Silent Service Bulletin

On this past Monday (4/02/2007) I was driving home from work, when my 2004 Aveo just..quit. I called 2 Chevy dealerships, and both told me it was only covered under a 3 year/ 36,000 mile warranty ( I have 58,800 miles on it)... So I had it towed to the nearest local repair shop, where they found a broken timing belt and every valve severely bent. My friend works in the prep are at a dealership near Bay City, Michigan, and his boss said it was covered under the 5 year/60,000 powertrain warranty, so I called the repair shop back, put a stop to the work, then called a few more dealerships, AND the GM customer care to verify-they all said no, because I did not have the timing belt inspected at 30,000 miles and that the timing belt was a wear item, it was not covered, so I let the repair shop resume repairs...later that day, my friend called back, and told me about a service bulletin stating that the 2004 to 2006 chevy aveo has a problem with early timing failure, and that it IS covered no matter what... GM customer care said they could not find it, which I know was bull**** as my freind emailed me the actual bulliten with the specific ID #....So I went to the local dealership, and they agreed after I had shown them all my records of the facts..They told me to bring copies of all records when the repairs are finished, including the damaged parts, and that they will bill GM, then reimburse me the money I will have spent....we will see, it will take up to 2 weeks until I get my car back and GM reimburses me (if they do).

can you post the bulletin for the rest of us to have? thanks

yea wat he said^^^^^

+1

sheet ive been ****ed by GM on my tranny before, its not happening again with a timing belt.....im halfway there.....14000 miles.

When I took mine in a few weeks ago for a water leak (they replaced the thermostat and housing) I asked about the timing belt. The service writer pulled up the bulliten which stated that 2004 timing belts will be replaced under warranty, but the labor will not be covered after 36,000 miles, only the cost of the belt.

For 05+ the bulletin does not apply. I'm hoping mine lasts at least 60k which is when I will be replacing it... unless there are some other 05's who have it break, then I'll do it sooner.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dragontearz

On this past Monday (4/02/2007) I was driving home from work, when my 2004 Aveo just..quit. I called 2 Chevy dealerships, and both told me it was only covered under a 3 year/ 36,000 mile warranty ( I have 58,800 miles on it)... So I had it towed to the nearest local repair shop, where they found a broken timing belt and every valve severely bent. My friend works in the prep are at a dealership near Bay City, Michigan, and his boss said it was covered under the 5 year/60,000 powertrain warranty, so I called the repair shop back, put a stop to the work, then called a few more dealerships, AND the GM customer care to verify-they all said no, because I did not have the timing belt inspected at 30,000 miles and that the timing belt was a wear item, it was not covered, so I let the repair shop resume repairs...later that day, my friend called back, and told me about a service bulletin stating that the 2004 to 2006 chevy aveo has a problem with early timing failure, and that it IS covered no matter what... GM customer care said they could not find it, which I know was bull**** as my freind emailed me the actual bulliten with the specific ID #....So I went to the local dealership, and they agreed after I had shown them all my records of the facts..They told me to bring copies of all records when the repairs are finished, including the damaged parts, and that they will bill GM, then reimburse me the money I will have spent....we will see, it will take up to 2 weeks until I get my car back and GM reimburses me (if they do).

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owner manual says to replace at 60,000 miles...indeed the belt died 200 miles short...this has happened to a few people, see they wouldnt have a problem if they would send a letter out stating that this is a problem and to bring the car in at 45-50,000 miles to replace it...would probably save them/or the owner a grand every time it happens

This is the actual service bulletin sent directly to me form my friend who works at a chevy dealership- document ID number 1865165.

Subject: Broken Timing Belt Prior To 60000 Miles (100000 Kilometers) - keywords bent broke crank engine failure information maintenance no nostart start valve valves warranty #PIP3936 - (10/03/2006)

Models: 2004 - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
2005 - 2006 Pontiac Wave (Canada Only)
with 1.6L Engine (VIN 6 - RPO L91)


The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:

On rare occasions, a timing belt may fail prior to the required 60,000 mile (100, 000 kilometers Canada) replacement interval, resulting in a crank no start condition. Depending upon the position of the camshafts at the time of the failure, valve damage may occur in one or more cylinders, and in some cases, cylinder head damage is also possible.
Recommendation/Instructions:

If timing belt breakage is encountered, inspect the engine for consequential valve, valve guide, and cylinder head damage, and repair as necessary. Typically, the engine pistons, rods, bearings and crankshaft will not be affected by impact with the valves, however, the piston top surface should be inspected carefully to confirm that no significant damage is present. Valve impact marks or indentations in the piston tops do not require replacement action unless there is evidence of piston cracking.

