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Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon Owner Experiences

113 messages,  Last post on Feb 26, 2013 at 2:01 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Forum.

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

Messages Page 9 of 12

#76 of 113 POS that falls apart by johhnnyrr

Nov 30, 2009 (4:03 pm)

I have a 2004 GMC Canyon with 80500 miles on it. I recently had to put in the shop for a total of close to 45 days. During this time Haselwood GM Supercenter was suppose to fix a factory bulletin regarding the head on my truck. After being without my truck for almost a month I got the truck back and it ran rougher than when I put the truck in the shop. They some how missed a bulletin regarding the throttle body even though I had asked if there where any other outstanding issues. The whole better part of a month I was without a rental. After the throttle body cleaning the truck still ran rough. I took the truck back and and was advised that the gas in my truck contain to much ethanol 11-12%. I was advised to use a higher grade gas. I have been running a higher grade for the past couple weeks. The truck still runs rough in the morning. But besides that I had an even greater problem today. The drive shaft for my truck literally fell off tonight. there has also been other issues with the truck in the past, a malfunctioning gas cap, broken U-Joint, torn front drive boot, brake light failure, history of miss fires, and not having a horn installed by the factory.

#77 of 113 Re: Block heater on 07 Colorado [acking] by dmathews3

Nov 30, 2009 (4:52 pm)

Replying to: acking (Mar 13, 2009 6:19 pm)
Are you sure that is the true story or is this 2nd hand info. I had a diesel Chevy Truck and it didn't do that nor the new Ford Fusion Hybrid the wife just bought as a warm engine lets the battery engage quicker. I have always put mine on a timer so it turns on about 3 or so in the morning with a auto turnoff by 9. Maybe I'll have to look into hers to make sure it works as I have always thought.
 
I just got this out of her online owners manual....................
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and allows the heater/defroster system to respond quickly. If your vehicle
is equipped with this system, your equipment includes a heater element
which is installed in your engine block and a wire harness which allows
the user to connect the system to a grounded 120 volt a/c electrical
source. The block heater system is most effective when outdoor
temperatures reach below 0°F (-18°C).
Which sounds like it works best at the temps you heard but it says nothing of not working above those temps. I had a chance to look at the one they installed plus looked at other pictures online and all they are is a simple heater element that goes inplace of a soft plug with a 110v cord that hooks to it and runs out through/near the grill with a plug on the end. I think you will be Ok as I know hers sits in the garage and it hasn't got below 40 F inside and I can tell the difference when I drive as it has heat right away instead of 2 miles down the road.

#78 of 113 Re: POS that falls apart [johhnnyrr] by pondscum

Dec 01, 2009 (5:08 am)

Replying to: johhnnyrr (Nov 30, 2009 4:03 pm)
Get ready. Fed Govt is proposing raising ethanol content to 15% soon. Auto mfgs say "no problem" but Boat, Mtrcycle and ATV manufacturers are issuing significant concerns.

#79 of 113 Re: POS that falls apart [pondscum] by dmathews3

Dec 01, 2009 (6:38 am)

Replying to: pondscum (Dec 01, 2009 5:08 am)
Here in Mi. we have both real gas and ethanol based gas in which sadly both sell for the same price. I was out in Co. last year and was shocked to see gas with ethanol was cheaper and really shocked to see some places had both types of gas.

#80 of 113 S10 or Colorado/Canyon? by dispencer2

Dec 29, 2009 (9:48 am)

Has anyone had good luck with the Canyon/Colorado? I need to get a small truck for occasional household chores and was going to look for a cheap used 2000-2003 S10. I then considered a Colorado (2005 or 6) but the constant complaints on this site have pretty much turned me off. The S10 was rated by CU as having a lousy reliability record as well. Granted that you never seem to hear from the happy people on Edmonds what do you as owners recommend. This is not a daily commuter. I'll probably only put less than five thousand miles a year on it. Has ANYONE had a fairly trouble free Colorado?. I'd get an extended cab with auto, power, cruise, AC etc. I'm mainly interested in a smooth ride. I've had my fill of 4wd full size trucks. Thanks - Karl

