2012 suburban disappointment

[tigger5]

Since purchasing my 2012 Chevrolet Suburban LT, I have always brought it to the dealer that I purchased it from for maintenance and most repairs. On March 08 2022 I brought it in for an oil change and to check on a few items I have noticed. I then receive a call telling me that I have approximately $11,000 CDN, yes eleven thousand dollars Canadian, in repairs to be made. (PDF file included for GM).

It seems that the "quality" of service and the "work ethics" of the "qualified experts" have a lot to be desired. I can only guess they used apprentice mechanics so as to keep profits high. I worked as a lead hand for a fleet of vehicles, and someone who tells the service technician a job is done without spotting other problems, or a technician that does the ABSOLUTE minimum of the job is not worth the damage it can do to the reputation of a company.

Included the list of items that need replacing / repairing is are manifold studs. I am told that there are missing and / or broken studs and the manifolds are crocked. When asked how, the reason I am given is because of temperature swing from cold-hot cold etc. REALLY... you make a vehicle with engine parts that can not handle temperature differences, especially on the exhaust manifolds??

And then my favorite part. Supposedly I need a new camshaft along with lifters etc...in other words the common 5.3 problem that has plagued this engine from about 2007. There is NO misfire or stumble..only clacking in cold weather. Lifters not holding the oil?..possibly.. but adding a camshaft without actually seeing it?

So in conclusion, I expected a lot more for a vehicle of this caliber and from all those years of going to the GM Dealer for my maintenance with the assumption that if there would be a problem with the vehicle it would always be found, brought to my attention and rectified BEFORE it became a larger problem. But no, this was nothing more than a waste of time and money and ends up costing me what would be about 6 months salary for the average person. A VERY DISAPPOINTED customer.

CC: GM Canada, https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forums/general-discussion.14/, https://chevroletforum.com/forum/, https://www.gmtruckclub.com/

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from Miami Beach!

Since you have a 2012 I would try to find a good independent mechanic in your neck of the woods or get a second opinion from another Chevrolet-GMC dealer that has a 5 star rating.

Out of curiosity how many miles on your Suburban?

 

[tigger5]

185xxx km / 114xxx miles

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

I absolutely loved my 2012 other than the cracked dash.

Sounds like someone is trying to take advantage of you for sure. The broken studs are on all vehicles for exhaust maniforlds etc. Have never seen one that doesnt have broken studs ever.

The lifter issue may be a lifter loosing prime. If your going in might as well do the AFM delete and be done with issues completely. Independent shop will be very affordable on that or do it yourself etc.

Remember dealerships are called "Stealerships" for a reason. Their techs looks at anything and everything and if they cant diagnose the issue, Replace is always recommended. They are searching for big ticket items to pad the hours etc.

Sorry your going through it but take it to a independent shop with great reviews etc and let them tell you their recommendations.

 

[tigger5]

When you say you never seen that does not have broken exhaust studs...talking about large gm suv's??...or in general.???..because myself, had a 79 z-28 with nitrous ..studs never broke in the 25+ years i had it... motor mounts, yes..never the exhaust..and never had it on the 6 other cars I owned... plus in the fleet i worked with (500+) maybe saw it 3x in 30 years... sorry, but it is not normal.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Do you mean the exhaust manifold (header) bolts that hold it to the head, or the studs at the collectors where the exhaust tubing connects to the manifold (headers)?

 

[iamdub]

Since purchasing my 2012 Chevrolet Suburban LT, I have always brought it to the dealer that I purchased it from for maintenance and most repairs. On March 08 2022 I brought it in for an oil change and to check on a few items I have noticed. I then receive a call telling me that I have approximately $11,000 CDN, yes eleven thousand dollars Canadian, in repairs to be made. (PDF file included for GM).

It seems that the "quality" of service and the "work ethics" of the "qualified experts" have a lot to be desired. I can only guess they used apprentice mechanics so as to keep profits high. I worked as a lead hand for a fleet of vehicles, and someone who tells the service technician a job is done without spotting other problems, or a technician that does the ABSOLUTE minimum of the job is not worth the damage it can do to the reputation of a company.

Included the list of items that need replacing / repairing is are manifold studs. I am told that there are missing and / or broken studs and the manifolds are crocked. When asked how, the reason I am given is because of temperature swing from cold-hot cold etc. REALLY... you make a vehicle with engine parts that can not handle temperature differences, especially on the exhaust manifolds??

The broken exhaust manifold bolts are super common. So common, that there are brackets available to bolt to the head to clamp the manifold down rather than removing the broken pieces from the head(s). I agree that it's really a stupid type of failure, but at least it's a mostly harmless one.

