Keep it or sell? Help me diagnose a couple issues please

[Jettix2]

2014 Escalade ESV...........70k miles. Bought it with 30k, still have 3 months worth of GMEPP warranty that I can extend for another couple years for $2-3k. Car is immaculate inside and out, despite being a Midwest vehicle it's always been undercoated and has no visible rust and very little undercarriage.

Have replaced: all 4 magnetic shocks + compressor, trans cooler lines, radiator.........full tuneup this year with new coil packs, plugs, wires, filters.........all new pads/rotors/calipers.

AFM has been disabled since I bought the car.....

Have early stages of torque converter failure, I believe. Have a slight rumble at highway speeds, an occasional thump that are very similar to the signs we had before my parent's torque converters failed in both their 2015 Escalade and 2015 Denali (different trans, I know, but symptoms are similar). Fluid was changed last year, has always been clean.

I also have a stumble at idle that is intermittent..........with all the tuneup items above, I still haven't been able to pinpoint this. About the only that HASN'T been done is a Throttle Body Cleaning. Think that would make a difference?

I was offered 28,500 trade in for the vehicle last week, which is insanely high, but in-line with current pricing.............was going to pull the trigger on a low mileage, CPO 2018 Escalade but my wife is choking on the price of $58.5k OTD.

For $30k difference, I can obviously replace a lot (more) parts, but at this point I'm starting to lose confidence in the vehicle. We had the radiator catastrophically fail in January (on a very "young" car, in my eyes) and the above 2 issues are making me nervous.

The trans isn't showing any codes, and the extended warranty will not fix it unless it completely fails (ie, when they replaced the shocks, they would only replace the shocks that were seized up, not just leaking oil)........I'm sure they'll replace the TC / Trans, but only after it leaves us on the side of the road, LOL.

Any thoughts?

 

[91RS]

The transmission doesn’t have to be showing codes to have a failure. Take it in. If all they need to do is drive it to feel your concerns, they can fix it. The stumble at idle could very well be collapsed engine mounts. The 6.2L has a slightly rougher idle than a 5.3L anyway.

All the problems you’ve mentioned are more common on the K2 chassis so you’ll likely have to fix the exact same things again.

 

[TollKeeper]

I was also going to suggest getting the motor mounts checked, very common problem for all the NBS, NNBS, NNNBS, etc. Could go with poly mounts, but I have heard it makes the sound worse, although they never break.

 

[avalonandl]

Clean the throttle body and MAF. You should not have a stumble in that engine.

Only 70k, that trans should be fine. Have i flushed.

 

[Jettix2]

Clean the throttle body and MAF. You should not have a stumble in that engine.

Only 70k, that trans should be fine. Have i flushed.

Sorry, I forgot that I did replace the MAF but have not done the throttle body. Trans fluid and filter was changed at 60k but was just dropped and refilled, not flushed.

 

[avalonandl]

Do not bother with the extended warranty cost IMHO.

Leave trans as is.

 

[Geotrash]

2014 Escalade ESV...........70k miles. Bought it with 30k, still have 3 months worth of GMEPP warranty that I can extend for another couple years for $2-3k. Car is immaculate inside and out, despite being a Midwest vehicle it's always been undercoated and has no visible rust and very little undercarriage.

Have replaced: all 4 magnetic shocks + compressor, trans cooler lines, radiator.........full tuneup this year with new coil packs, plugs, wires, filters.........all new pads/rotors/calipers.

AFM has been disabled since I bought the car.....

Have early stages of torque converter failure, I believe. Have a slight rumble at highway speeds, an occasional thump that are very similar to the signs we had before my parent's torque converters failed in both their 2015 Escalade and 2015 Denali (different trans, I know, but symptoms are similar). Fluid was changed last year, has always been clean.

I also have a stumble at idle that is intermittent..........with all the tuneup items above, I still haven't been able to pinpoint this. About the only that HASN'T been done is a Throttle Body Cleaning. Think that would make a difference?

I was offered 28,500 trade in for the vehicle last week, which is insanely high, but in-line with current pricing.............was going to pull the trigger on a low mileage, CPO 2018 Escalade but my wife is choking on the price of $58.5k OTD.

