Hey Folks,

I have read and searched quite a bit on this, so bear with me please.

My stock '03 has about 96K on it, and recently has been getting a bit louder that I recall. Mostly around 1500-2000 RPM, no substantial smoke, no fuel in oil ( or not enough to notice ). I run Stanadyne Performance Formula since we get into single digits, and crappier winter blend, etc.

As an aside, I changed the oil, and saved a sample to send in for analysis, just in case something else is going on (peace of mind). Haven't sent it in yet.

I added an extra dose of fuel additive today, to see if it helps, but it doesn't as far as I can tell.

I get a little light smoke under load in the am before completely warmed up. It's been in the teens to low 20s lately, I do plug it in overnight. I have a short commute. It starts easily, with or without heater, even in the cold.

It seems louder when warmed up than when cold, more so under load/acceleration.

So, I pulled the balance rates (I have a PC based OBDII tool), since I wanted to make sure there were no other fault codes lurking. I've read here about +/- 4 in park, +/- 6 in gear and I have:

Cyl Park Drive
1 -1.1 -1.6
2 2.3 2.1
3 -1.7 -1.8
4 -1.1 -1.7
5 4.6 8.0
6 0.0 -0.9
7 0.0 -1.0
8 -2.6 -2.7

So, the question is subtracting max to min values I get total of 7.2 in park and 11.7 in drive. This is just barely inside the max spread people have posted as OK, or is it literally +/- off of 0.0?

At any rate (no pun intended) #5 looks like he his hanging way out, and could certainly explain some things.

What would you recommend as the next step? I could pay for additional diagnostics, but I don't think I meet the gm criteria for replacement yet. This vehicle has never had any injectors (or any major component) replaced, according to GM dealer records (bought used, pulled VIN check through this site).

I don't want to waste money on unnecessary stuff, but like going to the doc, a little preventative precaution can go a long way.

Thanks in advance, everyone. This forum is the best.

My 03's went at 68k. I noticed a loud knocking, and most of my power had gone. Also smoke on startup and all the time. No fuel in the oil for me. I would say maybe your injectors are taking a while to go, but they will.

I believe my truck is in basically the same condition as yours, i.e. smoke, no fuel in oil, louder, less power, raw fuel smell in exhaust, but generally still running good & starting good. Mine is going in monday for a checkup. I hope I'm not wasting my time!

Your truck is still under warranty, so I suggest bringing it to a reputable dealer for repair. You should only have to pay the 100.00 deductable unless the injectors fall under the special policy, then there should be no out of pocket money.

Can anyone recommend a good dealership in the rochester, ny area? I've had mixed results at most on the east side. Also, I bought this at Wentworth in Dansville, NY, but no real experience with their service dept.

I forgot about the regular 5yr/100K warranty - I'm good to 10/2008 or 100,082 miles. Thanks, I was thinking that without the right symptoms I'd be on the hook for a big bill.

Went to Hastings GMC in Rochester, NY ( sometimes if I complain a lot, they will do warranty on Chevys ), but they said they didn't see a lot of injector repair. That would give me pause to think that they really aren't that experienced at it.

I won't go to Doyle's in Webster, they have never fixed anything to my satisfaction.

Anyone have any recommendation for a good Chevy Dealer with a good diesel tech in or near Rochester, NY?

+/- off of 0.0
#5 is out of spec.
I don't know if they will cover the injector under the drive trane warranty or not. Bad balance rates will not get it covered under the injector special policy.

Good info on the +/- being off of 0.0, that's the first time I've read that. Thanks! I'm used to specs on other things, and they can be subject to interpretation.

I realize that I don't fall under the special policy (yet).

I am still looking for a reputable dealer, with a GOOD diesel tech in the Rochester, NY area - or at least within an hours drive. I know there are a bunch of members in the upstate ny/central ny area, but I haven't heard yet. I have my preferences, but I would like some additional votes to help.

Worst case, is it bad to drive with a slight knock and such a large balance offset? Without fuel in the oil, I am rather comfortable for now, but that is just me.

If it isn't covered and I have to pay myself, I want it done right.

Also, if the balance rate is a symptom of something else being out of sorts, I'd like to know.

I know bal rate alone does not mean bad injector, but what does it mean? I have a slight knock, and slightly lower economy and power, and maybe a little white smoke when cold. Is something else wrong and this is just the system trying to compensate for it?