Engine replacement experience

[Leo581]

My engine was replaced last September at 7200 miles. This was before GM knew what was causing the engine failure so the procedure that my dealership had to follow was to remove the engine and then wait for a GM tech to come to the dealership (this was the longest part) and help diagnose what was wrong. After that, my engine was ordered and shipped from CA (I'm in Central PA and it arrived in a week). It took one month from the time I dropped it off till the day I picked it back up. I was not advised on any break in period so I just did the same thing as when I bought it new, just took it easy for the first 500 miles. I have another 8000 miles on it and so far no issues.
As for the bickering going on above about Carfax, my engine replacement IS showing up on my Carfax report. I can't wait until I trade it in and the dealership tries to ding me on that! It's my understanding that all major dealerships need to report service to Carfax. Joe Schmo garage down the street has no obligation to report anything to Carfax.

 

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[pinebaron]

As for the bickering going on above about Carfax, my engine replacement IS showing up on my Carfax report. I can't wait until I trade it in and the dealership tries to ding me on that! It's my understanding that all major dealerships need to report service to Carfax. Joe Schmo garage down the street has no obligation to report anything to Carfax.

The moral of the story is to use Joe Schmo if you want to avoid seeing such activity on Carfax

 

[sanny651]

I bought my 2023 AT4X about a month ago (it is used with only 11,357 miles) and changed all the registration with GMC so I could receive any of the correspondence and/or r2call notices. Nothing from them to date. 2 weeks ago I set up an appointment to have the oil changed and asked to have the test done, which they agreed to do. The day before I was to take the truck in, I needed to move it in the driveway, but it wouldn't start. Had it towed on a truck with dolly set up as it wouldn't go into neutral. The dealership informed me the engine was locked up, thus the no-start condition and they would be replacing the engine under the recall status. My rep said he was grateful this didn't happen while I was driving the vehicle as everything shuts down when the engine locks up, steering, transmission, everything! Imagine that at 70 mph or any mph! Get your trucks tested, I say even if you haven't received the letter. You can also go to the GM website for the recall to look up your VIN to see if your vehicle is in the group of VINS that need testing. I believe the dealerships will get you in to test if you ask for it when you get an oil change like I did.

I can tell you that your rep is kind full of crap because mine seized on me. Started losing power at 65mph and completely seized at 55mph. I was hauling my 5500lb ice castle (think of it like a camper) on a narrow 2 lane logging road. Because we have electric power steering, I kept full control of my steering capabilities...zero issues. Transmission didn't lock up either...it kept rolling, just wasn't being propelled obviously. As far as braking goes, I'm 52 and have enough experience to know that if you pump the brakes when the engine isn't running, they'll get rock hard real quick, so I instead applied the brakes consistently and firmly, but not aggressively. Slow and steady wins the race, and it did. It got me to the side of the road (or what little of that there was). Still, obviously highly dangerous and far from ideal. But it's not like everything locks up and you have no way of doing anything about it.

That all said, I am glad you got the new engine. They know why they were seizing and the new engines have been rectified, so now you get a new power plant and the peace of mind knowing (at least I do) that the engine is good to go. I got my new engine installed just a week or 2 prior to the NHTSA investigation being launched, and it was a few weeks after I got my engine installed that GM identified root cause and impacted dates/VIN's. My engine was manufactured well after that date range, so I no longer am holding my breath and can again drive confidently (at least with the engine).

Best of luck to you sir. I'm sure this new engine will serve you quite well. Mine has. So you know, when I got my new engine I was disappointed as it was kind of a pooch compared the one I had prior. But within 500 miles or so she perked right up. I figured the computer had to relearn and also the engine had to break in some. Engine runs great now and pulls like a clydesdale!

 

[akguide101]

I can tell you that your rep is kind full of crap because mine seized on me. Started losing power at 65mph and completely seized at 55mph. I was hauling my 5500lb ice castle (think of it like a camper) on a narrow 2 lane logging road. Because we have electric power steering, I kept full control of my steering capabilities...zero issues. Transmission didn't lock up either...it kept rolling, just wasn't being propelled obviously. As far as braking goes, I'm 52 and have enough experience to know that if you pump the brakes when the engine isn't running, they'll get rock hard real quick, so I instead applied the brakes consistently and firmly, but not aggressively. Slow and steady wins the race, and it did. It got me to the side of the road (or what little of that there was). Still, obviously highly dangerous and far from ideal. But it's not like everything locks up and you have no way of doing anything about it.

