Flyer10
San Diego,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, July 08, 2008
The Mr. Griener and his General Manager and service representatives, service techs and mechanics seem to have no knowledge of the law suit against General Motors concerning failure of lower intake manifold gaskets which permits coolant to get into the engine. Dexcool coolant destroys the gasket. They are certainly willing to quote the repair cost. A problem common to a very large percentage of the GM vehicles with the 3.1 liter engines from year 1995 through year 2004. The Greiner quoted cost for the repair significantly exceeds the average cost put forth in the litigation. Of all things if a partial re-imbursement is awarded by the court ...it appears that it will be pro-rated to the age of the car !!! Yet regardless the labor hours and cost is no different for an older car. Griener service personnel have no knowledge of the problem or whether the repair simply re-installs the same type gasket that fails. The $700 repair cost quoted in the "description" below from the internet is far (very far) below the Greiner quote for the same repair. DESCRIPTION TAKEN FROM A WEBSITE (suite101.com) The problem is that the antifreeze General Motors uses, Dexcool, is destroying the intake manifold gaskets, literally eating it away from the inside out until it starts to leak. The repair is, quite obviously, to replace the intake manifold gasket. I've done this job so many times I can do it in my sleep. The job runs about $700.00 to do. This includes parts, labor and new antifreeze. As far as repairs on modern cars go, this is not too bad. Not cheap, but not all that expensive. The only problem is the new gasket will be eaten away just as the old one did resulting in another leak and another $700.00 repair bill. I just received an email from a woman who had the intake manifold gasket replaced in her 1999 Buick Century with a 3.1 liter V-6 two years ago, and now needs it replaced again. FROM A WEBSITE SEARCH "INTAKE MANIFORL GASKET - GM" CTV reports that some General Motors vehicles may have a serious defect which could lead to total engine failure. The issue is the intake manifold gasket in some GM vehicles. According to CTV, the part may degrade in vehicles built between 1995 and 2003. In worst-case scenarios, the gasket is failing, introducing coolant to engine oil, rendering the latter ineffective and resulting in siezed engines. Affected vehicles include the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Pontiac Grand Prix and Aztek, and several Oldsmobiles. Service bulletins obtained by the news source indicate the automaker has been aware of the problem for years. However, GM currently does not have a recall on these vehicles, since degradation can have a variety of causes. An online petition asking GM to issue a voluntary recall has collected some 11,000 signatures. A full-listing of affected vehicles can be found at the link. GM has since come out with a new, redesigned intake manifold gasket for its newest vehicles. WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION: www.dexcoolsettlement.com ALSO GOOGLE SEARCH: any number of search work combinations ike: "Dexcool Damage - intake manifold gaskets" "Intake Manifold Gaskets - GM" "Leaking Intake manifold Gaskets - GM" Mountains of information exist on the internet regarding the issue, petitions against GM and of course the class action law suit ... Greiner service employees are "unaware" of the issue !!!
Jon
Poway,#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, May 03, 2006
In regards to the complaint voiced (Timothy - San Diego)by a recent consumer, I am providing the following facts: 1. Both heads on the engine block were actually cracked and relayed this information to the customer during the initial visit. 2. Both water pump and radiator were leaking when first diagnosed at the dealership (Note: the 1995 Pontiac Firebird was towed into our location due to being non operational and per customer "white steam was pouring from the exhaust").Also, the 1995 Firebird had severe power steering leakage when placed in the air for diagnostic analysis (The customer declined repairs). 3. When coolant was drained from the unit, "green" coolant was in fact in the radiator and was there prior to the customer's visit Note: The vehicle has been in a front end accident prior to being towed to the dealership and acknowledged by the customer). In response to the orange coolant concern, the sticker on the radiator reflects the unit as being a 1996 (The VIN number confirms the units as a 1995, thus the reason for the front end collision comment noted above). 4. The upper radiator hose was in fact new and replaced, but did fail and was replaced under warranty. The entire "green" radiator fluid was flushed and replaced with "orange" coolant due to customer complaint/concerns at NO expense to him. 5. Derogatory comments on staff's appearances and demeanor are both invalid and unwarranted as well as discriminatory. 6. Dealership offered upon 2nd visit (After repairs completed) to replace power steering hose and rack at dealership cost (Customer again declined repairs). 7. Dealership admits to some poor communication with this consumer and has taken educational measures/and dealership procedures to eliminate this mishap in the future (Valid issue). 8. Rental unit was complimentary and was leased by the dealership through Enterprise Rental Agency - New 2006 Chevrolet (No expense passed onto the consumer). 9. No excuse on the power cleaning of the engine compartment, this was overlooked and was completed by four lot attendants during the customer stated 15-20 minute wait on the showroom(Valid complaint). 10. The ENGINE WAS IN FACT NEW!!!(not a "reman" or remanufactured as customer or independent states). GM Part Number 88894195 (The parts description via GM Parts catalog is "Gasoline Engine Goodwrench NEW"). 11. As the title also claims steals?? and vandalizes???, this is alarming and again unwarranted and is defaming to a very professional organization. Please be careful what you read or write as this is in fact a permanent record. In closing, the dealership takes these types of issues and concerns very seriously and does in fact operate on high integrity and morals. It is disappointing to see some misleading or non-factual data as disclosed on the report. Highest Regards, Jon - Service Manager Ty - General Manager
Cory
San Antonio,#4Consumer Comment
Thu, April 27, 2006
A car dealer will screw you when you buy a car, sell a car, trade-in a car AND get one repaired. It figures. They can't help themselves. It's a corporate mentality.
