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Comments
I had trouble with my 2000, silver, cloth seat, program car Impala just as I had read in so many of the posts. I learned how to put the noises and things I was experiencing into words and most importantly with TSB's. Thanks to Night Owl, Teo, Platour, and so many others I took my case to arbitration with the BBB. My hearing was March 21, 2000. Guess what? I won!!! The Chevrolet manufacturer has to repurchase my car. I proved my case with the web-site, the knowledge that I learned, the TSB's, the pictures, and the confidence I got from listening to you all chat.
I don't know how to say thank you enough.
Teo, how long did it take for your to get your check to buy back or did you trade in?
Have a great day all, and thanks! ALABELLE
It all depends on how many messages have been deleted in any given discussion. Have you noticed that the posts renumber themselves when a post is removed? For instance in your post you make reference to message #2300, but (right now, anyway) your own message is actually #2300. It looks like at least one post prior to yours was removed after you posted.
If you put your cursor on the link that is your message number (2300) without clicking on it, and look at the bottom of your browser, you'll see the actual link and it will end with a "/2348" - that "2348" is the actual number of posts that have been made in this discussion through your post.
That "actual" number is the one the Go To feature is working with. So the fact that you are about 50 posts off actually makes sense - 48 posts have been removed in this discussion through your last post.
Why does the Go To use the actual number instead of the relative number? I have no idea. :-)
Hope this helps a little.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Been going to lots of dealerships. Talked to Chevy salesman and the price he started out with for Impala wasn't as expensive as I was expecting. The rebates will have expired by May though.
I am curious (As I am sure most of the other posters are) to know exactly what problems you experienced with your Impala. What model was it? Base or LS? Mileage? Build date?
Will you buy another replacement Impala or go for a different vehicle this time?
Fortunately, I didn't have the need to escalate my complaints to the BBB arbitration board....everything was handled strictly between my excellent dealer and the GM District Manager representative.
Having witnessed the improvements made to the 2001 model year Impalas (Built after 10/00) I agreed to give the car a second chance and do what they call a "Trade-Buyback" for a new 2001 Impala LS. The whole thing has taken longer than expected for problems outside of anyone's realm. Now, the paperwork has taken longer as GM up in Detroit take their sweet time to do things quickly. I should be getting my new replacement Impala LS within the next few weeks.
Don't be surprised that the process of getting the Buyback completed and your refund check takes longer than usual. Sometimes they say '7 to 10 business days' but it can easily take a month or even more. Just be on top of them and try to get a status on the whole process. However, once GM has agreed to repurchase or trade-buyback a vehicle they will not back out from their initial offer. Just be patient, but firm and attentive at all times.
Good luck and hope that you will return to the Impala family
On the 2300 reference, I was actually referring to my own post on purpose. I had landed on 2200 earlier and noted that the even number might be lucky. Just being a goofball really. Then I landed on 2300 as well. Coincidence.
I guess if someone deletes a post between 2200 and 2300 I'll really look like a dork.
Thanks again.
:-)
There's an Edmunds forum called "Common General Motors 2.8, 3.1, 3.4 V6's engine problems". You might ask there.
For alabelle: Can you tell us what's causing your engine noise and which engine is it?
Frank
The same thing with synthetic oil. See the reply below from GM to my question on that subject. No problem using it (it being good for 12,000 miles or more) but if you do not stick to the service cycle of 3,000 miles (severe use and that includes city driving and Canadian winters), then the warranty is void. I was going to say that GM should have a clearer policy on synthetic but in reality I guess the policy IS clear!
>Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the use of synthetic engine oil
> in your 2001 Chevrolet Impala.
>
> Synthetic and conventional mineral oil-based oils have some similarities.
> Most of the additives used in synthetic oil is identical to those used in
> conventional oils.
>
> To determine whether an oil meets the quality requirements indicated in
> your Owner's Manual, engine dynamometer tests are run. These tests
> evaluate the ability of the oil to prevent wear, deposits, rust and
> corrosion, as well as solidification of the oil itself. They have been
> developed over many years to assure the recommended oils will perform
> satisfactorily in vehicle engines under a variety of conditions.
>
> Engine oil change intervals are selected based on extensive road testing
> and field service experience. Engine part failures caused by using any oil
> beyond the recommended change intervals stated in your Owner's Manual will
> not be covered under the General Motors of Canada Limited New Vehicle
> Limited Warranty.
