I’ll check that out with the dealership on Monday. Thanks
Something to keep in mind is that the vast majority of timing chain problems are caused by failure to change the oil regularly enough.
Dirty, contaminated, or weak oil will kill any kind of chain pretty quickly.
Some are failing at 4000 miles, design, not oil changes.
Glad to hear things worked out for you. I’m told women react differently to this kind of adventure; becoming closer to the car (when things turn out well) and almost developing an emotional attachment.
Most men I know would start looking to trade it after having had this trouble.
You have no doubt given GM a lot of useful input as to the capabilites and shortcomings of the Oil Monitoring System.
Lots of chocolates for Valentines!!
While I personally do not like to exceed 3,000 miles, let’s be honest here. When the reduced maintenance interval is touted as a selling feature, and the manufacturer puts this piece of technology in the car, and then instructs the customer in it’s owner’s manual to follow the OLM, then if the engine sludges up and comes apart, it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to pay for the engine replacement. If there was an “unforeseen” inaccuracy, then that’s too bad. They designed it and marketed it, used it to sway the customer to buy their product with it, so they have to accept responsibility. The fact of the matter is that the OP followed the maintenance schedule as printed, so it’s time for GM to buck up. The issue of making her drive a rental while leaving the car dismembered awaiting the Lube Shop is ludicrous. If GM wants to make a case against the lube company, it should perform an oil analysis to see if they screwed up by using the wrong oil. Otherwise, they need to do the work and get the woman’s car back to her. I guess more of the old GM is left over than we might have first thought.
The OLM Has No Way Of Sensing Or Adjusting For Inadequate Oil Volume And Is Set Up To Assume That Owners Are Following The Manufacturer’s Admonition Pertaining To Physically Checking That Volume.
CSA
abc7777- where di you hear that so I can look it up and read more.
It was on the GMI site, looked for thread and couldn’t find it. What I remember is software for 3.6 OLM update coming out. Seems like someone with GM knowledge. Dealer will know if there is, but they are sometimes last to know.
I have googled variations of the above and cannot find a thing. The dealership asked me where I heard that. They cfnnot find anything either. Dod you mean the GM site or is there something else called the GM"I" (GMI above ) site.
The site is GM Inside news. I just posted a ? on the site to see if there is somebody that may know about it.
Thanks for your help. We are all seeking answers to complicated problems that seem on the surface to be a matter of paying more attention. I think it is a combo of both. This car is being babied now big time by all. It is a stepchild, adopted by the dealership and I have become goodwrench lady!
It’s TSB, Technical Service Bulletin. Trying to get the #, seems to have more to do with timing chain failure.
Date: 02/09/2011
Subject: 10287 - Customer Satisfaction Program - Premature Timing Chain Wear - Reprogram ECM
GM CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTERSALES
DCS2552
URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date: February 9, 2010
Subject: 10287 - Customer Satisfaction Program
Premature Timing Chain Wear - Reprogram ECM
Models: 2007 GMC Acadia, Saturn OUTLOOK
2007-09 Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS
2009 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia,
Saturn OUTLOOK
Equipped with a HFV6 Engine
To: All GM Dealers
Attention: General Manager, Service Manager, Parts Manager,
Used Vehicle Sales Manager, and Warranty Administrator
General Motors is announcing Customer Satisfaction Program 10287 today. The total number of U.S. vehicles involved is approximately 383,000. Please see the attached bulletin for details.
Due to the availability of the required calibration, this program will be administered in phases. The first phase will include the Cadillac vehicles. You will be notified when the calibration and VINs are being released for the remainder of the vehicles.
Customer Letter Mailing
The customer letter mailing will begin on February 15, 2011, for Cadillac customers.
Global Connect (GWM)
The “Investigate Vehicle History” (GMVIS 2) link on the Global Warranty Management (GWM) application within GlobalConnect will be updated February 9, 2011, with Cadillac VINs.
Campaign Initiation Detail Report (CIDR)
The CIDR will be available February 11, 2011, for the Cadillac vehicles.
END OF MESSAGE
GM CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTERSALES
Message Attachment(s):
10287 bulletin.pdf Acrobat PDF (77.17KB) 10287
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM
SUBJECT: Premature Timing Chain Wear ? Reprogram Engine Control Module
MODELS: 2009 Buick Enclave
2007-2009 Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS
2009 Chevrolet Traverse
2007 GMC Acadia
2009 GMC Acadia
2007 Saturn OUTLOOK
2009 Saturn OUTLOOK
Equipped with HFV6 Engine
Due to the availability of the required calibration, this program is being administered in
phases. This first phase will include the Cadillac vehicles only. You will receive a dealer
message when the calibration and VINs are being released for the remainder of the
vehicles.
THIS PROGRAM IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FEBRUARY 28, 2013.
