2008 Yukon Denali - the dealership / GM is rebuilding our tranny AND engine - advice

fellowgearhead · Sep 8, 2011

Back in January 2011 we purchased a used 2008 Yukon Denali with 50,000 miles. It was a "GM certified" vehicle with a 1 year bumper to bumper warranty. We have had many issues with this truck, ranging from replacing the transmission line, replacing one of the oxygen sensors, and a transmission problem which resulting in the tranny being taken out and a portion of it replaced.

Now we returned to the dealership with two issues: one with the tranny, the other with the engine. They have been pretty shady with the problem of the tranny, but GM recommended a complete tranny rebuild. The engine problem was diagnosed as the infamous "piston slap". GM is recommending rebuilding / replacing everything above the engine block.

Have you heard of issues like this with other late model Yukons? I have heard of piston slap with older Yukon's, but not with later models.

Anyone have advice or other info to share?

Hammer450R · Sep 8, 2011

What happened with the tranny? symptoms?

plush · Sep 8, 2011

I bought the same truck back in July, it had 38k on it. I now have 40k. Can't say anything about piston slap, yet. However, i have had it in the shop 3 times for transmission issue in the short time I have owned it. One for leak, I posted up pics somewhere on here. The other time they took it apart and replaced the 3-5 rings, seals, kit, or something like that. And last week for a diagnostic to tell me it needed a new battery. I am still have a slip transmission issue. I was reading on the Cadillac forum about several people have exactly the same issue I describe, how a lower speeds the transmission seems to slip in a and out of gear and when I switched over to manual mode I was going 35 and it was already in 5th gear. Just something ain't right.

sumo · Sep 8, 2011

THis is covered under warranty right?

fellowgearhead · Sep 8, 2011

tranny / engine rebuild

Yes it is still under warranty.

First Tranny issue: on a "cold" start when shifting from Reverse to Drive the transmission would hesistate/was unresponsive. Was told it was a pin hole leak that allowed fluid to leak so there was no pressure. They replaced some tranny parts and that issue was fixed.

After that repair I noticed that at low speeds (around 30 mph) the transmission would have a harsh/noticeable shift. Issue only occurred at low speeds when your "end goal" was to drive about 30 or 35 mph. If you hopped on the highway and were accelerating to 65 or 70mph, the issue wasn't nearly as noticeable.

Customer Service guy told me the tranny issue was " a torn seal that wasn't allowing fluid to pass through". He was super vague. Asked him to speak directly to the service technician and have a detailed answer. When he later spoke with my husband he still said " I don't have the details on the tranny". Shady.

plush · Sep 8, 2011

fellowgearhead said:
Yes it is still under warranty.

First Tranny issue: on a "cold" start when shifting from Reverse to Drive the transmission would hesistate/was unresponsive. Was told it was a pin hole leak that allowed fluid to leak so there was no pressure. They replaced some tranny parts and that issue was fixed.

After that repair I noticed that at low speeds (around 30 mph) the transmission would have a harsh/noticeable shift. Issue only occurred at low speeds when your "end goal" was to drive about 30 or 35 mph. If you hopped on the highway and were accelerating to 65 or 70mph, the issue wasn't nearly as noticeable.

Customer Service guy told me the tranny issue was " a torn seal that wasn't allowing fluid to pass through". He was super vague. Asked him to speak directly to the service technician and have a detailed answer. When he later spoke with my husband he still said " I don't have the details on the tranny". Shady.

man, have you been riding in me truck.

Mine is only cover by the powertrain warranty.

fellowgearhead · Sep 8, 2011

plush said:
man, have you been riding in me truck. Mine is only cover by the powertrain warranty.

Well, this is GM certified for 12K miles or 12 months, so I have 3 months left. Then we are relying on the powertrain warranty.

I am torn on what to do. Part of me wants to keep the truck, we will have a "new" engine and tranny, so that is great. But here is the big question: are the new parts any different/improved from the old parts? If not, am I going to be experiencing the same issues in another 40 or 50K miles?

I really like this truck. But we have owned it for 8 months and it has been in for service 6 times. They have had my truck for 3 weeks now and estimate it will not be returned for another 2 weeks...

plush · Sep 8, 2011

read this, it should sound familiar.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...rum-2007/231721-issues-slow-acceleration.html

I am not at your point yet, but I know something is not right in there somewhere. I was told to drive it for a month and come back.

fellowgearhead · Sep 8, 2011

So I guess here is the question: do you know of anyone who has experienced major repairs like this? If so, were they able to negotiate an extended warranty? or some sort of extra coverage?

02Lightning · Sep 9, 2011

fellowgearhead said:
So I guess here is the question: do you know of anyone who has experienced major repairs like this? If so, were they able to negotiate an extended warranty? or some sort of extra coverage?

