<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Chronology </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Predecessor </Th> <Td> 6.2 and 6.5 L Detroit Diesel </Td> </Tr> <P> The Duramax is a General Motors diesel engine family for trucks . The 6.6 - liter Duramax is produced by DMAX, a joint venture between GM and Isuzu in Moraine, Ohio . The Duramax block and heads are poured at The Defiance GM Powertrain foundry in Defiance, Ohio . This engine was initially installed in 2001 Chevy and GMC trucks, and has been an option since then in pickups, vans, and medium - duty trucks . In 2006, production at Moraine was reportedly limited to approximately 200,000 engines per year . On May 9, 2007, DMAX announced the production of the 1,000,000 th Duramax V - 8 diesel at its Moraine facility . </P> <P> RPO LB7 (engine code "1") was first introduced in 2001 and continued until early - 2004 . It is a 32 - valve design with high - pressure common - rail direct injection and an experimental composite design cylinder head . The most common issue with the LB7 is injector failure, so common that a special policy bulletin was issued (#04039B). Fuel leaked and entered the crankcase, causing oil dilution . Early on, customers came forward complaining of severe overheating, and in some situations, blown head gaskets . Initially GM denied it was a problem, but after being sued by a consumer group, GM relented and included overheating and blown head gaskets as a warranted item . </P>

What was the first year for the chevy duramax