Cam and Lifter Problem with my 2008 5.3 GMC
 

I just joined this forum and apologize for jumping right in but I'm about to be negotiating for some help from the factory to repair a problem the dealer says I now have. It started with warning messages coming up telling me to Service Stabilitrac and Service Traction Control. Then my check engine light stayed on. Every time I idled for more than the time it took for a red light to change these warnings reappeared. So, scheduled appt with dealer. He calls back and says I have a bad lifter and one of the lobes on the cam has been worn down. I have NO IDEA how this problem could have triggered these warnings. However, since I am just barely out of the factory warranty (8 months past the 5 years and only 55,000 miles) I'm going to try to get GM to cover the cost. Have any of you had similar problems and can you speculate on why the warnings I got resulted from this sort of problem? ALL help is appreciated. Thanks!!!

Hello,

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a issue with your vehicle. Can we be of any assistance?

Sincerely,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

Quote: Hello,

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a issue with your vehicle. Can we be of any assistance?

Sincerely,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

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Perhaps. My truck is at Nash Chevrolet in Lawrenceville. I found out today that the repair will be $4900. GM is offering to cover all but $1500 of that. I may sound greedy but I would think it should be fully covered since the truck is so near the end of the 5 year warranty and only has 55,000 miles. I have an unblemished record of dealership maintenance and this is the top of the line GMC (SLT; Z71; 4X4; etc.). I have had this truck in for "check engine light" issues 3 times now. For a truck that listed for almost $50K in '08 it has had a lot of issues. Anything you can do to get this covered by GM would be appreciated. If you need my personal contact info please let me know. Thanks, James

James,

I am happy to assist. I cannot guarantee anything but I do want to look into this for you. Could you private message me your contact information, VIN, exact mileage, and your preferred dealership?

Thanks,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

Keep us informed James. I'd love to hear how it turns out for you

Hey Jennifer, I can't figure out how to do a private message. Can you send me on to which I can reply?
Thanks,
James

At the top left of one of her posts click on Jennifer's user name "GM Customer Service" .
A drop down menu will pop up. Click on "Send private message to GM Customer Service"

James,

I am not 100% sure but I believe that you do not have the capability to private message because you are new to the forum. You can email the information that I requested to General Motors Company | Official Global Site | GM.com subject "Attn:Jennifer" and we can go from there.

Regards,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

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Jennifer,
I sent you an email on the GM Website. I could never figure out how to do a PM to you from this forum. When I clicked your name the drop down menu did not give me the option to send a PM. Anyway, I appreciate your help and look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, James

Thanks In2Trux, I tried that but no PM options came up. I have sent her an email through the GM website. I'm not a high tech guy so I am not always good at figuring out how to negotiate these forums. Thanks

James,

Thanks for letting me know you were able to email me. As soon as I see it in my system, I will respond.

Best regards,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

Update
 

Despite GM Customer Service offer to help, nothing has been done. According to the latest contact they are still playing phone tag with the dealership. Apparently the dealership is the only one that has done anything so far. They are telling me the total repair is $4900 and that they will allow me to pay only a "deductible" of $1500. I grant you that is better than $4900 but I still think GM should stand behind this. My truck has only 55,000 miles and is just barely out of the "years" warranty. I have had all service and repair work done at the dealer and have pampered the truck.

Hello,

I am deeply sorry to hear this. Was a Service Request made? If so, could I have the Service Request Number? I would like to look into this for you.

Best regards,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

Jennifer,

Here is the number: Service Request Number: 71-1210920575.
You made the same offer about a week and a half ago and I've been passed around from one CS rep to the other ever since. The latest one apparently did nothing but email the dealership and ask them what they wanted to do. Each time I spoke with her she was encouraging and said she would call me back in a couple of hours. Not once did she ever call me back. I had to follow up with her every time. The dealership told me they would charge off part of the bill and charge me a "deductible" of $1500. The service writer told me the total bill was around $4900 so I thought they were being pretty helpful. I picked up the truck today and the bill was around $2200 so they only waived $700 to $800 of the bill.

I must say I'm pretty disgusted with this "help"; GM and this truck. I would not be this upset if it were different circumstances but this truck is just a few months out of the 5 year warranty with almost half the mileage warranty remaining for the drive train. The cam and lifter failure was no fault of mine. I have had the oil changed on-time every time and all other service has been done timely. And, all service has been done at GM Dealerships.

I am a life long GM customer. I can't tell you how many GM vehicles I've owned in my lifetime. My Dad retired from GM's Doraville, GA plant. We are GM people. However, that truck will be the last GM product I ever purchase. I know lots of folks with F-150's and Tundras. None have ever had the problems I have had with this truck. GM should stand behind this and make this repair at no cost to the customer.

Lov-n-life,

Yes, I do remember that I reached out to you last week but for some reason we were not able to private message each other. I suggested that you contact me via email at socialmedia@gm.com but I never received an email from you.

I have looked over your Service Request and notified your agent that you are very unhappy. Please email at socialmedia@gm.com and in the subject line put "Attention Jennifer T." if your agent does not contact you by Thursday (tomorrow).

I understand that you are feeling frustrated and I would like to assist in any way I can.

Sincerely,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

Jennifer:
I didn't hear from anyone today (surprise!!). No need to contact me further. I'm done.:(

More Engine Problems
 

New to the forum.
2008 Silverado Crew Cab with 95,000 miles.
Engine knocking. Always used Mobil 1 synthetic changed at 6,000 mile intervals.
Truck was purchased as a GM Certified pre-owned in 2010.
I'm retired now and on a fixed income.
What can I expect to be faced with as a repair if this is indeed the cam/lifter problems that this year truck/engine is experiencing?
Has GM-Chevrolet offered any assistance for corrections?

Such a disappointment.....

Any info is appreciated.

Jcat