Dmax issues. Glow Plugs....

[Diamondpilot]

Well I have been summonsed again. My neighbor has a 2007 Classic 3500 Dmax that has been nothing but trouble. Now its the glow plugs. Has anyone changed them or is just better to let the dealer to do it.

Truck is a 2007 LBZ Dmax Classic Body Style. 3500 SRW 4x4 Crew Cab, Long Bed, 3.73 gears. Factory other than aftermarket running boards, bed liner, and a B&W GN Hitch. 77,000 miles.

Truck has been maintained by me since day one. 7,500 mile synthetic oil changes. 15,000 miles tranny and fuel filter changes. All fluids (rear axle, front axle, transfer case, tranny, coolant) changed at 60,000 miles.

To date here is the problem list:

Bed repainted
Limp mode twice. Replaced a few sensors and not done it since
Front bearing replaced
U-Joint replaced
Rear axle seal replaced
Allison tranny leaked twice. Front seal and rear seals bad
2 sets of tranny cooler lines. Still leaking to this date. Dealer cant fix
Passengers power seat issue
Dash lights partially out along with steering wheel lights
Transfer Case replaced after failing
Carrier Bearing replaced
Numerous tail light bulbs replaced???? Electrical gremlins
Broken hood hinge
Few interior panels replaced
Tailgate handle replaced

I am sure there is more but this is what I can remember. He works for a living and its not very reliable.

Chris

 

[treman]

I had a glow plug come up in a check engine light scan a few months ago on my 2007 2500 lbz and had the dealer replace it(under warranty). I bought used from my BIL. He towed on a very regular basis and never really had any problems and neither have I(with proper service of course which seems that you have done). I have had issues with the tailgate handle however which doesn't bother me too much as a little marvel oil and PB blaster fixed it right up. From what I read its not too difficult on the lbz to change out the plugs but i haven't done it so I cannot speak from experience. good luck.

 

[timswi]

Well I have been summonsed again. My neighbor has a 2007 Classic 3500 Dmax that has been nothing but trouble. Now its the glow plugs. Has anyone changed them or is just better to let the dealer to do it.

Truck is a 2007 LBZ Dmax Classic Body Style. 3500 SRW 4x4 Crew Cab, Long Bed, 3.73 gears. Factory other than aftermarket running boards, bed liner, and a B&W GN Hitch. 77,000 miles.

Truck has been maintained by me since day one. 7,500 mile synthetic oil changes. 15,000 miles tranny and fuel filter changes. All fluids (rear axle, front axle, transfer case, tranny, coolant) changed at 60,000 miles.

To date here is the problem list:

Bed repainted
Limp mode twice. Replaced a few sensors and not done it since
Front bearing replaced
U-Joint replaced
Rear axle seal replaced
Allison tranny leaked twice. Front seal and rear seals bad
2 sets of tranny cooler lines. Still leaking to this date. Dealer cant fix
Passengers power seat issue
Dash lights partially out along with steering wheel lights
Transfer Case replaced after failing
Carrier Bearing replaced
Numerous tail light bulbs replaced???? Electrical gremlins
Broken hood hinge
Few interior panels replaced
Tailgate handle replaced

I am sure there is more but this is what I can remember. He works for a living and its not very reliable.

Chris

Geez, seems that Fords never even need their wiper blades replaced in Indiana but ALL of the GM's just fall apart...This is just incredible if you ask me...

My BIL just got a notice on his F150 (in addition to the gas tank falling out recall) ..Seems that Ford didn't bother to put the HD rad and tranny cooler in some of the tow package F150's...Minor oversight I guess.

Anyway..I've replace glow plugs on GM's, Dodges and unbelievably, FORDS...It's not that hard.

Just returning the favor...All in good fun.

 

[jeffster]

Yeah, sounds like your neighbor got a lemon. My 2006 Dmax has pretty much gone 87k without really needing much (though I did have leaky tranny lines). Changing the glow plugs is really easy, though on the even numbered cylinders it can be more difficult because of the steering components.

I just replaced glow plug #3 in my truck and didn't take any time at all. Here is a reference video:

How To Replace Glow Plugs - YouTube

 

[Diamondpilot]

The dealer wants to replace all them. I can not see why you could not replace just one but they say they all need to be replaced. Does anyone know why or why not you would not want to replace them all?

Tim, I dont doubt you have had good luck with your GM stuff. Not me. Thats fine, thats why they make other brands. I have never turned a wrench on the dozen Fords I have had and not turned a wrench on the Nissan I have.

I have had bad luck with the 2 GM trucks I have had. I would not have bought them if I thought they were junk. Its too much money for a new truck to take that risk. Same thing with the Dodge truck I had. I did have good luck for the most part out of the two GM cars I have owned except for high oil consumption on one. Believe what you want but its just the way it works out for me.

By the way, got a call from my co-pilot today. He was stuck at the Indianapolis Airport last night with his Wifes 08 or 09 CTS that would not start. Had to get a hotel room and it towed to a Caddy dealer in Indy. I bet that car will not be in his garage in a week. Its done this to him twice now. He does not put up with unreliable stuff. He just dumped a 2 year old VW after major electrical issues with it and picked up a Cobalt for his daughter. I see a new Lincoln in his wifes future.

Anyway, back to the glow plugs. Are they hard to change? Is there a fear of breaking them off or them being stuck due to Carbon? Is it ok to change just one or two or do you need to do as the dealer stated and change them all at the same time?

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yeah, sounds like your neighbor got a lemon. My 2006 Dmax has pretty much gone 87k without really needing much (though I did have leaky tranny lines). Changing the glow plugs is really easy, though on the even numbered cylinders it can be more difficult because of the steering components.

