2008 Equinox engine failure

BlackZ71Silverado · February 13, 2012

Well, like the topic says, my mothers 2008 Equinox with the 3.4 is shot. Got anti freeze in the oil and was blowing out the exhaust. 38,312 miles on it and maintenance was kept up to date. Very disappointing, had to leave it in the parking lot of a Chevy dealer a few blocks from where she works with a note on the key enveolpe....What do you guys think getting the engine replaced under warranty is? She is worried that she is going to have to pay for a new engine but I would hope GM honors their warranty. Never had any issues with it until tonight. This is the first GM vehicle anybody in my family has ever had a problem with.

GMCustomerService · February 13, 2012

Please keep me posted on your progress. Feel free to contact me if you need more assistance. It would also be helpful to have the last eight of your VIN. I look forward to hearing from you either way. Thank you.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

BlackZ71Silverado · February 13, 2012

Thanks.........Spoke with service dept. today and they said it was fully covered under warranty. They said it's the intake gasket and it needs to be replaced after the engine is drained. They said they will refill everything and then see what it sounds like.......

I don't really like the sound of that fix....My concern is that the bearings will be washed and if the engine is not replaced, it will blow in the future and need replaced. Would hate to have to have her drive it around with just a new intake gasket but with a bad motor. Going to talk to them again after tear down to see if they find anything else and see what's going on with it.

BlackZ71Silverado · February 13, 2012

Just talked to dealer....Head gasket went, had a one inch gap in it split to split. They are taking the heads to the machine shop the make sure everything is ok and then pressure test.

Said the inside of the engine is clean, basically got steam cleaned from the hot antifreeze is what they said. The tech also said he does not think there is anything wrong with the bearings but we will see. Will know more when they get them back from the machine shop. Probably going to be a few days.

Have seen this before and I can almost bet that the bearings are shot from all that sludge oil/antifreeze mix. I hope these guys don't just throw the heads back on ,replace gasket and fill it with oil, we'll see. Never delt with this dealer before but they seem to be really good so far.

Dropped the Equinox off last night after midnight with a note on the key drop paper. They called at 8:30am to let her know it was in the repair bay, would be covered by warranty.

EDIT : What would giving you the VIN do?

GMCustomerService · February 14, 2012

I would be able to look up warranty, recall, or bulletin information with the last eight of your VIN. It also gives me access to vehicle build information. Thank you.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

BlackZ71Silverado · February 14, 2012

I guess the dealer already checked for any recalls or bulletin information. Also already got the warranty work ok'd...This vehicle was only ever serviced by a GM dealer, not really concerned that a recall was missed. It was last serviced a few weeks ago and everything was fine.

AirForceAngler · February 14, 2012

I guess the dealer already checked for any recalls or bulletin information. Also already got the warranty work ok'd...This vehicle was only ever serviced by a GM dealer, not really concerned that a recall was missed. It was last serviced a few weeks ago and everything was fine.

The dude's just trying to help man. Why post on here if you're not looking to get help? If they put it back together and the engine blows, you now have history that you can go back on to get it resolved. They are allowed to only do so much under warranty.

BlackZ71Silverado · February 14, 2012

I guess the dealer already checked for any recalls or bulletin information. Also already got the warranty work ok'd...This vehicle was only ever serviced by a GM dealer, not really concerned that a recall was missed. It was last serviced a few weeks ago and everything was fine.

The dude's just trying to help man. Why post on here if you're not looking to get help? If they put it back together and the engine blows, you now have history that you can go back on to get it resolved. They are allowed to only do so much under warranty.

Where do you get I was not looking for help???? Everything that GM Customer Service has asked for has already been done and I have been updating just like she asked. So where is this coming from? Your post doesn't eve nmake sense. Re-read the post you quoted, maybe you just didn't understand it?