[Smaart Aas Saabr]

$1,690.23 was the bill today to replace timing chain on my 2008 Malibu LTZ V6 3.6L with 61,000 miles. For last 3 years, Mobile 1 Full Synthetic.

Serena, from GM Customer Assistance SR 8-1678109777 took down all the information on my vehicle, said she would call my dealer and lead me to believe I would be getting some assistance from GM, the dealer or both. Also said she would call me back the next day on Wednesday.

I was never called back but the dealer said they did get an email about my issue from GM?

I had no complaints from my Malibu until now and had renewed confidence in GM. I would be happy today if they would just stand behind their products when things are not right.

Saving my records and hoping there might be a recall & will NEVER buy another General Motors vehicle.

Tell them you hope to buy a new one and maybe they'll give you some bucks
If you say they're dead to you why would they help?

 

[69nova]

I have been considering a Terrain and selling my Monte but, to date, there has been no solid information stating that the problem was caused by such and such and the fix was such and such and the new motors have been re-designed to eliminate the problem. Telling everybody to change their oil every so miles is not a fix.
BRW, chain links are used on newspaper folders which run 18 hours/day, 7 days/week and most maintenance is done once per year (if that). The Diamond chain links have ID's and OD's chrome plated (.0003") to 72 Rc. Expensive but an expensive machine to boot.

 

[KYMacBookPrp]

Your advise might be right but I gave them a chance and they punted and I am not interested in buying another 2K to 3K ticking bomb from GM.

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Your advise might be right but I gave them a chance and they punted and I am not interested in buying another 2K to 3K ticking bomb from GM.

Just lie :lmao:

 

[KYMacBookPrp]

Just lie :lmao:

Lie about what Moron!

I used Shell 89 Octane fuel and Mobile 1 Full Synthetic Oil changed at the Dealer when Oil Life Monitoring System was 10% (records GM can and did verify) & timing chain goes out at 61,000 miles and I have paid $1,700 to repair & now find out this is a BIG Issue.

 

[GFrauts1]

Good Day - I have a 2010 Traverse with just over 170,000kms on it. In 2012 at 71,000km GM replaced my timing chain at no cost to me. Last week I was in for service and I was told that the chain needed to be replaced yet again! This time the dealer said he would not honor the warranty because I was 10,000kms over warranty. I contacted GM Canada and after a week they are giving me the same answer. It seems to me that the timing chain has only 100,000kms on it so they should be honoring the warranty.

Has anyone had a similar problem?

 

[377Z]

I have been considering a Terrain and selling my Monte but, to date, there has been no solid information stating that the problem was caused by such and such and the fix was such and such and the new motors have been re-designed to eliminate the problem. Telling everybody to change their oil every so miles is not a fix.

This. Until there is definitive proof that the issue is resolved, I will never buy a GM vehicle powered by this series engine. Its just not worth the risk. Its too bad, I enjoyed the Traverse I rented.

 

[NHRATA01]

Good Day - I have a 2010 Traverse with just over 170,000kms on it. In 2012 at 71,000km GM replaced my timing chain at no cost to me. Last week I was in for service and I was told that the chain needed to be replaced yet again! This time the dealer said he would not honor the warranty because I was 10,000kms over warranty. I contacted GM Canada and after a week they are giving me the same answer. It seems to me that the timing chain has only 100,000kms on it so they should be honoring the warranty.

Has anyone had a similar problem?

Ugh, hate to hear this. Check on the Traverse forums, but there are some '10s starting to pop up with timing chain issues. Not as frequent as the '09s but enough for this owner of a '10 to notice. The problem as you note is all you get is the 5/100 powertrain. The 10/120K special coverage warranty GM has for the '09s does not apply to the '10s. GM claims to have fixed the chain design/supplier issue in '10 but I remain skeptical, particularly owning a somewhat early (10/09) build. However it is odd your replacement chains failed. Can I ask, did they ever change the oil life monitor algorithm on yours? My '10 would easily call for 12K oil changes, but they issued a program change that cuts that in half, and took effect from the factory in '11 or '12. I've adhered to 6-7k oil changes with full synthetic (GM did NOT specify Dexos synthetic blend on these back in '10 but they did starting '12), I'm wondering if you followed the OLM at used conventional oil at those intervals, if that might have contributed to the replacement chain stretch?

 

[GFrauts1]

Thanks for the notes. To the best of my knowledge no changes were made in the oil life monitor algorithum. I have been changing my oil at between 5,000 and 6,000km's. I have not used any synthetic blends. My biggest concern is that if I do get the chain replaced will I be looking at doing this again in another 100km.
Another question I have is, at this point the chain appears to be functioning fine, my vehicle is running fine other than the check engine light. Is there something I should be looking for to tell me that I am in danger of causing bigger problems?

 

[TimFromWaterloo]

Hi. First post. I have a 2010 Traverse with a stretched timing chain. This week, at 135000km GM replaced only one of the chains, which seems strange to me after spending all that labour to pull the engine out. $3000 with 10% off the bill. It rolled off the line Oct 31, 2009, so 6+ years old. They said there was some sludge in it. Switched to Amsoil Signature last year with the expectation that it cuts down on the wear. Regular 5-6000km oil changes before that. Towing a loaded trailer once in a while for short-run vacations with loaded weight of 4600 lbs. The SUV does a lot of city driving, unfortunately.
The power steering is whining about 3 times louder than before -- advisor said to call back next week. Also strange rattle when taking off from start - need to check the block heater plug since they changed the air filter too. Rattle sounds like a bolt rolling around in the exhaust.