>
> In addition, synthetic oil appears to cost considerably more than
> conventional oil. If the recommended oil change intervals are followed, it
> will cost substantially more to use synthetic oil.
>
> We appreciate the opportunity to clarify our position.
>
Might be easier than scrubbing...
http://www.chevrolet.com/csv/fleet/impala/exterior.htm
The Impala How To Page
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/
YOU HAVE NOT PICKED UP YOUR IMPALA YET?!?!?
*fainting*
First, the real danger is an undetected internal leak which contaminates the oil with antifreeze. Ethylene glycol is a petroleum derivative which is miscible with oil but destroys its lubricating properties. The resulting friction damage occurs quickly. The mixture in the crankcase starts to emulsify and the first evidence is usually a light colored, pasty emulsion collecting under the filler cap. It looks like dirty mayonnaise.
If the car is under warranty and there is no bearing noise, the dealer will just say it needs a gasket. I don't know how you really find out what it's done to the engine. If the engine is toast, the dealer will call it consequential damage which isn't covered. The engine wasn't defective, it was damaged as a consequence of another event, the gasket failure. So all he owes you is a gasket. If a short circuit in a harness burns the car down to a cinder, he owes you a harness. Cute, huh? I think some or all extended warranties exclude gaskets. I don't know what they say about consequential damage.
From reading the discussion groups, I see that dealers are telling some customers that the gasket failed because of faulty maintenance. Use only the orange Dexcool antifreeze and abide by the recommended drain interval.
I think that Dexcool is silicate free so don't put any green stuff in it. Silicate is like fine sand that gives it an abrasive property. It scours deposits out of the system, but erodes aluminum. There used to be a GM chemist on the Vettenet mailing list who told me that when they had to get rid of the silicates they lost some ground in combating solder blooming. This is a condition where corrosion forms at the ends of the radiator tubes where they are joined to the tanks. It eventually blocks the tubes. You can see it when you look into the filler. Of the 4 or 5 radiators I've replaced over the years all were blocked this way except the one I stuck a screwdriver through.
I've got a comment on piston slap, too, but my fingers are tired.
I will check my extended warranty from 1SourceAutoWarranty re your comments on gaskets and engine damage. In other words, if a gasket fails, and an engine fails, is one covered? It is a good point, and indeed a critical one for those who may pay out like I have for seven years. That is serious money: $999.00US. Perhaps they can be persuaded to make a statement here. They are endorsed by Edmund's....And I bought on that endorsement amongst competitors. Hello Pat!! Would like to hear from you. Thanks.
I got the AT12 for now because the AT123 isn't out yet. I waited a couple months for the AT123 because I didn't want to have to turn the AT12 back in to get the AT123. However, with their full-credit buy-back and the continued delays in releasing the AT3 and AT123 I finally ordered it. I love the tool. I only have my Impala to work with, but friends, relatives, and probably many future friends have cars I can tap for them if I have the AT123. Also, I rarely buy new, so my next few cars are likely to be OBD II compliant as well. A long term investment I say, and a hobby too.
It's hard to say how much space it uses per minute on the hard drive because it depends on how many parameters you're logging. I loaded up the 26 most desirable features onto one screen and logged it for approximately 25-30 minutes. The log file was 800k. Not too bad. I've got a 12 gig drive with 10 gig free so, let me calculate. Let's say 1 meg per half hour. That's 48 meg per day (let's say 50 meg/day). That's one gig every 20 days or 200 days for 10 gig. Yikes. Since it's a DOS based application gone windows, it doesn't have the "hog'ness" of a typical windows application. That's nice.
I'm very fortunate to have a company laptop that I use to log the values. I then download the data to my home computer and I'm all set.
The tool is not a GM Tech-2 (it doesn't write values to the PCM and it doesn't do body and chassis values), but it also doesn't cost $3000-$6000 like a Tech 2 does. And it DOES clear DTC's (though I haven't had to do that yet). I'm just tickled to have it.
I'd love to scan and log your car's values for you, but a 8000 mile interface cable would be a little pricey. I will, however, send you the files from mine if you're interested. '01 LS, 3.8 liter, etc. I haven't completed a good set yet, but would like to eventually have all values logged through a complete warm-up from cold through steady state, both crusing and start/stop driving.
I'll be in touch.
Has anyone shampooed their Impala Engine yet? There is a lot of dust and dirt/rock sediment on mine (Nasty Highway Winter Driving).