Robert
Jacksonville,#5Consumer Comment
Thu, April 27, 2006
You paid waaaaaaaaaay too much. That job is only worth about 1/3 what you paid. I can put a reman 350 in ANYTHING for less than $3000. The engine you got would be a GM GoodWrench reman. GoodWrench remans always come with a new oil pan and valve covers. Now, when you replace the engine, you are not getting all new fuel rails, sheet metal, etc. You are getting a remanufactured long-block. It will have reman heads, and block, consisting of crank/rods/pistons/timing set/valves/pushrods/rockers/oil pump/gasket set/camshaft/bearings. The sheet metal(valve covers/oil pan/timing cover) should be reused after cleaning. The brackets/pulleys/accessories(alternator,A/C,P/S pump)/manifolds/fuel system and ignition systems are reused also. Most places will install a new, or reman water pump, thermostat, tune-up parts, and any belts and hoses you may have for your model. This is done for one reason...to make sure there are no warranty issues down the road. The pics I looked at show a new block and heads. That is your engine. It does not appear the shop cleaned anything. At my shop, everything would have been cleaned and/or repainted so when you open the hood, you see the engine compartment just as it did when it left the factory. Next time, please use an independent shop. The dealership smoked you very badly.
D
-,#6Consumer Comment
Thu, April 27, 2006
With a '95 model vehicle needing that much work, sounds like you would have been better off junking it and buying a new vehicle. Having said that, you have been royally porked by a bunch of criminals (or incompetent morons), or both. You should file a complaint with your states' AG and consult a lawyer about suing this dealer. This would not be a small claims case. Also, turn this stuff in to every TV news station in town, and get the word out. It looks like you have covered your bases with documentation and pics to back you up. Don't lose any of that stuff. Sue them for every penny they have.
D
-,#7Consumer Comment
Thu, April 27, 2006
With a '95 model vehicle needing that much work, sounds like you would have been better off junking it and buying a new vehicle. Having said that, you have been royally porked by a bunch of criminals (or incompetent morons), or both. You should file a complaint with your states' AG and consult a lawyer about suing this dealer. This would not be a small claims case. Also, turn this stuff in to every TV news station in town, and get the word out. It looks like you have covered your bases with documentation and pics to back you up. Don't lose any of that stuff. Sue them for every penny they have.
D
-,#8Consumer Comment
Thu, April 27, 2006
With a '95 model vehicle needing that much work, sounds like you would have been better off junking it and buying a new vehicle. Having said that, you have been royally porked by a bunch of criminals (or incompetent morons), or both. You should file a complaint with your states' AG and consult a lawyer about suing this dealer. This would not be a small claims case. Also, turn this stuff in to every TV news station in town, and get the word out. It looks like you have covered your bases with documentation and pics to back you up. Don't lose any of that stuff. Sue them for every penny they have.
D
-,#9Consumer Comment
Thu, April 27, 2006
With a '95 model vehicle needing that much work, sounds like you would have been better off junking it and buying a new vehicle. Having said that, you have been royally porked by a bunch of criminals (or incompetent morons), or both. You should file a complaint with your states' AG and consult a lawyer about suing this dealer. This would not be a small claims case. Also, turn this stuff in to every TV news station in town, and get the word out. It looks like you have covered your bases with documentation and pics to back you up. Don't lose any of that stuff. Sue them for every penny they have.