2006 CHEVROLET DURAMAX check engine

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
•Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
•With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
•With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
•Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:The transmission dipstick is located near the center
of the engine compartment and will be labeled with the
graphic shown. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-18for more information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the HOT or cross-hatched area for a
hot check. Be sure to keep the dipstick pointed down
to get an accurate reading.
3. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick in all the way, then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.
5-33
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
Using a funnel, add fluid down the transmission dipstick
tube only after checking the transmission fluid while it is
hot. A cold check is used only as a reference. If the fluid
level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring
the level up to the HOT area for a hot check. It does not
take much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5L). Do
not overfill.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
•After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check” earlier in
this section.
•When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way. Then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
Pickup Models
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-39.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C)
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C)
•Protect against rust and corrosion
•Help keep the proper engine temperature
•Let the warning lights and gages work as they should
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-34
ProCarManuals.com

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which won’t damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost would not be covered by your warranty.
Too much water in the mixture can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or additives
in your vehicle’s cooling system, you could damage
your vehicle. Use only the proper mixture of the
engine coolant listed in this manual for the cooling
system. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-15for more information.
5-35
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank
is located in the engine
compartment on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-18for more
information on its location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
FULL COLD mark.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool. If the surge tank is empty, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-39.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand- tight.
5-36
ProCarManuals.com

If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or additives
in your vehicle’s cooling system, you could damage
your vehicle. Use only the proper mixture of the
engine coolant listed in this manual for the cooling
system. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-15for more information.
Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank
is located near the center
of the engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-18
for more information on
its location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
COLD FILL mark.
5-38
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:The diesel engine has a specic coolant
ll procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you haven’t found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level isn’t at or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand
DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant surge tank, but
be sure the cooling system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap, is cool before you do it. See
Engine Coolant on page 5-34for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant
as follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly.
They are under pressure, and if you turn the
coolant surge tank pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high speed.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Never turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and coolant
surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
5-43
ProCarManuals.com

Capacities and Specications
Specication Charts
Engine VIN Code Type
6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel 2 V8
Capacities
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Cooling System (Pickup Models)
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission25.4 quarts
25.0 quarts24.0 L
23.6 L
Cooling System (Van Models)
Front Heat or AC Only
Front Heat or AC Plus Fuel Operated Heater (FOH)
Front and Rear Heat or AC Only
Front and Rear Heat or AC Plus Fuel Operated Heater (FOH)21.0 quarts
22.0 quarts
22.5 quarts
23.5 quarts20.0 L
20.5 L
21.5 L
22.5 L
Engine Oil With Filter 10.0 quarts 9.5 L
All quantities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.
Recheck fluid level after filling. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15for more information.
5-50
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Using the Maintenance Schedule......................6-2
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-4
Additional Required Services............................6-7
Maintenance Footnotes...................................6-9Owner Checks and Services..........................6-11
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-11
At Least Once a Month.................................6-12
At Least Once a Year...................................6-12
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants...............6-15
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..........6-18
Engine Drive Belt Routing..............................6-19
Maintenance Record.....................................6-20
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1
ProCarManuals.com