Cylinder 4 Contribution / Balance Fault
The DURAMAX-P0272 (Duramax) diesel fault code means: Cylinder 4 Contribution / Balance Fault. This is a serious severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Yes, with caution
- DIY difficulty
- intermediate
- Estimated cost
- $400-$900 per injector; $3,000-$5,500 to do all 8
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View pilot availability →What Are the Symptoms of DURAMAX-P0272?
- Rough idle, especially cold
- Diesel knock louder than normal on affected cylinder
- Reduced power
- Black smoke under load
- Possible misfire detection DTC (P0301-P0308)
What Causes DURAMAX-P0272? (Most Likely First)
- Injector on cylinder 4 delivering incorrect fuel volume Very Likely
- Injector harness connector corrosion / high resistance Likely
- Low compression on affected cylinder (glow plug leak, valve issue) Possible
- Leaking injector return line causing rail pressure drop Possible
Can I Still Drive with DURAMAX-P0272?
Yes, with caution. DURAMAX-P0272 is rated serious severity. Keep trips short and get it diagnosed soon rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is P0272 on a Duramax?
Duramax code P0272 (Cylinder 4 Contribution/Balance Fault) is a serious-severity diagnostic trouble code triggered by the engine control module when it detects a problem in the associated system. Balance rate codes are the earliest warning of injector wear — address them before they turn into hard open/short codes.
Is a Duramax P0272 safe to drive?
Short distance only. A cylinder with incorrect fueling can cause engine damage over time and may trigger regen issues on DPF-equipped trucks.
How much does it cost to fix P0272 on a Duramax?
Single injector replacement $400-$900. Full set replacement $3,000-$5,500.
Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis
How Do You Diagnose DURAMAX-P0272?
Read live balance rates in Tech 2 — cylinder 4 outside ±4 mm³ of average confirms fuel delivery issue
Perform a relative compression test to rule out mechanical cause
Inspect injector return ('spill') line for excessive flow on the affected cylinder
Swap suspect injector with a known-good cylinder and see if the fault follows
Replace injector and program new flow codes if required (LMM/LML/L5P use flow-rate coding)
Sources 1
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
- SAE J2012Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions (defines P0272 as a generic OBD-II code)
P0272 on Other Platforms
The same code ID appears across other engines, vehicles, and equipment. Diagnostic flow varies by platform — see the matching breakdown:
Which Vehicles Commonly Get DURAMAX-P0272?
- 2001-2004 Chevy Silverado 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LB7
- 2001-2004 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LB7
- 2004.5-2005 Chevy Silverado 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LLY
- 2004.5-2005 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LLY
- 2006-2007 Chevy Silverado 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LBZ
- 2006-2007 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LBZ
- 2007.5-2010 Chevy Silverado 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LMM
- 2007.5-2010 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LMM
- 2011-2016 Chevy Silverado 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LML
- 2011-2016 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax LML
- 2017+ Chevy Silverado 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax L5P
- 2017+ GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD 6.6L Duramax L5P
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