Hi all,

I'm looking for discussion on prices, what else one may need, and what to look for when changing injectors, and what to expect.

I think I am in the same boat as many of you other LB7 owners. :( My truck began to "puff" white, loose power and fuel efficiency about 2.5 yrs ago at around 160k. I had found this forum about a year ago and had called the dealer to run my vin and I was about 12 months out of date by then, and the injectors were not replaced by the previous owner. (It pisses me off I din't find all the advice and knowlege here sooner, or else I would have bought the Ford sitting next to it, or would have known of all the known issues and checked them before I purchased.) Regardless, due to the costs associated, I delayed replacing them then, I aways checked the condition of the oil and changed it more frequently. Now with 190k on it, it's time regardless of what my wallet says and just be thankfull she's lasted this long. She's puffing constantly, really lacks on power, getting hard to start, surging at idle, heavy fuel smell in the exhaust and cab, etc, all the symptoms you guys have said in the other threads. Who know's, maybe there's more than one problem, but I've always taken care of it, very few codes if any (only one for a Mass Air Sensor, a leak on the intercooler pipe from rubbing on a power steering line was repaired and hasn't come on since, yea what's up with the dealer charging over $300 for a bent piece of aluminum pipe and a couple clamps).

I haven't seen too many threads discussing prices of the dreaded injectors for us who are out of warranty and have to pay out of pocket, other than the recent one of the $900 kit posted by Joey_D. I can't believe the price spectrum between all the places I've searched, all for the same damn thing, a rebuilt injector, or injector kit. Input from you guys that have "been there, done that" would be appreciated to find injectors, injector kits, etc for myself and others going through the same ordeal. :) I'm hoping to find someplace tried/trusted with prices that 94383Z71 got from a kit that Green Thunder had, or maybe even better. It's a shame that so many of these injectors continue to fail, keeps the prices up, it seems that the prices of these are just so much more than the other models for other manufacturers. It makes me mad that suppliers know we will need them, so they charge us to the nose for em. I could understand a $100, or even $125 for a rebuilt, but $250 on the average, :wtf:. The best price I've found so far is around $1500 for a kit, plus a $600 core. Anyone else got them from the guy Joey_D used?

Also, what should I expect to run into with changing them myself, having the first year built and so many miles on a truck driving the New York State salted roads. Thank you 94383Z71 for thaking the time to post your procedures. I have noticed that in other threads, the sleves pull out with the injector, is this common, if one comes out, should I pull all the others and re-seal with locktite to be safe that I didn't break the seal on others? What is the white tube of the GM Engine Sealant constist of, is it similar to Permatex Hi-Temp slilocone sealant (I've got a bunch of that)? Is it better to re-use a factory re-usable gasket or use on that may come with a aftermarket kit (only reason, sometimes I found it better to re-use the factory gasket on the tranny, since my experience with the ones that come with the aftermarket filter kits suck for example)? What if there may be a "little" rust in the fuel lines? While I'm at it, should I replace the glow plugs now or wait? How would I know if any of the glow plugs are bad?

If you made it this far, thanks for sharing my pain. By no means I'm retarded and don't know how to turn wrenches, or something like that. I have been fortunate enough to always being capable of performing my own repairs and never having to take a vehicle to a repair shop in over 20 years, the key is knowledge from guys like you, and having a few tools in my shed, and asking stupid questions. Looking forward to intelligent information from you guys.

Thanks, Larry

Forgot to add to the above earlier, where can I get a rebiuld manual for the motor and transmission? I had one for my '98 6.5, I would think someone has to have one by now for a truck 9yrs old. And just wanted to check to see if there was a way to check the balance rates myself using a computer or programmer, as one would with a newer model? (I am not educated with programmers at all to know if I could use them for diagnostics with an 01)
Thanks again.

You can buy remans from gmapartsdirect for 182.00 plus shipping and handling. The job bills out 8.5 hours of labor and if oyu are lucky you will get the improved style with the harden ball and seat. I just got my truck out today for injector replacement and they were willing to match the price that the gm dealer online were willing to do. I am a loyal customer at my dealer so I think that helped a lot. It never hurts to ask, so i would ask them if they could sell you the injectors for that price...worth a shot anyway

Cant beat the GMPD price, but I can promise you what your getting for parts. Also all the install gaskets too.

http://www.merchant-automotive.com/duramaxlb7fuelinjector.aspx

Price on my site includes the 150.00 core charge.