That all said, I am glad you got the new engine. They know why they were seizing and the new engines have been rectified, so now you get a new power plant and the peace of mind knowing (at least I do) that the engine is good to go. I got my new engine installed just a week or 2 prior to the NHTSA investigation being launched, and it was a few weeks after I got my engine installed that GM identified root cause and impacted dates/VIN's. My engine was manufactured well after that date range, so I no longer am holding my breath and can again drive confidently (at least with the engine).

Best of luck to you sir. I'm sure this new engine will serve you quite well. Mine has. So you know, when I got my new engine I was disappointed as it was kind of a pooch compared the one I had prior. But within 500 miles or so she perked right up. I figured the computer had to relearn and also the engine had to break in some. Engine runs great now and pulls like a clydesdale!

Thanks!

 

[Tchebe]

I’m confused. You got a call? My test was done while I waited at the dealership, and I was told that if it failed (it passed) the truck would immediately be quarantined (liability) and I’d need to find a ride home.

I was added to the list to have the engine checked out while they were replacing my grille and repairing some damage from someone sideswiping my bumper. (Starting to wonder if this truck is cursed.) my nearest trusted dealer with a body shop is 4 hours away. That’s why they called.

 

[Bayoucountrygal]

I got a call from my dealer this week saying my engine had failed the recall test. They said they’ve checked over 100 trucks and only two have failed – I guess I’m just lucky? They’re estimating about two weeks for the engine to come in and then another week for them to install it.

Has anyone else gone through this process yet? Did you break in your engine again? Any follow up issues after the engine was replaced?

I just had the dealer check my truck for the recall and they said it was not on the recall list and won’t be putting the thicker oil in and they will continue putting to original oil in. I just hope they are correct and nothing happens. I still stress over the possibility of if and or when maybe I’m borrowing trouble that I shouldn’t be but for the price of these vehicles you should not have to worry and have no issues

 

[Bayoucountrygal]

I had my dealer searched my VIN (21') and mine did not come up in the recall so I was lead to believe I will not be included in the recall. No letter has been received at any point.

Same here. Not on the recall list or stating any issues with the truck. Hopefully they are right and I have no issues

 

[gemarsh]

I bought my 2023 AT4X about a month ago (it is used with only 11,357 miles) and changed all the registration with GMC so I could receive any of the correspondence and/or r2call notices. Nothing from them to date. 2 weeks ago I set up an appointment to have the oil changed and asked to have the test done, which they agreed to do. The day before I was to take the truck in, I needed to move it in the driveway, but it wouldn't start. Had it towed on a truck with dolly set up as it wouldn't go into neutral. The dealership informed me the engine was locked up, thus the no-start condition and they would be replacing the engine under the recall status. My rep said he was grateful this didn't happen while I was driving the vehicle as everything shuts down when the engine locks up, steering, transmission, everything! Imagine that at 70 mph or any mph! Get your trucks tested, I say even if you haven't received the letter. You can also go to the GM website for the recall to look up your VIN to see if your vehicle is in the group of VINS that need testing. I believe the dealerships will get you in to test if you ask for it when you get an oil change like I did.

WHAT!

Please ask your rep for clarification, please. I could see old school steering getting hard to steer w/o power steering.

Are you saying the electric power steering locks up or gets stiff to steer after engine shutdown?

 

[akguide101]

WHAT!

Please ask your rep for clarification, please. I could see old school steering getting hard to steer w/o power steering.

Are you saying the electric power steering locks up or gets stiff to steer after engine shutdown?

According to the report, that was one of their worries

WHAT!

Please ask your rep for clarification, please. I could see old school steering getting hard to steer w/o power steering.

Are you saying the electric power steering locks up or gets stiff to steer after engine shutdown?

According to the rep, that was one of their worries, but as one of the other members here said that his truck just lost power and he was able to steer off the roadway safely. I just hope it doesn't happen to anyone either way.

 

[sanny651]

WHAT!

Please ask your rep for clarification, please. I could see old school steering getting hard to steer w/o power steering.

Are you saying the electric power steering locks up or gets stiff to steer after engine shutdown?

I can say that in my own personal experience, the electric power steering works just fine if the engine seizes and the transmission does not lock up. When my engine seized at 55mph, I was able to steer just fine, the transmission didn't lock up, and I was able to apply brakes (I pressed them steadily and didn't pump them at all).

 

[gemarsh]

I can say that in my own personal experience, the electric power steering works just fine if the engine seizes and the transmission does not lock up. When my engine seized at 55mph, I was able to steer just fine, the transmission didn't lock up, and I was able to apply brakes (I pressed them steadily and didn't pump them at all).

