Engine knocking / Tapping noise

[Jman423]

My 03 TB sounds a little rugged when its cold too. I was worried at first, but was told that it was normal.

[02EnvoySLE Guy]

Originally Posted by coastie22

Well i got it back. Of course all they went by was the noise. No borescope at all!And they wouldn't when i asked them to.They said no GM motor had that problem over 15,000 miles! They said they've never had to deal with it so they basically said, yea, we hear the noise, no clue what it is, but its not normal, have a great day!They have a special policy that they almost refuse to enforce.

BS!! Go to another GM dealership with the truck. Mine had the problem at 17,500 miles. Sounds like the dealer just doesn't want to work.

[zrwon]

Document ID# 1341528
2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer - 4WD


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Policy Adjustment - 4.2L (LL8) Bore Liner Cracking #03019 - (Jun 6, 2003)
03019 - Special Policy Adjustment - 4.2L (LL8) Bore Liner Cracking
Certain 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer; GMC Envoy; and Oldsmobile Bravada

Condition
Some customers of 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada with 4.2L (LL8) L6 engine produced during the 2001 calendar year may experience cracking of an engine cylinder bore liner, resulting in engine noise, poor performance, and/or stalls with no engine re-start. Engine replacement is necessary to correct this failure.

Special Policy Adjustment
This special policy covers the condition described above for a period of seven (7) years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after June 13, 2003, are covered by this special policy and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to June 13, 2003 must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.

Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada model vehicles equipped with 4.2L (RPO LL8) L6 engine and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Year
Division
Model
From
Through

2002
Chevrolet
TrailBlazer
22100007
22358861

2002
GMC
Envoy
22100001
22358855

2002
Oldsmobile
Bravada
22100005
22358857


Parts Information
Parts required to complete this special policy are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO).

Part Number
Description
Qty/ Vehicle

88984108
Engine, Goodwrench Service Replacement
1

12569542
Gasket Kit, Intake Manifold
1

88890561
Gasket Kit, Exhaust Manifold
1

24100165
Gasket Kit, Throttle Body
1

12378521 (US)

88901148 (Canada)
Sealant, RTV
As Required


Customer Notification
Customers will be notified of the special policy on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin -- actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

Service Procedure

Important
U.S. and Canada Dealers refer to GM Service Bulletin 02-07-30-029A . This bulletin reference is for the Powertrain Quality Center (PQC) at 1-866-654-7654. Prior approval for engine assembly replacement applies to this Special Policy.



Important
The labor time allowance in this recall is different than that currently published in the labor time guide for performing the same operation. In the near future, the labor time guide will be updated with this new information.


Install a new service engine using the procedure outlined in the appropriate Service Manual.


Important
Refer to GM Service Information Bulletin 02-06-01-031 for 4.2L Goodwrench engine service.


Claim Information
For vehicles repaired under the terms of this special policy, submit a claim with the information indicated below:

Repair Performed
Part Count
Part No.
Parts Allow
CC-FC
Labor Op
Labor Hours
Net Item

Replace Engine with Goodwrench Service Engine
--
--
*
MK-95
T5581

**

2WD





10.7


4WD/AWD





13.4


w/gas tank skid shield





Add: 0.4


w/transfer case skid shield





Add: 0.2


w/AC





Add: 0.8


Reimbursement For Previous Repairs (Canadian Dealers ONLY)
NA
NA
NA
MK-95
T5582
0.2

Administrative labor hours
***

* -- The "Parts Allowance" should be the sum total of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price plus applicable Mark-Up or Landed Cost Mark-up (for IPC) for parts needed to complete the repair.

** -- The amount identified in the "Net Item" column should represent the sum total of the Current GMSPO Dealer Net Price plus applicable Mark-Up or Landed Cost Mark-Up (for IPC) for motor oil and miscellaneous supplies needed to perform the required repairs.

