Is there a cure for the injector problems and the same for head gasket on the LB7? Or do you just keep replacing and repairing when they go bad?

The newest versions of injectors are supposed to be improved. Prior to now, it was a crap shoot. Most go 100k plus on a set (some over 200k), with some oddballs out there that go less. Head gaskets aren't common at all, and 01's were the ones with a potential issue, and usually only with poor coolant maintenance mixed with high miles. Fixed by 02, and the replacement gaskets are improved as well.

The newest versions of injectors are supposed to be improved. Prior to now, it was a crap shoot. Most go 100k plus on a set (some over 200k), with some oddballs out there that go less. Head gaskets aren't common at all, and 01's were the ones with a potential issue, and usually only with poor coolant maintenance mixed with high miles. Fixed by 02, and the replacement gaskets are improved as well.
So it's not like I'll be changing them every 20-30k right?

I can live with 100k

Ha, yeah..........not a common occurance like you may be lead to believe. I've had 3 LB7's. Sold my 02 with 105k on the original set. My 03's first set was 165k and second now at 241k. There is a thread about 200k plus on the original set. Keep in mind that they will be replaced at GM's expense for 7yrs 200k, and glow plugs 10yrs 200k. Not many issues with glow plugs though.

yeah I was thinking it was a lot worse than it really is. whats up the Head gasket too much boost ?

No, boost isn't an issue till about 50lbs, stock is 20 and can be safely pushed to 30 or so. There have been guys with twins that blew them at 90plus. It's electrolosis. Cast block/alum head and crappy dexcool mixed with a somewhat weak gasket in 01. In time and miles(150-200k) too much hot/cold/hot/cold will eventually eat away at the gasket. THEN compression takes over.

There are no statistics available for injector failure. GM has the only statistics but they have not released them to date and they are not likely to do so.

The injectors are defective from the factory and there is nothing you can do to prevent a failure. Extra filtration is a good idea but those with secondary filters have had failures too.

I'm not aware of any improved injectors from GM. Many threads have talked about them and some dealers have told customers that the injectors they install were improved when in fact - they were the same re-manufactured units that have been installed since day one.

From the posts here - it would seem that injector failure is very common and that most will have injector failure before 100,000 miles are reached. Since the replacement units are re-manufactured units, the odds on one of the replacement injectors failing are quite high.

Search the forum on this subject and you'll get more hits than you care read. The fact is that it's a huge problem and it's not going to go away.

There are no statistics available for injector failure. GM has the only statistics but they have not released them to date and they are not likely to do so.

The injectors are defective from the factory and there is nothing you can do to prevent a failure. Extra filtration is a good idea but those with secondary filters have had failures too.

I'm not aware of any improved injectors from GM. Many threads have talked about them and some dealers have told customers that the injectors they install were improved when in fact - they were the same re-manufactured units that have been installed since day one.

From the posts here - it would seem that injector failure is very common and that most will have injector failure before 100,000 miles are reached. Since the replacement units are re-manufactured units, the odds on one of the replacement injectors failing are quite high.

Search the forum on this subject and you'll get more hits than you care read. The fact is that it's a huge problem and it's not going to go away.


Remember that we are here to address our problems. Of the 100s of thousands of D-maxes on the road, you only hear of the problems. There aren't too many forums to go to talk about how good and problem free your truck has been. Also, bear in mind that 100k is a lot of miles to some. Not tooo many people hang onto their vehicles that long, nor will some own them long enough to change injectors multiple times. It's a rare occurance that injectors go at low miles. The injectors aren't faulty, it's their location. Too much heat too often is a big issue in their failure. Unless your truck runs all day long every day while not moving, it's not too much of a chance they will fail prematurely(IMO pre 100k). I feel GM is being quite generous with their 7yr 200k replacement. No leading brands offer such a thing for commonly known failures.

*I'm going to try to find it, but I read here that the replacement injectors are being manufactured now to perform better. Something like March 08 they changed.

Remember that we are here to address our problems. Of the 100s of thousands of D-maxes on the road, you only hear of the problems. There aren't too many forums to go to talk about how good and problem free your truck has been. Also, bear in mind that 100k is a lot of miles to some. Not tooo many people hang onto their vehicles that long, nor will some own them long enough to change injectors multiple times. It's a rare occurance that injectors go at low miles. The injectors aren't faulty, it's their location. Too much heat too often is a big issue in their failure. Unless your truck runs all day long every day while not moving, it's not too much of a chance they will fail prematurely(IMO pre 100k). I feel GM is being quite generous with their 7yr 200k replacement. No leading brands offer such a thing for commonly known failures.

