Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and a fairly new Duramax owner (May 2015). I purchased the truck with 236k miles and it currently has 251k. The truck is running EFI with 5 position switch and has a 5in straight pipe all the way to the turbo.
Here is my issue, about 6k miles ago I blew my head gasket and got in to some serious issues with the repair. One of the heads ended up having some pin holes in it and had to be replaced. Long story short after an expensive repair job that totaled around $5,000 I got the truck back. The mechanic did replace the head studs with ARB studs to prevent another blowout. However he did not change the injector lines. The injectors were changed under warranty at 200k, but I have no clue if the lines were replaced.
I planned on waiting to replace them for a bit longer, but after a long trip (800 miles) I pulled off to refuel and noticed a large cloud of white smoke while idling at the red light. My oil pressure had decreased to around 40psi. I had been running the truck with my Econ tune, plus 50hp I believe, most of the trip. Once I noticed the smoke I turned it back to stock to try and reduce the stress on the injectors. After driving it on stock for a few more days I've noticed that after an interstate run the smoke level is greatly reduced however it is still puffing a little once the engine is good and warm. I have made some oil, but not an excessive amount. I am really hoping to avoid a full injector replacement job immediately, but I have learned enough to know that it is inevitable. I am decently mechanically inclined and have a pretty good amount of tools at my disposal.
One option I've looked in to is replacing the lines and using the GM upper engine injector cleaner to help prolong their lifespan for a bit. I've read some things here at Duramax forum and elsewhere that says you can drive the truck for up to 20,000 miles after initial failure signs as long as the oil is regularly changed. Can any of you experience folks answer this question as well verifying the worth of doing the injector cleaning? My last question is when the time comes to replace the injectors should I upgrade to higher hp rated injectors or go back with factory.
Thanks,
Brandon.
Here is my issue, about 6k miles ago I blew my head gasket and got in to some serious issues with the repair. One of the heads ended up having some pin holes in it and had to be replaced. Long story short after an expensive repair job that totaled around $5,000 I got the truck back. The mechanic did replace the head studs with ARB studs to prevent another blowout. However he did not change the injector lines. The injectors were changed under warranty at 200k, but I have no clue if the lines were replaced.
I planned on waiting to replace them for a bit longer, but after a long trip (800 miles) I pulled off to refuel and noticed a large cloud of white smoke while idling at the red light. My oil pressure had decreased to around 40psi. I had been running the truck with my Econ tune, plus 50hp I believe, most of the trip. Once I noticed the smoke I turned it back to stock to try and reduce the stress on the injectors. After driving it on stock for a few more days I've noticed that after an interstate run the smoke level is greatly reduced however it is still puffing a little once the engine is good and warm. I have made some oil, but not an excessive amount. I am really hoping to avoid a full injector replacement job immediately, but I have learned enough to know that it is inevitable. I am decently mechanically inclined and have a pretty good amount of tools at my disposal.
One option I've looked in to is replacing the lines and using the GM upper engine injector cleaner to help prolong their lifespan for a bit. I've read some things here at Duramax forum and elsewhere that says you can drive the truck for up to 20,000 miles after initial failure signs as long as the oil is regularly changed. Can any of you experience folks answer this question as well verifying the worth of doing the injector cleaning? My last question is when the time comes to replace the injectors should I upgrade to higher hp rated injectors or go back with factory.
Thanks,
Brandon.