And then my favorite part. Supposedly I need a new camshaft along with lifters etc...in other words the common 5.3 problem that has plagued this engine from about 2007. There is NO misfire or stumble..only clacking in cold weather. Lifters not holding the oil?..possibly.. but adding a camshaft without actually seeing it?

So in conclusion, I expected a lot more for a vehicle of this caliber and from all those years of going to the GM Dealer for my maintenance with the assumption that if there would be a problem with the vehicle it would always be found, brought to my attention and rectified BEFORE it became a larger problem. But no, this was nothing more than a waste of time and money and ends up costing me what would be about 6 months salary for the average person. A VERY DISAPPOINTED customer.

CC: GM Canada, https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forums/general-discussion.14/, https://chevroletforum.com/forum/, https://www.gmtruckclub.com/

Are they trying to get you to fix an AFM failure before it actually happens? For the clacking lifter(s), if it is lifters and not exhaust leak(s), it's likely a failing AFM lifter(s). Could be an oil filter with a crappy anti-drain-back valve. I'd disable AFM to keep the lifters pumped up and see if there are any improvements in the sound. I doubt you'll notice any real loss in net MPG.

Grab the exhaust clamps as needed. At only 114K miles, it should have a lot of life left in it. You just gotta kill AFM before it kills you.

 

[swathdiver]

Since purchasing my 2012 Chevrolet Suburban LT, I have always brought it to the dealer that I purchased it from for maintenance and most repairs. On March 08 2022 I brought it in for an oil change and to check on a few items I have noticed. I then receive a call telling me that I have approximately $11,000 CDN, yes eleven thousand dollars Canadian, in repairs to be made. (PDF file included for GM).

It seems that the "quality" of service and the "work ethics" of the "qualified experts" have a lot to be desired. I can only guess they used apprentice mechanics so as to keep profits high. I worked as a lead hand for a fleet of vehicles, and someone who tells the service technician a job is done without spotting other problems, or a technician that does the ABSOLUTE minimum of the job is not worth the damage it can do to the reputation of a company.

Included the list of items that need replacing / repairing is are manifold studs. I am told that there are missing and / or broken studs and the manifolds are crocked. When asked how, the reason I am given is because of temperature swing from cold-hot cold etc. REALLY... you make a vehicle with engine parts that can not handle temperature differences, especially on the exhaust manifolds??

And then my favorite part. Supposedly I need a new camshaft along with lifters etc...in other words the common 5.3 problem that has plagued this engine from about 2007. There is NO misfire or stumble..only clacking in cold weather. Lifters not holding the oil?..possibly.. but adding a camshaft without actually seeing it?

So in conclusion, I expected a lot more for a vehicle of this caliber and from all those years of going to the GM Dealer for my maintenance with the assumption that if there would be a problem with the vehicle it would always be found, brought to my attention and rectified BEFORE it became a larger problem. But no, this was nothing more than a waste of time and money and ends up costing me what would be about 6 months salary for the average person. A VERY DISAPPOINTED customer.

CC: GM Canada, https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forums/general-discussion.14/, https://chevroletforum.com/forum/, https://www.gmtruckclub.com/

Before surrendering why not get a second opinion? Why not check these things out for yourself? I bet you could make these repairs yourself, if they are even necessary.

These motors have aluminum heads and cast iron manifolds and the head bolts do indeed corrode and break off over time. If you do not have a lighted check engine light, I doubt that there is anything wrong with your AFM system unless it died while at the dealer.

If you're looking for a good excuse for a new car, it's a sellers market right now.

 

[Doubeleive]

meh, broken exhaust manifold bolts do break and they can be replaced, not a easy job but it can be done
also the exhaust flange can warp and cause leaks, that can be fixed by welding on a replacement flange (dealer won't offer this solution) they only sell the whole pipe.
as for the rest, drive it like you have been and after a couple thousand miles send a oil sample in to Blackstone labs and they can give you a
analysis of the oil and if they suspect it needs to be addressed or not, they will send you the collection kit for free, the analysis cost is about $30

 

[91RS]

You clearly registered here just to complain since your post has so little information no one can help you. Nothing about how long you've owned it, how many miles are on it, none of the actual recommendations, or any of your actual concerns. Your vehicle has been out of powertrain warranty for at least 5 years (or half of it's life), if you wanted it covered forever you should have bought an extended warranty.

A free multipoint inspection does not cover engine diagnosis. I mean, really? You expected to be told your lifters are failing when you came in for an oil change and tire rotate? Even if so, it would still have costed the same to fix then as it does now.

