Duramax Longevity ??

[B.N.Z.MTNS]

Hey guys,

I have been searching for a while on here and see lots of great input, but have not found anything regarding longevity.

I have a 2001 (LB7) crew cab DRW, 4WD with about 215,000 miles on it. It spends most of its time running errands for feed and supplies and about 40% of its time pulling a hay trailer or our gooseneck trailer. We live at 5,700 feet elevation and regularly pull passes up to the 10,000 range.

To date it has had:
- injectors done at 97,000 miles (at GM)
- water pump at 180,000
- fuel pressure regulator at 205,000
- Kennedy diesel ECM (100 hp / 150 tq)at 207,000
- Replaced all pitman, idler, drag links twice
- U joints and carrier bearing once
- Regular service with synthetics every 3,000 to 5,000 depending on use

As of now I am experiencing coolant loss, but I cant track it down. I add about 1/2 gallon to the reservoir every month or two but there is no external evidence and no dilution in the oil. It runs like a top still, so I just keep adding coolant.

I am curious what longevity any other first gen Duramax owners are getting before having to consider a rebuild or replacement? I am debating a newer (2008 and up) Duramax, but shelling out that much cash again is daunting, plus the newer ones have the particulate filters and I hear they get worse mileage.

Any input or advice would be great. You all have been awesome on the K5 end of things and now I am looking for some expertise in the high pressure world.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[jake 03]

Our puller is an 01 lb7 and it started loosing coolant with no external signs of leakage at about 215k. Ended up being leaking injector sleeves and with replacement of all 8 sleeves has been good ever since(240k now)
One thing to look at would be the back corners of the cylinder heads since that is where the head gaskets seem to start leaking first on the lb7.

Exhaust and a tune on the newer ones and they are awesome.

 

[B.N.Z.MTNS]

Thanks for the advice, I'd hate to open it up for injector work again. What would happen if I it has the same problem that your did and I kept running it like that? It's not too expensive to just add 1/2 gallon of coolant every month or so, but it may be really expensive if I toast the engine.

I looked at MAX02's posts and he has over 300,000 kilometers on his. I'm no metric guy, but I know that is a load of miles. I guess it all comes down to maintenance with anything.

 

[yellowK20]

Injector cups are a big deal if not fixed you can ruin the heads and worse.

Eventually the leak will get worse

 

[76zimmer]

Dean's truck works out to be about 186K mi. I know he neglected changing that coolant, and it worked out good for him...Luke has some good posts in that thread too.

 

[max 02]

Dean's truck works out to be about 186K mi. I know he neglected changing that coolant, and it worked out good for him...Luke has some good posts in that thread too.

Yup Dave's right on that... you got more! Fix it or sell it!???
Russell has paid the price!

No fault no his behalf, just got a used lb7 with no love.

 

[B.N.Z.MTNS]

Fix it or sell it!???

That's the the problem with these newer trucks. They are great when everything is working...but geesh...when things go wrong repairs are a bit more than an old 350 small block would take. If we look into a newer one, we are still looking at a large chunk of change and 5 more years of payments.

This truck has been awesome for us, so at this point I'm thinking I'll just drop the $$$ when it needs it and stay payment free for a few more years. Maybe someday I will be on the million mile club and the truck will have a resale value of $1,000.

Whatever the case, I think I will be spending more time in the diesel section...lots of great advise

 

[max 02]

That's the the problem with these newer trucks. They are great when everything is working...but geesh...when things go wrong repairs are a bit more than an old 350 small block would take. If we look into a newer one, we are still looking at a large chunk of change and 5 more years of payments.

This truck has been awesome for us, so at this point I'm thinking I'll just drop the $$$ when it needs it and stay payment free for a few more years. Maybe someday I will be on the million mile club and the truck will have a resale value of $1,000.

Whatever the case, I think I will be spending more time in the diesel section...lots of great advise

That's why we are keeping ours,it has been great and it's not worth anything to sell. It's long payed for and non emission BS on it!

 

[Drey]

My 03 has 170,000 on it and is still running strong, Ive had it about 10,000 miles. I was losing some coolant at one point but we tracked it to a line, luckily nothing else. Injects were dont at about 130,000 at a GM dealership, so Im hoping it will last me to at least 210,000. Im do the point though, I would almost want to put a new motor in this truck if it shelled out. I love having a Diesel again!

 

[miniwally]

The LB7 Duramax motors have a few issues that need to be dealt with.

They can blow a head gasket, not really common but does happen. New grade C gaskets and ARP head studs, about $1,300 do it your self.

Then the famous injectors, you need to do a balance test about every 15,000 miles on an LB7. I'm amazed that you have over 100,000 miles on a set of injectors. 80,000 is great and from what i have learned from the "experts" LB7 injectors will fail, not if when and it's usually around 60,000 miles and less if you tow a lot.

As of today there isn't a fix for the injectors, you just have to suck it up and deal with them in the LB7 platform.

I have an LLY and the injectors aren't a big issue with this version but the head gaskets are, I popped a head gasket at about 40,000 and didn't know it. Finally knew it at about 80,000 and changed them to Grade C' and ARP studs. I run 30+ pounds of boost regularly with the truck grossing out at 20,000+ with no real issues. Knocks on wood.

 

[Upstate]

I have a '15 crew cab 4wd with a DM and I love it. Got 21 mpg the other day with the back full of LS motors....