Cant beat the GMPD price, but I can promise you what your getting for parts. Also all the install gaskets too.

http://www.merchant-automotive.com/duramaxlb7fuelinjector.aspx

Price on my site includes the 150.00 core charge.Wonder why the core charge is different at some places. Most are $100.00 each.

Bosch vs GM

Bosch puts a 150.00 core on me

Gm only puts a 100. 00 core

Bosch gives a 12month unlimited mile warranty

GM gives a 12/12 warranty

Bosch vs GM

Bosch puts a 150.00 core on me

Gm only puts a 100. 00 core

Bosch gives a 12month unlimited mile warranty

GM gives a 12/12 warrantyThanks for the reply Eric, I was wondering why it differs form place to place. My bill for injector replacement was just under 3k and that included adjusting the valves. My truck is alot quieter now and no more smoke. Funny thing too is whenthe first set was replaced the inlet was clogged with nasty junk, since running the Nicktane the inlet was almost perfectly clean. Wonder if it worth the effort to go with the 1 micron filter setup...

Forgot to add to the above earlier, where can I get a rebiuld manual for the motor and transmission? I had one for my '98 6.5, I would think someone has to have one by now for a truck 9yrs old. And just wanted to check to see if there was a way to check the balance rates myself using a computer or programmer, as one would with a newer model? (I am not educated with programmers at all to know if I could use them for diagnostics with an 01)
Thanks again.
I have never had a cup pull out. I use # 8 glass bead blasting material to clean up the lines if they have rust on them. Works great unless they are severely pitted then I replace them. I would also adjust valve lash while i was in there. I have used a loctite silicone and it worked fine although the gm sealant is a great product.

What do you mean the inlet was plugged?

I have never had a cup pull out. I use # 8 glass bead blasting material to clean up the lines if they have rust on them. Works great unless they are severely pitted then I replace them. I would also adjust valve lash while i was in there. I have used a loctite silicone and it worked fine although the gm sealant is a great product.

Ok, so from what I take it as, the rust on the fuel lines others have talked about is exterior surface rust? Great, no problem there then. I was thinking it would have been possibly at the flare fitting or in the line internally for some reason (shouldn't be any in there, but have seen oil pans rust out from the inside before).

Good point about the valve lash while you're in there. That's why I had added where I could get a service manual for these earlier, still no luck. I found this attachment on here about the tollerances, see the attachment. I'm sure it's due for that too with 190k.

Keep the suggestions/ comments coming, they are greatly appreciated.

gmpd has a hidden surcharge in shipping and handling....compare the price to Erics in the end...it'll be close

8 injectors from gmpd....shipping/handling and core charge...$2,689.16

Ok, so from what I take it as, the rust on the fuel lines others have talked about is exterior surface rust? Great, no problem there then. I was thinking it would have been possibly at the flare fitting or in the line internally for some reason (shouldn't be any in there, but have seen oil pans rust out from the inside before).

Good point about the valve lash while you're in there. That's why I had added where I could get a service manual for these earlier, still no luck. I found this attachment on here about the tollerances, see the attachment. I'm sure it's due for that too with 190k.

Keep the suggestions/ comments coming, they are greatly appreciated.
The rust is on the flare end of the line but the glass beads clean it up nicely. http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4686&highlight=injector+lines here ya go;)

I believe helms make a manual for these motors

Thanks for the input and links so far guys. Looks like there's no cheaper way out of this one so far (my wife's gonna be pissed), unless I hear from someone that Pensacola's injectors aren't crap with proof behind it (hence the 1500 w/ 600 core I listed before (she's still gonna be pissed no matter), but also said tried/trusted). Unfortunatelly, it's tough to find out who's scamming and who's not these days. Price doesn't always reflect quality. Take myself for example, now I'm bidding on work lower than I ever have, just to keep food on the family's table, but that doesn't mean I do less quality work, just hope I can get a chance to do fair rate work later.

I did check out gmpd a couple days ago, thanks to this site to help me hear about them.

