Castech horrors - rebuilt heads bad too, advice?

[mgman269]

Last winter my 2004 Sierra WT 4X4 with 5.3 liter developed the dreaded symptoms of cracked heads leaking coolant into the oil. Initial inspection revealed Castech heads. Well, @185,000 miles I couldn't complain too much (though I had bought it used with 115,000 and had literally just paid it off).

 

So I search around and bought rebuilt heads from a shop in another state with a very impressive website, and generous warranty (I thought). Paid a good shop with ASE Certified technician to do the work, and back to life. Like heck!

 

Before the first oil change after the repair, the same symptoms return. Have it checked out at the repair shop, finally pay them to pull valve covers and pressurize the cooling system. Yep, coolant oozing from one spot on each head. The shop that sold me the rebuilt heads (not Castech either, 862 casting numbers), sold me bad heads. Pre-cracked. DOA, but unknown until driven.

 

Suddenly the rebuild house is playing hardball. "We don't sell cracked heads", and "all heads are pressure checked before leaving". Only willing to replace heads, after I pay return shipping and inspection. They want to make sure their little heat sensitive tabs are in place that fall off if the head is overheated and then cracks from that. Well, one tab is there and photographed, and the other is hidden behind the alternator bracket. The engine never overheated or got hot.

 

I think since these were bad from the get-go, the supplier should replace the heads, pay return shipping, and pay new labor. I bought in good faith. I am not asking then to warranty the parts after 10's of thousands of miles and months of use, these were bad immediately. The moment the issue showed up I knew they were bad as shipped!

 

Of course they are hiding behind "policy" and warranty documents. I filed a BBB complaint, and after some back and forth even offered a compromise: I strip their heads of parts to rebuild a locally sourced set, and I return the bare castings for them to inspect and when they see their heat tabs, they simply refund my purchase price and return shipping costs.

 

Refused outright. No refunds, replacement only. Like I can trust them again.

 

Thoughts? Anybody know of a way to leverage a company in another state to do the right thing?

 

Any harm in trying a radiator sealer or similar product before I remove them? Will it void what little warranty I have?

 

Thanks for any help or guidance folks!

[mgman269]

Meanwhile, I bought a used 2014 Volt for commuting. I like it a hellofalot, but its just not a truck, if you know what I mean.

 

Sigh.

[Andy Seibel]

You can just tell them you will be sure to leave a review on every online source where they are listed.

 

I lived through a cracked head on my 04 grand am v6. Chevy dealer replaced an injector for me, even though that wasn't the problem. Finally figured out the head was cracked. It was over 100,000 miles at the time so I opted for a "new" head from the junk yard. All I had to pay for was like 20 hours of labor. Its still my beater today at 165,000 miles.

 

Good luck with your supplier.

[mgman269]

I hope I get more replies.

 

Thanks coke813 for your wish of good luck.

[Chris]

Best option right now is send it back, have them inspect, and leave a shitty online review on them when you get it back, then start looking at other options

[muddkatt]

First of all do NOT put any stop leak in the system. Do as Chris said and remove the heads and send them back. Once you get their replacement set you can sell them, throw them away, put them on your mantel if you want to. Just get finished with the vendor before they do nothing to help you. I don't know what you paid for the heads, but I can get rebuilt heads locally for about 175.00 each. That is a whole lot cheaper than buying a back up car.

[r1byker]

I had a similar situation but the vendor was in my state. I sued them in small claims court; they settled before it went before a judge. I don't know if it would be worth it to you since they're in a different state.