6.2L Lifter issue - ?

[xycrazy]

OK, I’m mad that I have to write this but after I bought a used 2021 Escalade and replaced a 2021 Tahoe with issues (burning oil like crazy) I‘m having a new, serious issue. Guess it’s the lifters. Car is built in Oct 2020.

Last week I started the engine and it was shaking but then after a few seconds everything was fine and we went on for a road-trip and drove about 1,200 miles.

This week when I tried to start the engine the check engine light came on and nothing happened other than the starter noise. But it doesn’t fire up. Battery seems fine as all electronics work fine. No signs of fading light or anything else.

So I assume it‘s the lifters. I now have 42k miles on it. Man, this sucks.

I bought it with Carmax and they have a 4,000 miles / 90 day bumper to bumper warranty for all cars they sell included.

Escalade is still in factory warranty and I also bought GM‘s extended warranty.

I‘m now torn if I should tow it to Cadillac or Carmax. I was thinking Cadillac to avoid the middleman (Carmax) and expedite the repair process. However, I bought it with Carmax and maybe if the problem is getting really bad, and it takes some weeks or even a few months getting it repaired, I might be better off with Carmax as they have to take care of it given their own warranty. Maybe my chances are even better having them buying it back in the end. But that’s pure speculation. They might be able to increase pressure or at least provide me a loaner down the road.

Both, Cadillac Dealer and Carmax, told me they don’t have a loaner right now. That sucks even more.

What would you do? Would you go directly to Cadillac or have Carmax take a look first? If they can’t fix it, they tow it to Cadillac eventually.

Here‘s a quick description of their warranty https://www.carmax.com/faq/warranties/do-all-carmax-cars-come-with-the-carmax-limited-warranty

Thoughts?

 

[OR VietVet]

Carmax is going to tell you to take to dealer for warrany of any sort, IMO.

 

[xycrazy]

Carmax is going to tell you to take to dealer for warrany of any sort, IMO.

Yeah they might take it to the dealer for sure but at least they are on the hook for it and I assume they want me to be happy whereas the dealer where i didn’t buy it not so much. Chances of getting a loaner from Carmax are also higher from what I read and it could be that they also buy it back if they can’t get it fixed. I could call roadside assistance and ask them to tow it to Carmax first to utilize their warranty and get them on the hook as they sold that car to me. Not sure though. Anyways, situation sucks big time

 

[Blackcar]

If you like vehicle and plan on keeping get with a trusted GM dealer to have repaired correctly and with GM parts if you are disappointed and don't like vehicle I would have Carmax take vehicle back and start over with another vehicle.

 

[Stbentoak]

Instead of assuming the worst, get it to a Cadillac dealer of your choice, and you may be surprised it could be back in less than a week in top running condition. Don't overthink it. If it's Covered..... it's covered.

 

[Micahsd]

OK, I’m mad that I have to write this but after I bought a used 2021 Escalade and replaced a 2021 Tahoe with issues (burning oil like crazy) I‘m having a new, serious issue. Guess it’s the lifters. Car is built in Oct 2020.

Last week I started the engine and it was shaking but then after a few seconds everything was fine and we went on for a road-trip and drove about 1,200 miles.

This week when I tried to start the engine the check engine light came on and nothing happened other than the starter noise. But it doesn’t fire up. Battery seems fine as all electronics work fine. No signs of fading light or anything else.

So I assume it‘s the lifters. I now have 42k miles on it. Man, this sucks.

I bought it with Carmax and they have a 4,000 miles / 90 day bumper to bumper warranty for all cars they sell included.

Escalade is still in factory warranty and I also bought GM‘s extended warranty.

I‘m now torn if I should tow it to Cadillac or Carmax. I was thinking Cadillac to avoid the middleman (Carmax) and expedite the repair process. However, I bought it with Carmax and maybe if the problem is getting really bad, and it takes some weeks or even a few months getting it repaired, I might be better off with Carmax as they have to take care of it given their own warranty. Maybe my chances are even better having them buying it back in the end. But that’s pure speculation. They might be able to increase pressure or at least provide me a loaner down the road.

Both, Cadillac Dealer and Carmax, told me they don’t have a loaner right now. That sucks even more.

What would you do? Would you go directly to Cadillac or have Carmax take a look first? If they can’t fix it, they tow it to Cadillac eventually.

Here‘s a quick description of their warranty https://www.carmax.com/faq/warranties/do-all-carmax-cars-come-with-the-carmax-limited-warranty

Thoughts?

On my ‘21 Tahoe half the lifters were replaced at 9,100 miles about a year into ownership after buying it new. So far, I’ve been lucky and have no issues 2.5 years later.

I was very leery of them getting it right myself however so many of these 5.3 and 6.2L engines have lifter issues at some point in their lives, the techs at most dealerships are pretty well experienced with replacing them.

The only drawback for me is when is my other side going to go bad as my build date was just towards the end of the known batch of bad lifters. Oct 2020 in your case is right at the beginning of it (mine is Feb 2021 and March 2021 was the end of that window although it can still happen after that window due to how it is a bad design in general.

If you really like your rig, I’d just have it towed and fixed if it’s just that issue.

Sadly though, the chances are if you hold onto it for a long time, you may have to go through it again just like several others on here (the risk you take I guess of owning one of these that are the non-diesel models).

 

[xycrazy]

Yeah my thinking was: they sold it to me, so they should going to fix it and give me a loaner. I read all those stories on here where people said it took weeks to get things fixed and they had no car during that time, etc. I need a loaner and the dealer didn’t have one.

