Help--bad Valve Guides In Castech Heads

[fourjtsj]

Can anyone tell me how to get some help from GM. My dealer wants $4200 to replace the heads on my 2004 Suburban with less than 50,000 miles. The heads have a design flaw that caused coolant to leak into the oil. It's destroyed my valve guides (I hope nothing more).

 

I'm not happy to say the least. I have the TSB on the issue, but the dealer still isn't budging. They say that GM won't pay for anything. If anyone can give me some guidance I would truly appreciate it.

 

JT

[jrrod2004]

used to do this for a living....

[jrrod2004]

You are gonna have to build a business case.

 

Elements of a business case:

 

Are you the original owner?

What is the mileage of the vehicle?

Do you maintain the vehicle?

Is the maintenance done at the dealership?

Does the vehicle look maintained?

Have you had any goodwill in the past?

What previous GM vehicles have you owned in the past?

What can we do to earn your business after the warranty expires?

Do you show appreciation?

Will you be willing to pay a 'deductible' or 'co-pay'?

Why is GMPP not covering this part?

 

 

these are the types of questions that a DVM (District Vehicle Manager asks when determining whether or not they will goodwill something as well as the Dealership Service Manager)

 

 

The DVM will determine whether or not you get any assistance from GM. The dealership service manager is usually the one that gets in touch with the GM rep and it is based in part on these questions that determine whether any cash will be headed your way.....Now, most dealerships have what GM calls "ultimate empowerment', thus allowing the dealership to aid with building a business case and 'pushing' through this type of request. If the dealership is not budging then you are really screwed as the dealership is the one that does the work on the vehicle (if approved) and they have a big say in whether they want to participate. Or the dealership could have abused this empowerment and GM has placed them on restriction (Not likely, but very possible)

[jrrod2004]

by the way, the TSB is not gonna matter because a TSB is what GM calls a 'Customer Satisfaction Program", which is very different from a recall.....TSBs are the ones that you usually have to fight for if you cannot build a good business case.

[fourjtsj]

Hi Mike

 

Thanks for responding. I am the original owner and it's maintained well...Detailed annually (even engine compartment), maintained very well though not typically at dealer, I drive a buick also, recently gave another chevy away that I purchased new from the same dealership. This is crazy. There is no appreciation for me as a customer and a GM owner many years running. How do I contact a DVM (sounds as though you did something similar)

 

JT

 

You are gonna have to build a business case.

 

Elements of a business case:

 

Are you the original owner?

What is the mileage of the vehicle?

Do you maintain the vehicle?

Is the maintenance done at the dealership?

Does the vehicle look maintained?

Have you had any goodwill in the past?

What previous GM vehicles have you owned in the past?

What can we do to earn your business after the warranty expires?

Do you show appreciation?

Will you be willing to pay a 'deductible' or 'co-pay'?

Why is GMPP not covering this part?

 

 

these are the types of questions that a DVM (District Vehicle Manager asks when determining whether or not they will goodwill something as well as the Dealership Service Manager)

 

 

The DVM will determine whether or not you get any assistance from GM. The dealership service manager is usually the one that gets in touch with the GM rep and it is based in part on these questions that determine whether any cash will be headed your way.....Now, most dealerships have what GM calls "ultimate empowerment', thus allowing the dealership to aid with building a business case and 'pushing' through this type of request. If the dealership is not budging then you are really screwed as the dealership is the one that does the work on the vehicle (if approved) and they have a big say in whether they want to participate. Or the dealership could have abused this empowerment and GM has placed them on restriction (Not likely, but very possible)

[svensk]

If they wan't 4200 and won't budge then I would take it to an engine shop and have it done there for less. You get a 6.0L for less than that price.

[Schmids5.3l]

If they wan't 4200 and won't budge then I would take it to an engine shop and have it done there for less. You get a 6.0L for less than that price.

 

Hell you can buy a set of LS6 heads completely assembled for $450. A shop might charge $1000 to swap the heads.. honestly I have no idea what it would cost but it's a whole lot less than $3750. Or you could just buy a 4.8/5.3 with decent miles for a grand.

[jrrod2004]

Hi Mike

 

Thanks for responding. I am the original owner and it's maintained well...Detailed annually (even engine compartment), maintained very well though not typically at dealer, I drive a buick also, recently gave another chevy away that I purchased new from the same dealership. This is crazy. There is no appreciation for me as a customer and a GM owner many years running. How do I contact a DVM (sounds as though you did something similar)

 

JT

 

You are gonna have to build a business case.

 

Elements of a business case:

 

Are you the original owner?

What is the mileage of the vehicle?

Do you maintain the vehicle?

Is the maintenance done at the dealership?

Does the vehicle look maintained?

Have you had any goodwill in the past?

What previous GM vehicles have you owned in the past?

What can we do to earn your business after the warranty expires?

Do you show appreciation?

Will you be willing to pay a 'deductible' or 'co-pay'?

Why is GMPP not covering this part?

 

 

these are the types of questions that a DVM (District Vehicle Manager asks when determining whether or not they will goodwill something as well as the Dealership Service Manager)

 

 

The DVM will determine whether or not you get any assistance from GM. The dealership service manager is usually the one that gets in touch with the GM rep and it is based in part on these questions that determine whether any cash will be headed your way.....Now, most dealerships have what GM calls "ultimate empowerment', thus allowing the dealership to aid with building a business case and 'pushing' through this type of request. If the dealership is not budging then you are really screwed as the dealership is the one that does the work on the vehicle (if approved) and they have a big say in whether they want to participate. Or the dealership could have abused this empowerment and GM has placed them on restriction (Not likely, but very possible)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You the customer do not contact the DVM - only the dealership can initiate that (more specifically the Service Manager). Perhaps that dealership is being an ****. the reason I know this information is because I routinely advocated our customer's voice to the DVM in our area - I just did it primarily for Cadillac customers. You may have some recourse with the Customer Assistance Center, they will ask you these questions because these are the questions that the Field Office would want answers to.....

 

 

 

 

everybody else is correct though - you could buy a very good engine and replace the whole damn thing because these engines are readily available and they can be cheap....

[csheatz]

i wonder if i should start in with the dealer next time i take it in for a oil change, i dont want to have a issue in the future, and i sure as hell am not paying for it. even more so since i have the dealer do all the maint. on the truck!

[mkelly]

Call customer service and see if they can help you out.

 

 

 

If after all other options are exhausted then personally I would set up a lemon stand outside the dealership

If they arent willing to stand behind their product then you should let potential buyers know, and as long as you stay off their property there is nothing they can do about it.