Duramax fuel injectors - Montana Owners Club

Emmel · 07-31-2007, 11:09 AM

Well I'm sitting at the dealership in Roseville Ca waiting on our 2002 GMC to be finished. They tell me we lost an injector with only 65k on the diesel.
We've been here for 4 days, being towed off I-80 in Auburn on Friday the 27th on our way home for mother-in-law health problems back home.
We have been told by the tech that GM will cover the repair costs, so it's not all bad. The funny thing was that two weeks ago we were towed in Estes Park Co for a bad sensor on the fuel filter. I paid that bill, but it was human error.
I have two different pictures of my GMC on a rollback and on a big rig truck, something I don't want to post!!!!
The bad part to this was that when the injector goes, it actually displaces the engine oil with diesel fuel. Anyone knowing anything about engines knows that's NOT GOOD! I didn't know what happened till I lost oil pressure. Advice is, when you loose oil pressure suddenly, pull over immidiately and you will save your engine. I was told I did the right thing. Hopefully anyone with a 2001 or 2002 Duramax does not have this problem, but if you do, make sure GM steps up. They have a bulletin on the injectors.

dsprik · 07-31-2007, 11:22 AM

Steve, you, of course know what I have - a 2002 GMC D/A. I bought it from a dealership at 124,617 miles on it. Just before I got it (122,175), they put the 8 new (GM paid for) injectors in under that service bulletin. 200K warranty on those now. However, they only replace AFTER a problem occurs - if I recall correctly - NOT a recall. Saves dealerships from getting flooded and put consumers in the precarious position of possibly getting caught somewhere like Sacramento, CA trying to get to the other side of the country for a medical situation... Nice!

OntMont · 07-31-2007, 11:22 AM

I had the injectors replaced on my '01 Duramax. GM paid for it with no problem, and provided a rental car while the work was being done. The replacement should be for all 8 injectors. GM do this because otherwise they risk fixing the same truck 8 times. The new injectors are a revised design, and as far as I know, are now trouble-free. This only applies to early Duramax engines, '01 and '02. The symptoms I experienced were a gradual loss of power (that I really had not noticed until after the repair), and eventually, refusal of the engine to start.

emdavis · 07-31-2007, 03:00 PM

I have an 2002 with 44000, and was having trouble with cold start. The dealer in my home town (Burley, Idaho) replaced all eight injectors, and I couldn't believe in the power and fuel mileage increase. Went from 10 to 11.5 mpg towing. Right after the injectors were replaced, we made a trip to Boise for a few days. On the way home one of the new injectors went bad and I had to be towed home. the injector was replaced and we made a 1500 mile trip and had no problems. I only us my truck to tow my monty.

Snownyet · 07-31-2007, 03:24 PM

Its common knowledge in the diesel community that the duramax had injector issues from its inception till roughly 2003, as far as I know GM is covering them all under warranty. Those new injectors and the computer technology that drives them made the duramax quiet, but unfortunately there were some growing pains.

lawrenceb42106 · 07-31-2007, 03:42 PM

Welcome to the injectors club. Had ours replaced at 99000 miles. Gm stepped to the plate on that. We paid for a fuel pressure regulator before they found the problem. We were also on the road far from home. Gm furnished a rental car for us.

rames14 · 07-31-2007, 04:56 PM

Steve -

Hope you get back on the road soon. If you're going through Chicago on the way back, let us know and we may come down and have a meal with you. Otherwise, we'll see in September at the rally. Have a safe trip.

ksboy · 07-31-2007, 06:02 PM

Steve: I'm sorry to hear that you broke down, but it is good news that GM took care of the problem for you. I also had injector problems with our 2002 Chevy Duramax and GM replaced all 8 injectors. I only had 55,000 miles on it at the time, but hopefully we will all go along time and many miles with no problems.

Ray

Bill and Ann · 08-01-2007, 01:35 AM

Our 2003 had the injectors replaced at 30,000 miles and they replaced all 8 at no cost to me.

Bill and Lisa · 08-01-2007, 04:38 AM

As the owner of a "New to Me" 2001 Duramax with 85,000 miles on it, I am reading this thread with interest. My understanding from what I have read is that GM will not do anything until I have a problem? Has anyone been able to get GM to replace the injectors "upon request"?

thanks,
Bill

dsprik · 08-01-2007, 04:43 AM

You can try. Bill, but I don't think they will do it. I would be curious to see what they say, though...