I was on the Helms site today and had a live chat with them to see if their manual covers the diesels or if it is like my Haynes which only covers gassers. They couldn't tell me anymore than what the description was. Does anyone know if their manual for the sierra or the 3500 cover the diesel and tranny?

Again, thanks for the very helpfull 'how-to' links and info so far, keep em comming.

Finally made the plunge today and purchased the parts from PartsZoneOnline. From all the research and discussion, I didn't think I was getting too violated for $1740 after core return for all 8 with gaskets and sealant, from a GM dealer. Picked up some glass beads for my spot blaster yesterday, just in case I've got rust on the lines. My local dealer didn't want to budge on the injector price, so they can keep their $290 injectors.

Thanks guys for the help and tips!!:)

Finally made the plunge today and purchased the parts from PartsZoneOnline. From all the research and discussion, I didn't think I was getting too violated for $1740 after core return for all 8 with gaskets and sealant, from a GM dealer. Picked up some glass beads for my spot blaster yesterday, just in case I've got rust on the lines. My local dealer didn't want to budge on the injector price, so they can keep their $290 injectors.

Thanks guys for the help and tips!!:)you should have went to the General Manager, Thats who I went to for the price break. He was happy to do it if they got to do the work.

sfcjones,
They would have gone down to 200 each if I were to have them do the work, but I plan on doing it myself to save the 1000 + beans in labor. I told them that I was going to buy them regardless who they were from, but only had "x" amount to spend. I knew roughtly what the dealer cost was, so they would making some money when I told them I'd be willing to pay 225 cash and carry (plus sales tax, just to keep buisness local), but I guess they would have rather gotten no sales instead of only making $320 on a single sale. I guess one of the problems of doing buisness over the phone is they can't see you in person, but at almost an hour away, (they're the closest dealer that's still in buisness around here) I wasn't going to burn a twenty spot on fuel to shop for prices. Oh well, you can lead them to the watering hole, but you can't make them drink.

Keep us updated on the install. I am at about 166k and still on the original injectors. I feel that my time is limited but no smoke, just a little diesel in the oil. I too am a DIY type and very cost conscious right now so keep up the posting.

sfcjones,
They would have gone down to 200 each if I were to have them do the work, but I plan on doing it myself to save the 1000 + beans in labor. I told them that I was going to buy them regardless who they were from, but only had "x" amount to spend. I knew roughtly what the dealer cost was, so they would making some money when I told them I'd be willing to pay 225 cash and carry (plus sales tax, just to keep buisness local), but I guess they would have rather gotten no sales instead of only making $320 on a single sale. I guess one of the problems of doing buisness over the phone is they can't see you in person, but at almost an hour away, (they're the closest dealer that's still in buisness around here) I wasn't going to burn a twenty spot on fuel to shop for prices. Oh well, you can lead them to the watering hole, but you can't make them drink.I hear ya...my total cost with parts and labor was 2700 bucks

Keep us updated on the install. I am at about 166k and still on the original injectors. I feel that my time is limited but no smoke, just a little diesel in the oil. I too am a DIY type and very cost conscious right now so keep up the posting.


As an update, I finally got the injectors in last weekend. As I have read before, Holy Cow, what a difference. She now runs "like a rape date", no smoking at idle, and suprisingly, no more idle surge or fluctuation, runs smooth as a kitten, and a hell of a lot quieter. However, a little disapointed that the fuel mileage didn't improve much, but maybe that's because I got my foot to the floor more often. After doing it myself, I now know why it is so much to have someone else do it, and also know why so many have had problems afterwards.

Everything went well, took way longer than I expected, but after taking notes, pics, and labeling everything while taking it apart, I've got no major problems, no fuel in the oil after almost 1000 miles. Only problems so far, it throws a P0089 code, but wiggled some connections and put some 2 stroke in the last tank and it hasn't come on since, and I snapped off 2 glow plugs and still can't get em out. I ended up puting about $2400 total in her, but that was for all new/reman GM injectors, glow plugs and their connecting bars, replaced all fuel lines and brake lines with aftermarket stuff, and filters.

Thanks guys for the input and help :)

Oh yea, I did have rusty high pressure fuel line ends at the fuel rail end and at the injector end. I ended up using Naval Jelly and a tooth brush to clean them up instead of bead blasting. They cleaned up real nice and so far haven't leaked.

Thanks again.