6.0 Exhaust Manifold Bolt

tbhuge · April 19, 2011

So after reading about the infamous breakage of the driver side rear exhaust manifold bolt, I thought I would take a look at mine. Sure enough it is broken. It is hanging sideways half way out of the hole. I just purchased the truck used from a dealership 12/31/2010, you guys think there is any chance that they would fix this free of charge. I did purchase an extended warranty with the truck but I believe it has a $500 deductible. If they do not fix it free of charge, what is the downside to leaving it as is. Any ways to tell if it is actively leaking or still holding a decent seal? You would think that GM would have a permanent fix for this issue since it keeps happening even after being fixed.

youcantkeepup! · April 19, 2011

they are covered under the 5 year 100000 power train if thet helps. they covered mine along with gaskets all new bolts both manifolds and heat sheilds

tbhuge · April 19, 2011

I called the dealership today and they have Zero information on this issue from GM. The guy said there are been no reports through Gm on this issue and he has never heard of it at the dealership. More than likely it wont be covered. He also said usually the extended powertrain warranty covers everything internally but nothing externally. I'm not sure what the heck that means. So if all the bolts fall off the outside of the motor, but all the ones on the inside are intact then there are no issues??!! I mean come on..... He said he does want me to bring it by so he can see what I am talking about. I have been a die hard GM fan since I was a little kid, but they just aren't what they use to be....

Vortec-Z71 · April 19, 2011

I called the dealership today and they have Zero information on this issue from GM. The guy said there are been no reports through Gm on this issue and he has never heard of it at the dealership. More than likely it wont be covered. He also said usually the extended powertrain warranty covers everything internally but nothing externally. I'm not sure what the heck that means. So if all the bolts fall off the outside of the motor, but all the ones on the inside are intact then there are no issues??!! I mean come on..... He said he does want me to bring it by so he can see what I am talking about. I have been a die hard GM fan since I was a little kid, but they just aren't what they use to be....

I have no idea how he doesn't know about the broken manifold bolts seeing as it's such a common problem.

tbhuge · April 20, 2011

I got a call back from the dealership today. They are going to run it under the extended warranty that I purchased, however the warranty does not cover bolts or fluids. They said to do the job they have to pull the head which means fluid change. So I have to pay the $250 deductible plus about $150 for the bolt and fluids!!! I was unable to talk to the guy when he called and had him leave a message, but I am NOT happy. I just purchased this truck just barely over 90 days ago with less than 3000 miles and they want me to pay $400 to fix it when it was probably already there!!! And the whole the warranty does not cover bolts or fluids is a bunch of horseshit if you ask me. My response is going to be, "so if all the bolts break and fall out of the motor, does that mean the insurance does not cover the damage because they dont cover bolts!!!" I have had other issues with this dealership since I purchased this truck. I will be shopping elsewhere for my wifes SUV later this year.

tbhuge · April 20, 2011

they are covered under the 5 year 100000 power train if thet helps. they covered mine along with gaskets all new bolts both manifolds and heat sheilds

I thought about this as well, but my truck was out of the factory warranty before I purchased the truck. It was purchased originally at the end of 2005 if I remember right. Thanks for the thought though.

desrtrat · April 20, 2011

i think there is a TSB on the bolt issue. a lot were having issues with them breaking. the fix was a better grade bolt from GM..but i may be wrong..

good luck

tbhuge · April 21, 2011

i think there is a TSB on the bolt issue. a lot were having issues with them breaking. the fix was a better grade bolt from GM..but i may be wrong..

good luck

I asked the service guy about the TSB and he did some digging and he said there is a service bulletin for this. However, that is only to help the technicians understand that this is happening. Until GM issues a campaign, (recall) nothing is paid for by GM or the dealerships. Thanks GM

markw8 · April 21, 2011

Unfortunatly the up graded bolts break also. At least the driver rear on mine did.

Mark

tbhuge · April 25, 2011

So I had a chance to look over my extended warranty contract and there are no exclusions for fluids or bolts. The dealership is jerking me around. Im going to go over and talk to a manager on tuesday.

Also, I was looking under the hood today and there is also a bolt missing on the very front of the same exhaust manifold.

jandersinc · April 25, 2011

I hate to be a downer here, but you did buy a used truck. It's up to you to find out what's wrong with it before buying. So before you go blaming the dealer, one blame yourself for not checking it out, two blame the previous owner.

Finally you should know what your extended warranty covers and the deductible.

I'm really not trying to be rude, but it sounds like you didn't do your homework when buying this truck and want someone to blame it on.

However the dealership should really try and get the warranty to cover as much as possible so they can do more work and in return get paid more.