RonS · 08-01-2007, 05:29 AM

My understanding of the injector issue, is that they replace all 8 nocharge to 200K. However they are still using the original injectors with no upgrade, so just having them replaced will not prevent a failure. I have a 2004 LB7 duramax and injectors replaced at 42K. Was not a happy camper when they went out while on a trip far from home, pulling my 5th wheel. Runs fine now but MPG down a little with the new ultra low sulfer fuel.

rames14 · 08-01-2007, 01:12 PM

RonS -

I thought they had that fixed in 2003? We have one of the 2004 MY end 2500's and have about 75k on it. We have lost power due to issues with fuel filter, but have not had any injector problems yet. My plan is to trade off next summer while still under the 100k powertrain warranty. We like the truck, but I like to keep some of the value for tradein purposes. We'll probably change out Monty at Christmas and the Silverado in July. Gotta' keep the economy moving.

RonS · 08-01-2007, 02:34 PM

Not fixed in early 2004 LB7 Dmax. Mine went south without warning, no power to even get off freeway when towing. At first thought I got some bad fuel, but dealer after checking said injectors, all were replaced at no charge. But still a PITA and took a few days to replace. For now going to keep this truck and see what happens, still under warranty. But not real sure if its 100K or 200K injector warranty. I now have about 48K and its running strong.

happy campers · 08-01-2007, 03:57 PM

There is a bulletin on the injectors, not actually a warranty as such. It must meet certain conditions for failure to qualify, and they won't just change them for you. The original bulletin covered the '01-'02's, but later, the '03's were added. As of yet, they haven't added the early '04's which also had the LB7 motor, all with the same injectors. Late '04's came with the 2nd generation LLY motor, which had redesigned injectors. So no matter what, you have a 100k engine warranty, and a shot at a 200k injector warranty '01 up to '03. Not much comfort when you consider how much these trucks cost, but any new diesel with high pressure injection is subject to injector failure. I have a secondary fuel filter, and use additives in an attempt to lesson my chances for a failure. My luck, that might get me to just over 200k before they fail!

Emmel · 08-02-2007, 10:56 AM

RONS, GM replaced all 8 injectors with the new style which is what they say will fix the problem.
We are back on the road to home staying two nights in Cheyenne WY.
For these first 6/7 hundred miles, the truck feels like a new one, so far better mpg and more power.

dsprik · 08-02-2007, 11:15 AM

Same here on the new style injectors. Mine were put in earlier this year and I was told by the dealership before I bought the truck that they are replacing all of these with the "new style" injectors to prevent customers from coming back on the dealership later.

rames14 · 08-02-2007, 05:22 PM

Steve -

Glad to hear you're on the road and things are going better. I will send you a PM with my cell # in case you go through over the weekend. Maybe we'll see you down on I80.

RonS · 08-03-2007, 06:11 AM

After having the injector replacement, I started doing a little research cause I did not like the died on the side of the road feeling (with 5th wheel) when they went out without any warning of a problem. This is what I found out in The Diesel Place forum. No new style injectors for LB7. For the most part they are replacing with rebuilt old injectors, some have had them replaced a number of times. Keep your fuel filter change interval at 10K or in my case every other oil change. If a injector goes bad, they are to replace all 8 at no charge to 200K or seven years from date put into service for 01 thru 03 Duramax. All other years to 100K. Some early 04 Dmax still had the same LB7 engine which is my case. Many of us in this situation continue to be concerned with this potential problem, however about 80% have no issues at all the the Duramax. I have no thoughts of trading this TV at the present time and like the truck, have 50K miles remaing on the 100K warranty.

bsmeaton · 08-03-2007, 06:34 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Emmel

I have two different pictures of my GMC on a rollback and on a big rig truck, something I don't want to post!!!!

Oh c'mon Steve and Patti! Had my Fords on the hook many times -

. The kids joke with me now and say we camp under the FORD sign more than we do the KOA sign

- little rascals!

Glad your up and running - if you get in a position or bind and you need a tow or relocation for your Monty - don't forget MOCTAP. Us Coloradoans and I'm sure the Wyoming folks are happy to help.

You may also like: