DURAMAX

[bgott]

It took 'em a week to pull a head, eh? I hope they do both heads, if it got hot enough to blow one it got hot enough to blow the other. Then again, GM isn't going to pay them unless it has a problem with the other head right now. Good Luck!

 

[cj7]

I liked your story. That is a really lame explaination they tried to give you. I can think of so many comebacks for that one. That is cool the way you did. lol I can only imagine the look on the guys face.lol

 

[john4nh]

Well, got the truck back friaday.

Went back to the shop today(monday) replaced one head gasket. It is doing the same thing. Using anti-freeze and being hard to start in the morning (locking up) I believe water on the piston(s) does not compress easy.

Asked for a meeting with the regional mgr. Should get one this week I hope. Iam going for a new engine or the lemon law thing. Which I hear isnt that great of deal for owners.

Any suggestions out there I am listening? You guys that have had warranty work, do you believe it is unreasonable to demand a truck for the rental? Seems only right since last time they had me truck-less for about two-weeks. This time maybe longer.

 

[Egon]

Any time I had warrantywork done on my truck I was always given a loner without asking. In one case it was rental vehicle from a private company.
Demand a new motor or a new truck and accept nothing less. Involve legal representation if it is required.
Egon

 

[AndyR]

You certainly should get a loaner and it sure sounds to me like your are due a replacement if your state has a lemon law. If the problem is right back after they "fixed it" I think I'd demand a bit of satisfaction from that GM RM (regional manager).

Good Luck,

 

[patrickg]

Interesting thread, wish I could have read it earlier but I was tied up taking my Ram 3500 in for yet another repair to the cruise controll. I think this is the 4th or 5th cruise control servo in 66K miles. Of the times it "ran away" with me, only once was I unable to turn the cruise off with the off/on switch on the steering wheel AND unable to disengage it by applying the brakes. That Cummins with a full head of steam up cannot be stopped at highway speeds by applying the brakes and I had to turn the key off at 75 on the interstate and go it without power steering and power brakes.

I have the extended 100,000 mile waranty with a $50 deductable so it is essentially useless for the repetitive "small" problems.

Patrick

 

[Egon]

Patrick:
Consider yourself lucky it shut down when you turned off the key. I just went through a session where mine would not shut off even with key removed. It was the fuel shut off solenoid. A mere $525 plus labour Canadian and all is well agaim.
Egon

 

[patrickg]

Egon, That would not have made my day. I guess we all should have a contingency plan for what to do if you can't make it stop. I was not having fun when the steering wheel mounted switch and or the brakes would not turn off or disengage respectively the cruise which was in the process of trying to get me to set a new land speed record on a busy/crowded freeway in San Diego traffic. Had the key not killed it I would have been in a lot of trouble because the brakes will not stop the truck with the throtle at max with the Cummins Turgo diesel.

The next step would hurt me but would have been neccessary... shift to neutral, and hope for the best!

My wife's MB 5 cyl turbo diesel had a clearly marked (red label) lever under the hood labeled "Stop Engine" or some such, in English no less to cover the case when the key actuated stopper wouldn't.

I have read and heard discussed a scarry diesel situation that I luckily have not experienced personally. With a badly worn engine you can get enough blow by of crankcase fumes to provide the engine with enough fuel that it won't stop even with the fuel shut off. Covering/plugging the air intake deprives the engine of air and it dies.

If you have a manual trans you can let the clutch out at idle to kill the engine but with an automatic it would require you to stop the intake air. So, Egon, what was your situation?

Patrick

 

[Ozarker]

<font color=blue>Had the key not killed it I would have been in a lot of trouble because the brakes will not stop the truck with the throttle at max with the Cummins Turgo diesel.</font color=blue>

They will if you shift into neutral.

 

[bgott]

I'd go for a driver and a new engine. I would also ask the regional manager to have the engine installed by whichever area dealership has the most experience with the Duramax. Hopefully he'll make it right with you.