 

[NHRATA01]

FYI there is a 10yr/120K mile extended coverage on the p/s pump. Get them to look at that ASAP. Problem is, when the pump lets go, it often takes out the rack as it did for me. GM will not cover the collateral damage, only the pump itself. You'll get stuck footing the bill for the rack too.

 

[gm4life08]

Well after 4 years with my LFX I will be bidding it goodbye as I leave the HF V6 camp. I will certainly miss the power and had no issues with time chains. Did blow a high pressure fuel pump at 3K that cost GM one sale - but I came back to a Yukon in the end. I was good about changing my oil with Dexo's approved oil every 3 to 4K miles and after over 46,000 had no problems. Hopefully I have that good of luck with my 5.3L EcoTec 3 in my 2015 Yukon SLE 4WD and in my new 2016 Terrain Denali FWD with the 2.4L EcoTec.

 

[Equinoxman]

Boom, another 2008 Equinox 3.6l user with a p0008 code stretched chain at 128000km right here.
Emailed GM Canada though Facebook told them my story, got my nox checked out after a engine light, was told I needed a new timing chain with the kit, btw still waiting on GM Canada, by the looks of it I'm SOL
Unreal how many people are affected that th nox not included in the special extended warranty.
I'm in shock, I been using mobil 1 dexos changing my oil at the 30% OLM and still have a stretched chain.
This is not right at all for GM to not include my nox's LY7, when it clearly states others with the ly7 engine.

 

[KYMacBookPrp]

Make your safety complaint and hopefully GM will be made to take responsibility

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

Vehicle Safety Hotline (Toll-Free: 1-888-327-4236

 

[tamikoblackford]

Useful analysis . I was enlightened by the info , Does someone know if I can obtain a blank a form version to complete ?

 

[MBDiagMan]

I have been considering a Terrain and selling my Monte but, to date, there has been no solid information stating that the problem was caused by such and such and the fix was such and such and the new motors have been re-designed to eliminate the problem. Telling everybody to change their oil every so miles is not a fix.
BRW, chain links are used on newspaper folders which run 18 hours/day, 7 days/week and most maintenance is done once per year (if that). The Diamond chain links have ID's and OD's chrome plated (.0003") to 72 Rc. Expensive but an expensive machine to boot.

Great observation regarding the usage of the same chain product in a different application with no problems. What you need to know, however, is that roller chain life varies significantly depending upon, load, speed and application. In the engineering documentation provided by the chain manufacturers, the speed, load, operating temperature and lubrication method gets plugged into a formula or displayed in a chart that is used for selecting the correct chain for the application. I fully expect that the application you are observing involves lighter load and lower speed than an automotive valve train application.

I'm not making excuses for GM, I am simply explaining that there are differences in application that have drastic effects on statistical component life.

Hope this helps.

 

[AMERICA 123]

..... and the Duty Cycle / Cycles are unbelievably different plus all the physicals for the Operating Environment both External and 'Internal' plus there is nothing even remotely equivalent to the Combustion By Product Contamination issues nor the multiplier for that in the form of inadequate and or poor maintenance..... etc etc etc etc.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Good point America. Even though engine oil has anti oxidants and other additives, the chain and other components bathed in crankcase oil live a tough life.

 

[TorrentGuy]

Sigh.... I guess I am going on my second go around with this problem. 2008 Pontiac Torrent GXP. I bought the Torrent in 2008 as a GM Certified Pre-owned vehicle. Back in 2010 at about 50K I got the SES with P0008 code. I took the Torrent into the dealership. They ignored the P0008 code and said it was a bad evap control valve. Charged me $80 and sent me on my way. A few days later the SES light comes on again, P0008. Go back to the dealership, this time they keep the Torrent for about 2 weeks because they had to order parts. I get the Torrent back and notice to my surprise on the invoice parts list that just about every internal part of the engine has been replaced, from the crankshaft to the sparkplugs. On the way home about 15 miles from the dealership the enigne self destructs going down the interstate. After another 2 weeks at the dealership our Torrent has a new engine.

Our Torrent recently crossed 100K and is out of warranty. Now I've got the SES light on and once again its P0008. I can't believe this, I am hoping its just the sensor parameters and not the timing chains. Back in 2010 when we got the new engine I don't know if it got the updated timing chains or not.

Has there been any updates to the Special Coverage Adjustment Bulletin #11340C ? I find it suspicious that only the higher end GM vehicles are covered and not vehicles like the Malibu, Aura, Equinox, Torrent, & G6.

Z28toG8.... I have a 2008 Pontiac Torrent GXP with this problem as well. How was your issue resolved?

 

[InCogKneeToe]

We had an issue of 2011/2012 3.5L Eco Boosts, making oil. DI engines tend to due this. 5W20 oil is thin already, never mind adding gas to it and diluting it even more.

These same engines are now showing up with stretched timing chains with 75-150,000 kms. I believe the 2 problems are related. Ford has a lot more OHC engines on the road than GM, and relative failure rate of Timing Chains, definitely goes up with DI. The 2013 and later DI Eco Boosts have not seemed to "Make Oil", maybe PCV changes. And have not had Timing Chain Issues (as frequent).

So, personally, I have switched to 5W30, in my 08, and once my 2013 hits 100,000 kms, I intend to do the same. 5W20 is way too thin, and basically a design for C.A.F.E. not engine life. The same can be said of OLM! I have never trusted them, and Don't use them. You can buy a lot of Oil for the price of an Engine.