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As for the fan clutch, I am not aware that any manufacturer has developed a viscous fan clutch that has any electrical components to them, but that doesn't mean that someone hasn't. I am not sure I'd want one, though. These mechanical fan clutches have been around for at least 30 years and they're pretty durable.
Keep in mind that even with the auxiliary transmission cooler, cooling lines also go into the radiator, either from the engine or the transmission (it's hard to trace where the lines come from with that undercarriage shield covering up the engine). If you're putting the car under a load, and pumping a lot of hot oil into a portion of the radiator, that could be enough to engage that fan. Note, however, that the clutch device isn't all that expensive. I just bought one for my 92 Explorer, and it cost about $40. At 135k miles it still worked, but I had it off to replace the water pump, so I figured why not? It's not that hard to install either. It seems to me with that information you can talk the dealer into making you happy.
Be sure to stress that the wandering mirror is a SAFETY hazard! This is the only way that GM will solve the problem.
2002 Chevy TrailBlazer LS 4WD
Option Group: 1SC
Locking Rear Diff.
3.73 Rear Axle Ratio
Build Date 01/21/02
Onyx Black w/ Med Pewter Interior
GMS + $1,500 incentive + $750 Lease Loyalty = well below invoice!
I took advantage of the lease pull ahead program and will be dropping off my 2000 Trailblazer.
I'll let you all know how it goes.
John
-Had truck taken for control arm recall.
-Roof rack bar latch wouldn't snap in, causing it to rattle around.
-Steering linkage not lubricated from factory. Causing grinding noise when wheel turned all the way to the left.
-Strap for rear gate snapped (real cheap materials used)
-Petal vibration at 55mph (dealer unable to reproduce, still occurring)
-Mushy brakes (like this since day one. Dealer says its normal)
-Sloppy stearing. This truck is all over the place on the highway. Alignment is fine, but steering wheel is not on center. Dealer doesn't see it as a problem.
-Front cup holder is useless...too far forward.
-Currently getting a ticking sound from engine capartment (will have check on next service).
-Various rattles from inside. Fixed most myself. Fit & finish on this truck sux in the interior.
-Paint chip around rear plate starting.
-Ride is very nice as well as pickup/passing power.
Overall it a decent vehicle, however I would probably not purchase another GM. I've never had this many small issues with any other vehicle and I've owned first year production before, so that isn't to blame.
My low mileage for a tank was 17.9; my high was 20.9, calculated the old-fashioned way...
Do you mean you did long division by hand with parchment and quill? ;-)
tidester
Host
SUVs
The passenger seat belt constantly locks and only ratchets down and locks me against the seat, until it's fully released and re-installed. My dealer described an inertia sensor, set lighter to accommodate a child carrier. I haven't got a solution from them and I've filed all possible complaints.
Has anyone experienced this and been resolved?
My old Lincoln LSC had air suspension and I liked it a lot so I ordered it on my Envoy. So far It seems fine to me. I have noticed the compressor coming on once or twice in the morning, but am completely unaware of it operating at any other time. I think that is the way it should be.
My Lincoln ran for 15 years before the first spring started leaking. I replaced both in the front - a very simple job that required only one long screwdriver and a jack.
Info on a gently off-road experience in the Pine Barrens of Central/Southern NJ. Come on out for a day of adventure, fun, and comradre with fellow SUV/Off-road/Rally/Car Nuts! Info at http://isuzu-suvs.com/events
-mike
To CO: 960 miles, averaging 64.5 miles per hour: 18.70 miles per gallon, calculated by hand, NOT the DIC.
back to Minn: 960 miles, averaging 69.35 miles per hour (tailwind, and fewer stops, mostly had the cruise set at 75). MPG=19.87. (I got over 22.5 MPG on the first 400 miles from Breckenridge to North Platte NE, due to the elevation changing from 9600 to about 3500, and some tailwind, but the last 250 miles from Des Moines to Minneapolis was with a wicked crosswind, and I only got 16.5 mpg on that leg)
Overall, a great truck to take on a long trip. It was fantastic to stop only twice on the way back (filled up the night before I left, and then only stopped in North Platte and Des Moines).
In total (since June 2001 when I got the truck), I am averaging 17.97 MPG on the truck, 38.16 MPH (I keep the speed average on all trips, to see how that affects the mpg). My average was over 18.5 MPG until the winter came, and the Minnesota gas gets diluted a little/warm-up, etc.
By the way, I have had 0 problems with my TB, only taken it in for 3 oil changes, and teh transmission re-program. I love it, just that the Indigo blue really shows salt and dirt!
Brendan
Why would you ever be putting a child seat in the front?
If it's designed to lock up like this, it's a bad feature. My friend complained
about this and I chalked it up to the fact that she was, quite frankly,
a portly woman. Some time later, I had the privilege of being a passenger and experienced that seatbelt. I decided to believe at this point.
One thing I don't get is why in some reviews, they don't like the front driver's side seatbelt,
being that it is attached to the seat. I find that it is extremely easy to put on, and no matter
what position you put the seat in, it's aligned.
information on this problem.
