as well as the benefits and potential ramifications of repairs. Do not be afraid to ask your mechanic plenty of questions until you can thoroughly grasp the problem.
Being well educated about your truck will also help you avoid unnecessary work that the dealership may promote in order to increase their profit margin.
A GM harmonic or harmonic balancer is a piece of equipment that absorbs the vibrations produced by a GM engine. It is engineered with a tough metal exterior, but a small portion of its interior is manufactured from rubber. This material is likely to wear over time and through extensive use, so a GM harmonic puller is a specialist tool required to remove and replace the existing harmonic balancer with a new one.
Use a GM Harmonic Balancer Puller Set
The task of removing a damaged or worn harmonic balancer from a vehicle is difficult, so using the correct tooling is crucial. A harmonic balancer puller set includes several specialist tools and fittings that can be used to assist each stage of the application. This set can also be used to remove and restore gear pulleys, as well as to adjust steering wheels. It includes hardened steel forcing screws and numerous sets of washer head bolts, along with the standard puller with fortified jaw design. This set allows users to remove a harmonic balancer effectively and in a time effective manner.
Use a GM Brand Harmonic Puller
Using a brand specific tool will reduce the rsik of damage or restriction when removing the harmonic puller.
Automotive manufacturers utilize different engine designs in their vehicles, so it is wise to use brand specific tools when performing repairs or restoration. A GM harmonic puller is designed to remove GM and Chrysler equipment, and is therefore specifically manufactured to use on certain engines. This particular tool has a special three-jaw puller design that is both compact and robust, and can work in tight GM engine spaces without the need for removing the radiator. It can also be used with tailored lengths of forcing rods and suitably-sized forced screws. Using the correct tool also helps protect otter components within the engine from damage.
Use Suitable Bolts to Attach the Harmonic Balancer Puller
During the removal process, a pulley is removed from the face of the harmonic balancer. Once this is complete, it is often the case that the bolts that held it in place are not suitable for use with the puller tool. Ideally, the puller is connected to the harmonic balancer using these bolts, but they may not be long or thick enough to be gripped efficiently by the puller. In this instance, specific bolts are available that are compatible with the tool, and leave at least a half inch of length to be fitted securely to the harmonic balancer. This ensures that the tool can be attached and the harmonic balancer can be moved accordingly.
If you choose to perform repair work on a GM vehicle, make sure you know how to find the right parts. Although many parts have a case number printed on them, this is not the same as the part number.
Instructions
1
Obtain the vehicle identification number, or the VIN, on your GM vehicle. It is typically located under the windshield on the drivers side dashboard.
2
Contact your local GM dealership with the VIN number. The VIN number indicates the year, make, and model of your GM vehicle, as well as where it was made. It can also tell you the transmission type and the engine code. Using the VIN number, the dealer will be able to help you find the right part numbers for your particular vehicle.
3
Type your VIN into an online decoding service. If your local dealership is unable to help, online decoders can be used to break apart your VIN number and find the corresponding parts number. Double check when entering the VIN -- including every number in is important.
