My truck just turned 100,000 miles a few weeks ago. At about 97,000 I had the hoses and belts changed, new plugs and new wires installed, the trans fluid flushed, pan dropped and change out the filter, flush out the rear end and replace the axle lube, flush out the brake system, replace the brake fluid, the power steering fluid, an oil and filter change, and check for any signs of future problems so I can get the warranty to pick it up. Everything checked out OK - the bill $2500! But that should hold me for another 75 - 100,000 miles.

Well, last Wednesday I took my truck to Chevy for an oil change with 101,600 miles. I said I'd wait in the "lounge". The service writer came over to me about 20 minutes later and told me that I've got a leaky head gasket. 1600 miles past the warranty and this happens?! This is BS! He took me over to my truck and showed me the oil had a slightly creamy look, it was still dark brown / black, but it had that opaque look to it, and the oil fill cap had a creamy rusty residue inside of it. I'm pissed, I've never let this thing overheat or even get past the 210 degree mark on the guage. The mechanic told me that GM has had problems with the head bolts stretching. It seems to me that those head bolts are substandard for this specified use.

The service manager called GMPP and basicly they said that that they picked up a lot of items during the warranty period, so I'm on my own.

Hello? Why did I get the extended warranty? Maybe if GM made better quality vehicles like my wife's Lexus, I wouldn't need to use the extended warranty!

After I calmed down I asked the service manager how much to pull the heads and replace the gaskets. He told me since the heads are aluminum they will need to be sent out to make sure they haven't warped. If they have warped too much, they become paper weights, otherwise they'll do a valve job, including replacing of the seals and guides. The price $1800.

When I got home and looked under the hood, on the right side of the engine at the exhaust manifold between cylinders 4 and 6 where the two manifold bolts are close together - the exhaust manifold is broken between those bolts. The price $200. I know that didn't happen after the 100,000 mile mark.

I already put a new windsheild it it 2 weeks ago and haven't even gotten the bill for that yet.

GM has done their homework to make sure that when the warranty goes out the vehicle self destructs. It's been a good truck since before this happened, but if the head bolts are substandard, what else is substandard?

I think it's time to look for another truck.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SS Crew,

if you're an outstanding customer there ask to see if they can register the truck under the 100k marker. Say 98700 miles so you should be covered. At the dealership I work at that was what usually happened. once the truck is punched for mileage you are on your own but maybe they haven't don that yet. Good Luck!...new truck I would say not but a swap for a Vortec Max (or equally built 6.0) or a diesel would be fun.

Truck is gone. I was going to try to fix it, but the wife said that she refuses to ride to the river across 200 miles of desert with the family in an unreliable truck. If the head bolts are substandard, whats next? Actually she encouraged me to get a new truck. I bought a 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD. I miss the Quadasteer in parking situations, but not the creeking and popping sounds. This has the 6.0, but puts out 353 hp through a 6 speed auto trans - not the Allison, but a Hydramatic. I love it, but hate the new payment. The QS was a great ride while it lasted and I made a few contacts on the way.

Good luck to everybody on the QS board.....SS Crew signing off.......

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SS Crew,

Sorry to hear of the problems SS Crew and can't blame you for the change. That situation would have made me blow a gasket.

Good luck with this one and maybe I'll see you at another board. Adios amigos.

Sad to see you going, however I wouldn’t dare to cross the desert either. At least you are still with the family, hope to see you on the other truck forums. Enjoy your new truck.

By the way, do you think Westers 91 hot-tune have had any affect on the head gasket?

Crew- Did you trade it off with the rims and where did you trade it to?

I don't think the Westers tune had anything to do with the head gaskets - they just used substandard material for the head bolts if they streach. Kudos to GM for making an item that knows when 100,000 miles is reached so it can fatigue and fail after all warranties have expired. They sure hit the mark on that one.

I kept the Weld wheels and tires that I purchased two weeks earlier and swapped the ones that were on the new truck. The 20's are actually 3/10 of an inch taller than the "off road" tires that came on the new truck.

I really miss the QS function on this new truck, I looked like an idiot trying to back up my boat to the launch ramp. I seemed to be chasing the boat all the way down - I never realized how much the rear steer really helped. It's like learing how back up a trailer all over again.

I'll keep checking in every now and then to see if I can lend any past experience to help any members. Until then, Y'all be cool, right on!

Crew- What dealership did you trade it in at?

quote:

Originally posted by DrtyBrty:
Crew- What dealership did you trade it in at?

Thorson Buick, GMC, Pontiac in Pasadena, California. They said that they were going to wholesale it out.
Why, were you interested in it?

Possibly. My sis is looking for a white crew quad.