Thanks for relaying your experience. I can't fathom a circumstance that electrical steering would be allowed to have zero control in this world.

 

[pinebaron]

I can say that in my own personal experience, the electric power steering works just fine if the engine seizes and the transmission does not lock up. When my engine seized at 55mph, I was able to steer just fine, the transmission didn't lock up, and I was able to apply brakes (I pressed them steadily and didn't pump them at all).

Last time I drove up the section between Whistler and Pemberton BC, was being chased by a tailgater (I never brake check anyone), was just starting to go downhill on a straight, had my exhaust brake on or perhaps off, reached out to the piano key to enable/disable it; not sure what I did but I accidentally hit the ignition button instead, turning the truck completely off, the steering froze with the truck moving at around 60mph, still going downhill, luckily still had about a 1/3 mile of only decent single lane straight, still available on that stretch, hit the ignition button, nothing happened, my mental penny dropped and I realised I had to shift to neutral first then ignition, it restarted with several hundred yards of straight still left. Phew! What an experience; I had no idea the ignition switch would turn a moving truck, still in gear, actually 'off'. Is this normal? @gemarsh ?

Update from google: Apparently a long ignition key press will switch the truck off even while in motion or it should not happen at all while in gear; I don't believe I had the key pressed for any longer than a second or less; I will need to have it checked out at the dealer, perhaps its a software setting they can change to extend the keypress time before the truck turns off while in motion and in gear.

 

[gemarsh]

Last time I drove up the section between Whistler and Pemberton BC, was being chased by a tailgater (I never brake check anyone), was just starting to go downhill on a straight, had my exhaust brake on or perhaps off, reached out to the piano key to enable/disable it; not sure what I did but I accidentally hit the ignition button instead, turning the truck completely off, the steering froze with the truck moving at around 60mph, still going downhill, luckily still had about a 1/3 mile of only decent single lane straight, still available on that stretch, hit the ignition button, nothing happened, my mental penny dropped and I realised I had to shift to neutral first then ignition, it restarted with several hundred yards of straight still left. Phew! What an experience; I had no idea the ignition switch would turn a moving truck, still in gear, actually 'off'. Is this normal? @gemarsh ?

Update from google: Apparently a long ignition key press will switch the truck off even while in motion or it should not happen at all while in gear; I don't believe I had the key pressed for any longer than a second or less; I will need to have it checked out at the dealer, perhaps its a software setting they can change to extend the keypress time before the truck turns off while in motion and in gear.

I honestly don't know @pinebaron, I've never tried. Now I have something to do today.

Old school, you turn the key to off, yes engine dies.

I would hope, with a push button system, you push it, engine dies, no matter what gear it's in.

Are you saying you could not steer the truck when you unintentionally shut the engine off? The HD's are not electric, they still have a pump and steering selector. It will be STIFF, like morning wood, but you should be able to steer.

 

[pinebaron]

I honestly don't know @pinebaron, I've never tried. Now I have something to do today.

Old school, you turn the key to off, yes engine dies.

I would hope, with a push button system, you push it, engine dies, no matter what gear it's in.

Are you saying you could not steer the truck when you unintentionally shut the engine off? The HD's are not electric, they still have a pump and steering selector. It will be STIFF, like morning wood, but you should be able to steer.

I'll check with the dealer if ignition key is supposed to turn off a truck in gear. Nope the steering did not work since steering pump was off, I guess I could have forced it to steer enough to pull over however did not attempt since there was no curb area in that stretch.

This has only happened to me only once before, in 1978 while driving south in the Afghanistan desert, on top of hill going downhill on a straight, in my 1978 Australian Ford Fairmont, it shut off when the vane fuel pump failed due to overheating. I kept the car going and as luck would have it, it coasted almost a mile into the village below, right into a small car repair shop; unbelievable but true.

 

[pinebaron]

I'll check with the dealer if ignition key is supposed to turn off a truck in gear. Nope the steering did not work since steering pump was off, I guess I could have forced it to steer enough to pull over however did not attempt since there was no curb area in that stretch.

This has only happened to me only once before, in 1978 while driving south in the Afghanistan desert, on top of hill going downhill on a straight, in my 1978 Australian Ford Fairmont, it shut off when the vane fuel pump failed due to overheating. I kept the car going and as luck would have it, it coasted almost a mile into the village below, right into a small car repair shop; unbelievable but true.

Update: Yes the engine turns off if you hit the ignition key even if truck is running and in gear; this is great but also scary.