*I'm going to try to find it, but I read here that the replacement injectors are being manufactured now to perform better. Something like March 08 they changed.

I'd liket to see that article. My second set only lasted 7K. I wonder if mine got the new style.

The injectors aren't faulty, it's their location. Too much heat too often is a big issue in their failure.

? The injectors are faulty, or GM would not have instituted the special policy. I have never read or heard anyone say that it is a heat related issue. If anything, it is bad materials or materials that can't stand up to 25000 psi, or the normal heat (maybe) of the D-Max. Ball seat errosion is not caused by heat.

Oddplanes has posted serveral times on this subject, and it seems that the latest remans may be using new bodies. I am not aware of anything from GM to confirm that, but he had test injectors in his truck last year.

? The injectors are faulty, or GM would not have instituted the special policy. I have never read or heard anyone say that it is a heat related issue. If anything, it is bad materials or materials that can't stand up to 25000 psi, or the normal heat (maybe) of the D-Max. Ball seat errosion is not caused by heat.

Oddplanes has posted serveral times on this subject, and it seems that the latest remans may be using new bodies. I am not aware of anything from GM to confirm that, but he had test injectors in his truck last year.


I was actually going to reference oddplane's posts on the issue too. So you are saying that the LB7's injector problems have nothing to do with their location, and it's bad materials instead, then why only LB7's??

primary cause of failure-water in fuel. as of aug07 i believe... was the latest update, a lot better than before. gm hasnt used reman injectors in a while these are new. fix, who really know, the material is better now and keeping the fuel filter drained of water and changed frequently will help, secondary filtration would be a plus too.

Not trying to start something, but:

As has been posted on this forum many times, guys with secondary filtration still see failures in the second set. There is no clear cause, but I agree, water is bad! I change my fuel filter every 5000 miles +/- and use Lucas in each tank. There are also a lot of posts that say rust in the high pressure lines, that can't be good, but I don't see how that causes cracks in the housing.

The LB7 injectors are different from the latter generations. Even a different voltage. (Not to mention much easier to get to!)

Does anyone have any concrete evidence that the injectors are in fact new as stated above? a document from GM? All we have is what guys on this forum have elluded to. No real proof! I would just like to see it so that when mine go (again) I have the documentation and know what to do.

Not trying to start something, but:

As has been posted on this forum many times, guys with secondary filtration still see failures in the second set. There is no clear cause, but I agree, water is bad! I change my fuel filter every 5000 miles +/- and use Lucas in each tank. There are also a lot of posts that say rust in the high pressure lines, that can't be good, but I don't see how that causes cracks in the housing.

The LB7 injectors are different from the latter generations. Even a different voltage. (Not to mention much easier to get to!)

Does anyone have any concrete evidence that the injectors are in fact new as stated above? a document from GM? All we have is what guys on this forum have elluded to. No real proof! I would just like to see it so that when mine go (again) I have the documentation and know what to do.

I have a hard copy from gm on the updated injectors if i can find where i put it. from what i remember it came with my 7yr/200k warrenty stuff in the mail a few weeks ago. as of aug07 the newest are out and the blame was put on water in the fuel. even with secondary filtration it doesnt mean that it will eliminate the water in the fuel unless it is also maintainace related. ill have to ask the wife where she put it when she gets home.

GM did update the injectors this year. Two documented changes to the injector assembly. They are new enough we don't yet know if they are a cure. Water in fuel will not typically create the warranted failure conditions, and that is why GM is so strict on the replacement policy, but contaminated fuel is the cause of a lot of injector failures.

Secondary filtration is a good idea, but hasn't helped my injector longevity. I have documented fuel quality reports from every fill up for over a year and it wasn't the fuel that was the problem. Keep in mind that even a racor filter wont block water 100%.

GM did update the injectors this year. Two documented changes to the injector assembly.

Do you have something from GM that says what it is, or is it just something they told you after the tests on your truck?

Do you have something from GM that says what it is, or is it just something they told you after the tests on your truck?

Fully documented. I don't believe anything they won't put in writing.

Believe me sparky, he knows more about LB7 injectors than anyone. His posts are the ones I was initially referring to. He'll provide the proof, just give him time.

I know, I have been following his saga from day one.

But Oddplanes, do you have anything you can post or is the man still keeping you down! :D

Oddplanes, how can I be sure the injectors bought today are the latest update. Thanks...