*** -- (Canadian Dealers ONLY) The amount identified in the "Net Item" column should represent the customer reimbursement amount.


Customer Reimbursement - For US
All customer requests for reimbursement for previous repairs for the special policy condition will be handled by the Customer Assistance Center, not by dealers.

A General Motors Special Policy Customer Reimbursement Procedure Form is included with the customer letter.


Important
Refer to the GM Service Policies and Procedures Manual, section 6.1.12 for specific procedures regarding customer reimbursement and the form.


Customer Reimbursement - For Canada
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs for cylinder bore liner engine replacement are to be submitted prior to or by June 30, 2004. Repairs must have occurred within the seven (7) years of the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 160,000 km (100,000 miles), whichever occurs first.

When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:

Proof of ownership at time of repair.
The original paid receipt confirming the amount of unreimbursed repair expense(s) (including Service Contract deductibles), a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.
If the work was done by someone other than a GM dealership, the amount of reimbursement will be limited to the amount that the repair would have cost GM to have it completed by a GM dealership.

June, 2003
Dear General Motors Customer:

As the owner of a 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy or Oldsmobile Bravada, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us. Your vehicle was provided with a new vehicle warranty, which covers certain parts of your vehicle for a specified period. These warranties are of considerable value to you if you should experience problems with your vehicle.

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2002 model year Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada model vehicles may experience a cracking of an engine cylinder bore liner. This will cause engine noise, poor performance, and/or stalls with no engine re-start.

This is not a recall. Do not take your vehicle to your General Motors dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

What We Have Done
To address the above mentioned condition, General Motors is providing owners with special warranty coverage. If this condition occurs on your 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy or Oldsmobile Bravada within seven (7) years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 100,000 miles (160,000 km), whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge .

What You Should Do
Repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to call the service department at your dealer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is a convenient time for you. This will also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other important glovebox literature for future reference.

Reimbursement
The enclosed form explains what reimbursement is available and how to request reimbursement if you have paid for repairs for the special policy condition. Reimbursement requests are to be submitted by June 30, 2004.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, must contact your dealer or the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below:

Division
Number
Deaf, Hearing Impaired, or Speech Impaired*

Chevrolet
1-800-222-1020
1-800-833-2438

GMC
1-800-462-8782
1-800-462-8583

Oldsmobile
1-800-442-6537
1-800-833-6537

Puerto Rico - English
1-800-496-9992


Puerto Rico - Español
1-800-496-9993


Virgin Islands
1-800-496-9994


* Utilizes Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf/Text Telephones (TDD/TTY)


We are sorry for any inconvenience you may experience; however we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

General Motors Corporation




GENERAL MOTORS SPECIAL POLICY CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT PROCEDURE
If you have paid to have this special policy condition corrected before June 27, 2003, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement.

Requests for reimbursement may include parts, labor, fees and taxes. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized General Motors dealer.

Your claim will be acted upon within 60 days of receipt.

If your claim is:

Approved, you will receive a check from General Motors.
Denied, you will receive a letter from General Motors with the reason(s) for the denial, or
Incomplete, you will receive a letter from General Motors identifying the documentation that is needed to complete the claim and offered the opportunity to resubmit the claim when the missing documentation is available.
Please follow the instructions on the Claim Form provided on the reverse side to file a claim for reimbursement. If you have questions about this reimbursement procedure, please call the toll-free telephone number provided at the bottom of the form. If you need assistance with any other concern, please contact the GMC Customer Assistance Center at 1-866-996-9463. The deaf, hearing impaired, or speech impaired should call 1-800-462-8583 (Utilizes Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf/Text Telephones, TDD/TTY).

