2011 LML, what to look for when buying

takethebounce · August 25, 2015

I am looking at a few used 2011-2012 diesels, and hope to stay with GM as I have been driving gaser GM/Chev's for a long time and I am happy with the drive train. I have wanted to get a diesel for a few years but every time I go to trade up I just cannot find what I am looking for.

There is a used '11 Denali HD down the road right now, has 142,000 km (88,000 miles) looks clean but I am unsure what red flags to look for. It has an aftermarket exhaust and intake so I am guessing if it isn't currently running a program that it has been tuned at some point. I have an appointment later today with the dealer and I am going to ask them if they have had it on the scanner.

Are the EGR deletes obvious to see on these trucks? I think I know where to look. As far as everything else goes I can check brake wear, cooler line leaks easy enough, its items specific to the LML that I do not know what to look for. I guess I do want to stay away from some thing I am unsure if it has been bagged on. But that is the chance with any used diesel.

If its not the GM, its likely going to be a Dodge in my future. Fully loaded Rams are quite a bit less than loaded GM's but you get what you pay for right!

KMGZ400 · August 25, 2015

Is it at a dealer? The best thing to do would be contact the origial owner and ask what was done. Also what condition is it it? Does it have a 5th wheel hitch, is the bed dinged up, etc. also if it's tuned and fully delete I would figure out exactly what is done to it no question.. I wouldn't want to buy a diesel with a junk bully dog tuner

takethebounce · August 25, 2015

Yes it is at the dealer, so getting in contact with the original owner won't happen. Its a very clean truck, I would say 8.5/10 for the year. My 08 is very clean and I would say this truck is in better shape. Which it obviously should be.

I think that not knowing what was done to it will be the deciding factor. If I cannot determine what was done to it then I look for something else.

I haven't confirmed what warranty if any is left though. If its 5 year 160,000km (100,000 mile) then it gives me the remainder of the year to find any issues.

Also I have read a lot about excessive regens, but no where have I read how to determine how many regens is too many or to be concerned. Any suggestions?

KMGZ400 · August 25, 2015

As for the blocker plate you should be able too see the blocker plate In the EGR, I can see the one I put in in mine. If it has a full exhaust it has to be tuned,, ask the dealer if there's a handheld with it.. What kind of intake is on it?

takethebounce · August 25, 2015

I believe it was an Airaid. I do not know much about them. I could not see if it was an oil type. I will look closer tonight. I am going to look at the exhaust as well to see if its a full, or possibly just a cat back style.

If its a full delete and no tuner information then its a no deal for me, I know that.

KMGZ400 · August 25, 2015

I believe it was an Airaid. I do not know much about them. I could not see if it was an oil type. I will look closer tonight. I am going to look at the exhaust as well to see if its a full, or possibly just a cat back style.

If its a full delete and no tuner information then its a no deal for me, I know that.

I agree.. No tuner information would be a no go for me too

sahls01gmc · August 25, 2015

What are your needs for the diesel? If it's just for play, than I think you are going about it the right way as it seems you might do the similar mods as well. If you need it for work, I'd be more skeptical about buying one that you don't have a complete visible history on. Reliability is key, and "backwoods" engineering can hurt that. So far it sounds like a pretty good deal on the Denali!

takethebounce · August 25, 2015

We haul a small travel trailer but the biggest is hauling sleds on the sled deck in winter. Six months of the year with a few thousand pounds of payload, hauling in the mountains takes its toll on the 6.0 gassers and having extended range along with the torque to get around big rigs on mountain passes then the added benefit of exhaust brakes in good conditions just makes sense with the diesel. We travel a lot in the summer as well and the little fuel tank on my 08 is a pain in the rear end. I always seem to be hauling fuel with me.

I have had my 08 for a few years and I could have gotten a diesel then but I didn't and I wish I had of.

It's still going to be a daily driver so deletes would likely be an option and we have no current emission laws here. I just don't want to buy something someone has bagged on for most of its life.

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Silverado4x4 · August 25, 2015

I wouldn't buy any used Diesel that has been tuned, aftermarket intake or exhaust all that does is point to its been run hard during its life. The dealer can tell if been tuned and don't let them tell they cant.