Duramax Glow Plug Replacement Cost [All Years]

Chevy’s Duramax engine is one of the trademark creations of GM and is found in several Chevrolet vehicles. This family of diesel engines is known for their fuel economy and is typically found in a full-sized pickup truck.

One important part of the Duramax engine system is the glow plug, so if that breaks, you need to replace it quickly. 

On average, Duramax Glow Plug Replacement is $270. The typical glow plug costs about $15 per plug. Given that the typical Duramax diesel engine has 8 glow plugs, it will cost about $120 to buy a full set. Labor costs for replacement should run between $100 to $200, depending on the dealer location and your car’s age. 

What is a Glow Plug?

Glow plugs provide the necessary temperature for the fuel to ignite. Glow plugs are thin, long pieces of metal that have a heating element at the tip.

Glow plugs feed into the engine and provide the heat to sustain a combustion reaction. If the glow plug does not generate enough heat, then the engine won’t run as efficiently. 

Glow plugs are the major difference between traditional gasoline and diesel engines. Gas engines have spark plugs while diesel engines have glow plugs.

Trying to run your engine on broken glow plugs will cause problems down the road. So, if your glow plugs are broken, you should replace them as quickly as possible. 

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Duramax Glow Plug?

It costs about $100 to replace a full set of 8 glow plugs in a Duramax diesel engine. The cost of each individual plug is between $10 to $20.

So, assuming that you get expensive parts, you can expect to pay about $200 to replace a full set of glow plugs. 

When it comes to installation, the average labor costs are around $140. This figure does not include any taxes or fees that your dealer may charge. 

Below is a table with some prices from popular glow plug products online. Keep in mind these prices do not include shipping or handling. 

As you can see, the price for a full set of glow plugs ranges from $40 at the low end to over $100 at the higher end. The best kinds of glow plugs use a high-quality ceramic tip that can handle heating and reheating. 

Labor Costs

Most of the time, labor for installing glow plugs is not that expensive. Based on our research, the average price for labor is between $100 to $200.

The cost of labor can depend on your geographic region and the age of your car. 

All other things being equal, it will cost more to replace the glow plugs on a new car rather than on an old car.

Your mechanic may recommend you change either part when switching out glow plugs. 

Getting a pro to install your glow plugs is often a good idea as you can try to get a mechanic’s warranty. Glow plug repairs may also be covered on your car’s warranty policy. 

Glow Plug Replacement Costs Example

Let’s take a look at a specific example of a car to look at prices. The GMC Sierra 2500 is one of the models that feature Duramax’s diesel engine.

The average cost of replacing glow plugs in a GMC Sierra 2500 is approximately $310. The parts will cost you around $120 while the labor will cost between $150 to $250. 

How Do I Know I Need to Replace a Glow Plug?

Here are some common signs of a broken glow plug. 

Hard Starting

Hard starting is the most common sign of a broken glow plug. Since the engine cannot get hot enough, the engine cannot start.

If your battery and fuel lines are intact, then the problem is most likely your glow plugs. 

Loud Idling

As temperatures drool, the engine has to work harder to cycle gas. The result is a loud rumbling while the engine is idling.

This may be accompanied by white smoke from the exhaust. Engine misfiring is also a symptom of a broken glow plug. 

Lowered Fuel Efficiency

Another common sign of a broken glow plug is lowered fuel economy. Diesel engines need to be in a precise temperature range to work optimally.

If they are too hot or too cold, the combustion reaction will not be complete. 

Decreased Performance

If your engine feels sluggish or slow on the uptake, that could be from a broken glow plug. Broken glow plugs lead to lower horsepower and less efficient fuel consumption. 

How to Choose the Right Glow Plugs

Cost

A good price to look for is about $15 per plug. Higher-end models may cost up to $30 a plug.

In general, a $15 glow plug will last for 100,000 miles. You can often save money by buying packs of glow plugs together. 

Materials

The best glow plugs are made from platinum and ceramic. Platinum and ceramic filaments both resist corrosion and have very high specific heat indexes.  

Dealer Warranty

Try to see if your vendor offers any kind of warranty on glow plugs. That way you are covered if you run into manufacturer defects.

How to Replace Glow Plugs

If you don’t want to pay for a mechanic, you can replace glow plugs on your own. Replacing glow plugs will require a ratchet and wrench. 

1. First, locate the glow plugs. In Duramax engines, the glow plugs will be in a plastic box next to the engine compartment and wheel well. Press the tab to open the box. 
2. Remove the glow plug wires. You may need a wrench to loosen any nuts. Place the wires to the side. 
3. Using a ratchet, slowly unscrew the old glow plugs and remove them. Be sure not to bend them or put too much pressure against the glow plug socket. 
4. Place the new glow plugs and tighten them using the ratchet. 
5. Replace the wires according to the wiring on the diagram. 
6. Test the glow plugs to make sure they are working properly. 

Duramax Glow Plug Replacement Cost FAQ

How much does it cost to replace a Duramax glow plug?

A middle-quality Duramax glow plug costs about $15. You can find higher quality plugs for $20 to $30 per plug.

It costs about $120 to replace a full 8-set of Duramax glow plugs. 

How often do I need to replace glow plugs?

Most glow plugs are rated for at least 100,000 miles. That means glow plugs are among the longest-lasting car components.

They are also relatively cheap compared to several other types of car parts. 

Can I drive with a broken glow plug?

One broken glow plug will not hurt engine performance too much, as long as it can get hot enough.

However, if more glow plugs break, you may start experiencing engine misfires, sputtering, and stalling. 

Where are glow plugs located in the engine?

Duramax glow plugs are located in a plastic relay box to the right of the engine and in front of the wheel well. You can open the box and remove the plugs using a ratchet. 

How many glow plugs does a Duramax engine have?

Chevy’s diesel Duramax engine has 8 glow plugs. Each glow plug should have a number associated with it.

You can find this number in your manual. 

How big is the Duramax engine?

The majority of the Duramax family of engines are all 6.6 L V-8 engines. They also make a smaller 3.0 L model, two 2.8 L models, and a smaller 2.5 L model.

The three Duramax engines that are still in production as of 2021 are the XLD28, LWN, LSP, and the LM2. GM developed a version of the Duramax engine that never hit product shelves. 

Can I replace glow plugs by myself?

Yes, you can replace glow plugs on your own to save money. We do not recommend doing this unless you have previous experience fixing cars. Installing incorrectly will cause an issue with the turbo. 

How long does it take to replace glow plugs?

It should only take about 2 hours to replace all the glow plugs in your diesel engine. 

Other Duramax Cost Guides 

• Duramax Fuel Pump Replacement Cost
• Duramax Injector Replacement Cost
• Duramax Water Pump Replacement Cost 
• Duramax Turbo Replacement Cost

Conclusions

Glow plugs are an important part of diesel engines and need to be replaced quickly if broken. Fortunately, glow plugs are relatively cheap, so you do not have to worry about breaking the bank.

You can get a decent set of glow plugs for under $150 and get them installed for another $100 to $200.  If you are interested in other glow plug costs.