Carmax is not repairing anything when the car is still in factory warranty. They will take it to the dealer for repairs anyways. Only reason for me taking it to Carmax first is their own warranty and that I need a loaner. I don’t know how bad the issue is but they might offer me a buyback at some point where with GM I would probably an attorney. I love the car and want to keep it but you never know. Really torn on that decision

 

[Doubeleive]

OK, I’m mad that I have to write this but after I bought a used 2021 Escalade and replaced a 2021 Tahoe with issues (burning oil like crazy) I‘m having a new, serious issue. Guess it’s the lifters. Car is built in Oct 2020.

Last week I started the engine and it was shaking but then after a few seconds everything was fine and we went on for a road-trip and drove about 1,200 miles.

This week when I tried to start the engine the check engine light came on and nothing happened other than the starter noise. But it doesn’t fire up. Battery seems fine as all electronics work fine. No signs of fading light or anything else.

So I assume it‘s the lifters. I now have 42k miles on it. Man, this sucks.

I bought it with Carmax and they have a 4,000 miles / 90 day bumper to bumper warranty for all cars they sell included.

Escalade is still in factory warranty and I also bought GM‘s extended warranty.

I‘m now torn if I should tow it to Cadillac or Carmax. I was thinking Cadillac to avoid the middleman (Carmax) and expedite the repair process. However, I bought it with Carmax and maybe if the problem is getting really bad, and it takes some weeks or even a few months getting it repaired, I might be better off with Carmax as they have to take care of it given their own warranty. Maybe my chances are even better having them buying it back in the end. But that’s pure speculation. They might be able to increase pressure or at least provide me a loaner down the road.

Both, Cadillac Dealer and Carmax, told me they don’t have a loaner right now. That sucks even more.

What would you do? Would you go directly to Cadillac or have Carmax take a look first? If they can’t fix it, they tow it to Cadillac eventually.

Here‘s a quick description of their warranty https://www.carmax.com/faq/warranties/do-all-carmax-cars-come-with-the-carmax-limited-warranty

Thoughts?

what makes you assume it is a lifter issue simply because it will not start? normally this is not the case

 

[xycrazy]

what makes you assume it is a lifter issue simply because it will not start? normally this is not the case

Because of that and the fact it was shaking very badly for a few seconds a few weeks ago. But I was also putting in premium gas instead of regular what was in the tank when they sold it to me. So was wondering if the better gas has caused it for whatever reason. Weird

 

[Marky Dissod]

Because of that and the fact it was shaking very badly for a few seconds a few weeks ago.
But I was also putting in premium gas instead of regular what was in the tank when they sold it to me.
So was wondering if the better gas has caused it for whatever reason.

Do you have any reason to suspect the premium gasoline you put in?
Do you have any reason to suspect the gas station?

Unless you genuinely suspect the gas in the tank AND the station that you got that gas from,
(delete this post and) forget this line of thought, it makes no sense and can't help you or your truck.

 

[xycrazy]

Do you have any reason to suspect the premium gasoline you put in?
Do you have any reason to suspect the gas station?

Unless you genuinely suspect the gas in the tank AND the station that you got that gas from,
(delete this post and) forget this line of thought, it makes no sense and can't help you or your truck.

I just said what I did not that either of those things have caused the issue. Was wondering why the car was shaking and thought maybe car runs now better on the premium gas (which in fact it did)

 

[Marky Dissod]

Point is, if the premium gas was a problem, it would be specific to THAT fill-up, and THAT gas station.

Since premium made it run better, it already has some carbon buildup somewhere.
However that is likely completely separate from the critical issue.

 

[Doubeleive]

I just said what I did not that either of those things have caused the issue. Was wondering why the car was shaking and thought maybe car runs now better on the premium gas (which in fact it did)

so it is pure speculation that it's the lifters? you have a cel on why not just scan it and see what the code is.
a small code reader from harbor frieght cost like $35, hell you could get the code from onstar for even less if not for free

 

[Tahoe14]

See if Carmax has another one in their system across the country and have them ship it in if you can work a trade out with them as a replacement. I would think they would want to keep you happy but who knows with these Dealers now days. Good luck, hope it all works out. I would do as suggested and scan the code. Maybe the battery is weak, these newer vehicles hate low voltage batteries and exhibit all kinds of weird issues.

 

[RST Dana]

Dealer for this for sure. Carmax are solely sales based. Not known for reputable repairs.

 

[tom3]

I'd first read that Carmax warranty contract. See what they specify and if their warranty only kicks in when no factory or other warranty is in effect. I wouldn't attempt to speculate on what is causing the problem. "It won't start and run, battery seems fine."

 

[B-train]

The push to start won't let the vehicle start if the battery voltage is below 12v I think. So, if the battery is at 11.5, all the interior stuff will work, but the starter won't engage when commanded.

You also need more info to go on. Do as suggested and get the code read with a cheap OBD2 scanner. Get a multimeter and check the battery voltage as it sits now. If it's below 12v, try charging it, or jump starting it with another vehicle.

The shaking on startup could have been a sticky lifter, or it could have been some carbon buildup that broke off and held one of the valves partially open until it was crumbled up and digested.

More homework needs to be done vs getting out the jump to conclusions mat....

 

[JGinLA]

Rodents ate into my wiring and wrecked the insulation under the hood. Are you near woods?

 

[Redracechris36]

I just had the dealer I bought my 2019 Cadillac Escalade from replace ALL of the lifters under warranty. Not just the bad one or the left bank. They went with an aftermarket lifter that they have had much better success with. When my lifter went, the truck started fine, it just had an awful tick. Very loud.