I just replaced glow plug #3 in my truck and didn't take any time at all. Here is a reference video:

How To Replace Glow Plugs - YouTube

Thanks. Does your truck have the LBZ motor like his or is it a early 06 with a LLY?

Chris

 

[jeffster]

Chris, mine is an LBZ (build date march 2006, so I have the newer head gaskets as well). I work from home, so ran out at lunch and changed #3 in no time. Had I been smart I would have changed the fuel filter while I was at it as you have complete access with the fender liner off, but I realized I apparently used my last one on my last change.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Why they are still selling this diesel is beyond me. I had a 2004 and a 2005 - 3500 Durajunk with nothing but problems.

When I and thousand of others complained about overheating issues GM stated overheating was NORMAL.

With as many problems as you have I would Lemon Law that turkey.

 

[scrappy isb67]

Anyway..I've replace glow plugs on GM's, Dodges and unbelievably, FORDS...It's not that hard.

The Dodge Cummins HD trucks have NEVER had glowplugs. they use an intake mounted grid heater.

 

[lostcause]

no clue if the glow plug setup is the same as my 2001 duramax, but here is the scenario i had:

the way it was described to me was that each bank has a sort of strap that connects the glow plugs, and then there is a flexible strap / wire that connects the two banks. the power goes to the first glow plug then works its way around to the last one. on mine i only had one glow plug getting power because the strap / connector was corroded away between the first and second plug. i'm not sure how the diagnosis was performed, but i'd make sure that it's not the connections instead of the glow plugs.

as far as glow plug replacement, i was told that they can swell up and not come out easily, or even break off. not really likely but it could happen.

again, this is all how i remember it being told to me. i had the glow plug issue addressed at the same time i had the injectors done, and even if i had experience in either repair i was working a bad schedule then, so it was easier to have everything done by someone else. a lot of it went in one ear and out the other - i just wanted it done.

 

[jeffsw6]

The dealer wants to replace all them. I can not see why you could not replace just one but they say they all need to be replaced. Does anyone know why or why not you would not want to replace them all?

He probably knows more about glow plug maintenance than he wishes he did, because for model year 06 they recalled some engines to change the software controlling the start-up procedure and replaced all glow plugs. They were failing prematurely and in some cases, the electrode would disintegrate inside the cylinder and damage it. So by now, the dealer is used to just replacing all of the glow plugs anytime a truck comes in, to prevent the possibility of the engine eating the plug tip and wrecking itself.

The same problem should not apply to an 07 but if the dealer wants to be extra cautious, given the maintenance history of that particular truck ... maybe not a waste of money to change all 8.

Cat_Driver our lemon law in Indiana is limited. My understanding is after 18k or 18mo from when you purchase it (new or used) you are screwed. It's really aimed at crooked used car lots.

 

[Bigkrank]

Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

 

[ditzel]

Diamond, be a good neighbor and talk the guy into buying himself a ford. In the meantime, have them replace all the glowplugs while they r still under warranty. I replaced my 06 dmax (after way too many trips to the dealer) with a ford
and i love it.

 

[jeffster]

Well, I won't sit here and bash brands but the 2nd half 06 through the 2007 OBS DMax's are typically fairly trouble free. Now that said, I recently started getting a P003A every once in a while so am guessing I have build up on the turbo vanes and will likely need a turbo soon (again at only 87k). However, if you think these problems are just GM related, you guys are kidding yourselves. Nobody builds a perfect diesel truck anymore, and that is just a sad reflection of the state we are in. My coworker tows a heavy horse trailer and he has went through 2 newer Fords with nothing but problems, so he just switched to Dodge (with the added benefit of no urea), but one of his close horse buddy's has the same Dodge truck and has already eaten a turbo with almost no mileage on it (and unmodified I might add). I have a relative with a 99 Ford 7.3 and I told him never to sell that thing. It is ridiculously loud but reliable as ****. I am really hoping to get 300k+ out of my Dmax, and I am sure I will, but not without forking over some $$ that should be unnecessary had it been designed with longevity in mind. Oh and for reference, I am 100% stock.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

The dealer wants to replace all them. I can not see why you could not replace just one but they say they all need to be replaced. Does anyone know why or why not you would not want to replace them all?

DP, this is only a guess, but it might be because the ECM monitors each individual glow plug's resistance, like it does in my VW Passat TDI. If one glow plug is replaced it may cause the ECM to throw a CEL since that one new glow plug may read a resistance that is not within the same range as the other 7.

 

[hawkeye08]

DP, be a good neighbor and get them traded into a Ford 6.0 or 6.4 Powerstroke as soon as possible.

 

[scrappy isb67]

DP, be a good neighbor and get them traded into a Ford 6.0 or 6.4 Powerstroke as soon as possible.

that is absolutely the last thing he wants to do as a "good" neighbor!

 

[hawkeye08]

that is absolutely the last thing he wants to do as a "good" neighbor!

DP bleeds Ford blue so he will do better work on them.

 

[YesDeere]

Why they are still selling this diesel is beyond me. I had a 2004 and a 2005 - 3500 Durajunk with nothing but problems.

When I and thousand of others complained about overheating issues GM stated overheating was NORMAL.

With as many problems as you have I would Lemon Law that turkey.

We tried to lemon law a friends 05 3500. 1 ton is considered commercial and that does not fall under the lemon law. They did settle after a lawyer was involved.

 

[scrappy isb67]

DP bleeds Ford blue so he will do better work on them.

I bleed blue too! but it happens to be Cummins blue!