 

[tigger5]

91 rs... first line tells you how long i have had the vehicule.. and further down is the millage...to complain...damn right... this is NOT normal...if you think it is, well, then be prepared to hear "its normal" more and more in the future..Reminds me of when i had my saturn...had the tranny noise problem, dealer at the time tried to say it was normal and that there was 1 other customer with the same problem... so i asked him if they will be recalling the other million or so saturns to play with the tranny so they also make the noise... they fixed it the same day...... as for inspection..true it does not cover diagnoses..BUT they did not see anything else...really?...if you think this is normal, well, just gives everyone company business more power to do less or the absolute minimum...Now read a little more... i will post parts list....

 

[tigger5]

parts they say need changing.. on an aside...i know they did not remove anything and have the cam marked off to change...engine has no stumbling or misfire

 

[tigger5]

odd tried posting the parts list and a reply... did not get through... will try again...91rs...how long i have the vehicule...?...read the first line.. here to complain.....yes because this is not normal... yes the diagnostic is not part of an inspection, but they do have eyes and if they REALLY took the time to look, would have seen things in the 10 years i have been going ....and if you think it is normal and nobody ever complains, be prepared to hear more and more "its normal" from business and companies because they know we are accepting to be "consumers" and no longer "customers"... reminds me of when my saturn vue had a tranny noise and the dealer said it was normal and would not be fixed, and that there was another customer with the same problem.. so I asked him if they would be recalling the million or so that do not have the noise, and play with the tranny so they do make the noise....they kept it and fixed it....... here is the parts they want to change...

 

[Doubeleive]

I depend on my vehicles to get me around, therefore I also depend upon myself to listen and look at my vehicles in & under them to be sure I am keeping them maintained and addressing any potential issue's or having potential issues addressed before it breaks down on the side of the road leaving me walking. I do not depend upon the dealer or anyone else to look at them for me and say hey dum dum look at this. yes maybe if I notice something I cannot pin point or do not recognize yes then I ask a professional but I don't just go o'well I guess when I take it in for a oil change they will notice the problem??? not likely unless I ASK them to check it out.

 

[Doubeleive]

odd tried posting the parts list and a reply... did not get through... will try again...91rs...how long i have the vehicule...?...read the first line.. here to complain.....yes because this is not normal... yes the diagnostic is not part of an inspection, but they do have eyes and if they REALLY took the time to look, would have seen things in the 10 years i have been going ....and if you think it is normal and nobody ever complains, be prepared to hear more and more "its normal" from business and companies because they know we are accepting to be "consumers" and no longer "customers"... reminds me of when my saturn vue had a tranny noise and the dealer said it was normal and would not be fixed, and that there was another customer with the same problem.. so I asked him if they would be recalling the million or so that do not have the noise, and play with the tranny so they do make the noise....they kept it and fixed it....... here is the parts they want to change...

for that price may as well just throw a new crate engine in it wouldn't be that much more and you would have a better warranty and piece of mind.

 

[tigger5]

I do not fully depend on the dealer either... but here, i am limited to what i can do, it is winter (still...uuugghhhh) and the vehicule does not fit in my garage and working with a floor jack in ice and snow is no no fun... this is why when i notice something i go get it checked if i can not do it myself...

 

[tigger5]

the 7018 is just the parts.... the 11742 is the total.. assuming they do not suddenly "see" better and find more things

 

[Just Fishing]

some of those parts sure have a high mark up.

crate engine 6.0l when i was doing mine was something like 7 or 8k usd last year.
and with a rebate.

And that shop, run away.
200 for a tensioner?!
whole timing chain set is less than $80 usd.
Now if you have VVT, then hell if i know.

 

[iamdub]

the 7018 is just the parts.... the 11742 is the total.. assuming they do not suddenly "see" better and find more things

If you have no symptoms of a failed cam or anything else, then why worry about what they told you? Throw a couple bucks at it to fix or diagnose the cheap stuff. I'd like to know what they saw to make their assessment. It sounds fishy to me.

They might be telling you it's about to blow up and it'll cost some astronomical amount to fix it, hoping you'll trade it to them for a fraction of it's actual value to buy a new one. They'll sell you a new POS then replace some exhaust manifold bolts and maybe other small stuff on yours and sell it at an obscene profit.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I have no interest in getting into a pi**ing match with the OP.

Your options are simple.

(1) Take the truck to a known good (customer reviews) independent auto/truck repair shop, and let them look at the truck and give you their thoughts.

(2) Sell the truck and try something else.