GENERAL MOTORS SPECIAL POLICY CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM FORM
THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY CLAIMANT

Date Claim Submitted:



Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):



Mileage at Time of Repair:



Date of Repair:



Claimant Name (please print):



Street Address or PO Box Number:



City, State, ZIP Code:



Daytime Telephone Number (include Area Code):



Evening Telephone Number (include Area Code):



Amount of Reimbursement Requested: $





THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION MUST ACCOMPANY THIS CLAIM FORM

Original or clear copy of all receipts, invoices and/or repair orders that show:

The name and address of the person who paid for the repair.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle that was repaired.
What problem occurred, what repair was done, when it was done and who did it.
The total cost of the repair expense that is being claimed.
Payment for the repair in question and the date of payment. (copy of front and back of cancelled check, or copy or credit card receipt.)
My signature to this document attests that all attached documents are genuine and I request reimbursement for the expense I incurred for the repair covered by this special policy.

Claimant's Signature:




Please mail this claim form and the required documents to:


General Motors Corporation

P.O. Box 33170

Detroit, MI 48232-5170

All recall reimbursement questions should be directed to the following number: 1-800-204-0261.





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.

[Deuce]

ZR WON,

Thanks for the info on the liner cracking. I have been looking for a low km 02-03 TB LTZ or Envoy SLT and have come across an 02 LTZ that I am/was intersted in. Supposedly it has had some bottom end engine work done on it, still waiting for the actual papers to verify what was done. Sounds like it had the piston slap and was fixed.

I guess what I'm questioning is the reliability of the rebuild. Is the piston slap going to occur again, or is the rebuild a guaranteed fix? All speculation of course.

I noticed the parts list states QTY: 1 Engine, Goodwrench Service Replacement. Followed by instructions to install new service engine. Are they doing a short block replacment?

I checked the VIN number and it fits right into the affected number and the in-service date was August 20, 2001. So it was one of the first produced. I'm beginning to think that I will move on and leave this LTZ alone.


Any other advice or information?

[deathbynosleep]

Originally Posted by Deuce

ZR WON,

Thanks for the info on the liner cracking. I have been looking for a low km 02-03 TB LTZ or Envoy SLT and have come across an 02 LTZ that I am/was intersted in. Supposedly it has had some bottom end engine work done on it, still waiting for the actual papers to verify what was done. Sounds like it had the piston slap and was fixed.

I guess what I'm questioning is the reliability of the rebuild. Is the piston slap going to occur again, or is the rebuild a guaranteed fix? All speculation of course.

I noticed the parts list states QTY: 1 Engine, Goodwrench Service Replacement. Followed by instructions to install new service engine. Are they doing a short block replacment?

I checked the VIN number and it fits right into the affected number and the in-service date was August 20, 2001. So it was one of the first produced. I'm beginning to think that I will move on and leave this LTZ alone.


Any other advice or information?

If it were me i would try to find one from a different year. If you do decide on that truck make sure it has a warranty(maybe buy an extended one also).

[ParadoxJr]

Well I had to leave my Tb at the dealer lastnight (scary), and this morning when I went in I had the serive manager listen to the knocking, and he ACTUALLY heard it... WOO HOO!!!!

He said there is definately piston noise, and also possible some with the exhaust manifold gasget... The GM DSM will be in next week to have a look at it, and to tell me what they will be doing with it...

I will keep everyone updated...

Russ

[ParadoxJr]

Well the District Manger is finally out, and my TB is just sitting there waiting for him to arrive.. Now I hope that he hears the same Knock that Myself and the Service Manager heard...

I will keep you posted, as to what the actaul problem is...

Russ

[05trailblazer1]

Hello, Is anyone experiencing the engine tapping/light knock (lifters tapping)when you first startup in the mornings. This noise last any where from 5 to 10 mins. I usually allow vehicle to warmup a few minutes and then start driving and this tapping as you drive off continues and almost has the sound of a faint diesel sound. once car is totally hot you don't here it the rest of the day. Took car in to dealer and they claim its normal. Oh, forgot to mention this is a I-6

[dach95]

I would try a higher grade gas and siee if it happens.

[OurZoo]

What he said. Higher octane or simply better gas.