Is it safe to wash it? Does anything need to be protected?
As for RUST PROOFING:
If you follow the proper routine, I.E.-Wash, wax, touch up scratches, chips, rust proofing is generally a waste of money. Picking up any consumer magazine or auto book will confirm this, it is simply a "dealer profit" gimmick. The same goes for Paint-Seal protection, undercoating, etc. Paint sealant shine only lasts for a few months, and after a while is pretty much useless. I am amazed how many people get sucked into the "CARE" package the dealer sells, I was lucky, the dealer simply offered it and then when we said no, never brought it up again... if you really want to protect your car, remember the hinges, the weather stripping, the works... that's my criteria for a neat car.. anyone can clean the outside, but it's the details.. open the trunk up and clean the trunk hinges, stripping, etc etc!
Ciao
Paul
I have a 98 Malibu, build 07/97, almost 40k on odometer. Recently asked both my mechanic at local Firestone, and service adviser at dealership about the coolant. Both said it is really good for 5 years, do not need to replace before.
On the other hand, both said the transmission service is needed every 30k miles or so. Even while the car manual asks for 50k miles service even for severe driving conditions.
The water would be sucked onto the engine and none would leak onto the ground.
I do not know if this is true of the later engines , 3.1 & 3.4 cid. I have not looked or talked to ppl about this. I would think it is still possible unless GM redesigned the intake. Mayb after 10 years they did......((-;
question or complaint. I checked mine to see if there was anything I
could do about the add-on to factory installed alarm interface and saw the stuff about the settings from the factory. I thought the car was locking and arming itself without my hitting the button and it is designed to do that.That's for some of us that forget to lock the car. My deal is I have to park in a hospital lot and I'm not supposed to arm the alarm (quiet zone)-can't do that unless I turn off the auto lock feature which I really don't want to do. I guess I'll wait and see if the wonderful security forces come after me. Here's to hoping they are busy with the coffee and the serious miscrients!
having traveled this road a few months ago, again my suggestion is to call the 1-800 Chevy customer service number, describe the nature of the steering problem you are having, get a Case or file number and request for them to contact your dealer's Service Manager DIRECTLY that way you can meet with him at the dealer by appointment to take a test drive a have him acknowlodge the problem and take charge of your case. Don't try to deal with the Service Advisor or technicians directly...they are low level employees that will deny and dodge your requests for troubleshooting to no end. Go to the top (Service Manager) for quick and efficient resolution.
Also, if you have the time, go back to some of my posts (Look for posts in the month of January and February) that describe the nature of the Intermediate Steering Shaft problem in clear and concise detail. Also, Nightowl's website has problem entries which also describe the problem including the shaft's replacement part numbers. Print these out and show them to the Service Manager. He can't deny you service when the problem has been documented Ad Naseum.
get the Intermediate Steering Shaft replaced as soon as possible. It can potentially become a safety problem if you don't do so in time. Also, re-balancing, re-aligning or rotating the tires WILL NOT TAKE THE PROBLEM AWAY!.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me directly.
Good Luck,
TEO
From further inspection, the winter driving has put even more scrapes/paint chips in my poor baby!
I hope this weekend is good, so i can do the touch up.
Stalling/Hesitation problems are not only annoying but down right dangerous while driving in traffic.
Same as Scotsman, the facts on your case are 'Clear as water'. GM should replace your car with a new 2001 Impala LS. Scotsman was successful filing his claim with GM and the BBB, you should be able to do the same.
As far as the color is concerned, nope you can't get a 2001 custom painted in Regal Medium Blue. I had to let go of my first color choice (Driftwood) for the '01 replacement (Sandrift) but in the end I know I am getting a better car for years to come.
Don't put up with your problems anymore, stand up and make GM do the right thing for you!
You might want to check it out.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
teo - I just got an Impala brochure this weekend and saw your picture.
ryanroseberry "Oldsmobile Alero 2" Mar 24, 2001 8:36pm
Turned to be a bad fuel pump regulator. After sitting while, the fuel leaked back to tank and was not available when starting.
ryanroseberry "Oldsmobile Alero 2" Mar 30, 2001 4:14pm
Lrcobra
sporty and loved those tail lights (But I am a Jeff Gordon fan so it doesn't take
alot to sell me) I couldn't see the 2 door and it costs about $10 more a month in
car insurance-ouch! Happy with my Impala