2012 Yukon Denali 6L80 Issues/Advice

[Pointer 21]

Good Morning Gurus! I'm new to the board but have been using it as a resource (Great One at that).

Quick Facts:

-2012 GMC Yukon Denali 152,000K miles
-Bought Brand New
- 0 problems to date

ISSSUE: I was running fine last week, felt something a LITTLE sketchy when shifting out of first (at a stop light).
Next day was driving on the freeway (AND ZOOOMMMM) RPMS hit 3,000 + and I'm doing 30 mph until I can get to the closest town.
After I set for awhile I was able to drive with little problems; HOWEVER, the engine light came on AND has sense turned off.

My question: I've been to one mechanic who had good reviews. He didn't even look at it and just said "yeah, I know what's going on $3300 for aftermarket parts and a rebuilt transmission".
I gather he knows his stuff; however, how do I know what's actually gone in that transmission? Seems to me like a Torque Converter would be necessary and whatever else. Also, he would be using Sonnax aftermarket parts? **Opinions here?***

Is this just a "fix it once and replace everything while you're in there approach" and is it advised?

I believe I will be needing work done to my Catalytic convertor and likely some suspension repairs in the near future.

Trying to figure out my total cost of ownership or if its time to abandon ship and move onto the next problem vehicle.

Any advice is appreciated - My apologies for the long post.

 

[wsteele]

My $.02 only.

When it comes to used cars/trucks, the devil you know is almost universally better than the devil you don't. If it isn't rusting out, it will be cheaper to have it fixed as needed than suffer the $10K a year in depreciation a new one provides. If the alternative is a new Toyota Corolla, then yes, it will be cheaper in the long run to make a change. But a Corolla is a far cry from what you have been driving for the last 152K miles.

As far as the transmission, I would get a second opinion from an equally highly rated source, maybe a dealer service manager if you can find a good one. I have a great local dealer (from the service department perspective), so if it were me, I would take it there too.

My personal bias is you likely are going to need some big stuff in the tranny/TC area. If the second opinion confirmed that, I would get a GM reman installed and move on to bigger and better things. I would not let a local shop "rebuild/upgrade" my daily driver, at least one I relied on for long distance travel.

It won't feel like it when you are writing those big checks, but it will be cheaper to keep it than buying a new one.

 

[Pointer 21]

My $.02 only.

When it comes to used cars/trucks, the devil you know is almost universally better than the devil you don't. If it isn't rusting out, it will be cheaper to have it fixed as needed than suffer the $10K a year in depreciation a new one provides. If the alternative is a new Toyota Corolla, then yes, it will be cheaper in the long run to make a change. But a Corolla is a far cry from what you have been driving for the last 152K miles.

As far as the transmission, I would get a second opinion from an equally highly rated source, maybe a dealer service manager if you can find a good one. I have a great local dealer (from the service department perspective), so if it were me, I would take it there too.

My personal bias is you likely are going to need some big stuff in the tranny/TC area. If the second opinion confirmed that, I would get a GM reman installed and move on to bigger and better things. I would not let a local shop "rebuild/upgrade" my daily driver, at least one I relied on for long distance travel.

It won't feel like it when you are writing those big checks, but it will be cheaper to keep it than buying a new one.

Thank you for the response and great advice (I KNOW what I SHOULD be doing but one can only dream about a "justifiable" reason to get something new.

That said - I talked to another shop and they're wanting $4,400 for a rebuild giving you a 2 Yr 24K mile warranty.
The other guy with the Sonax quote at $3,300, only warrants for 1 yr 12K.

The guy at $3,300 said that he does work for GM (charges them $3,300) and they turn around with their markup to the customer.

I guess the question is who to go with in that each place has it quirks but what I keep hearing is that GM really doesn't make these trannies to last longer than 120k miles....

 

[wsteele]

I don’t think the advice you are getting on the longevity is correct. Many report double those mileages, I think to plan on 120K would be overly conservative.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

 

[Pointer 21]

Thanks for the warm welcome - I don't have pics on hand (will post later). It's all stock with OEM 22's.

My goal is to not get hosed here. These transmission folks aren't really diagnosing the problem, just saying "rebuilt tranny, upgrade TC". This is on the phone.

Already busted one quoting me and slighly squeezing in that doesn't include any of the other parts (I guess the parts that wouldn't be in a rebuild kit).

My take is they give a price and go up on you, once your already into it.

I did like the guy who flat out said $3300,1 yr 12k mile warranty, sonnax parts. Less BS in his pitch than these other folks.....