My TB stalled on expressway. Towed to dealership. 15,000 miles,
purchased in November. Service Manager states that cylinder liner came
apart in the engine. Engine is a loss. GMs solution is to replace the
engine. I am not a mechanic, I don't yet know if GM is replacing with a
engine that has been re-engineered not to have this failure problem or
if they are just replacing with another engine that may still have this
problem. The service manager and owner of dealership have stated that
other dealerships are also seeing this happen in some of the new TBs. I
plan to talk with the regional manager this week to discuss.
I do not know how this will effect the long term trade in value on the
vehicle or the warranty.
Any thoughts on this or information on others having this problem???
Thanks.
Everytime I get in I try to remember to check where the belt is.
Mileage: averaging 17 mpg in mostly city driving (20 miles each way, 35-45 mph, 20-35 lights depending on route). My Envoy SLT 2WD with 4.10 axle has 5400 miles on it.
I put 5000 miles on my new TB in 4 weeks. Thing is running like a top.
It is Pearl White and I added the following:
Billet Grill - looks great
Sunroof wind deflector
Hood Bug Shield
Baltimore Ravens Hitch Cover - personal preference
New - Ventvisors - look great
Still looking for - Brush guards, rear spoiler
Doing my research as well, I read the same car mag article stating that GM did a 300000 mile test with ZERO engine issues. I am beginning to wonder, however, if GM changed the supplier for this part or if the raw (aluminum) material used to create the sleeve is a bad lot.
I am going to take this one up with the engineers at the Auto Show this Sunday. I'll follow-up once I get an answer, however, I really don't expect them to be THAT forthright.
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
A minor correction/answer - the cylinder sleeve is steel not aluminum. The block is aluminum, that's why you need a steel sleeve because aluminum is too soft to make for a good cylinder wall. Sounds like bad steel could cause the problem. The aluminum engine block is nothing new, so I'd think they'd have the general sleeving concept down pretty well. Maybe there's just a certain failure rate with this stuff.
Too bad they won't hurry up on the Bravada brush guard.
Love the look
The next time you are at the dealer, get a printout of the engine software versions. (Maybe the wrong terminology, but he will understand) I would like to compare them to mine since my mileage is so much worse than yours. Since I live in Columbia also, what dealer do you visit? I will go to the same dealer to have my software checked and changed.
Still getting 16.2 mpg around the city with 11,000+ miles on it. Last time on the highway I got 21.
My trans has shifted way to high from day one and the dealer will not do anything about it. He says it can not be adjusted or re programed to shift lower. Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
Carl
Thanks!
IExplore2000@aol.com
http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?1580
"During its development, the production Vortec 4200 was tested thoroughly. GM built more than 800 engines during the testing process, with 540 going to vehicle development testing. On the dynamometer, 24 engines were tested and met the 150,000 mile target. Five of those were kept on the dynamometer, running wide-open, until they hit 300,000 miles - a test of outstanding durability. Overall, the more than 4 million miles testing on the dynamometer was supplemented by many more outside the lab and in the real world. "
My TB engine also failed similar to yours. it began with a faint ticking sound then quickly stopped running. After being towed in, the dealer checked and found a dropped cylinder sleeve. They replaced the engine at 2166 miles. The truck has been faultless since (4k miles). I bought the GM extended warranty after that. It gives plenty of piece of mind. 5 years or 70 k miles and it covers just about everything that moves. I would strongly recommend the warranty to anyone with a triplett. The repair costs with all of the computers and hi tech gizmos being used justify the cost of the warranty, about $1500 for the best plan. They will charge your visa over 12 months.
On the other hand, my cousin is the Service Manager at a Chevy Dealer and he says they have not experienced any problems similar to mine.
The engine re-program I mentioned was the recall notice from mid-late last year.
minn_tb
1) Build date of vehicle (were the build dates close to one another?)
2) VIN (are the VINs close together?)
3) Location in which you drive (cold weather?)
BTW - Thanks to scottc454 for the STEEL piston clarification - just another senior moment...
Thanks!
Wholigan
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
Considered getting an LT but didnt want to take the mandatory jump to Onstar (900 some odd bucks). The LS with the 1SC gives me all the basics of the Triplets for a great price. I Paid less than 24,400 after rebate and GMS. MSRP was 29ish and Invoice was high 26ish w/ options.
Now I have to order my chevy mud flaps and some nice rubber floor mats.
John
is a special proccess used that makes the cylinder walls hard. GM must have thought liners
were a better way to go. They also must have went to great lengths to get the engine to warm up fast. Emmision controls work much better when the engine is warm. I am surprised how fast this engine warms up. The engine in my Z-28 take at least 4 times longer to heat up. One final question about my Bravada: If the Smart-trak transfer case is electronically operated, why didn't they provide a switch to engage it full-time when the going really gets rough? It would eliminate the 1/4 second delay that happens when
Smart-trak kicks in.
GAM
TIA!
John