i'm looking at a 2001 ex-cab 4x4 duramax, i don't know if i should get it because of the mile. I have heard that these trucks will go 300,000 no problem. What should i look for and be worried about with these kind of miles. What ever kind of information i can get would be great. alos what kind of miles have all you guys got out of your trucks. also what problems have you run into that i may if i buy this truck. it is being sold for $13,000 which is a great deal.

so what do you guys think.

No, they are probably selling it because the injectors are out of the extended warranty at 200k. If you look at the poll on this site a lot of people have had theirs replaced under warranty. W/O warranty I've seen estimates in cost to replace from 4k +.

how can you tell if the injectors are bad, what will the truck act like if they are. also can you take the vin to a dealer and find out if the injectors are bad. thanks that hadn't crossed my mind.

keep the info coming everyone it has already helped me.

how can you tell if the injectors are bad When your truck run like crap.

how can you tell if the injectors are bad, what will the truck act like if they are. also can you take the vin to a dealer and find out if the injectors are bad. thanks that hadn't crossed my mind.

keep the info coming everyone it has already helped me.
Get the Vin # and go to the Vin Check thread and request a vin check. That should tell what has been done under warranty.

Mark:beerchug:

well damn! if I can get that same thing, but 2002, CCSB, new injectors, new t-case, for 9 damaged and it will be about $10,300 for fixed adn more bad ***.... lol maybe I will hop on it for srue!... I just want to know how long they will go if they pulled a 5th wheel alot?

how can you tell if the injectors are bad, what will the truck act like if they are. also can you take the vin to a dealer and find out if the injectors are bad. thanks that hadn't crossed my mind.

keep the info coming everyone it has already helped me.

I haven't been around diesels for too long but just from reading up around here, besides running like crap:

White smoke, especially on cold startup.
Rough Idle.
Low power / high fuel consumption.
Oil level high from injectors leaking diesel fuel into crankcase.
High injector balance rates when checked on a GM Tech 2 scantool or power programmer (Diablo Predator, maybe others??) > +/- 6%.
High fuel return rate (Checked at dealership).

would it really be white smoke?.... isnt white smoke either condensation, (especially on a cold day) or antifreeze?

when mine went it was a whitishblue turn to black smoke

would it really be white smoke?.... isnt white smoke either condensation, (especially on a cold day) or antifreeze?

I'm with ya on that one. I've always heard:

White= coolant
Black= fuel
Blue/Grey= oil

However, multiple people have stated the same thing saying when they were having trouble with their injectors it would start out as a puff of white smoke on startup and progressively get worse.

would it really be white smoke?.... isnt white smoke either condensation, (especially on a cold day) or antifreeze?

Well white smoke with no smell is condensation (moisture) from combustion, but white smoke that smells strongly of diesel is unburnt diesel. Remember bug foggers from when you were a kid? The fluid they used was often diesel, the heat atomizes it to very small particles so it looks like fog.

jb

so will get the vin and check to see if the injectors have been changed,and also so how it runs compared to my dads 2004 lb7 and if the injectors have been changed and if it runs as well as my dads truck which his is basically brand new since he never drives it. so should i get it if all this checks out.

also if anyone has anything else to add i would appreciated it everything helps, can never have too much information and too much power for your truck.

Here's what I did/doing on my used Duramax. The vehicle is an 04 LB7, Allison 4x4. Bought with 113,584 miles.
I have full service records, except the 100k service, which the owner didn't do all of it due to selling. New injectors at 112,312 miles.

I am changing all fluids and filters.
Mobil 1 Delvac oil, with a Fram filter and filter mag.
Transynd for the Allison and transfer case. New filter for inside the Allison, and spin on.
Mobil 1 for the differentials.
New Dexcool for the Radiator.
Fuel filter. Bought the sensor wrench.
Brake fluid
Check your power steering fluid. If not still clear, change.
Check your A/C charge with a gauge
If you have a cabin filter, change it out if dirty.
Air Filter too.