1. If timing belt damage or breakage occurs PRIOR to the required 60,000 mile (100,000 kilometer Canada) timing belt replacement interval, the engine should be repaired and belt replaced under the 5 year 60,000 mile warranty. Engine damage induced by timing belt failure should not be denied based solely on the customers' inability to produce proof of a previous timing belt inspection.
2. If timing belt damage or breakage occurs AFTER the required 60,000 mile (100,000 kilometer Canada) timing belt replacement interval and the timing belt had NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED within the required 60,000 mile (100,000 kilometer Canada) timing belt replacement interval, the engine repair should be at the expense of the customer because the engine is outside the warranty window and the recommended belt replacement interval was ignored.
3. Customers who have previously incurred out of pocket repair costs, associated with timing belt failures prior to 60,000 miles (100,000 kilometers Canada), may contact Customer Assistance to petition repair reimbursement. CAC will require documentation of the repair and mileage.
4. Dealer service departments should advise Customers that 60,000 mile (100,000 kilometer Canada) belt replacement is required maintenance and GM may deny warranty coverage if the belt is not replaced within the required maintenance period.

Notice:: Timing belt failures prior to 60,000 miles are covered under 5/60 warranty.

Important:: See Timing Belt Inspection and Replacement Information in SI. Timing belt replacement and adjustment procedures must be performed according to SI instructions

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.


GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Document ID# 1865165

I tell you what though...after this, I will try a Chrysler product- I had a Ford before, and their service was worse than GM...the Nitro or Caliber most likely(something I can put my greyhound in and camp with) , if not, maybe it's time to try a foreign product if an American company wants to do this to consumers...I work for a GM supplier, but this is bullcrap- a 100,000 Kia warranty sound good right now....

Mine's at the dealership right now getting the timing belt changed. Has about 44k miles on it. I figured I'd rather be safe than sorry. Nothing was actually broken, so I'm guessing none of it will be covered by warranty (even with my extended 100k mile warranty). Was quoted $252 for the parts+labor. The cost is worth it if it means I don't have to be without my car while they rebuild my engine cuz the belt broke.

....i think we should have a chat with the better business bureau about this...

I agree- if this is a problem on our Aveo's, it should be a recall!!! Why should I have had to go through this ordeal if it WAS under warranty?!? After this, I'm buying a Kia with the 100,000 mile warranty....my entire family is UAW workers, but if this is how they treat us, then all loyalty is right out the window...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by khan4rtist

....i think we should have a chat with the better business bureau about this...

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The BBB doesn't do ****. I filed a complaint with them this summer about a dealership that totally screwed me over. We had a written agreement for me to buy the car. I came back a few days later and they had sold it and made no apologies or in no way tried to help me out. Never heard back from the BBB. I've also filed a claim with them about a business deal gone bad. No one answered the one time they called the number I gave them, so they just gave up. You can try if you want though.

wow, sounds like american car companies are corrupted......terrorism anyone? lol j/k j/k

Thanks Dragon, you saved a lot of us frustration in the future...

Not a problem..figured I've save everyone the sleuthing you have do to even find out about this bulletin.

I have a Mars green '04 Swift that I got on December 31st of '03. (Like the one on the top of the page! Sort of.)

It's got almost 99,000 km's on it and I know I HAVE TO change the timing belt real soon. Since I drive my truck home now, the car sits most of the time in the driveway.

The Suzuki dealer told me the other day that they have changed three timing belts recently, one under warranty, and I'd better do it soon.

I'm a nervous wreck waiting for the belt to let go every time I go the store!

I wonder if Suzuki had a similar notice out on timing belt failures?

Cameron

So I can take my car to the Chevy Dealership with a printout of the TSB and they will replace the timing belt for me under warranty? I have 54,100 miles on the car. The belt is still good, I haven't had time to inspect it, but if they will replace it for free under the 5/60K warranty, then let them do it and I will finsh with oil change, tranny flush, wire change, etc...

GM has to get on the ball...even my mother's Impala LS (2002) is already developing the No/Hard start, ABS and traction control problems. She hates it and wants to get rid of it. Seems to be that after 2000, problems started developing on these cars. I sometimes miss my 1995 Silverado...that truck was nice and ran without any problems.

I wouldn't take any chances....Cheap to change the timing belt compared to the head...

I will probably get a good one from Checker Auto or Autozone and take it to the dealer to have them reimburse me and have them install it.

JUST got back home with my car, they just finished it this morning. I was supposed to get it back Saturday or Monday Morning, but the repair shop had to order them thru a dealership and they had to come from the west coast, so they called me at 10 am today to tell me it was ready- runs fine, but now everyone at work is telling me to try and trade it in on a different car...if I can keep the same payment amount, I may just do that, but I'm not sure yet- I'll post pics of the timing belt (stripped a foot of it bare and every single tooth left on it is only hanging by one edge) and the valves..Every single one bent...the mechanic told me to get rid of the car as soon as possible..lol

Here are a few photos of my belt and bent valves...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/4...473999d26c.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/4...804797b9f3.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/241/4...daca1c7a7b.jpg