Where to go, Where to go??

 

[Geotrash]

Good Morning Gurus! I'm new to the board but have been using it as a resource (Great One at that).

Quick Facts:

-2012 GMC Yukon Denali 152,000K miles
-Bought Brand New
- 0 problems to date

ISSSUE: I was running fine last week, felt something a LITTLE sketchy when shifting out of first (at a stop light).
Next day was driving on the freeway (AND ZOOOMMMM) RPMS hit 3,000 + and I'm doing 30 mph until I can get to the closest town.
After I set for awhile I was able to drive with little problems; HOWEVER, the engine light came on AND has sense turned off.

My question: I've been to one mechanic who had good reviews. He didn't even look at it and just said "yeah, I know what's going on $3300 for aftermarket parts and a rebuilt transmission".
I gather he knows his stuff; however, how do I know what's actually gone in that transmission? Seems to me like a Torque Converter would be necessary and whatever else. Also, he would be using Sonnax aftermarket parts? **Opinions here?***

Is this just a "fix it once and replace everything while you're in there approach" and is it advised?

I believe I will be needing work done to my Catalytic convertor and likely some suspension repairs in the near future.

Trying to figure out my total cost of ownership or if its time to abandon ship and move onto the next problem vehicle.

Any advice is appreciated - My apologies for the long post.

The issue is that until he gets it apart, you won't know what failed. There's a decent chance that it's the TC - the lock-up clutch fails and sends shrapnel through the whole system. Then you need not only a new transmission, but the cooler and lines as well.

Apart from that issue, the 6L80E is usually pretty long-lived with proper maintenance. I have 215K on my 2007, and 130K on my 2012 with a lot of towing, and no issues. And, many problems can be fixed with the thing still in the vehicle by replacing some valve body components on the bench.

 

[Pointer 21]

The guy that is giving me a flat fee cost of $3300 (sight unseen) and warranty of 1 yr 12K miles with Sonnax parts (says he will not go higher on cost). Does this seem legit?

 

[Geotrash]

The guy that is giving me a flat fee cost of $3300 (sight unseen) and warranty of 1 yr 12K miles with Sonnax parts (says he will not go higher on cost). Does this seem legit?

Sure, for a shotgun approach to a complete overhaul. Though I generally prefer mechanics who properly test and diagnose the problem and can clearly explain what it is and how they know.

 

[Pointer 21]

Sure, for a shotgun approach to a complete overhaul. Though I generally prefer mechanics who properly test and diagnose the problem and can clearly explain what it is and how they know.

That's my thought - He could hit a jackpot, salvage parts and I'd never know. There's another shop that is saying about $1,000 more BUT 2 year 24K warranty, and the 3rd saying $3300 but they don't include the unforeseeable (obviously they're going to pull something) BUT they'll give a 3 yr 36K warranty.

These trans places are sketchy. LOL

 

[Geotrash]

That's my thought - He could hit a jackpot, salvage parts and I'd never know. There's another shop that is saying about $1,000 more BUT 2 year 24K warranty, and the 3rd saying $3300 but they don't include the unforeseeable (obviously they're going to pull something) BUT they'll give a 3 yr 36K warranty.

These trans places are sketchy. LOL

They are, though I've found a good one here locally through Google Maps reviews. Super solid. They sourced and installed an upgraded billet torque converter for me because I tow a 7000 lb camper and knew it would eventually grenade the OEM unit. Lots of positive reviews on these guys, and that reflected my experience as well.

 

[swathdiver]

Good Morning Gurus! I'm new to the board but have been using it as a resource (Great One at that).

Quick Facts:

-2012 GMC Yukon Denali 152,000K miles
-Bought Brand New
- 0 problems to date

ISSSUE: I was running fine last week, felt something a LITTLE sketchy when shifting out of first (at a stop light).
Next day was driving on the freeway (AND ZOOOMMMM) RPMS hit 3,000 + and I'm doing 30 mph until I can get to the closest town.
After I set for awhile I was able to drive with little problems; HOWEVER, the engine light came on AND has sense turned off.

My question: I've been to one mechanic who had good reviews. He didn't even look at it and just said "yeah, I know what's going on $3300 for aftermarket parts and a rebuilt transmission".
I gather he knows his stuff; however, how do I know what's actually gone in that transmission? Seems to me like a Torque Converter would be necessary and whatever else. Also, he would be using Sonnax aftermarket parts? **Opinions here?***

Is this just a "fix it once and replace everything while you're in there approach" and is it advised?

