Firstly thanks and I certainly agree the engine noises are not 'normal' nor as designed to sound (how much will depend on extent of damage following continued use in the condition you hear which GM class as characteristic and normal - repairs are expensive in Australia and once touched GM will claim future cumulative damage was done by a non dealer repairer.- Dealer 2 diagnosis below was blocked by monetary reimbursement denied by GM Australia
'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.' This is our only vehicle and has been driven (during Warranty) for over 2,000km in this condition because GM delayed and claimed the noise was not causing any damage ....
Is this how GM treats its American Customers Warranty or just Australian? Important to note: 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 replacemment 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 22 Sept on the Dealer/GM Australia correspondence and all diagnostic evaluation/reports, sought through the Court (previously been denied). 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. 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 manufacturing defect recalls (injectors, rocker arms, etc)
Australia without a recall what can owners expect in later years/Km's?
FYI Found this Aug 2020 Corvette blog from the US: do your own research as lifters appear an ongoing problem in the US (hidden here in Australia).
Ls3 lifter failure
'
need some input here. any idea what would cause the lifter to fail ? it spun on the cam and break the roller and then all hell broke loose. cam, timing chain, valve failure. does this just happen on Ls3's or Ls in general? and the engine had 32k miles on it when it happened. i dont track it or take it to the strip, i just drive it like most anyone under the age of 60 would drive a corvette haha. this all happened 1300 miles'
Also:
'I had mine repaired at the dealership for the lifter problem. Remember, this is not a recall, but merely a service bulletin from GM. Your car will only be repaired if there is a customer complaint. Because I work at the dealership, I was able to view the warranty claim and it was in excess of $1,900.00 paid for by GM.' 'The lifters on my car made horrible noise at 400 miles. Like they collapsed.At 500 miles I replaced them with LS7 lifters/cam ect and it's silent now.'
