Duramax repair estimate- in the ballpark ?

[rfuerst911sc]

Hey guys my 2001 Duramax diesel is starting to have a slight lumpy idle . She has 190,000 miles and runs fine otherwise . I stopped by a local independent Duramax shop today and they checked injector balances .

Two of the four injectors on the passenger side are out of spec . One is way out . He also said fuel pressure regulator is right on the ragged edge so needs replacement . So we had a discussion on what makes sense to do .

The shop owner recommended to replace the CP3 pump/pressure regulator along with four injectors on the passenger side . The injectors on the drivers side were well within spec . I have purchased an aftermarket lift pump with an additional fuel filter that he said he would install for me . Estimate was $3500.00 total .

He said they would have the truck for 3 days . All parts will be OEM Bosch . I personally think the quote is reasonable but wanted to hear what you guys think . I can't afford to replace the truck and I am fond of the old gal .

[john70t]

For all I know (for the round file):

1). Check battery at rest first.
After applied oad like defrosters and fan, with key off (KOEO) to establish a chemical low point under load.
Should maintain 12.2V minimum if it's been run recently.
Recheck while at mid idle. Alternator should supply 14V+.
No electronics work without electricity...

2). Buy a six pack of fuel filters and use them proven cleaner additives.
Change filters each week even after everything is back to normal.
Drive 'er a bit harder and open up them injection valves full.
No injector motor solenoids works when gummed up with twenty years of sludge...

3). Use a throttle-body safe spray that's ok for electronics.

4). When those are both good, finally look into injector cleaning and/or fuel pump replacement.
Everything else is clean and has been ruled out.


(grain of salt: I don't know diesels)

[asphaltgambler]

I know diesels fairly well, but not Duramax specifically. The current technology of common rail HUEI / injectors is really good, until they aren't. If the OP went almost 200k without opening up the engine, especially Duramax that's a pretty good run. As far as pricing, you may want to check around but sounds reasonable as most shops are @$125 / hr and up for labor, then add good OEM parts, not too much of a stretch to get to that number.

[crb07]

I have a 2009 Duramax in a 2007 Suburban.
Engine has Airdog lift pump and filter, no EGR, deleted factory fuel pump, after market air intake, chipped. Every time I change the transmission fluid I dump about half of the old fluid in the fuel tank, (about half a tank of fuel when I add the tran fluid). My mechanic swears it is the best way to keep injectors clean.

[asphaltgambler]

^^ you're close. Auto transmission fluid is very high in detergents, and yes adding that to your fuel system helps cleaning the injectors of stiction. But old fluid has lost / used up that detergent not to mention clutch friction particles that should be discarded. So good practice but use new fluid, and when the manufacturer allows fuel filter fill w/ diesel to cut down on aeration on start, fill it with clean ATF instead.

[rfuerst911sc]

Good tip on adding clean new transmission fluid to the fuel tank . I am going g to try a few tanks of that to see if any changes . If not I will bite the bullet and have the repairs done .

I have a lift pump from Kennedy Engineering along with their install harness and filter bracket . I purchased a NAPA fuel filter mount along with a water separator filter . So plan is to get that installed and run two filters .

I purchased the truck years ago with 100k miles on it . I have had a mechanic say he sees signs of the injectors being replaced . So if he's correct these injectors have 90k + on them .

[Steve Carlton]

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I drive on the roads that was filmed on literally every day. The location where the truck tries pushing the car into the train is a mile from my house.

[Steve Carlton]

I wonder if anyone would get the joke if you drove a red Plymouth Valiant around there regularly.

[rfuerst911sc]

I put a quart of new transmission fluid into the fuel tank . It holds 32 gallons and is about 3/4 full . Will burn that tank and do it again . Hopefully good things will happen 😁

[stevej37]

If the truck is in good condition otherwise...esp the body, I would say that price is worth it if you don't get it fixed on your own.

[TimT]

This stuff is popular in the Ford Powerstroke community.. The 6.0 was condemned as a POS engine... apparently I'm one of the lucky ones, with the exception of routine maintenance mine is reliable

Anyway...

Hot Shots Secret

I guess forgive the sensationalized "bro" name... I had some conversations with Lubemaster about this product, and he held the product and Mfg. in high regard..

I use it because they often offer it as a package with some of there other products at a heavy discount.

Obviously it won't cure injectors that are mechanically failing....

[flskala]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I wonder if anyone would get the joke if you drove a red Plymouth Valiant around there regularly.

And if your initials coincidentally happened to be D.W.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by stevej37

If the truck is in good condition otherwise...esp the body, I would say that price is worth it if you don't get it fixed on your own.

The body is in good shape the bed is damaged . But I have a steel flatbed to install . The truck overall is in good shape . So it's worth putting $$ into it but I will try some home remedies first .

[rfuerst911sc]

TimT thanks for the suggestion . The mechanic said the two injectors that are out of spec are returning too much fuel back to the tank . I don't know if that means a hard failure vs gummed up . So for now I will go down the path of gummed up .

[look 171]

I use Hot Shot, recommended by my wrench, once a year and try to use bio-diesel to keep everything clean. I read Bio diesel keeps injectors very clean. My injectors are perfect but then, it was replaced 40,000 miles ago.