CONDITION
On certain 2007 model year GMC Acadia; Saturn OUTLOOK; 2007-2009 model year Cadillac
CTS, SRX, STS; 2009 model year Buick Enclave; Chevrolet Traverse; GMC Acadia; and Saturn
OUTLOOK vehicles equipped with a HFV6 engine, under certain driving conditions, and with
extended oil change intervals, the timing chain could wear prematurely and cause the
illumination of the Service Engine Soon light.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to reprogram the engine control module, including the engine oil life monitor.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 2007 model year GMC Acadia; Saturn OUTLOOK; 2007-2009 model year
Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS; 2009 model year Buick Enclave; Chevrolet Traverse; GMC Acadia;
and Saturn OUTLOOK vehicles equipped with a HFV6 engine
Important: Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using the
Required Field Actions section in the Global Warranty system.
For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete
vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared and
will be provided to US and Canadian dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports, or
sent directly to export dealers. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved
vehicles currently assigned.
The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle
Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other
than follow-up necessary to complete this program is a violation of law in several
states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the
follow-up necessary to complete this program.
Dear General Motors Customer:
This notice is sent to inform you that General Motors is conducting a Customer Satisfaction
Program that affects 2007 model year GMC Acadia; Saturn OUTLOOK; 2007-2009 model year
Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS; 2009 model year Buick Enclave; Chevrolet Traverse; GMC Acadia;
and Saturn OUTLOOK vehicles equipped with a V6 engine.
Your vehicle was designed and built to meet GM’s high standards for quality and reliability.
However, we have determined that under certain driving conditions, and with extended oil
change intervals, the timing chain could wear prematurely and cause the illumination of the
Service Engine Soon light. Timing chain wear can be affected by the age of the engine oil and
driving conditions.
What We Will Do:
To ensure that your vehicle will not experience this condition, your GM
dealer will change the calibration of the engine control module, including the engine oil life
monitor, which in most cases will recommend more frequent oil changes. This calibration
change will be performed for you at no charge until February 28, 2013.
What You Should Do:
To limit any possible inconvenience, we recommend that you contact
your dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for this repair
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Unread Today, 04:24 PM #6 (permalink)
slls
2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 334
GM says it’s driving conditions and oil changes not being performed regularly enough.
Depending on the conditions and if the original oil has not been changed I could see a chain deteriorating enough in 4k miles to trigger a CEL.
I’ve never personally seen a 4k miles engine that has been sludged up but I have seen a few with around 10k that are in this condition.
My Opinion Is That The Timing Chain / ECM Campaign Backs Up What Many Of Us Have Been Saying And That Is Get On An Oil Change Schedule That Goes By Miles / Time, Not OLM.
This whole OLM discussion reminds me of the couple, in the news, who almost died as a result of following the directions given by their GPS and kept going down a two-track in inclement weather, got stuck several times before becoming stuck for good. They nearly died while foolishly relying on the GPS instructions, even after being stuck several times, they pressed on ahead.
GM even says in this campaign that extended intervals wear things out. Why would anybody want excessive wear on engine parts, even if it didn’t result in a totally blown engine ? I think it would be a recipe to turn a nice car into an oil-burner, for instance.
CSA
Thank you for researching this for me. I have asked if my name and address and VIN number appear on the customer satisfaction program discussed in the body of the letter. If my VIN# appears on this list, that would be just another aspect of my experience to consider for liability and what came first in the car’s failure.
And exactly what is going to change from this software update?
The hoods will still not come up to have the oil level inspected regularly and the new and improved OLM may simply mean the car owner will be going 2.5X or 2X further than they should between intervals instead of 3X or even 4X.
The end result will be the same. The only difference is the odds have been whittled down a bit into GM’s favor and in GM’s eyes, hopefully enough to make sure those engines are well out of warranty or the vehicle gets creamed by a train before the engine fails.
GM did get me up and running albeit it was in a week but we were waiting for lube place to get copies of receipts since the prices were not consistent receipts/ But that is a different story to follow thru with. I am up and running and Citgo is testing oil not ready yet. I think now it is between GM and Citgo and I am out of the loop at this time. My car is running fine an I have another 2500 miles on the “test” so to speak before I take it in on a “well” check up to see if all is well. Meanwhile, I am calling ONSTAR daily to run a diagnostic on the car. It is not something I would care to do forever but I am still uneasy and just want to make sure this never happens again. I am so paranoid with cars now that I do not think I will ever get into any car again without wondering what that OP has done with their car’s maintenance schedule.
cartalkanne - did this repair cost you anything or did GM cover this issue under warranty?
I’m not going back through all of this but if my memory is correct I think she said in an earlier post that GM had stepped in with a Good Will warranty.
A GW warranty can mean that GM pays everything or a percentage of the total. It’s also assumed, rightly or wrongly, that a brand new from GM engine was installed and the OP is not dealing with smoke and mirrors.