Actual parts: Basically the 100k service and more.
New serpentine belt, the longest belt I've ever seen.
New radiator cap
New shocks, went with Bilstiens
New brakes, these were real bad. Mushy peddle, stuck sliders, rear pads gone, front contact paths almost non-existant. I mean BAD. Btw, don't drop a front rotor from back seat height onto your left big toe. It breaks it.
New tires, it was time for some. Went with Michelins, 265-75-16's LTX M/S Load E.
New undercoating

Mods:
Banks Six-Gun with Speedloader, still have to install.
Banks Monster Exhaust
Banks Big head, still have to install.
AFE stg. II induction system
Paint matched grille bowtie.
Vent Shade's
Black step rails

Almost all parts were bought from sponsers or members here. The sponsers were Jannety Racing, Kennedy Diesel, and Merchant.

Btw, I paid $18,500 for the truck. Got it with a almost new ARE MX cap, Rear hitch ball, Draw Tight gooseneck, new bed mat and an electronic brake towing module.
Hope this helps in some way. My point I guess is, expect some basic maintanence. And always expect a surprise problem.
Will

Head gaskets @ 196,000 on my 01 LB7 - X-cab 4x4 LOADED (heated leather, Onstar, etc.) Just sold repaired + new injectors for $15,000.

How much are they asking for it? cost will be the issue here. It does not matter the milage if you are getting it 2 dollars. Does it?

Sounds like a good deal.

Check dipstick, should be black and feel like motor oil, and smell like it. If it's thin, grey, or smells like fuel, be wary.

Get a cheap used Predator (~2-300) and it can check balance rates on the injectors. Readings higher than 4 when powerbraked to 1000rpm are suspicious.

Injectors are expensive. So is a blown head gasket. These are the highest risk items on the 2001's.

Sounds like a good deal.

Check dipstick, should be black and feel like motor oil, and smell like it. If it's thin, grey, or smells like fuel, be wary.

Get a cheap used Predator (~2-300) and it can check balance rates on the injectors. Readings higher than 4 when powerbraked to 1000rpm are suspicious.

Injectors are expensive. So is a blown head gasket. These are the highest risk items on the 2001's.


Hey pat what makes a 2001 more prone to blowing a head gasket??

They redesigned the head gasket after 2001 to reduce risk of head gasket problems. Few trucks had problems, but even fewer 2002+ do.

well i went to see if it came in today and it did but nobody was around, also the truck has a lot of body damage. and it is going for $14,000 so i don't think it would be a good deal. It makes me mad they said $13,000, but i may drive it and see what kind of a deal they would give me, since it is damaged.

also it is worth $21,500 High book i would say more than $16,000 low book.

but too me not worth $14,000

what have any of you guys seen these go for that would be good condition on its way to fair condition. it really must have been a work truck.

also do you think this truck is worth it with the condition of body damage and i also noticed some bondo on the box. should i just stay away from this truck or can they look rough and still be a great truck.

also if i got it what would the cost for rebuilding the engine and tranny be, that is once they went bad.

any help here is appreciated and thanks in advance

Where do you live?
PM Me- I may have something for you.

I live in Lewistown, Montana.

email address is rudabag@yahoo.com

heavypulling, It sounds as if you can find a better vehicle out there then this one. Before you mentioned body damage, and now with what appears is a price increase I thought it was decent. But now, I'd be tempted to look somewhere else. I waited until the right one popped up on autotrader, and there are alot there. I posted the longer post in your thread here on the stuff I've done/doing to my used 04. I flew to Vermont to pick mine up.

well thanks for the info i will keep that in mind, but i want to see what kind of a deal they will give me, also want to drive it and run the vin before i completely walk away from that truck

thanks for the info and keep it comeing guys

I just bought an 01 with 131000 for 15000 at bleskin in Great Falls. BTW I drove through lincoln yesterday, -31 degrees. My injectors are fine, and I was smoking white going down the highway.