Re: GM V6 Engine Warning - True Sad Story (Long)

"DL" wrote

Do you mean like this broken 3100 camshaft?

We rarely (read "never") replace camshafts in these engines except for these broken ones....and usually the engine is toast by the time the cam breaks.

Ian

Yes, probably look like this one. When I get my deceased engine from the shop, I will be able to tell for sure.

The oil doesn't look too watery on the dip stick. May be further down in the sump is different. When I tried starting it, the engine actually tried to run, but it then stumbled and made a heavy pumping sound and stalled right after. The oil pressure light remained on the whole time. The theory is that the camshaft has broken into two pieces. Two of the cylinders still run on one piece, but the other piece is not turning, so no oil pump pressure. I don't know if the computer shuts down the engine in absence of oil pressure or the engine just can't run with only 2 cylinders. The vehicle is still waiting at the repair shop. If it is easy to take the valve cover off, I will try to go there and confirm how many of the valves are moving. Can you tell me how easy to take the valve cover off these things ?

So you didn't check your coolant for 40,000 miles?

And usually, when the vehicle is low on coolant, the temp sensor wont give a reading. Something you notice when you look at your gauges.

A majority of cars do have slow coolant leaks. It does very from car to car. And some cars have a perfect tight system. So thats a reason you should check it atleast once a week to a month.

And im not sure how far you can get with GM. Because you are out of warranty, and the bulletin isn't really considered a recall.

If i was you. I would look in the papers for an engine. I prob can find one from 200-500 bucks. Ebay sometimes has collision shops selling them. Get a mechanic to install it for less then a 1000.

That's a bad idea. If you block payment to the shop, they'll just slap a mechanic's lien on the car and take it. They can then either auction it, or more likely just sell it for what they've got in it dollar wise, which would likely be a lot less than it's worth.

JazzMan

Apparently this well respected engine has some weaknesses as well.

Recent posts and accounts indicate that the GenII

Apparently this well respected engine has some weaknesses as well.

Recent posts and accounts indicate that the GenII

Apparently this well respected engine has some weaknesses as well.

Recent posts and accounts indicate that the GenII

Apparently this well respected engine has some weaknesses as well.

Recent posts and accounts indicate that the GenII

I've had that same type of experience with Chrysler as well. I've gotten help with a head gasket replacement (free) on a 97 Neon and a 50% credit on a repaint job to fix clearcoat problems on a 87 Caravan...both were past the warrantee period and all it took was to ask!! In fact the Caravan was 8 years old at the time! GM doesn't seem to offer "good will" help to their customers very often (in these cases of obvious factory defects) based on what people are saying in this NG.

Hondas suck big time. Anything from asia does. Even my sneakers. Hondas should stick with small engines and motorcycles.

If hondas didn't suck, then their newsgroup wouldn't be filled with mechanical problems. How realiable is a timing belt with an interference engine?

And if you reverse charges, you will prob end up in court. Because if they did fix the problem and did provide a service. Your not paying the fee for those services which is stealing.

I cant remember if you called GM. But their tech number is a lot better then the dealers. Because dealers are more scam artists, no matter who the manufac are. Same goes with a lot of repair shops. And the corporate will force the dealer to fix the problem.

Otherwise, a lawyer is a lot better to give you advice on legal matters.

Don't you mean "gaskets"? At least Honda knows how to make a decent engine. GM knows, but their accountants won't let them.

maybe in their street cars, but not in Formula 1.

Of course its a bad idea. What else would you expect from someone who suggests getting a Honduh?

:-p

IF Honda knows how, then why don't they build one? Anything you have to rev to 7500 RPM in daily driving doesn't qualify as a "decent engine."

do you really believe this?

I can drive mine all day and not break 2500 if I don't want to.

"Brad Clarke" wrote

Not at the moment, but they dominated Formula One a few years back. It could happen again fairly quickly.

Ian