Can You Diagnose This? Part 2

jonesfb · February 18, 2009

To catch everyone up here are 2 of my post from PART 1

(1) Saturday- 2009 Silverado Crew Cap. 1037 miles. Since I got it, after it sat for a while (hour or longer) a large amount of white smoke would come out of the exhaust when you cranked it up. I thought it was just "burning some of the new off". This has continued and today oil pressure dropped to 0 momentarily then returned to normal. This happened 3 or 4 times when at low RPM's. Now a check engine light has come on. It will be at the dealership first thing monday morning. Anyone want to speculate on what the issue is on this brand new truck. I will inform the board when I find out the answer monday morning/afternoon.

(2) Sunday- To give everyone an update... my truck will make it to the dealer first thing in the morning... to answer as many questions as i can remember. Yes its a 5.3. The white smoke came before the oil pressure drop. I have only put two tanks of gas in the truck as it had about 350 miles on it when the dealer finished running it around and installing somethings for me. I have noticed the smoke since i got it. The little i have run it since the oil pressure issue has taught me a few things. The oil pressure is hanging around 40+ at start up, then dropping and hanging around 25 at 45mph as i come up to stop or bring the RPM's down it begins its decent to 0. An alert will come on very briefly to shut the engine off and then the pressure shoots back up to 25. I am good friends with my local dealership and I feel confident they will give me good advice and work with me as much as possible. Are there anythings i need ot ask or say while i am there??

PART 2

Tuesday- Well the engine block has been completely removed and 2 complete days with multiple mechanics looking at the issue no real diagnosis is in place. The engine did eat up almost 4 quarts of oil in the first 1000 miles. With no real solution or diagnosis GM has agreed to put an entirely new engine in the truck. Many folks that are familiar with the situation are saying i should be lobbying for a new truck completely but as long as the new engine solves the problem then I am happy with it. I am hoping Gm will give me an extended warranty or oil changes for the troubles but i really just want the problem fixed. Stealth i believe your diagnosis of a faulty block may be the best and best possible answer as its what they think could be the issue but have yet to get the final answer. My next real question to the board is Do you think there will be any other issues outside of the engine affected by this. I am completely satisfied with a new engine IF it solves the problem.

Thanks.

dorman68 · February 20, 2009

Possible cracked head/block or defective head gaskets.

Spurshot · February 20, 2009

My next real question to the board is Do you think there will be any other issues outside of the engine affected by this. I am completely satisfied with a new engine IF it solves the problem.

Thanks.

I can't imagine any.

Sounds like your dealer took you seriously and didn't diddle you like most of them seem to. I think you'll be good to go with a new engine.

Maybe they'll give you a few free oil changes or something.

Rat4go · February 20, 2009

If it's an all-new motor and not just a rebuild of the old one, I'd be happy with that (assuming it fixed the problem!)

I'd bet GM wants the entire old one to see if they can figure out what was wrong and where it went wrong and why they didn't catch it.

blackout07 · February 20, 2009

Hopefully you will get it back and all will be right. Good luck.

jrrod2004 · February 20, 2009

If it's an all-new motor and not just a rebuild of the old one, I'd be happy with that (assuming it fixed the problem!)

I'd bet GM wants the entire old one to see if they can figure out what was wrong and where it went wrong and why they didn't catch it.

Yeah, whenever we replaced the 6.2 in the Slades that were defective, we had the dealership send the entire engine back to GM to allow a teardown. More than likely you will get a rebuilt engine unless the DVM requested a factory fresh one.

jrrod2004 · February 20, 2009

oh yeah, depending on how long it is down, I would request a monthly installment to be covered and a couple of free oil changes...

98 Z71 SLT · February 21, 2009

This has been a thorn in GM's side for nearly 5 years with aluminum blocks and oil pumps.

You better be getting a BRAND NEW 5.3, not a rebuilt. Pay attention to that detail !!

GM will surely dispatch a New engine to an '09 pickup...right??

That's my only concern for you...it's worth a phone call or a service visit **just to make sure**

Let us know.

jonesfb · February 21, 2009

I did get the truck back this afternoon and the dealership did drive it for about 100+ miles to check everything i guess. Fine by me as long as it is right. I am told it is a brand new engine and will also be in touch with GM again in the next few days to discuss extended warranty and or oil changes. Fortunately this truck does not have any payments left on it so that was not an option. I believe my old engine has been sent back but still no diagnosis. The truck now has 1100 miles on it and 450 are by the dealer. I hope this trend does not continue.

Thanks for all the input.

jrrod2004 · February 21, 2009

I did get the truck back this afternoon and the dealership did drive it for about 100+ miles to check everything i guess. Fine by me as long as it is right. I am told it is a brand new engine and will also be in touch with GM again in the next few days to discuss extended warranty and or oil changes. Fortunately this truck does not have any payments left on it so that was not an option. I believe my old engine has been sent back but still no diagnosis. The truck now has 1100 miles on it and 450 are by the dealer. I hope this trend does not continue.

Thanks for all the input.

I used to do that for a living (taking care of customers by telling the DVM what the customer SHOULD get). Good to hear on the replacement engine. I would go for oil changes since you have the 100K powertrain warranty. One thing though, I would simply ask to see if GM would extend your powertrain warranty by 450 miles since you (the customer) did not use the vehicle during those miles. It is a small thing and chances are that they may say no but I have done that in the past. I guess the answer depends on who you get...good luck and let us know what happens.