piston oiler came loose.

[2L MAN]

Please help. I have an 03 dmax with 17000 miles. There was no cmpression in #5.GM said no warrranty from the begining because of aftermarket products. Edge injectors, etc. They were not even willing to determine the cause of failure. I bouhgt a new engine and had them install it. There was no core charge so I kept the engine and decided to fix it to sell to recover some of my loss. During disassembly we discovered the piston oil nozzle had fallen into the oil pan for #5 cyl. #5 piston was melted. With this new info I believe it no fault of my own, but how do I attack GM? All the other pistons/cylinders are perfect. Any suggestions of what to do? I would also appreciate any of your proffesional opinions.

[ochster]

I feel for you...
I'm getting ready to upgrade to a 3500 from my Duramax. I have started paying attention to other brands because of GM's apparent lackluster warranty. My truck supports my business, matters of this nature mean more to me than the quality of the seats.

[crew84]

I have bought the Edge Juice for my truck. I have not installed it yet. I want to put at least 20K miles on my truck before. That was to give any weak points a chance to break under warranty. I know that installing the Juice could probably void it. In the Edge Juice manual they even said to remove the unit for warranty issues to be on the safe side. I think if Edge could step up like Banks did over their exhaust brake this would be different. As long as they offer HP over the safe limit and no smog certs that will never happen.
Your problem would need a neutral diesel engine specialist to write a report on what cause the damage. Remembering that they would have to know about the Juice and the added stress used at the max setting. GM will use that against you saying it was more stress than they allowed to warrant the engine. Even though you did not probably use the highest setting. If you found that the stock injector caused it then you would have a case because then it is a known issue.

[rjschoolcraft]

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act specifically states that a manufacturer cannot void your warranty because of aftermarket performance or maintenance parts unless they can prove that the part caused the failure. Then, the aftermarket manufacturer's warranty comes into effect.

GM cannot deny you warranty coverage, unless the Edge product caused the problem, which it sounds like it did not.

[EWC]

To echo what RonnieJoe said , they have to prove that the aftermarket items did damage the engine . If so , then why only 1 damaged piston ?? All of the pistons should have received the same amount of damage .

[yankee]

It is quite a stretch to think the MM Act fits all occurrences.Performance aftermarket isn't what the MM Act was written for. The MM Act was written to end the monopoly the Auto manufactures could have not allowing aftermarket product use.Oil Filters ,air cleaners,suspension parts,Etc.

If you chose to increase the power out put gas and or diesel it will be your responsibility,you play you pay.

Regardless if you feel GM is at fault or yours why should they incur the expenses to prove them wrong,when you obviously were running Power enhancements?

Tough luck, you lose

[dmaxalliTech]

If you would have had the dealer pull the engine down and they found that, it may have been different but since you pulled it down, convincing them that it was loose and not tampered with would be fun. I am in no way suggesting you are dishonest, but your fighting a big baby and for the most part actuall warranty coverage comes down to the dealer who did the work. How did they know the edge was installed? I hope you didnt leave it in place when going in for major service.

[2L MAN]

The rod and crank counterweight have brass on them from being rubbed on the piston oil nozzle, And the oil nozzle is pretty mangled. Hopefully this will dispell any accusations of being deceptive about it. I am very curious to know if this is a isolated incident.

[2L MAN]

I have recieved word from GM they are not willing to do anything to help out with this. The Owners manual states "damage caused by the result of any of the following is not covered: alteration or modification to the vehicle including body chassis, or components after final assembly by GM". The words "damaged caused by" should be the key. Any diesel guy, or machine shop will testify if you lose a piston oiler, you will lose a piston,regardless of engine type or modification. That also explains why only one cylinder failed. I need some help, if anybody has any suggestions, or knows of any other cases like this. Thank you.

[2dogs]

Has anybody else experienced this problem? I think you will play heck convincing them that this was the problem. They will "out lawyer" you - unless you want to spend more than the fix - I think you are SOL...

[Jim Brzozowski]

2LMAN, I'd suggest you locate a regestered professional licensed engineer. Have that person inspect the damage and write an inspection report with conclusions that the fault was due to a failure of......... Then that Engineer would need to volunteer time to get on the witness stand and testify for you in a written letter signed and stamped with his or her seal. Send a copy of that to GM and I bet you get some action toward compensation real fast. You've got to furnish them the proof to get their attention, and besides it's the principle of the thing. You're not looking for something free or thats not due you. You're looking for what they owe you under the warranty you already paid for.

[madmatt]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You're best bet is not to ATTACK them but to have a cival meeting to discuss your findings, how they suspect the box caused it , etc.... bring some pics even. what ever you do keep a level head w/ them, flying off the handle w/ them right off the bat will get you nowhere. any way I wish you luch w/ your situation and as a GM tech, I hate to hear of your experince. i have never heard of a piston cooling jet loose in a d-max.

[precision37]

As I understand it, it is up to GM to prove that what you did caused the failure. Try arbitration.

[jackrabbit]

2L Man, this is off your topic, but I have a question.
I am curious as to why your whole engine was replaced for just a problem in one cylinder? Was this cheaper, than to do a paritial disassembly to find out what was wrong in #5?

[Idle_Chatter]

Jackrabbit, I think it's because of the Duramax induction-hardened and unsleeved cylinder bores. Any piston/cylinder damage cannot be remedied with an overbore or cylinder sleeve. That makes it necessary for at least a long block replacement every time. Why a whole engine instead of a long block is a good question - maybe there's such a demand on production for the engines that there are just no long blocks available.

[2L MAN]

The only way the engine was available was as a reman long block. I found a new take out engine from a truck damaged in transit with no miles on it, and bought it complete. I thouhgt this would be the way to go because I got a new complete engine for less than a GM reman. I also didn't want to take a chance with what went through the turbo, and I didn't want the modified injectors any more, in which case I would have to buy them seperate as well. The engine is rebuildable, I was going to do that to try and recover some of my loss and that is when we found the piston oiler had came off the block.

[DieselDennis]

2LMan,

May not be a popular opinion, but you might as well just rebuild the thing and quit thinking of getting GM to waste one red cent on it.

Here's a possible GM line of thinking:

Man gets a juice box. Cranks it up and runs the engine at WOT. Engine revs and oil pressure increases and blows piston oiler loose. Along comes crankshaft and hits it for a few thousand (or just a few) times and breaks it on loose. And the engine meltdown continues from there.

GM may have to prove that the EDGE did cause it, but with their battery of lawyers, I don't think it would do you much good.

YOU PLAY, YOU PAY ! ! !

[CATCRACKER]

you play you pay dont try to hang this on GM or they will build a diesel that others will not be able to upgrade!! once again you put a chip you throw out the warranty bottom line. did they not tell you this when you bought the chip? they should have. one more question do you have guages?

[Tough Guy]

What some of you are not reading here, is the fact he had installed or altered the OE injectors...

The "chip" or any chip for that matter can be removed at the time of service.

What 2Lman is asking is, did the chip or aftermarket injectors cause the failure? or could it have also happened with a stock truck had the same series of events ocurred.

I tend to agree that the failure was due to the oil spray nozzle failing, not aftermarket gadgets...However GM is far less likely to stand behind their warranty when you did dramatically change the way the vehicle was intended to operate...

Build the motor and sell it. Buy a FORD next time, they won't question your warranty quandries because they are used to buying the whole truck back not just the engine...LOL :D

I get sick of the phrase "you play you pay".

Cheers