[Settlement w/GM] Lemon '09 Suburban ... motor letting go?

[Patrick]

Call me silly for keeping this $60,000 2009 Suburban LTZ around because it's been nothing but problems from day 1 (transmission, power steering, suspension, drive-ability issues), but I've been so freaking busy that I don't have time to go new truck shopping.

Here we are at 49k miles. Now, when I start the beast an enormous cloud of white/blue smoke billows from the rear tail pipe, completely filling my garage like an oil refinery fire. That + massive oil consumption at the moment.

On the way to the dealer at 2pm. Here we go with next problem!

Previous issues...
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=149359

[DarthAWM]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Call me silly for keeping this $60,000 2009 Suburban LTZ around because it's been nothing but problems from day 1 (transmission, power steering, suspension, drive-ability issues), but I've been so freaking busy that I don't have time to go new truck shopping.

Here we are at 49k miles. Now, when I start the beast an enormous cloud of white/blue smoke billows from the rear tail pipe, completely filling my garage like an oil refinery fire. That + massive oil consumption at the moment.

On the way to the dealer at 2pm. Here we go with next problem!

Previous issues...
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=149359

Damn Patrick, did you cut off a Voodoo priest in traffic? I've got 200k on my 05 Avalanche and not a wisp of smoke

I did shell the rear end at 140k and the tranny at 185k but the motor is untouched

[raidmagic]

I don't know the reasons behind your troubles but I have an 07 Sierra with 100XXX plus miles and not an issue to be found other than the power fold on the drivers mirror quit working

[Patrick]

As I'm pulling into the dealer parking lot I get OIL PRESSURE LOW - STOP VEHICLE. How convenient, because I had arrived.

I look over at the oil pressure garage, and it's bouncing up and down like a tach needle.

This truck has big problems.

[KennyGS]

Have you satisfied the lemon law criteria yet?

I'd think you are quite ready to park that permanently in somebody's garage.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by KennyGS

Have you satisfied the lemon law criteria yet?

Good question. Here's the big ticket list....

Transmission - replaced.
Rack and pinion steering unit - replaced.
Front wheel hub assembly - replaced.
Exhaust manifold gaskets - replaced.

Now... this thing either needs cylinder heads or an engine rebuild.... with 49,000 miles.

I could go on and on about the other stuff. The left side "turn in" mirror doesn't work anymore. The bizarre transmission shift points, it handles like a sloppy pig, the foam is hanging out on the bottom of the front seats...

I've simply never, ever, encountered so many repairs or problems from a vehicle in my lifetime and I've had 20+ Chevrolets.

[Chris Draper]

Yikes, sounds like a genuine lemon.

Maybe after you killed your Z06 it was reincarnated as this Suburban and it's getting revenge on you.

[mbwalker]

You apparently had one too many posts about Rick Wagner during his stay at GM...he's getting even now. He has a little voodoo doll of your truck and he's sticking pins in it.

[blckslvr79]

I assume you have the 5.3?

Google "5.3 Oil Consumption".

I've got it too on my 08 Sierra, but GM dealer denies it.
Says it's within "normal acceptance".

My 08 uses about 2 quarts every oil change.
When the oil level gets down about 3 quarts, the oil pressure gauge gets eratic and the warning light comes on. Ask me how I know.
I've run nothing but Mobile One synthetic since I bought it new in 2008. Rear brakes suck. They've been turned 3 times now. Foam is coming out the bottom of the seats now that you mentioned it. Idle is rough. Auto door lock quit working on the rear drivers side door. Spare tire lowering cable was installed wrong preventing the use of it when stranded along the road with a flat. Have a bubble under the paint on the door but dealer won't cover it since it's not rotted from the inside? I also get a clunk in the trans when accelerating from a coast.

Other than that, it's been a good truck.
Definately not the best GM truck I've owned.

[ArKay99]

2009...post bailout? ahem...

[Playmate]

the thing is, you've had 20 plus chevrolets, but they don't care!!

[Poncherello]

At least it has a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

IMO, the 5.3 is to small a motor for that size truck and as such works way to hard, especially when it's loaded with cargo/people. My Escalade ESV with the 6.2 gets better gas mileage than my Tahoe did and dirves much better. No issues with anything so far. All around I think the 6.2 is a much better motor than the 5.3.

[Patrick]

I got the truck back already.

The truck was low 4 quarts of oil!!! Considering I checked it a month ago when I put a new battery in it, this is amazing consumption.

Apparently they referenced doc 10-06-01-008F for repairs because this is a common issue with the 5.3L and aluminum block.

They replaced the left valve cover, installed an oil deflector in the oil pan, and performed a "decarb" on the engine.

Considering the repair list for this truck is now a mile long, it's one thing after another, and it's past repair work is going to seriously harm resale value, I'm going to pursue a lemon law case. I'm done with it.

[Patrick]

Got lawyer. Case started, and away we go.

[MrVette83]

I hope I'm not headed down this path with you. I purchased a 2012 LTZ Crew Cab Silverado with the 5.3L in June. At around 6,000 miles it began to make a chirping noise from the front of the engine that I thought was nothing more than a belt tensioner. A new cam and lifters later and the noise is gone but my apprehension of this truck is not. My previous truck was a 2005 with the 5.3L and it had 223,000 + trouble free miles on it when I sold it. Hope you're able to get this thing lemon lawed.