Chevy Colorado and the GMC Canyon. This engine has been around for about 6 years now and the drivers of the aforementioned midsize trucks have shown appreciation for it.
However, there are some 2.8 Duramax common problems that you should know about. It suffers from some commonly reported issues such as a faulty lambda sensor, improper combustion, a clogged air intake, and a bad timing chain.
Some have stated that the engine’s EGR system wasn’t working as it was supposed to, which is commonplace among the other Duramax engines as well. The following article gives you a bit more info about the cons of this 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine:
When did the 2.8 Duramax come out?
How long has the 2.8 Duramax been around? Well, it made its way to the GM lineup in 2016, despite being sold internationally for a couple of years before that. Regardless, over a span of 6 years, it has built up quite a reputation for itself. This engine can be found in midsized trucks from 2016 onwards. While the Chevy Express vans from 2017 onwards started being equipped with it.
2.8 Duramax Problems
Several 2.8 Duramax problems have been reported but the following ones are the most common ones:
Oxygen Sensor Issues
We begin a problem that can ruin a 2.8 Duramax’s performance and fuel economy. Several owners of this engine have complained about their oxygen sensor aka lambda sensor malfunctioning. When this happens, your truck stops receiving the correct data regarding the oxygen intake.
It can be bad because of how important computing is for vehicles these days. Then engine is controlled by the information received from the sensors. The result is that it will incorrectly calculate the supply of oxygen and this will bring about errors in the data about the vehicle’s combustion.
Improper combustion
Speaking of combustion, several owners of these 2.8 Duramax engines have complained of troublesome engine issues such as misfires. Also known as the phenomenon of engine sputtering, it can be quite an annoying (and dangerous) experience when you’re driving.
The reason for this mess isn’t one component, but several of them. There are numerous parts that work in unison to burn the fuel and air mixture in an engine. If one or more of them don’t, the engine begins to sputter and it won’t run properly. Hence it is imperative that the ignition system is working properly.
Timing chain failure
This one may not be so prevalent but it does happen and it can get really expensive to fix. Some have reported that their 2.8 Duramax’s timing chain has been known to become faulty.
The result is that the engine starts becoming a lot noisier. Misfires can also be expected if the problem persists. But what if you still don’t get it checked out?
The last straw, in this case, should be that more and more bits of metals or shavings should be visible when you check the vehicle’s engine oil. This will be as a result of increased wear and tear and that’s when the problem has really gone to a whole new level.
Clogged intake
Whether it is a 2.8L Duramax or some other engine – an intake manifold is absolutely necessary to ensure that the vehicle works. If it gets clogged, then the engine won’t receive the nutrients that it needs to function properly, or even worse – not function at all.
One of the common 2.8 Duramax problems is that carbon tends to build up inside the manifold. This is when the air-fuel mixture will be blocked from going into the combustion chamber. So, if you have one of these engines, ensure that the intake is always clean.
EGR problem
This is also one of the issues with the 3.0 Duramax. EGR or Exhaust Gas Recirculation is one of the tools used in modern engines that make you pass all of your emissions tests. The line for this process can also get clogged and you need to ensure that it doesn’t. It’ll save your performance and some other parts.
What Makes 2.8 Duramax Engine Great
It is a great engine for a mid-sized pickup truck. There’s a fair amount of torque that it provides which has given it a towing capacity of 7.7k lbs. This is one of the best hauling figures in the category.
Also, it is known to be fuel-efficient, giving a fuel economy of up to 30 mpg on highway – also good for a pickup. But what about the 2.8 Duramax’s long-term reliability then?
Well, that is good as well. Look at any forum online and you’ll see that the owners of this engine will be showering it with praise, at least until the 50 to 100k-mile mark.
The issues mentioned above do happen though and the engine has received recalls. The best you can do in this case is to use fuel additives and maintain yours well. Since this is a recent engine, it is likely to be covered under the powertrain warranty as well.
How many miles can you put on a 2.8 Duramax?
There are many factors involved here but you can put hundreds of thousands of miles on these things. If you’re looking for a more specific range, you can expect it to cross 400k miles if you maintain yours right. In any case, at least 300k miles is what most drivers expect to keep these things running for.
Is the 2.8 Duramax discontinued?
No, it hasn’t been discontinued. However, reports suggest that the 2.8 Duramax will be out of production after this year. General Motors plans on ditching it in favor of a more efficient 2.7-liter turbocharged engine that’s currently being used in the Chevy Silverado 1500. In fact, they may be doing away with other engines such as the 3.6-liter V6 and the 2.5-liter straight-4 as well.