2001 GMC Sierra coming off warranty soon..should I be doing anything?

I have a 2001 GMC 4X4 6 liter. Bought it new service regularly. The only thing I would recommend is flush the transmission fluid through that filtering system they have and run and injector cleaner through regularly to keep the injectors and throttle body clean and clear becuase the gas we agetting in my opinion is really rotten. I us BK cleaner. $27 a pint and seems to do the job. I have

92,500 miles on my truck and all I have had to do in keep buying gas....bought two sets on tires for it and this week the knock sensor went out. It has been an awsome truck. Hve it three years March 04. Good luck! Darryl

"VanGor" wrote

My opinion is that it would not be a waste of money to take the vehicle to a "known" good mechanic (not to the dealer where you would end up having the repairs, if any, done) and have him/her go over it with a fine tooth comb.

Now...having said that....if there are problems, ie: leaks, noises...etc.....do not go into the dealer saying something along the lines of "my mechanic said such and such is wrong with the truck, fix it under warranty". This will be guaranteed to start you off on the wrong foot with the dealership. Instead, take the recommendations of your mechanic and formulate your own complaints.

Let's say that your tech says the right front axle seal is leaking. You would then say to the service advisor, "I've noticed a fluid leak under my truck....I took a quick look and it appears to be from the front passenger side of the truck, could you check that out?" (ps, doesnt apply to your truck, but you get the picture?)

Say your tech takes the truck for a drive and notices that the left front wheel bearing is noisy. You don't want to say to the advisor...."my left wheel bearing needs to be replaced, my tech has determined that it's noisy and worn".....instead you want to say something like:...."when I drive my truck, I can hear a humming noise coming from the front of the truck, it seems to get louder when I turn right and quieter when I turn to the left. Can you guys check it out?"

The idea is to have "you" complain about the problems, not bring in a sheet of complaints from "another" professional. Trust me, it works better this way. It has to do with pride and ego's....(grin)

And whatever you do, don't bring the truck in on March 13 if the warranty runs out on the 14. And don't bring it in for your repairs at 35978 miles, if the warranty is only good to 36000 miles. Trust me, this is the wrong thing to do. Get it in now, and get whatever needs to be done...done now.

Ian

That is some good stuff Ian. I love the internet!

Craig

"Steve N" wrote

You obviously don't know too much about how dealerships work. If you think that you can waltz in at the end of your warranty and they will "gladly" look around and sell all the warranty work they can find, you are sadly mistaken. We know when people are coming in on a "fishing" expedition, plus we have their repair history handy. And, upselling warranty work off of a simple inspection is frowned upon "big time" by GM. If I have a vehicle in for the above inspection that you describe, and if I find something legitimate that needs repair, I have to get it inspected and authorized by a shop foreman. In the case of a leak, it better be pouring out, a sweat is just ignored and cannot be repaired. It all works much better if "you", the customer, has a specific complaint. Then there is no need to have foreman authorization about doing the repair, whatever it may be. Plus, there is more leeway for the tech to be able to repair even a "marginal" leak, or other type of repair. Trust me, I've been working in GM dealerships for a long time, and this is the way that it works.

When I worked in a Chrysler dealership for a few years, it was even worse. You could "not", under any circumstances, (other then a massive leak that could jeopardize an even more expensive component) upsell warranty unless the customer specifically had a complaint.

Good for them. Another good example of why it's important to establish a good relationship with a dealership and let them do some "customer pay" work. Then when you need them for the "good will", they will be in your court.

Ian

My Honda Civic had two out of warranty goodwill repairs, one for a clutch and one for a water pump/timing belt/oil seal replacement. I had never had any work done at any Honda dealer previously, because I do most of my maintenance myself. So, it seems to me, that Honda stands behind their product, whereas GM MIGHT if you've been a steady customer. IMO, goodwill repairs should be exactly that, done to promote goodwill towards the company providing the service in hopes that the customer will remain loyal, not the other way around.

Having expressed that opinion, I'd like to thank you, Ian, for your frequent help you give in this and other groups. You've helped me out, and I hope to see your posts in the future. Yours is the purest form of goodwill that does not expect repayment. I think most people who frequent the GM groups will agee that you are a true asset to GM owners!

WW

I have everyone but Ian in my killfile

"WaterWatcher" wrote

I suspect that you are probably one of the "good" customers who might be won over by some goodwill given out by the manufacturer. Unfortunately, your type seems to be only a small percentage of the customers who we run across. Most customers that come in after the warranty period bitching about something, only want your goodwill and then you never see them again. In all fairness, maybe they were burnt by a dealership at one time, and for them it's payback time. I'm simply (as you are probably aware) trying to let people know what the view and attitudes are from the "other side" or from "inside" the dealership. I see what happens when customers come in and start off on the wrong foot. I'm hoping that some of my advice will help even the person that doesn't frequent the dealerships get some value for their original purchase price on the vehicle.

Thanks, I appreciate you mentioning that.

Ian

"NokNokMan" wrote

Hopefully, that's an exaggeration. There are a number of great guys and gals on here that are very helpful. But thanks for your vote of confidence.

Ian

Yes. I give the Honda dealer most of the work I don't care to do myself, not just because of the goodwill repairs but also because they really try hard to make right anything that I'm not happy with. That's really important. Actually, that's more important because the dealer did not do the goodwill repairs untill I contacted Honda's zone office who then authorized them.

Unfortunately, your type seems to be only a small percentage of the

I think that the point is that it's a two way street, and should not be all give or take by either party. It seems that GM likes to dole out rebates at purchase time but is less likely to help out later, whereas Honda might be more inclined to do the opposite. Some people would rather have the rebate and put it in the bank for future maintenance.

Yes. I give the Honda dealer most of the work I don't care to do myself, not just because of the goodwill repairs but also because they really try hard to make right anything that I'm not happy with. That's really important. Actually, that's more important because the dealer did not do the goodwill repairs untill I contacted Honda's zone office who then authorized them.

Unfortunately, your type seems to be only a small percentage of the

I think that the point is that it's a two way street, and should not be all give or take by either party. It seems that GM likes to dole out rebates at purchase time but is less likely to help out later, whereas Honda might be more inclined to do the opposite. Some people would rather have the rebate and put it in the bank for future maintenance.