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2012 GMC Sierra 3500 HD
Reliability tier: verified - see /disclosure/
Engine: 6.0L Vortec L96 (GM Gen IV small-block, 6.0L), 2v
Gen IV 6.0L small-block: iron block, VVT, L92-style rectangle-port heads, 9.6:1; the L96 (MY2010+) adds E85 flex-fuel capability; 360hp/380 lb-ft standard on the HD trucks. Same-body diesel sibling is in the Duramax platform records. Transmissions are context only - engine platform.
Applicable failure modes (6)
- Cooling system wear: water pump, fan clutch, thermostat (L96)
- Exhaust manifold cracks / bolt failures (Vortec-era carryover)
- Fuel delivery: pump, injectors, pressure (L96/LY6)
- Ignition misfire: coils and spark plugs (L96/LY6)
- Oil consumption at high mileage (Gen IV theme)
- Valvetrain: lifter/rocker wear (no AFM on the HD 6.0)
Applicable parts (14)
- gm-hd-gas-l96: exhaust-manifold-gasket (honest catalog gap)
- gm-hd-gas-l96: exhaust-manifold (honest catalog gap)
- GM 6.0L HD Fan Clutch (OEM)
- GM 6.0L HD Fuel Injection Rail (OEM)
- GM 6.0L HD Ignition Coil (OEM)
- GM 6.0L HD Fuel Injector (OEM)
- GM 6.0L HD Intake Manifold 2009-2019 (OEM)
- GM 6.0L HD Knock Sensor (OEM)
- GM 6.0L HD Oil Filter Assembly (OEM)
- GM 6.0L HD Radiator Assembly (OEM)
- GM 6.0L HD Spark Plug 2008-2014 (OEM)
- GM 6.0L HD Thermostat Kit (OEM)
- gm-hd-gas-l96: valvetrain (honest catalog gap)
- GM 6.0L HD Water Pump Kit (OEM)
Platform recipes (3)
- Cooling wear service for the HD 6.0 gas (mode fm-l96-cooling-wear): tow-duty wear items - water pump seep, fan clutch engagement, thermostat housing, radiator seams
- Fuel delivery repair for the HD 6.0 gas (mode fm-l96-fuel-delivery, the top VOQ cluster): long cranks and lean misfire trace to the injector/pressure side
- Ignition service for the HD 6.0 gas (mode fm-l96-ignition): 16 plugs on the OHV V8, one coil per cylinder