For $30k difference, I can obviously replace a lot (more) parts, but at this point I'm starting to lose confidence in the vehicle. We had the radiator catastrophically fail in January (on a very "young" car, in my eyes) and the above 2 issues are making me nervous.

The trans isn't showing any codes, and the extended warranty will not fix it unless it completely fails (ie, when they replaced the shocks, they would only replace the shocks that were seized up, not just leaking oil)........I'm sure they'll replace the TC / Trans, but only after it leaves us on the side of the road, LOL.

Any thoughts?

The torque converters on the 6L80 are a bit of a weak link, though failures below 100K are rare. Apparently the problem stems from the extra stress the cycling of the AFM system places on the lock-up clutch. Because I tow a 6500 lb camper, I had an upgraded converter installed with a stronger lock-up clutch and billet housing that can better withstand towing. The symptom of a failing lock-up clutch are a shudder whenever AFM activates/deactivates cylinders. So since yours is deactivated, I would suspect something other than the TC as the root cause.

I totally understand the feeling of not having complete faith in a car, and I resolve that by doing all I can to know both of mine inside and out, and engaging with the community here to keep mine in tip-top shape, addressing things before they show up as problems. I can afford a brand new Denali but I don't believe it's worth the $50K+ I'd have to spend to get into one. I'd rather use that money for trips and educating our kids. And, these trucks are known quantities, are reliable for the long haul, and the parts and know-how to work on them are widely available in any small town with a parts store and a garage. I wouldn't hesitate to drive either of our Denali's across the country tomorrow.

Good luck in making your decision, but I know what mine would be if I were in your shoes.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

At the end of the day, if you have lost confidence in your current truck, it is not likely that you will regain that confidence back. IMO, having a vehicle that you are not confident in, just places extra stress on you, every time you drive it, and eliminates to joy of having it and driving it. You may be best to replace it.

 

[Kee Fuller]

29k trade in, i woulda took that in a heartbeat

 

[Jettix2]

The torque converters on the 6L80 are a bit of a weak link, though failures below 100K are rare. Apparently the problem stems from the extra stress the cycling of the AFM system places on the lock-up clutch. Because I tow a 6500 lb camper, I had an upgraded converter installed with a stronger lock-up clutch and billet housing that can better withstand towing. The symptom of a failing lock-up clutch are a shudder whenever AFM activates/deactivates cylinders. So since yours is deactivated, I would suspect something other than the TC as the root cause.

I totally understand the feeling of not having complete faith in a car, and I resolve that by doing all I can to know both of mine inside and out, and engaging with the community here to keep mine in tip-top shape, addressing things before they show up as problems. I can afford a brand new Denali but I don't believe it's worth the $50K+ I'd have to spend to get into one. I'd rather use that money for trips and educating our kids. And, these trucks are known quantities, are reliable for the long haul, and the parts and know-how to work on them are widely available in any small town with a parts store and a garage. I wouldn't hesitate to drive either of our Denali's across the country tomorrow.

Good luck in making your decision, but I know what mine would be if I were in your shoes.

My AFM has been disabled since we bought it at 32k, via a Black Bear Tune....... It's never towed anything, never been beat on, just my wife hauling kids. With the tune in, the idle stumble is apparent. It also has a surge when accelerating. I took the tune out and re

29k trade in, i woulda took that in a heartbeat

Trade in not even required, they'll write me a check for $28.5 ...........that's how desparate they are for trade-ins. I'm going to have the trans fluid changed again and see if the trans behavior changes. I realize I can pay out of pocket $5k and put a new trans in it and still have saved myself $25k over a newer one, I just want to trust it........

 

[Kee Fuller]

Check for 28.5

yea i would signed those papers fast

 

[Doubeleive]

The trade in right now is certainly enticing, if you don't mind making payments again.........then go for it
if you keep it I would take the warranty extension it's certainly cheap insurance.
as for the stumble I would have a injector service done and/or throw some injector cleaner in it for a few tank fulls and clean up the intake and a new air filter and that should straighten you up.
I clean mine every 3 months just as a routine, you could eat off of it.

 

[Jettix2]

The trade in right now is certainly enticing, if you don't mind making payments again.........then go for it
if you keep it I would take the warranty extension it's certainly cheap insurance.
as for the stumble I would have a injector service done and/or throw some injector cleaner in it for a few tank fulls and clean up the intake and a new air filter and that should straighten you up.
I clean mine every 3 months just as a routine, you could eat off of it.

