Common Problems With LBZ Duramax

[GMCJay_lly]

1st common problem with LBZ is-
The owners think they are gold and want WAY too much for them.

[hmg]

Just picked up a LBZ 3500 with 170k miles for $13, 500, previous owners were elderly and owned horses. Seems like a good buy

[darinbarfield]

I love my 2007 GMC Sierra Classic- Duramax. I got it used in 2009,
Only had about 32-3300 miles on it then, still basically a new truck.
I had it 100% stock until the last 6 months, before, never done anything except, tires, battery, oil & fuel.
Recently dealt with a low fuel pressure that had become increasingly problematic, and installed a 100g Fass Fuel system,
Have not put any tuner, though I may in the future just to see what else I can do to gain a little more power, no interest to push anywhere close to 700 hp, so pistons should not be an issue.
I have not done any EGR delete as of yet either.
I did recently note the appearance of small leak on trans lines,
While I was replacing front end alignment components,
So I will be addressing that next.
My truck was driven very little for a few years, from like 2014-2018, as I had other company vehicles,
And I still mostly drive it on weekends to pull horse trailers, etc... so I plan to take care of it so it’ll be around another 10-20 years.

[SupramanTRD]

Thanks for all the information. Here in Canada, most of these trucks were bought up by Americans and exported. It took me five years to find a reasonable truck. Just got a 2007 Silverado Classic (LBZ/Allison). It wasn't cheap as mentioned. But $24K with 60, 000 miles, I am happy.

[paulviso]

I’m getting a 06 LBZ that my dads had since I was born and the only thing that’s gone out is the turbo and we just replaced that. For a 16 year old truck that’s amazing! LLY, LB7, and LBZ are all great trucks!

[PheyuckYu]

07 lbz 3500 LT 392k and still runs great. Regular maintenance and the usual leaking coolant and tranny lines. I love my truck.

[williamstephens]

I own an 06 LBZ crew cab, long bed, 4WD lifted 6" on 37' tires that I have towed my 15, 500 GVW 5th wheel and have 265, XXX miles on it. Along with the two water pumps, Finally paid to use the Dmax wtr pump) power steering and trans cooler lines, two steering boxes (finally went with Red Hed Steering) I had to do the head gaskets. The passenger side rear cylinder seems to have an issue where the water jacket is too colse to the combustion chamber and it was failing. Other than those issues it is still a strong running engine and a lot of fun to drive.

[Geoff--]

If it’s a 4wd the transfer case pump rub fix may be worth mentioning.

[FlatPlaneCranky]

I love my 2007 GMC LBZ. 200k miles and still running like the day I bought it. 🤞🏻

[cameronstovel]

i just bought one 4 months ago and within a month i had to replace the trans cooler line and the water pump but other than that i tow 10k plus pounds and it feels like nothing. Worth the Money for sure

[sokodad]

Only problem I have with my 07 LBZ Duramax is I only have one. I’d love to have several. I love my truck.

[darrienhedges]

Couldn't agree more, I have an 06 lbz with 437xxx miles. Aside from routine maintenance, the only problem I've came across is the trans limp mode

[RIDEorDIE]

I have a 06 LBZ CCLB with almost half a million miles. Water pump and thermostats hyrdroboost is all that has failed on mine have had it since day 1. 0-288xxx all business hauling heavy equipment from state to state, 288-457 all personal miles camping etc. all in all I’m impressed. All fluids and filter changed on the regular to get this far along with ALL ac delco parts not the knock offs.

[wwaytobe]

Thanks for the info! I was going to buy a newer truck. But now i'm thinking about buying the "best" of the little older trucks. Just doing home work.

[markmanos]

Love my 06 LBZ! Bought in a short sale from someone in Temecula CA in 09 with 21k. I’ve replaced the trans cool lines, and entire front end because the previous owner had torsion bars maxed and caused damage (1st yr of ownership). Fixed that, added a lift (6), and fixed the rattling in the steering column from TB issue. Since then I’ve put 110k on it and it’s still a beast. Highly recommended.

[kevinkalivoda]

For those looking to buy a LBZ... 2006 LLY is the same engine as a LBZ. Only difference is tuning.
Common concerns I saw at the dealer... Turbo failure in the 140-160k miles range. High injector balance rates around the same mileage as turbo failures. Cleaning can help but it just prolongs the inevitable injector replacement. An of course, all Dmax engines could use a lift pump with better filtration to increase longevity. High oil temp is a concern here in AZ, but mainly because most people are towing over GVW of the truck while trying to do 80-85 mph up a hill. Not the truck's fault drivers need education on proper towing.

[benjaminberan]

About that Allison transmission: 1st thing you should do is install a transgo shift kit jr and deep/xtra capacity transmission pan. This will definitely help extend the life of the Allison transmission by making those shifts nice and firm, less susceptible to slipping and keep the transmission fluid cooler, longer. It's a really inexpensive insurance IMHO....and this goes for stock, tuned, built...doesn't matter, just do it.

[Letthisyearbebetter]

I put grade c head gaskets & a head stud kit on mine. I went ahead and ordered a welded ac delco water pump and put a rebuild kit on the oil cooler while I had it torn apart. 320k on the truck at the time and the cross hatch was still visible. Still running great!

[Reaper]

I got my 07 LBZ for $9k at 270k miles. Runs strong

[carguy]

I just traded my 2012 rt charger for an 07 LBZ duramax. Best decision I’ve made seeming how I live in Maine and our winters SUCK