My cost to replace my 6.6

[spongebob]

well, I guess I didn't update this thread, the water leak was from the heater hose..I replaced the leaky one.. F7nsnp12 mines an early truck too.

[More Power]

Thanks for keeping us in the loop on your journey. BTW - I visited Klamath Falls in 2007... its not that far...

If I were a younger guy I'd go into business replacing Duramax head gaskets, injectors, pumps, and complete engines. The fear from the "look of complication/difficulty" goes away after having done a couple of them. The costs charged by dealers/shops today are so utterly outrageous. My two Duramax engines continue to run/perform very well - coming up on 4 years since replacing the head gaskets, injectors and other stuff in 2021 - but then I've been doing this sort of thing (GM engine work/replacement) off and on since I was 14.

Jim

[spongebob]

Im starting to worry about my injectors now, 428,000 miles on them.. My best friend lives in eureka I came here from Bishop, Calif in 2017

[More Power]

My engine has 425,000 miles, why spend 8-10k for head gaskets then the fuel pump dies, the oil pump dies, oil pressure drops…

Just my humble opinion... These trucks eventually reach a point in their life cycle where they become own-able only by those who are their own mechanic. Your truck sounds like one that a owner-mechanic would love.

In 2021 I replaced the head gaskets in my 2001 GMC crew cab for $3500 or so. This gave me a new set of injectors, head gaskets, water pump and ancillary consumables, plus the special tools to do a good job. Lil Red, on the other hand cost only ~$300 to replace the head gaskets and a few consumables. Lil Red runs perfectly today.

My GMC, as of June 2025 may need another set of injectors (and maybe more... won't know for sure till I get into it). The GMC has just 20K miles on it since the work/expense of 2021. Have to say I'm disappointed...




The above is a brochure from the shop here in Montana (near Bozeman) that did the head decking for my GMC head gasket project in 2021. It's basically a well equipped 2 man shop that specializes in Cummins, Powerstroke and Duramax engine machine work. Another shop, that I used for Sarah's 6.5L diesel is also very good - a one man shop that did a marvelous job on the 6.5 machining work. Personally, I'd trust him to do any engine machining I needed, including for a Duramax. But, I'd do the engine re-assembly...

[DieselDavy]

Jim,
Keep us updated on your GM journey.
d