Yep, even if I spend $2k on warranty extention, it's cheap insurance. This warranty cost me $3k for 3 years (almost expired now), and it's paid over $5k in claims with the shocks, compressor, and radiator......... first warranty I've ever bought and was worth it

I did check the engine mount test using the brake torque and I don't hear any noise at all. The only thing I can think of that I have not done is I have not cleaned the throttle body. How hard is that to do?

 

[Doubeleive]

Yep, even if I spend $2k on warranty extention, it's cheap insurance. This warranty cost me $3k for 3 years (almost expired now), and it's paid over $5k in claims with the shocks, compressor, and radiator......... first warranty I've ever bought and was worth it

I did check the engine mount test using the brake torque and I don't hear any noise at all. The only thing I can think of that I have not done is I have not cleaned the throttle body. How hard is that to do?

easy just grab a can of throttle body cleaner it's $3-4 dollars and some clean cloths, just go easy on it while cleaning, you can't man handle the butterfly inside you can hold it open to get inside but don't force it farther than it goes which is almost 1/2 way open.

 

[91RS]

I'm going to have the trans fluid changed again and see if the trans behavior changes. I realize I can pay out of pocket $5k and put a new trans in it and still have saved myself $25k over a newer one, I just want to trust it........

Why? You said it’s still under the extended warranty for 3 months. Just take it to your dealer with all your complaints. Why waste money on a flush that may not fix it? Put that toward your deductible.

 

[91RS]

I did check the engine mount test using the brake torque and I don't hear any noise at all.

You won’t hear any noise with collapsed mounts. Put it in reverse or neutral to unload the mount and see if the vibration goes away. Still though, just take it to your dealer. Engine mounts and a transmission will very likely be covered by your warranty.

 

[petethepug]

Your little voice may be right. Early 2015 still had the 6 SP. The 2015+ went to 8 SP.

The price is right to sell, but it’s not a buyers market, yet. If you can verify any codes in the trans are speaking to you, definitely cash in the chips.

The prospect of flipping our Escalade for almost $10 over what we paid is enticing since we have another car. I hear ya.

2014 Escalade ESV...........70k miles. Bought it with 30k,
Have early stages of torque converter failure, I believe. Have a slight rumble at highway speeds, an occasional thump that are very similar to the signs we had before my parent's torque converters failed in both their 2015 Escalade and 2015 Denali (different trans, I know, but symptoms are similar).
Any thoughts?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Jettix2]

Your little voice may be right. Early 2015 still had the 6 SP. The 2015+ went to 8 SP.

The price is right to sell, but it’s not a buyers market, yet. If you can verify any codes in the trans are speaking to you, definitely cash in the chips.

The prospect of flipping our Escalade for almost $10 over what we paid is enticing since we have another car. I hear ya.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I'm so tempted to take the crazy trade-in offer, but in reality we're going from a 28.5k car to a 58.5k car.............which I can buy a lot of parts (or extend the warranty for a small amount/etc).

I cleaned the throttle body on Saturday, it was filthy dirty...it might be idling a bit smoother, or it might be my imagination, I dunno. Also tossed 2 cans of injector cleaner in the fuel tank.

I had put the stock tune back in the truck a couple weeks ago when we noticed surging (which could have been throttle body or MAF related, I'm not sure)........I re-installed the Black Bear tune Saturday (which I had primarily used to eliminate the AFM, but it does change the trans programming too), and the truck really does drive so much better. Trans is shifting smooth right now, I'll keep an eye on it for a couple weeks and will post back up. The recent shuddering may have coincided in some way to the AFM engaging and the TC locking/unlocking, I'm honestly not sure.

Thanks to all for the advice!

 

[GBF1]

Good luck. Sorry you are having so many issues. I just had the transmission fixed at 173K miles. $1700 was well worth it when you look at new pricing. Only current issue I have is low oil pressure indicator. Have had the sending unit replaced a couple of times...

 

[vcode]

That is the same problem I face. I can get a good price for my 2010 Tahoe, but something decent and newer is $20-30K more. Big difference in mine is that I am just starting to see a few paint bubbles on the rear wheelwells. Rust is evil, although I could always hide it with some Z71 flares......