2004 Duramax Diesel

PMJeff · 09-02-2008, 09:37 PM

Looking at buying a 2004 Duramax Diesel . I heard that 04 was the year Chevy had alot of problems with the engine. Can anyone confirm?

jaydawg · 09-02-2008, 09:45 PM

Only with the injectors.....make sur to get repair history. How many miles does it have???

PMJeff · 09-02-2008, 11:52 PM

68 thousand miles no majpr repairs since purchase. He did say the ERG valve was just replaced. At what point in the mileage were the 2004's having issues?

**Tow Master** · 09-03-2008, 12:11 AM

IMO there really is no "set" mileage for the injectors to go bad.I have heard of them going at 20,000 miles. Id say it depends on how you treat them to! Replace the fuel filter at the correct times usually 10,000 miles and it will last alot longer.

Jonw · 09-03-2008, 04:09 AM

I have an 04 since new. Within the 1st year it developed a miss. Dealer replaced the injector module. It ran great for another year when the miss reappeared. This time it was a wire to the #2 injector rubbed thru and shorting out. I suspect that was the main problem all along and not the module at all. I did not consider this a problem at all since it was covered by warranty and the dealer was able to fix without much hassle.
My Duramax has ran totally problem free since the shorted wire.

DuramaxOnTheBrain · 09-03-2008, 04:37 AM

I just recently bought an 04.5 LLY and it has been great so far. 77000 miles. How much is your04 costing if you don't mind? Is your 04 an LB7 or LLY?

**ob_1jr** · 09-03-2008, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonw

I have an 04 since new. Within the 1st year it developed a miss. Dealer replaced the injector module. It ran great for another year when the miss reappeared. This time it was a wire to the #2 injector rubbed thru and shorting out. I suspect that was the main problem all along and not the module at all. I did not consider this a problem at all since it was covered by warranty and the dealer was able to fix without much hassle.
My Duramax has ran totally problem free since the shorted wire.

Is your truck an LLY or LB7...I think only LLY has had the injector harness issue since the LB7 injectors are different. As far as the 04 LB7 engine, it is probably the best one out of all of them. I have had mine for 4 years and I have 53,000 miles or so on it and no major problems....just had to have the water pump replaced because it was leaking....this happened 2 times, but the second time was because of a faulty pump since it only lasted about 4500 miles. Now, in 04 there was 2 engines...the LLY toward the end and LB7 at the beginning. Biggest difference was the injector design, turbo, and emissions crap. The LLY has a cat on it from the factory...the LB7 does not for federal emissions trucks. The LB7 engine is known for having the best mileage out of all the duramax's. If I were to buy another truck I would look for an 04 LB7 just like i have now.

deereboy80 · 09-03-2008, 07:11 AM

x2 on getting an 04 LB7. There are some desireable things about some of the newer engines, but also some undesirable ones as well. For example, I was just informed by a PA DOT inspection officer that if a truck had a cat on from factory, it MUST stay ON the truck. That would suck with the LLY. We can get in trouble for passing one that had its cat removed.

04LB7DmaX · 09-03-2008, 08:06 AM

Ive had my LB7 since 06 and havent had a problem on it, besides a wheel bearing going out at 70k, but thats only how long they last anyways. Wouldnt trade it for nothin!

xooma · 09-03-2008, 08:22 AM

I have had my LB7 since new and no problems at all 96000KM still going strong. The only complaint I have is with the steering. Had the steering damper repaired 3 times seemed to go every 20000km. GM has a solution for it but they are relutant to replace it.