Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon Engine Problems

707 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 1:04 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Engine, Truck

#442 of 707 Re: Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon: Engine Problems [arcticfox] by sean91

Feb 05, 2010 (11:51 am)

Replying to: arcticfox (Feb 03, 2010 8:54 am)
Many of the supposed Japanese autos have a higher proportion of PARTS made in the U.S. as well as being assembled here, such as our Camry in Kentucky.
 
Make/Model Domestic-parts content Assembly location:
Ford Taurus - 90 percent - Chicago
Lincoln MKS - 85 percent - Chicago
Toyota Sienna - 85 percent - Princeton, Ind.
GMC Savana 1500 - 82 percent - Wentzville, Mo.
Chevrolet Express 1500 - 82 percent - Wentzville, Mo.
Buick Lucerne - 81 percent - Detroit
Chevrolet Malibu - 80 percent - Kansas City, Kan.
Honda Odyssey - 80 percent - Lincoln, Ala.
Toyota Avalon - 80 percent - Georgetown, Ky.
Toyota Tundra - 80 percent - San Antonio
Toyota Venza - 80 percent - Georgetown, Ky.
http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0709-
 
Over 60% of the consumer goods we buy here are made by "U.S." companises which are owned by European conglomerates as subsidiaries, never mind those owned by Japanese companies and elsewhere than Europe. At least U.S. workers have jobs and the investment money comes here (although profits go overseas, of course)--I suppose.
 
Just had our Camry accelerator shim placed today after an oil change. Out in 1-1/2 hrs. Excellent auto. Last summer when we were choosing between a Chevy and a Camry, our master mechanic friend from church said it was a "no brainer"-- get the Camry and we'd never see him in the shop, just church.
 
Haven't had any further 2006 Canyon problems since pedal malfunction message about six months ago. But I perhaps it is the computer gliching up on start-up. I've three messages and it is only on start-up in cooler, wet weather. I pushed the brake once by mistake when I was turning the key and got a break-error message which disappeared when I turned off and restarted the truck. Idle is GREAT thankfully. Made and operated in Louisiana. But from all the complaints of owners who seem to live up North, maybe it just needs to be run in warmer weather, perhaps to burn off that Ethanol residue, if that has anything to do with it. Also avoiding Ethanol gas whenever possible to avoid sludge build-up.

#443 of 707 Beware! In for special warranty engine repair, more problems by stringpuller

Feb 05, 2010 (2:05 pm)

Since my original post (August 09: #368), I've received a few helpful tips, suggestions, and a wealth of information regarding the various problems associated with the GM Chevy Colorado. Thank you to all who have provided insight.
 
I contacted GM corporate about my irregular engine starting problems and constant ticking noise. After disclosing my knowledge obtained on this forum of their special warranty policy, a congenial CSR issued me a case and policy number without much hassle and further suggested taking my truck to an authorized dealer to determine whether my mechanical problems were associated with covered provisions.
 
Of course, the policy only covers defective designated items (head, valves) which can only be determined after a professional GM mechanic's diagnosis (about $150.00). Upon diagnosis, I was advised that the head and intake valves needed replacement and would be covered (parts, labor) under the special GM policy - fortunately.
 
Unfortunately, the dealer has since determined that my ticking noise was associated with a cracked exhaust manifold which will not be covered by GM and will cost me ~ $500.
 
I ask all on the forum...how does an exhaust manifold crack? I've never seen a cracked one in 30+ years of tinkering with cars. Cast iron, right?
 
Furthermore, I was told that the timing chain needs to be replaced. I've been without a vehicle now for a week and counting (no rental supplied) and as you might imagine, I continue to ponder my purchase of Pandora's box.
 
I told GM that I've had the ticking from day one and argued that a cracked exhaust manifold is an inherent defect from the factory, not a wear and tear issue. I pleaded my case for a no cost replacement to no avail as the truck has exceeded (88K) the original warranty. Their CSR said I might try barking up the hill if I could provide documented evidence of the problem within the 3-36 warranty.
 
