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Chevy Tahoe Maintenance and Repair

485 messages,  Last post on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:11 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Tahoe Limited/Z71, SUV


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#476 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [tahoess2004] by d1514s
Oct 11, 2008 (7:46 am)
Reply

Replying to: tahoess2004 (Jun 06, 2008 8:18 am)

I have a Z71 2004 and was told the the cylinder heads needed replacement because of coolant loss with no visible signs from the engine. I had it done and only paid for the labor. The parts used were all listed as warranty. I am in the process of contacting GM as I would like to know why this repair should not be covered by them. The truck has 86000 miles on it. There was no loss of power or anything unusual happening to its performance. I will keep you all posted on the response, if any, from GM.
#477 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [d1514s] by kiawah
Oct 11, 2008 (6:05 pm)
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Replying to: d1514s (Oct 11, 2008 7:46 am)

Well the warranty is 36K miles, right? You're only 50K plus out of warranty...surprised they even picked up the parts.
#478 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [d1514s] by tahoess2004
Oct 12, 2008 (9:57 am)
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Replying to: d1514s (Oct 11, 2008 7:46 am)

10/12/2008
I had the same experience with my 2004 Z-71 Tahoe back in June of this year. There were no visible signs of leaks or drips from gaskets or the water pump. After being jacked around by the the GM dealer that I bought the Tahoe from and being told that I needed to spend between $3,500.00 - $5,000.00 for new cylinder heads, I took it over to an independent mechanic and he went on-line to a website called "ALL DATA on Line" which appears to be a pay site & bam, there it was: "Engine - Coolant Loss With No Visible Leaks" This problem is not isolated to to Chevy Tahoes. Appears to effect several GM models and even Saabs from 2001-2006.
Castech is the manufacturer for the cylinder heads that can have a defect that shows up as a porosity leak and even a small crack (in the cylinder head). "ALL DATA" recommends replacing the cylinder heads, i.e., $1,500.00 - $2,500.00 (estimate) while GM shows no remorse or responsibility. I didn't want to put that much into a 100k mile vehicle, so we did a band-aid approach by installing some $4.00 radiator sealer that plugged the porosity leak. It's been running great for over 20K miles with no leaks.You will get no help from GM on this one.
Good Luck
#479 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [tahoess2004] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Oct 12, 2008 (10:26 am)
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Replying to: tahoess2004 (Oct 12, 2008 9:57 am)

Yes but that ALLDATA reference is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) and relates only to cylinder heads manufactured by Castech, and only to Castech cylinder heads that exhibit porosity issues upon inspection. So it's not all the cylinder heads and not even all the Castech heads.
#480 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [tahoess2004] by arrie
Oct 13, 2008 (3:12 am)
Reply

Replying to: tahoess2004 (Oct 12, 2008 9:57 am)

$4 radiator sealer seems to have stopped my coolant leak too. Have not lost any coolant for about 7000 miles since adding it in.
 
Arrie
#481 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [Mr_Shiftright] by tahoess2004
Oct 13, 2008 (7:31 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 12, 2008 10:26 am)

10/13/2008
Mr. Shiftright,
I think that is exactly what I said in items # 471 & 478. I specifically referenced Castech as the manufacturer of the cylinder heads listed in the service bulletin from ALLDATA.My disappointment on this issue is GM's position on repair and warranty. The problem seems to be fairly common if it is in a service bulletin and GM simply blows off their customers that are putting out some very serious money for an upper-end SUV. If Castech is putting out an inferior product, it would appear that GM would make them stand behind their product or find a better manufacturer of cylinder heads. The mechanic that got me to try the sealant could have taken the low road and told me the same thing that the GM dealer did, but he didn't. GM simply said, "sorry you have a problem", not taking into account they had sold me and others inferior cylinder heads. Their only suggestion was to replace the inferior parts they installed using my money for about $5,000.00 to $6,000.00. I own my own business as well and I don't treat my customers that way. By they way, the Castech cylinder heads showed up in certain Saab models as well, (reference # 471).
#482 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [tahoess2004] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Oct 13, 2008 (7:46 am)
Reply

Replying to: tahoess2004 (Oct 13, 2008 7:31 am)

Yes I understand but I guess I was unclear that even the Castech heads have to "fail" the inspection to have been replaced in warranty period.
 
So I see your problem as having two dimensionis here: a) did in fact your Castech heads fail the inspection or did they exhibit no evidence of porosity and b) even if they did fail, GM is not under any legal obligation to assist you other than "good will"--which apparently they did to 1/2 the price.
 
I know it's disagreeable, but IMO the situation turned out better for you than it did for a lot of people.
 
If I may at least suggest this: that you consider the use you got out of the heads in terms of mileage and that in a sense you got a "pro-rate" deal.
 
#483 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [Mr_Shiftright] by tahoess2004
Oct 13, 2008 (8:46 am)
Reply

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 13, 2008 7:46 am)

10/13/2008
Mr. Shiftright:
I don't want to argue semantics or even perspective with you, all I'm saying is if GM is installing an inferior part on any of their cars and trucks that has been giving problems for a number of years, they should address it.Take better care of the people that have supported them through good years as well as bad. GM is trading today $6.46 compared to a year ago $42.84, maybe they can't afford to address anything, but keeping the ship afloat. By they way, I would not consider $5,000.00 - $6,000.00 to repair a defective part a 50% discount. I was quoted less than 50% of that by another mechanic.
#484 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [tahoess2004] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Oct 13, 2008 (9:23 am)
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Replying to: tahoess2004 (Oct 13, 2008 8:46 am)

yes I understand. I was just saying that your prior use of the engine does count as value given you. It would be arguable that you receive total compensation. But I do agree their estimate for the work seems outrageous. Certainly not anything I'd agree to.
 
It seems reasonable to me that you'd have the outside mechanic fix the truck. You can't buy a substitute for $2,500.
 
#485 of 485
RE: Losing Coolant [tahoess2004] by rockman59
Oct 13, 2008 (12:11 pm)
Reply

Replying to: tahoess2004 (Oct 13, 2008 8:46 am)

tahoess2004 said: all I'm saying is if GM is installing an inferior part on any of their cars and trucks that has been giving problems for a number of years, they should address it
____________________________________________________________________
You are correct. Maybe I am old fashioned but I don't consider cylinder heads on an engine a service item....they should last as long as the engine block other than valve guides, etc. The heads themselves should not have defective castings that lets water seep through the metal. How the hell does this stuff happen? And why does GM not step up to the plate and take care of business on this stuff? I have an '06 Suburban approaching the end of factory warranty and I am now looking into buying an extended warranty to cover the vehicle for another 4yrs/40,000 miles because of all the transmission failures, $1,000 fuel pump replacements, etc. occuring on these late model GM units. My last new Suburban was a '92 and when I sold it it had 160K miles on it...with original fuel pump, transmission, engine, etc. As they say "they don't build 'em like they used to". Nowdays it is all electronic gadgets, nice interiors, fancy wheels, etc. I want an SUV with bulletproof power train and fuel pumps that last the life of the vehicle. Probably asking way too much.

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