Help! Memeber In Sacramento Area Needed

[oldschool327]

I returned from the dealer today heated as heck! Post below explains the problem I have having. I am now doing the oil consumtion test. The thing with this is that for the first time ever someone else besides me changed the oil but that is another issue. The kid even over filled it by a quart!!! The only time anyone touches it is for warranty.

 

Let me start off by stating that I have 19 years under my belt as a Tech. Four years between Scottsdale Infinity and Powell Mazda/Volvo in the Phoenix AZ area and 15 years as a diesel tech for the Marine Corps. I am currently the Motor Transport Maintenance Officer for the detachment here in Sacramento. I feel this qualifies me to know what the hell I am talking about when I goto a dealer with a mechanical complaint. Rebuild engines, done it, tranny's yep (the one in my Sierra was built by me to hold just about 500 HP right in my garage in a single morning) yeah it voided the warranty but I knew I would blow it if not eventually damn 4l60's.

 

Anyways, I get to the dealer today and the service writer says there is an exhaust leak not a lifter and I would have to pay the 158 bucks for the techs time. No problem he deserves it. BUT, the Shop foreman came in and corrected the statement with "there is no external leak, but the leak is coming from internal to the colector on my headers" WTF!!!!!! First time I have heard that exhaust can leak internally in an enclosed pipe. Maybe a hydralic lifter can leak internally, maybe a fuel pump or oil pump, but not an exhaust pipe.

 

History- LLP stainless shorty headers installed at 21,031 miles. Never a hint of noise, no tick, tap, or otherwise. Truck started making this noise at 55,000 give or take a few miles. Truck now has 57,157. Always Mobil 1, Amsoil, or Pennsoil Platinum since 800 mile new break in.

 

So here is Chevy's theory.......The headers are not cast iron so you hear the firing pulses better. They even said my body lift could be the reason I hear this noise.... Holy crap, a body lift ticks, yep thats right gents, your body lift causes your engine to tick.

Chevy told me to wrap my headers and the problem would go away.

 

My theory- I have checked, re checked and tripple checked my headers. Not one single sign of exhaust leak visually or otherwise. I cant find one and niether can Chevy! Quiet as a mouse in the garage at idle and even when I run it up to 5k, not one leak, no increase, tap tap tap ,nothing. (Does make a wierd ticking first thing in the morning but only for a quick 2 seconds at idle) This I could accept due to oil pump and drain back possibilities.

 

Now when I am driving that is another story. When this thing hits 4 cyl mode it is bad. I am too the point of being embarassed. Slight tick under V8 cruising, worse on excelleration, and the worst right upon the release of the pedal when it switches to V4.

 

 

I believe it is Lifters or Piston issues and would like a fellow member to hear it just to see if I am not crazy. I would seek another dealer but we are limited to three here and the GMC dealer really screwed me over last mirror shake visit, (broke interior trim peices and I am still fighting with them on it). At 158 bucks a shop I do not want to chase this problems at different dealers if I dont have too. What is everyones recomendation???

 

Here is the service ticket- Note that the gap in the header bolt is a washer that is placed to keep the head of the bolt from touching the pipe. Has always been like that, bolt is torqued correctly. See the statement to the "Internal Leak".

 

 

Help please! Thanks!

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=121532

[Stevens03]

Welcome to GM's excuse for not fixing things when you have a modified vehicle. I've ran into it before. They'll tell you something completely ridiculous so they don't have to actually do the work because somethings not stock. Your dealership is obviously not mod friendly.

[oldschool327]

Should I try another dealer then or continue with these guys?

[Matt_]

Welcome to GM's excuse for not fixing things when you have a modified vehicle. I've ran into it before. They'll tell you something completely ridiculous so they don't have to actually do the work because somethings not stock. Your dealership is obviously not mod friendly.

Exactly.

 

This is a perfect example of why I shake my head when I see someone post a statement like "these leveling kits wont void any warranties, my dealer said so". It varies greatly. ... some dealers will work with you and others wont.

 

Sadly, this is one of the risks we take modding a vehicle.

 

I'd try writing a polite letter to someone in a higher position at the dealership. Explain your credentials to them and say you'd like to give them another chance to work with you on this issue. And that if they refuse then you will be filing a complaint since you don't take kindly to being shoveled along with a BS excuse.

[GasHog369]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson%E2%8...ss_Warranty_Act

[gmtech4]

Brian,I WAS a gm tech for many yrs and i am embarrassed for what they did ,good news is that dealers will bend over backwards when a complaint is put to the either DSM (district service manager) or something equivalent down there ,we have "Zone" offices up in Canada,unsure of what is down your way,

 

if a GM tech from US of A would chime in with the correct term,call him and have that crap receipt with you and have a chat ,he will blow a gasket and rip that dealer a new **** ,i guarantee it ,then you will be treated like gold.

 

do not contact that dealer again,the DSM will most likely handle any comms between both parties .

 

take care brother

[oldschool327]

Welcome to GM's excuse for not fixing things when you have a modified vehicle. I've ran into it before. They'll tell you something completely ridiculous so they don't have to actually do the work because somethings not stock. Your dealership is obviously not mod friendly.

Exactly.

 

This is a perfect example of why I shake my head when I see someone post a statement like "these leveling kits wont void any warranties, my dealer said so". It varies greatly. ... some dealers will work with you and others wont.

 

Sadly, this is one of the risks we take modding a vehicle.

 

I'd try writing a polite letter to someone in a higher position at the dealership. Explain your credentials to them and say you'd like to give them another chance to work with you on this issue. And that if they refuse then you will be filing a complaint since you don't take kindly to being shoveled along with a BS excuse.

 

 

Matt- I am too that point now. Going to try another approach with the Manager. I am going to strap my camcorder to the top of the strut mount area in the engine bay and take a little trip to record the sounds. Then with that I will go back to the Manager and see what they say.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson%E2%8...ss_Warranty_Act

 

Silvy- Mentioned that to them. No effect what so ever. It is in my mind though. Another tool for the tool box.

 

Brian,I WAS a gm tech for many yrs and i am embarrassed for what they did ,good news is that dealers will bend over backwards when a complaint is put to the either DSM (district service manager) or something equivalent down there ,we have "Zone" offices up in Canada,unsure of what is down your way,

 

if a GM tech from US of A would chime in with the correct term,call him and have that crap receipt with you and have a chat ,he will blow a gasket and rip that dealer a new **** ,i guarantee it ,then you will be treated like gold.

 

do not contact that dealer again,the DSM will most likely handle any comms between both parties .

 

take care brother

 

 

Rob- I though about that seriously and have the gentlemans name and number already. I believe it is going to be one of these times I need to call them. Might even mention the GMC dealer that snapped off all the retaining clips on the interior mirror trim then "velcro'd" the trim back on to conceal the damage. Thanks for the info, I just seam to have bad luck with dealers lately.

 

Thanks for all the input. After my recording I will upload it to the site so you all can listen and see what you think. With as many people that have this problem I should get some sort of reply.

 

Thanks

Brian

[oldschool327]

Well, I took the truck up to Lake Tahoe this weekend and what do you know on the way back the check engine light came on. On Star said the emissions control system was not working and to try to start the truck 7 times and it should reset. If not take it to the dealer. I looked at my wife and couldnt help but laugh. I wonder what the "problem" is now? Oil consumption test in progress and lifters still tick. Maybe this last visit caused the truck to get a little angry when it was not fixed?

 

Back to the dealer I guess....round three.........