Any suggestions? Is there an end in sight? Anybody familiar with lemon laws? Is a flare my best option?
 
Special warranty recipients with engine problems beware!

#444 of 707 Re: Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon: Engine Problems [sean91] by arcticfox

Feb 17, 2010 (6:21 am)

Replying to: sean91 (Feb 05, 2010 11:51 am)
I'm very surprised that people stay faithful to a product that fails on such a grand scale.
 
In my last post I commented on my satisfaction with earlier Toyota products. In 1990 the Toyota I bought was bullet proof. The 1998 Corolla was up there at 90%.
Although I found that car annoyingly underpowered for freeway travel, I didn't keep it long, I bought a Mazda. In 2003 I bought a new Matrix, clever design but also underpowered for the mass. I had a 2007 Tacoma SR5 Access cab for two years which I liked. I would still have it but the fuel costs were alarming back during 2008 when it peaked at $1.47 per litre. My monthly commuting costs were outrageous. From an environmental standpoint its shear glutony to commute in a 6cyl or 8cyl anyway so parting with the Tacoma was not difficult.
 
I remember, more than once, talking with staff at Toyota dealerships saying the quality was not top notch like it used to be. Something deteriorated when the Cambridge plant opened in the late 90's, growing pains maybe? The tacoma is a California assembly so has the North American input spoiled the quality? Maybe.
 
Now, the garage has two Mazda's parked in it. Both made in Japan and sent here assembled. Very happy with them both.
The reports on this site for owners of Canyons and Colorados have been a flashback to the days of dealing with the terrible Ford Ranger truck I bought in 1990.
Thankyou all for helping me with this decision. I hope you have 100% success at the dealership repairing your GM trucks- Canyons and Colorados.

#445 of 707 Re: Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon: Engine Problems [arcticfox] by harveykarisma

Feb 17, 2010 (11:19 am)

Replying to: arcticfox (Feb 17, 2010 6:21 am)
I'm surprised that people still believe the myth that Asian products are far superior to American products. This current problem with Toyota is not the first time. Back about 2000, Toytota had massive problems with engine sludging because of a design flaw in the engines. Toyota refused to step up to the plate and fix the problem until a class action lawsuit was threatened. They chose instead to claim that thousands of owners simply were not maintaining their cars properly. So much for the Toyota myth.

#446 of 707 Re: Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon: Engine Problems [harveykarisma] by dmathews3

Feb 17, 2010 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: harveykarisma (Feb 17, 2010 11:19 am)
the problem with Asian products is that they are NOT superior to the products from the big 3 its that every problem with them is that it has always been reported in the back of the newspapers instead of the front pages like everytime the big 3 hiccup it is page one news. The big 3 has been the top companies for so long that news and TV love to hit them when they are down causing all this false bull about them being bad products. They made some bad stuff for a while back in the 80's but it didn't take to long for them to figure out that it hurt the bottom line (profit) but thanks to the news they were never given the chance to redeam themselves until wallstreet created the big mess with no credit so no one could buy a new car hence their downfall. If you really followed the news you would have known that the japs lost many billions too, but their govenments helped them out where ours choose to let them sink before helping them. Problem is the young people were never taught to buy american products from american companies as this is what benefits this country not sending all their money to Japan or somewhere else. Yes the Chevy colorado/Gmcs may not be perfect but you always will know when you step on the brake that it is going to stop. I don't care what Toyota does with all their lying through the years telling their customers that there is no problems that it is their fault that now they tell us that they have fixed the problems that just happen to be on almost every vehicle they build that everything is going to be fine. I bet that in 2 years this same stuff will come back again to haunt them as I don't believe they have fixed the problems. Example, my sister had a 80's Camry that looked great but her mechanic told her on its last oil change the underside framework was so rusted he felt it was unsafe to drive. Then in the early 2000s Toy0ota had rust problems on their truck frames and fixed them for people who knew about it and claimed that all was now well only to find out that it is still a problem with new trucks along with driveshafts that are failing and breaking apart. Just think what could happen if the driveshaft gives away at 70 mph. You could end up being a world class pole vaulter going down the highway.

