Hello im am new to this forum just had a question or two..i have a 2003 duramax crew cab 4x4, bought it about a year ago with 127000 miles. The previous owner said the origional injectors were replaced at 80000. the truck now has 143000 miles and was smoking bad at idle until i replaced all 8 injectors yesterday.. my question is what can i do to get the most life out of this set of injectors i just cant see spending 2500$ every 50 to 60 thousand miles...

 

Where do you live? In my experience northern winters will wreck these trucks much faster than the warm southern climate. The first set of injectors on my previous truck lasted 100,000 miles. The second set only made it to 143,000 miles before they all started to underperform.

If you're in a cold climate like my truck was, I'd recommend using a winterfront, 2 stroke oil or a lubricity additive to restore the lubricity back in the fuel, and a good winter additive like Howe's Winter additive. Above and beyond that, if you're running a programmer, revert it back to stock power levels to keep the fuel demand lower so that the gelled up diesel isn't being run at full pressure. Finally, the last thing you can do that will really help is to get an aftermarket lift pump such as an Airdog or FASS system. Having an additional pump and set of filters will ensure that your primary fuel filter will not get plugged up (which can also lead to performance problems) and help keep demanded fuel pressure on par with what's actually available. In the long run, all of these things should help to keep the truck running longer. Ultimately, the injector design and fuel standards these days don't lend themselves to long life. I know a lot of 1st gen duramax owners that never bought another one for this reason. Like you, I also cannot justify owning a truck where a $5000 job is "routine maintenance". That's bs, poorly engineered, plain and simple. If all else fails... There's always a cummins somewhere for sale that's in your budget.

 

Thanks for your reply..i live in new mexico so we do get cold winters not as cold as you guys..i totaly agree i think it comes down to filteration the old injectors i pulled out were packed with sand im not sure how the truck was running as well at it was. i was still getting 21 mpg on the highway the truck wasnt making oil just smoked bad at idle to the point where i didnt want to drive it any more...i think my next investment will be in an airdog...i did switch my fuel filter to a wix brand not sure if there any better or just cost more?. if that doesnt work i may just have to scrap the lb7 and roll the dice on a Lmm..

 

I just became a Fass dealer for this reason. It helps on quicker starts also. I have also been told be religious about draining the water from the filter, as it will get past some filters and sit and cause rust in the fuel lines. Never run it out of fuel either. use an additive.

 

is not draining the water from the fuel filter all the time the reason for all the corosion in the fuel lines? Having my injectors changed right now and the shop said they where really coroded. I change the fuel filter every 20k or so with wix filter. Should i do it more often?

 

I change mine every 5k with a factory filter(they flow better than some of the auto parts store ones) 20k is way to long. I change the oil, small round trans filter, and fuel filter every 5k. Sometime more on the oil if I work it hard.

 

i have to change my fuel filter about every other oil change 8000 miles or i notice a lack of power and my gears will start sticking on heaver exceleration. it will also start smoking black smoke more then usual.

 

thanks will change it more often then. Always thought you could go longer but my trucks in the shop getting new injectors right now so probably should have done it more.

 

Did you put in reman or brand new injectors. I've found that the remans are hit or miss. I've seen them last 100k and I've seen them fail in 20k. For the hassel send the little more. Put in new ones. Add a fass or airdog with filter for better filtration and more fuel flow. We've got a set with over 230k on them and still balance out nice.

 

apparently they dont have brand new injectors i got mine from the chevy dealership they are remans from bosch they were remanufactured by bosch and thats what gm puts in ther trucks they told me only new engines have new injectors go figure...