VCoz

Had enough down under - GM do not deserve to sell vehicles in Australia while they disregard Australian Consumer Protection!
GM Australia are using its all cold start noises are normal piston slap, so go away and after warranty your GM engineered LS3 may self destruct at your cost!! Will never Trust GM gain as they have lied to hide the LS3 engine problem diagnosis.
Repair for our 40,000km (Australia Dealers have only regularly serviced our Vehicle) GM declare nothing wrong with the LS3 engine you hear (working as designed), So Australian dealer repair cost is intended passed to us:'The quote to carry out the replacement of the lifters and the camshaft $5350.35 including parts and labour. The best case senerio is that the camshaft is still okay. The camshaft is $703.78 plus GST.'
After being without our only vehicle for over 6 weeks under 'Full Factory Warranty (without a loan car while GM played its hide the noise games, waiting for warranty to end) we are now going to the Australian Consumer Law Courts. Then decide to repair of get rid of it.
Well done GM.com, you were aware of the matter and did nothing - we never want to own a GM product again, ever. Other manufacturers in Australia treat their customers better.

VCoz

I have copied this section from my other post to summarize this video's engine noise diagnoses : in particular what GM.com/GM Australia state is acceptable/normal/characteristic 'Piston Slap'. How GM Australia came to its only normal piston slap diagnoses will be identified later (my evidence raises GM Australia's diagnosis as deceptive and flawed).

Narrative: Is this how GM treats its American Customers Warranty or just Australian? Is what we experience just a matter of a Multi $B US Corporation no longer needing to protect its Australian business name in a small market 'down under'?
Important to note when listening to the engine noises: our vehicle had Full Factory Warranty and both the selling Dealer and GM have obligations under Australian Consumer Law - we are challenging this and GM Australia's deceptive practices in the Courts and seek this matter is made public.
We are adamant, why should we have to pay around $15-$20,000 to repair a well treated engine under Warranty that two Dealers diagnosed as a major engine fault, Dealer 1 at 38,000km (engine replacement PRA) Dealer 2 at 40,000km (lifters and Cam PRA). I repeat GM.com/GM Australia stonewalling of repairs of our low km dealer serviced vehicle which was under Full Factory Warranty.

DEALER 1 Diagnosed excessive Piston Slap and sought a full engine replacement PRA
DEALER 2: Diagnosis 'Carried out cold start on vehicle and confirmed customer’s concern. Found noise frequency of the noise seems to correlate with the valvetrain. Removed the rocker cover and inspected the rocker arms, push rods, valves and valve springs. Found all to be okay. Found noise to be coming from the lifters. Have found in the past that the lifters bind up and can cause damage to the camshaft. We recommend replacing all of the lifters and inspecting the camshaft for damage as discussed on the phone this morning.'

GM.com/GM AUSTRALIA - BLOCKED our ACCESS TO THEIR & DEALERS DIAGNOSTICS,on the basis 'we [GM Australia] do not provide information pertaining to our reviews and processes relating to technical information as this is considered proprietary information and property of GM Australia & New Zealand.' GM AUSTRALIA BLOCKED WARRANTY REPAIR on the basis 'a normal operating characteristic (LS3 V8 Engine)) - GM Australia's Technical Assistance Centre in conjunction with our Warranty Specialists have thoroughly reviewed ...' 'we have deemed your reported engine noise to be not in any way detrimental to the operation or longevity of the engine'.

We are waiting on the Dealer/GM Australia correspondence and all diagnostic evaluation/reports, sought through the Australian Consumer Laws (previously denied by GM Australia). Legal process will take some months and we will take this matter wherever is needed - also in the public interest to protect Australians under Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
If quality control is the issue then why should consumers pay for premature engine problems, especially while found under warranty? If Lifters are as some believe more a quality control issue why shouldn't excessive piston clearances and Hydraulic Lifter failures be treated like other recent LS3 manufacturing defect recalls (injectors, rocker arms, etc)

Without customer support or a recall what can owners expect in later years/Km's? The hydraulic lifters are not consumable items and because of engine disassembly requirements, are far too costly to replace at 100,000km just in case they are likely after that to fail or consume the engine. My vehicle was bought new, its LS3 engine has done only 40,000km - the Car Battery and globes have lasted longer!!! Engine Build / Quality Control?
VCoz is online now Report Post

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Are you being kind and courteous to the service reps at the dealer? Serious question. Sometimes you need to go Old Testament with the idiots and let them see what maniac looks like. I’m the professional, kind type that says yes sir and no sir….until I need to change gears because of whom I’m dealing with. I worked in a GM dealership for a stint and I understand the dealers standpoint, but I also see the need to fulfill the customers wants (and correct issues even if the big guys say there are none) and see past the corporate red tape.
What I’m saying is sometimes it’s better to send the wife up there. Mine will go bulldog on you in a second and act a fool, but she gets her way with idiots 9.5 times out of 10.

pdxmotorhead

Google around on the ecotec 4cylinders in the 2011 to 2014 range of the Terrain.. They lost in court on them.
Major engine fails , rings and timing chains.. GM tried to blame it on customers using non DOXES approved oil.
Hows your oil consumption?
I've heard that DI motors are most subject to the issues where rings collapse and the pistons slap starts.

VCoz

Yes, I have been pleasant to the Dealerships who are clearly on my side (confirmed by statements and actions). I feel sorry for Dealers being bullied also by GM Australia. Recent Dealers comments that I can print include "Holden (GM Australia) pull the strings" and that its pointless inspecting further - when GM Australia say there is no noise then there is no noise - and we've been stuck with repair bills before that GM Australia won't honor so can't proceed even on a verbal OK from GM Australia, must be in writing (had this same verbal situation where GM Australia went back on their verbal OK to reject written repair authorization). I believe this is more about ethics including covering up Ls2 and Ls3 lifter problems in Australia; allege it would not help the 250 RHD Corvette sales (based between $150- 250k depending on the model = $50M in sales for a company trying to recover from wide public distaste in GM's use of Government funding knowing it was pulling the plug). It is like a David and Goliath battle but i have collected a few good stones ready for the Court.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

I don't know anything about Aussie Consumer Protection law, but if the car has been serviced at the dealership at the factory designated intervals, and the dealer is diagnosing a lifter problem and recommending inspection and potential replacement, it would seem you have a good case.

But generally speaking, the existence of piston slap and momentary lifter noise on cold starts hardly means that an engine is going to grenade itself. My 2000 Firebird has had piston slap (sounds like a diesel on cold days) from when i bought it at 33k miles, and is still kicking butt at 188k. Many G8's have also run up very high mileage while also exhibiting startup lifter noise. GM can't rebuild or replace every engine that owners complain about when it is a normal operating characteristic of that powerplant. But then again, DOD lifter failure is not exactly uncommon on the L76 G8. Less so with the lifters in the LS3.

That being said, given your service history and the fact that the dealership is diagnosing a problem, you definitely deserve consideration from GM. Whether you'll get is another matter. GM has been notorious for doing this here since the 70's (search HT4100). Best of luck to you though!