Head gaskets?

[duramax-Joe]

Why are these head gaskets failing on the LLY? Is it just the LLY or is it all the Duramax's?

[02B12S]

The LLY, LBZ had issues.. LLY the worst, LBZ & early LMM better, think it was pretty much resolved in 2008.

They failed due to headgasket design. The LLY also had issues with (some)headbolts that made the headgasket issue worse.

JJ

[duramax-Joe]

To me GM should take care of this. It's no wonder the company went bankrupt with some of the idiots they had running the company. They could have done better. No good reason for all these head gasket issue's. It took them ten years to fix the driver side exhaust manifold? Ten years to fix the steering clunk. Don't get me wrong I love my truck, but there are a lot of things I think the Factory could have done a whole helluva lot better!

[1953drtelco]

I wonder what percentage of LLY's actually have Head Gasket problems? Of 5 LLY owners at work, none have had any head gasket issues. My buddy is closing in on 300,000 miles without a problem and been running Banks 6 pack for most of the miles. I have only 89K on my LLY without any issues.

[terryk]

I don't think we will ever know. Once the rumors start everyone know someone that had HGs blow.

[aka108]

As a percent it is probably a very small number of LLY's who have blown head gaskets. You hear the nasty stuff on forums. Also think that many of those which blew gaskets were most likely chipped out and run like they were stolen.

[1953drtelco]

Originally Posted by terryk

I don't think we will ever know. Once the rumors start everyone know someone that had HGs blow.

I agree....It seems the majority of Duramax owners only hit the forums when experiencing problems, other like myself look for helpful information, which I've found on numerous occassions.

[RayK]

There must be a problem if GM comes out with different spec HG's.

But I agree that you only usually hear about the bad here on the forum's and increasing the boost will probably play into the HG failure.

[02B12S]

many of those which blew gaskets were most likely chipped out and run like they were stolen

.

Mine is completely stock, never overheated. Headgasket failed at ~145K. Seem like high milage engine do not apear to exhibit the issue. Wonder if it's the number of cold-starts thats the special sauce that leads to the failure.

But grade-C & studs seems to be the fix.

It's hard to guess how many (LLY) have had the issue. I'll get a feel from the dealer on how many they have done, before I decide to do it myself or have them do it.

JJ

[fiveslo]

Originally Posted by aka108

As a percent it is probably a very small number of LLY's who have blown head gaskets. You hear the nasty stuff on forums. Also think that many of those which blew gaskets were most likely chipped out and run like they were stolen.

This may be true as far as the percentage part, however once you're affected by blown head gaskets after some 110K miles, and you get quotes of $7K to fix a eight year old truck.. you change your attitude very quickly... especially for a option you paid a pretty penny for.. only to have it fail... believe me I was there! I did not abuse the truck in any way shape or form!