I have to vent! Dishonest dealer service.......

nklemens · May 4, 2019

A frustrating story with a good ending. I am a mechanical engineer and project manager with an 07 Burb with 245k and a motor never torn down. I love cars, and bikes, always have and will. I do all of my own repairs except body work.

First off 6 years ago a co worker had his 2008 Sierra towed to this dealer ( where he bought the truck used a few years before) after his “shut engine off low oil pressure “ message light came on. The next day the dealer told him his warranty was expired and his oil pump had failed, it would be about $1800 +/- to fix it. It would not make any pressure. I told my buddy that day to go to NAPA, buy a new sensor, clean the screen and install it after the dealer closed that day. He did, no warning lights, perfect pressure and he drove it for 5 more years trouble free before buying another. I knew this dealer was not honest.

A good friend bought a 2009 Sierra 1500 Crew 4x4 new from the same GMC dealer in 2010. I saw it the day he brought it home. He Always had it serviced by them, everything done by the book, even tires. A few years back he started using a quart every 2K and they told him is rings were wearing out at 130k). I told him that was BS and it’s the valve cover TSB that needs to be done, but he believed the dealer. Fast forward 2 years and 150K and he developed a Skip coming home from work one day. Several warning lights and a Loud tick. He made an appointment the following Tuesday to the “respected dealer” where he bought his last 10 cars from. I brought over my scanner, scanned the PO300 multiple misfire code, and told him more than likely an afm lifter collapsed and would need replacement. I also mentioned there is a quick fix that can be done from the web. I told him do not drive it, save the cam, and be easy on the way to the dealer. I also told him that the “respected dealer” will either tell him $1200-$2k for 1 bank of lifters or tell him it needs a new engine for over $5k.

Fast forward to the next Tuesday, My office overlooks the dealership. He calls me a short time after he arrives and they tell him it’s just a fouled plug or two due to his oil burning and rings and he needs a ball joint, tail light for state inspection. We went to lunch, I told him they are full of crap, but if that’s the case, I sent him the TSB for oil consumption and the valve cover part number, and that he should get it done to save his plugs and oil use. If fouling was truly the issue, that’s the reason why. Fast forward to 4:00 PM the same day, he calls me after paying his $1800 bill, with a new shiny valve cover and they say the “rings are failed”, GM does not fix that issue and the replacement plugs fouled immediately. The engine is toast and it will be $6k to $6.5 k for a new motor. He will be out of pocket $7800! To get the truck fixed.

I told him they have lied to him, if rings were that bad and oil fouling plugs in minutes I would not be able to see the dealership from my office due to the blue smoke. He leaves the truck there. He told me his is going to trade it and he will meet with them the following Monday for a new truck. I told him I will buy the truck for whatever they offer for a trade. He calls me Monday PM and says they offered him $3.5K for a trade. He is buying a new Ram (They are a RAM and GMC dealer). I told him I would give him $4K for the truck leave the keys with the dealer and I will drive it home. He agrees and puts a deposit down on the Ram. I brought him over a check that night and he tells me their first trade offer was $1500 freaking dollars and he threw a Fit about paying $1800 to be told his motor was junk....and they ended up at $3.5k. I browsed the “respected dealers” website and see that they have 5 similar “as is” trucks for $10k to $12k.

I drove the truck home, and decided to tear it down that night. In 10 mins I had the new shiny valve cover removed and sure enough #1 first lifter was stuck collapsed. Plain as day, easily visible, anybody removing the valve cover for replacement would absolutely know that rocker was completely loose and different than all the others, especially a GM Dealer. I removed the intake and 1/4 to 1/2 of a quart of black oil oozes out of it when I tipped it down while carrying it to the bench and it made a mess.

I removed the valley cover, see a nice evenly worn cam, clean as a whistle and a lifter floating not touching the cam. I made the release tool out of a 5/16 punch ( I saw on YouTube) and I had the lifter free in 3 light hammer taps. I pulled the “supposedly fouled” plug on #1 and it was brand new, shiny with no fouling at all. The next night with a new intake gasket and another 2 hours, it ran perfectly. I scheduled an appointment with a local shop to disable AFM permanently next week.

I felt bad for being misled like that. I called my buddy and told him they had absolutely lied to him and I had it fixed in 4 hours. I offered it back to him and told him he can just pay me for my time and parts. Yes, I lost a great deal on a mint well maintained truck, but the good news is he called the dealer and told them where to go, and to tear up his deposit check. I guess I made my point and got a little satisfaction.

I do not trust dealers. I do not know if I ever will. Sorry for the long rant. Where is the honesty and integrity?