Avalanche Service Report

[brmiller]

Here's a trip report for my 2002 Avalanche with 3488 miles, purchased Oct 8, 2001.

 

Took it in for its regular maintenance schedule (oil change) and gave me the opportunito "raise my issues".  My problems were:

 

1) rust in door seal presumably from roof rack installation

2) blue smoke upon start up

3) oil consumption (had to add 1 qt. @ 2000 miles)

4) chirping at low idle (especially when cold)

 

They did the oil change obviously.  At least this way they get $19.95.

 

As for the rust, I pointed it out to the service attendant and "suggested" that it might have been a result of the drilling required to install the roof rack.  She noted it on the service sheet she was filling out and said she'd have the body department take a look at it.

 

She said someone would look into the blue smoke issue.

 

She offered to start an "oil consumption test" regarding the oil usage.  We've discussed this here.  Basically every 500 miles or when I notice the oil level has dropped, I need to bring it in to let them take the data point.  I can live with this.  This would be an inconvenience to some folks, but if they're willing to work with me, I'm willing to work with them.

 

Lastly, I never brought this up here before, but my Av has this chirping/whistling noise from under the hood that whose cycle is proportional to the engine speed.  The faster you rev the engine, the faster the warble.  I never looked under the hood to determine the cause, because it only did it sporadically (usually when we had to get somewhere), but it was annoying.  It was exacerbated by colder weather, not necessarily when the engine was cold.  She took more copious notes, and I left for the afternoon.

 

----------------

 

The next day she called saying the truck was ready.  The body guys had cleaned and buffed out all the rust spots they could find.  Since the truck is still new, they said to "keep an eye on the blue smoke" problem.  Okay, I guess I can live with that.  It will either go away, or it will persist, in which case I'll bring it up at my next oil change.

 

I'll bring it in every 500 miles for their oil consumption test.  I didn't want to bother them about PCV valves unless I feel I'm getting no where.

 

Finally, with regard to the chirping, they were able to reproduce the problem and replaced a serpentine belt.  I'm guessing its the big one that runs through every gadget at the front of the engine to drive the air conditioning compressor, alternator, fan, what have you.  But get this--right when I pulled into my driveway, I heard it again.  I opened the hood, and stared at the new belt, and that's sure where it sounded like it was coming from.  Maybe these things need to "wear in"?  Anyone?

 

All in all, a pleasant service experience.  I think they seem to catch on that if they don't treat me right, I'll not go there and certainly won't buy another car from them.  We'll see how I fair over the next few years.

 

In my dealings with the service "attendant", her job is to take notes and make sure she understands the problems I'm having.  Then she tells the "boys in back" who do the work.  She's the customer interface person.  Normally, I would dislike the middleman approach, but she's always attentive and takes good notes and repeats them back to make sure she understands.  Presumably she figures out how to convey this to the techs in the back.  When she called me to say it was ready, she gave me the whole scoop over the phone.  And again when I got there.  Real nice.

 

So 1 point for Capitol Chevrolet in Salem, OR.  I'll keep you updated on the rest of my dealings with them and my unsolved problems.

 

Brendan

[gandolphxx]

Had the oil change yesterday - they had told me 1/2 hour on the phone - asked and they did it. Only problem was the whole shop stopped to look at Jon's flag bowtie - amazing.

 

1 pt for Allen-Samuels in Houston.

 

Makes up for the parts guy that ordered the 1500 grill for my 2500 - no such thing - they took it back.

[bshef]

Good to hear your "level-Headed" about the service people doing their jobs. I know I've gone in there ready to "do battle" even before I drive into the place. Guess we just really care about our trucks and want the best?

I haven't seen any of the blue smoke or squeaking belts syndrome yet. I'm pushing 6k miles.

 

Brad

[NewbieZ71]

BR - we have seen a few folkson this forum with the oil consumption problem...I dont think it is that rare...my memory of their posts is that in each case it went away after a good break in period.....good luck on the other issues..

[RyanbabZ71]

The service advisors at my dealership are really good too.  They listen and will come to you and explain what they are gonna (or not going to) do.  We take 3 vehicles there.  My truck (basically for warranty work) dads 92 S-10 for repairs he cant do, and my moms 00 Blazer for oil changes, warranty work.

 

Its such a joy to find a good dealership.  Even though i bought my truck (all 3 i listed above actually) at a different dealership they treat me (us) great.  Tells you something about their sales dept eh?

[01z71]

Yeah, I like my local dealer.  It makes a huge difference when you have good people that listen to your concerns and take care of things.

[iceman99]

Re the oil burning problem with the AV.  I burned about 3 qts. during the first 5-6000 miles, then it start going down.  Now I'm at around 7,500 and the oil consumation is almost zero.  That's interstate/local/80-85 mph driving.

 

My $.02 worth.

Pics Later

White Z66 Av with everything but the roofrack.

Ice

[chevy4x4trucks]

Looks like I'm driving out to Salem for my warranty work.  The dealer here doesn't listen and doesn't care.  Pretty much the opposite of your dealer.

 

So far it seems like the oil counsumption is happening to most people.  I would be concerned despite the fact they say not too.

 

Gandolph, glad to hear that the bowtie is turning heads, even if it's slowing down the service shop.

[brmiller]

Salem, OR?  Where are you coming from?  I didn't know there were any GM-TC guys near me!  Unless you want to go to 84john's dealer--with the net hookups, movies, and popcorn and all.  All Capitol Chevrolet has is a few old National Geographics and a fire pit.  I guess I should've "inspected" the 4 new Corvettes they had in the waiting/showroom.

 

Brendan