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crazycarz
User
Aug 21, 2012, 11:13 PM
Post #1 of 10
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2006 Impala blown engine
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2006 Chev Impala, 3.9L engine, 75kmi.
1. Initial problem: Leaking oil from Lower intake manifold, oil pan gasket, valve covers.
Dealer "fixed" this problem, car ran well for 4 to 6 weeks. Car then died, hard time to start,
"Rod Knock" sound heard.
I Found approx. 2 quarts radiator fluid in oil pan. Engine now probably trashed.
towed car to dealer and they said they can "tear down engine to find failure, for 1200.00".
I want them to tear down engine for free or a more minimal cost, as I feel oil leak repair work they did
may likely have led to/caused the engine rod knock. i do not trust them to open the
engine up, then determine and come clean that "they indeed made a mistake", even if they find this to be the case.
Even if they can determine the cause once torn down.
Except for the leaks, the car was running fine until they replaced the Lower intake gasket etc.
It seems too much of a coincidence for car to fail like this after replaced gaskets work.
Am i expecting too much from dealer? Is there anyway to complain to GM(even though this is not a
GM factory error. not trying to "dig" money from dealer or screw dealer- I just feel they made mistake and this failure should be covered as a warranty repair(example, say the lower intake leaked anti freeze into the oil). Am i asking too much?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 22, 2012, 1:05 AM
Post #2 of 10
(8760 views)
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Re: 2006 Impala blown engine
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Tough call. What caused the oil leaking in the first place? Was that ever diagnosed as to why?
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 22, 2012, 3:31 AM
Post #3 of 10
(8750 views)
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Re: 2006 Impala blown engine
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I tend to agree with you here but the dealer is stonewalling you and has no intention of accepting responsibility. You may have to pull it out of there and have a third party tear it down to investigate the cause of the failure before they destroy the evidence.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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crazycarz
User
Sep 29, 2012, 11:37 PM
Post #4 of 10
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Re: 2006 Impala blown engine
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O.K. Finally found cause of engine problem. found metal parts inside of two combustion chambers, once teardown was
done by a friend, other than the dealer. Appears a valve seat broke apart and the metal pieces ended up inside two combustion chamber(s). Not sure if only one seat failed, i need to look at the Head yet. Anyway,
the metal parts damaged two pistons(chambers next to each other). Head was also damaged, where the metal parts eventually pounded a hole through the head; this is when I feel anti freeze leaked into oil - I had drained about 2 quarts
of radiator fluid out of oil pan prior to engine removal for the inspection.
We brought the head to dealer - they said they talked to an engineer at GM and valve seats breaking was a COMMON PROBLEM on said engine(3.9 Liter GM engine). Does this sound reasonable?
I do not trust dealer - I mean to ask if i could talk with same engineer dealer talked with. Is that possible?
The engine only had 75k mi. and this problem should not occur. I never have heard of such a thing, let alone being a common problem.
It just seems to be such a coincidence that they worked on the lower intake, then the problem occured about 6 weeks to 2 months later.
Any ideas of where to go with this issue??? I
(This post was edited by crazycarz on Sep 29, 2012, 11:47 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 30, 2012, 5:04 AM
Post #5 of 10
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Re: 2006 Impala blown engine
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I don't know of this as common but it could be. This is going to suk no matter what. If you can if not found from someone reading this thread now get GM involved. You might come up with a TSB on this.
I have - real pics MAILED to a real person involved. It was another issue but a real design flaw - not the point for this but was GM.
I got nowhere after countless hours and didn't pursue any legal mess as it would have been insane amounts of time. That was a vehicle right about a year old and an aftermarket fix was already available! Fixed under warranty twice and didn't last 10 miles so a dealer quit type thing.
Quite apparently you don't have a dealer or that one on your side and a chance they are pulling a CYA (cover your a**) move.
Well - you know what killed it just not why yet or WHO if that at all. Prepare for a new engine as of now this one is just dead metal IMO,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Sep 30, 2012, 5:12 AM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 30, 2012, 8:10 AM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: 2006 Impala blown engine
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Haven't heard of the 3.9L having valve seat drops, but they are still kind new to independents. Depends on how they engineered the valve seat in that one. If the engine is overheated causing the heads to warp, that could work a valve seat loose. Probably wouldn't hurt to talk to a machine shop and get their opinion on the situation. When you do go to replace the engine be sure your intake and exhaust manifolds are clear of debris. It is also important to make sure your catalyst substrate is free of fragments too.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 30, 2012, 8:11 AM)
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crazycarz
User
Nov 13, 2012, 12:45 AM
Post #7 of 10
(8349 views)
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Re: 2006 Impala blown engine
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Hammertime and others,
I originally pulled the car out of the dealership, then a friend did engine teardown
and found failed piece parts within two cylinders. Two pistons were beat up,
and above one piston, a hole was punched into the head -that was how
coolant got into the oil pan(I had originally drained about 2 quarts of coolant from the
oil pan when the car first failed).
My friend replaced the bad head, the two banged up pistons,
and car is now up and running ok.
As for dealer / GM, I will file a complaint with GM, but I do not think
they will do anything at all. That was evident when the dealer service Mgr. called me and said "the problem of the valve seats was a COMMON problem on that yype engine and their will be no assistance on the repair. This car was my mother in laws - she had always bought GM's
in the past, and now she will no longer buy GM's. All they had wanted to do was teardown
the engine / make $6,800.00 (Quote was 1200.00 for teardown, 5600.00 for GM rebuilt engine).
Of course this quote was prior to time when my friend tore down the engine. Losers.
thanks much for all of you and the other
moderator(s) time - all your answers helped me tremendously.
crazycarz
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 1, 2012, 7:31 PM
Post #9 of 10
(8252 views)
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Re: 2006 Impala blown engine
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Ford had that issue on their 2.0L SOHC split port engines....they didn't do anything about it either. He's lucky he didn't have to replace the entire engine. We had a 2003 Focus come in on the hook that dropped a valve seat. The piston shattered and the small end of the rod punched a hole through the cylinder wall. There are some threads popping up in IATN about the 3.9L with dropped seats, so it isn't uncommon so it seems.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 1, 2012, 7:32 PM)
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