#81 of 113 Re: S10 or Colorado/Canyon? [dispencer2] by mollypu

Dec 29, 2009 (10:59 am)

Replying to: dispencer2 (Dec 29, 2009 9:48 am)
I have a 2005 Crew Cab Z71 4X4. I did not expect a luxury vehicle when I purchased it new four and one half years ago. I treat it like a truck but don't abuse it. Now have 55,000 miles on it. No real problems. I replaced the factory tires at 50,000 with BFG AT's. Made a huge difference, especially in snow and rain. I use it to commute 30 miles a day and for work in the yard (we do a lot of gardening and landscaping at home). I'm happy with it. The ride in the Z71 is smooth compared to other trucks. No valve issues as some have had. Go to the Tacoma forum and read about the rust issues with those vehicles. I'll stick with Chevy. I would buy another new or a 2008/09 used. Good luck.

#82 of 113 Re: S10 or Colorado/Canyon? [dispencer2] by pondscum

Dec 29, 2009 (2:39 pm)

Replying to: dispencer2 (Dec 29, 2009 9:48 am)
I for one have not had a moment of regret. I have a 2005 extended Cab Z71 2wd with the 5 cylinder engine, auto trans. I can honestly say I have had not a single issue. I tow a bass boat regularly from April to October, pretty much every weekend.
 
Overall, I do pretty low miles, about 7500 a year, but still get 21 mpg overall, as much as 24-25 on dedicated highway trips (not towing) and as much as 19 while towing the boat.
 
The SINGLE complaint I have is cabin wind noise, and I can attribute that to the extended cab and no post between the doors to seal as tight as I was used to with my old S10s. My sentiment is that the only reports you read are those with complaints, not many people come to these sites to brag on the vehicle.

#83 of 113 Re: S10 or Colorado/Canyon? [pondscum] by dispencer2

Jan 01, 2010 (11:50 am)

Replying to: pondscum (Dec 29, 2009 2:39 pm)
Thanks!

#84 of 113 Re: S10 or Colorado/Canyon? [pondscum] by leadfoot4

Jan 03, 2010 (7:26 am)

Replying to: pondscum (Dec 29, 2009 2:39 pm)
"Pond", the one thing that really annoyed me with my Canyon vs. my previous S-10 was wind noise in the cab. From what I've been able to determine, the issue is with the cabin air vents that are on the back of the cab, visible between the cab and bed. Something either in their design or location isn't quite right, and they allow a lot of wind noise in the cab.
 
I went over my truck very carefully when it was new, making sure that the body was "square" to the frame, and the bed was straight and square to the cab, as some of the boxes were sitting crooked on the frame, with one side sticking out beyond the cab, causing turbulance. I also put a bit of the "stereo competition" sound deaderer in the cab, which quieted it down a bit.
 
I recently took a part time job delivering parts for a local auto parts store. I drive an '07 Colorado, and I noticed that GM added a rubber strip to the front on the bed, to deflect the air away from the cabin vents. It does help, but the strips attach to a couple of tabs on the bed, which aren't on the earlier beds. If they were, I'd get the strips for my truck....

#85 of 113 Re: S10 or Colorado/Canyon? [dispencer2] by jpf

Jan 03, 2010 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: dispencer2 (Dec 29, 2009 9:48 am)
The poor rating in Consumer Reports regarding the the S10 is specific to the 4WD models. Wheel bearings are a particular problem on the 4WD S10. The 2WD models tend to have average reliability. I have owned both a 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder S10 with 2WD and did not have significant problems with either one. I would lean towards the S10 because the engines are proven designs that have a pretty good track record. Further, since they are old tech (OHV designs) they are cheaper to rebuild or replace. Good luck.

Messages Page 9 of 12

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