#447 of 707 no worse by sean91

Feb 17, 2010 (9:26 pm)

Had a pastor who just couldn't buy a Japanese product because of WWII. (But he never said he couldn't buy a German product.) Toyata Camry AND Canyon both running fine here. I once owned Ford Pinto (gas tank), Chevy X car with the poor paint finish (the finish started rusting out at two years), a 1992 Dodge van (same problem) and a 1996 Ford Taurus (ignition switch unprotected hanging down at the bottom of the engine block and bad head gasket). Japanese products are at least no worse.

#448 of 707 Engine light comming on 2005 colorado by budlite1013

Feb 21, 2010 (1:02 pm)

I have a 05 colorado and the check engine light stays on. replaced O2 sensor because the codes read PO1133 which is insufficient switching sensor bank 1 or sensor 1. This didn't work. Thought is was the O2 sensor took it back and got 1 from GM and I still have the same problem. Anyone have any suggestions???

#449 of 707 2005 GMC Canyon Problem by josh_howle81

Feb 25, 2010 (10:15 am)

Hello, I have a 2005 GMC Canyoun and I have been having some problems with it. For the past few months the engine would turn over but would not fire up, if I left it alone and came back 30 minutes later it would crank right up. Well now it will not crank at all and the dealership is telling me that it is the starter. Would the engine intake valve warranty extension have anything to do with this? Maybe because the engine wouldnt fire up and the starter kept trying to crank the truck it wore it out? Now they are saying 1500 bucks to fix. Any help would be much appreciated.

#450 of 707 Re: 2005 GMC Canyon Problem [josh_howle81] by stringpuller

Feb 25, 2010 (11:15 am)

Replying to: josh_howle81 (Feb 25, 2010 10:15 am)
Josh,
 
Sorry to say, I wish you good luck. In previous postings, I mention experiencing the exact problem as you. There are other Forum posts identifying similar Colorado start-up problems, speculating everything from cam shaft actuators to fuel pumps to theft deterrent device fuel cut-offs to injectors -- you name it, the list is large and the problem diagnosis remains undetermined. I had a GM engineer tell me it could be a defective key fob.
 
Over a period of several weeks during the summer, I experienced irregular no-start issues, although the truck would later start after approximately a 15-20 minute waiting period. The problem ceased for awhile but happened again in December and went away like a recurring phantom. My GM dealer had the truck for 2 weeks and could not repeat the symptom or ID any codes associated with problem.
 
I subsequently called GM to complain and inquired about the special warranty after reading about it on the Forum. They issued a policy# no questions asked so I took the truck back the dealer. The head and valves were determined to be in need of replacement, as well as a cracked exhaust manifold.
 
I haven't experienced the no-start gremlin since December, but I now have a mostly rebuilt engine since I took the initiative to contact GM. I suggest you call GM if your truck is under 100K to get the warranty policy and have a dealer check it out ASAP so that you won't take a bigger hit down the road.
 
No one can say if this issue was the monkey wrench causing my starting issues but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
 
Good luck.

#451 of 707 Head replaced, Now MISFIRING worse than ever! by jimmyged

Mar 13, 2010 (7:44 am)

My 05 Colorado with the I5 engine coded "misfire" on me. At about 59k on the warranty. I brought it to the dealer right away were they told me it needed a new head job. This was completly under warranty. OK they do the head and I am a happy customer, they cought a big one before the warranty is up at 60k. Now it is at 61k not even 2 thousand miles after they did the job and it is misfiring worse than ever! It`s running on 3 cyls! The dealer say`s if it was from their work it will be covered, but if not it`s on me! Has anybody like me already had the head replaced and now has a worse skip than ever? I cannot even drive this to the stealer I will have to tow it down on monday! By the way when I first got it back it was running like a bull, I could tell it had so much more compression in it. It was running very strong and I had no real issuses with this truck. I am very mechaniclly inclined and do all my own PM on it. So has anybody alread had their head replaced and now has even more problems with this engine? I am wondering if I should just unload this thing before I get the big one tucked to me!
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