I'm sure you would have to purchase a warranty. If you purchase a warranty only get the GMPP warranty. Also on the piston slap issue, they said to replace everything from the engine block up? If they don't replace the pistons how would that fix the issue? Does the slap only happen before the engine is warmed up?
You may never have another issue with this car after these things are fixed but some cars are just lemons. I always thought that you take care of a car and it will take care of you. That didn't work to well with the trailblazer SS GM bought back from me.

stevek · Sep 9, 2011

plush said:
I bought the same truck back in July, it had 38k on it. I now have 40k. Can't say anything about piston slap, yet. However, i have had it in the shop 3 times for transmission issue in the short time I have owned it. One for leak, I posted up pics somewhere on here. The other time they took it apart and replaced the 3-5 rings, seals, kit, or something like that. And last week for a diagnostic to tell me it needed a new battery. I am still have a slip transmission issue. I was reading on the Cadillac forum about several people have exactly the same issue I describe, how a lower speeds the transmission seems to slip in a and out of gear and when I switched over to manual mode I was going 35 and it was already in 5th gear. Just something ain't right.

It goes into higher gears to save gas. Watch your tachometer next time you drive.

Fast55 · Sep 9, 2011

The six speed sucks. The one in my Tahoe was replaced at 17K, not rebuilt. It still sucks, even with BB tuning, but it's better. The 6.2 has been thirsty, but other than that, OK. They will not give you additional warranty. The trans issues are well known in the 6.2 trucks (Escalade/Denali/ the few rare Tahoes with it). This is the 6L80E or 6L90E, not the 6L60E the 5.3 trucks get. The shifting issue is TSB #09-07-30-004A:

#09-07-30-004B: Flare and/or Harsh 2-3 Shifts (Install Three Fluid Seal Rings) - (May 27, 2010)

Subject:Flare and/or Harsh 2-3 Shifts (Install Three Fluid Seal Rings)

Models:2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT 2007-2009 Chevrolet Silverado2008-2009 Chevrolet Suburban2009 Chevrolet Avalanche, Tahoe2007-2009 GMC Sierra, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL Denali 2008-2009 GMC Yukon XL2009 GMC YukonEquipped with 6L80 (RPO MYC) or 6L90 (RPO MYD) Automatic Transmission Vehicles Built Prior to December 2008

Attention: Vehicles built prior to December 2008 are more likely to have leaking fluid seal rings. Starting in November 2008, a new 2-piece seal was implemented. When the transmission pump is removed and a 2-piece seal is found, do not continue on with this bulletin. The guidelines of this bulletin will not apply to a 2-piece seal.

This bulletin is being revised to add a build date and information about a 2-piece seal. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 09-07-30-004A (Section 07 - Transmission/Transaxle).

Read more: What is the TSB to address the transmission flare between 2nd - JustAnswer http://www.justanswer.com/cadillac/3xy4e-tsb-address-transmission-flare-2nd.html#ixzz1XTNIJuSe
T

This did not fix my truck, and actually made it worse. The trans was replaced a few thousand miles later after bitching about it 5-6 more times and having the SM witness the problem.

plush · Sep 9, 2011

So where can all these TSB's be found? And why is it that the dealership acts stupid each time I go in, like they never heard anything about this?

fellowgearhead · Sep 9, 2011

Update

as an update, I went to the dealership today and requested the list of parts they are ordering for the vehicle. Regarding the engine, the parts list does include the pistons, bearings, etc. For the transmission, they listed a bunch of seals, pistons, dam, gasket, f-carrier. We have voiced our concerns that this may not fix the issue but also acknowledged that it might be great and we never have another problem.

Very torn on what to do. Keep the truck and take the risk? I really like the truck (when it isn't in for repair). Or do we arrange for the dealership to take it back? Or to have GM buy it back?

I would be happier if the engine were replaced (block and all) but apparantly GM isn't willing to do that.

We are hearing more bad news about the tranny the more research we do. Same for the engine. THis stinks.

Fast55 · Sep 9, 2011

plush said:
So where can all these TSB's be found? And why is it that the dealership acts stupid each time I go in, like they never heard anything about this?

NHTSA has them all.

ghoster · Sep 9, 2011

Fast55 said:
This is the 6L80E or 6L90E, not the 6L60E the 5.3 trucks get. The shifting issue is TSB #09-07-30-004A:

My 5.3l Tahoe says it has a 6L80e. Whats the difference?

Sheriff · Sep 9, 2011

I'm gonna have to say that I quite surprised to see so many serious issues with a 50,000 mile Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL, Denali or Escalade. My best guess would be that the previous owner ran the piss out of it on a daily basis.

Even worse yet, if it was a rental through a car rental company (Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, etc...), it probably had a different person driving the piss out of every day. Even the 3 year rentals through GM have a rough life, people couldn't care less how much they abuse and misuse the vehicle.

Here's what happens to rental vehicles like Tahoes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqHGDDiVdKM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOpWfCNqHw

02Lightning · Sep 9, 2011

fellowgearhead said:
Or to have GM buy it back?

GM will not buy back a used car, only new cars if lemon lawed. You have to go farther up the food chain to get things done. Like the regional manager for that dealer.

Fast55 · Sep 9, 2011

ghoster said:
My 5.3l Tahoe says it has a 6L80e. Whats the difference?

After '08, all the trucks get the 6L80E which is a huge step up from the 6L60E. Only the HD trucks get the 6L90E.

tx07tahoe · Sep 11, 2011

I would ask what they are going to do if it doesnt work this time and you continue to have similar issues. Will they replace everything again? Will they buy the truck back? Are these new parts covered under a different warrenty that is new? And i wouldnt be to nice. Tell them you are sick and tired of having to take it into the shop.

2008 Yukon Denali - the dealership / GM is rebuilding our tranny AND engine - advice

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