I believe I will be needing work done to my Catalytic convertor and likely some suspension repairs in the near future.

Trying to figure out my total cost of ownership or if its time to abandon ship and move onto the next problem vehicle.

Any advice is appreciated - My apologies for the long post.

A GM reman carries a 100K mile warranty and can be serviced nationwide. I would put a scan tool on it and would be inclined to only fix what broke. When a simple part inside a transmission breaks, the trans shops ALWAYS wants to replace the whole thing. That's not always a bad thing either.

These transmission last about 160K when they are not serviced properly. When they are serviced properly they easily go 300K and last month we saw one drive into a shop with 410K for overhaul.

How many times have you changed the fluid?

Get the trouble codes and we can almost always tell what's wrong and what really NEEDS fixin'.

 

[wsteele]

That's my thought - He could hit a jackpot, salvage parts and I'd never know. There's another shop that is saying about $1,000 more BUT 2 year 24K warranty, and the 3rd saying $3300 but they don't include the unforeseeable (obviously they're going to pull something) BUT they'll give a 3 yr 36K warranty.

These trans places are sketchy. LOL

It may come down to the fact that he does this stuff every day and knows what the nominal cost is going to be and knows the standard deviation he is dealing with, so can offer with confidence a complete package for $3300.

From my perspective a GM reman is going to have everything to spec or better and is a known quantity with warranty that travels everywhere in the country. As far as the guy stating he does transmissions for GM, so the difference is just their markup? I think I would need a little proof of those claims before assuming he is telling the truth.

 

[Pointer 21]

A GM reman carries a 100K mile warranty and can be serviced nationwide. I would put a scan tool on it and would be inclined to only fix what broke. When a simple part inside a transmission breaks, the trans shops ALWAYS wants to replace the whole thing. That's not always a bad thing either.

These transmission last about 160K when they are not serviced properly. When they are serviced properly they easily go 300K and last month we saw one drive into a shop with 410K for overhaul.

How many times have you changed the fluid?

Get the trouble codes and we can almost always tell what's wrong and what really NEEDS fixin'.

I serviced it once at 50,000 +/-. I had always read to either stay on top of your service OR just let it ride with the fluids that are currently in there (I'm at 152K).

The guy that seemed the most honest to me (and good google reviews) has me at $3300, saxon transmission but only 1 year warranty 12k miles. He said he does the GM vehicles and they mark it up and carry the warranty.

Aside from the lack of warranty- he seems reasonable.

 

[swathdiver]

I serviced it once at 50,000 +/-. I had always read to either stay on top of your service OR just let it ride with the fluids that are currently in there (I'm at 152K).

The guy that seemed the most honest to me (and good google reviews) has me at $3300, saxon transmission but only 1 year warranty 12k miles. He said he does the GM vehicles and they mark it up and carry the warranty.

Aside from the lack of warranty- he seems reasonable.

Sonnax parts are cream of the crop. You might ask what exactly is he going to replace before he starts and he may replace other things after inspection. I would want the torque converter upgraded with the new Sonnax parts at the very least. MOST of the time, the first sign of trouble with these things is the plastic solenoids and they can be rebuilt on your kitchen table for $110 plus fluids and the transmission doesn't have to come out. When the torque converter shows signs of trouble, this too can be replaced without spending money on the transmission if caught early enough.

If yours has the external transmission cooler, ask if they are going to flush the lines to remove any debris. He ought to know if he's a pro.

These are not 1970s Turbo 350s, they can be serviced and yours can definitely be serviced at that mileage given its history.

 

[Pointer 21]

I appreciate all the advice. I spoke with him and he said that he would be using a precision Torque Convertor, Sonnax clutches and AC Delco for solenoids etc.
Standing firm that there will be no other costs involved and that he's strictly a transmission shop. Should any other work need to be done, he'll tell me but it's on me to take it to the mechanic to address.

I know I likely have Catalytic convertor issues. About to get costly : /

 

[Fubar0715]

FWIW, GMpartsdirect.com shows the cost of the reman unit at about 3k for both 2/4WD units.

 

[wsteele]

The same online store has OE Y Pipe and cats for just under $800, about a months depreciation on a new rig.

 

[swathdiver]

The same online store has OE Y Pipe and cats for just under $800, about a months depreciation on a new rig.

Put it in your shopping cart and look again!

 

[wsteele]

Put it in your shopping cart and look again!

? Same price.

Are you talking about the core charge?