Story
This past Tuesday, I was on my way to a business meeting in Lake Elsinore from Orange County, CA. I chose to take Ortega Highway because it's a beautiful drive rather than freeway haulin' it. I wasn't driving overly aggressive by most standards especially relative to what myself and the vehicle are capable of. I shortly thereafter came upon a Chevy Impala SS and a compact 5dr. I passed both of them as they were driving rather slow and wouldn't use a turn-out. There's two particular turns on Ortega that are my absolute favorite: It takes you up the front side of the hill and out of the tree lines. Beautiful scenery. I'm trying to embed a google map for those who don't know the road.
The Impala decides that he's going to literally ride my a$$... (I later found out that he's got great tires and he drives the road daily) and I've now decided that after my, so far, leisurely ride, I need to walk away from him up the hill. Mid right hander, I lose a cylinder in what sounds like a compression issue. Turns out to be cylinder 1. I've lost power, but it's not astronomical. I pull off to the first turn-out and pop the hood to check the vitals. Rough idle, oil is slightly low but no contaminants and otherwise fine. Coolant levels are normal, no external indications of anything else. I'm not exactly in the safest of places for a 2hr wait for a tow truck and/or for the tow truck itself so I choose to try to baby it up to another turn out a little further up. About two thirds of the way to the turn-out the motor shuts down entirely. I am able to coast to the beginning of the next turn-out. Panicking as this is happening thinking I'm not going to make it, will be stuck in the middle of the road, and will have to somehow turn the vehicle around to roll down the hill into my previous turn-out location. At this point, I'm stopped, I've called AAA prior to even popping the hood again.. I will have plenty of time to inspect, lol.
AAA shows up with a "kneeling" flat bed in less than 35 minutes. I was blown away. Driver was fantastic and was a wheel guy. Took extreme car to make sure he did everything the right way. The truck didn't even require blocks since it had air suspension that deflated upon arrival. Just low enough for everything to clear without a hitch. Took it back to the shop, removed my wheels and threw the stockers on. Called AAA for the next truck to show up while I was putting the stock wheels back on and they were there in less than 8 minutes with another flatbed. I literally had only removed 1 wheel at that point, lol. He helped with the rest.
Dealership
Vehicle gets dropped off at the dealership and of course I have some reservations as even with just an intake and DP back exhaust, you never know what they're going to try and blame things on. I was already approved for my transmission to be replaced due to the 6th gear grinding issue, so I have at least 1 pre-approval. They know that the motor is seized but haven't taken it apart yet. Fast forward to Thursday. They pull the valve covers and the oil pan. Immediately find that I snapped a rod on Cylinder 1. Haven't been able to provide me with either a reason or images as of yet, but I'm hoping for both. Reason might come shortly... Pictures, I'm waiting for approval but he's doing his best. My service advisor will be receiving a little "bonus" if he comes through. I made sure to not ask about warranty coverage, whether there were any issues, etc. You never want to because it will raise suspicion. I mean, why would I be asking about warranty... I EXPECT it to be covered, right!? Finally got confirmation this morning that the new motor and transmission were ordered and should arrive on Tuesday of next week. I'm assuming that the install should only be a day or two at most followed by a day or two of road testing. Don't know if I'm getting a reman (as I imagine I would be) or if it's a crate long block... guess I'll find out later. If I manage to get images, they'll be going up on our social, so be sure to check 'em out.
TL;DR
Motor failed, turns out to have snapped a rod on Cyl 1. Motor is being replaced under warranty along with transmission due to 6th gear grinding issues. Will post pictures IF I can get my hands on them.
Karbon Koncepts | Instagram
Karbon Koncepts Project Genesis | Instagram
Points still in question
What are the major failures, weakpoints, and issues that 3.8 GDI owners have experienced and or that are known to exist?
I'm looking for serious failures and/or warranty work that's transpired.
Thank you in advance.
This past Tuesday, I was on my way to a business meeting in Lake Elsinore from Orange County, CA. I chose to take Ortega Highway because it's a beautiful drive rather than freeway haulin' it. I wasn't driving overly aggressive by most standards especially relative to what myself and the vehicle are capable of. I shortly thereafter came upon a Chevy Impala SS and a compact 5dr. I passed both of them as they were driving rather slow and wouldn't use a turn-out. There's two particular turns on Ortega that are my absolute favorite: It takes you up the front side of the hill and out of the tree lines. Beautiful scenery. I'm trying to embed a google map for those who don't know the road.
The Impala decides that he's going to literally ride my a$$... (I later found out that he's got great tires and he drives the road daily) and I've now decided that after my, so far, leisurely ride, I need to walk away from him up the hill. Mid right hander, I lose a cylinder in what sounds like a compression issue. Turns out to be cylinder 1. I've lost power, but it's not astronomical. I pull off to the first turn-out and pop the hood to check the vitals. Rough idle, oil is slightly low but no contaminants and otherwise fine. Coolant levels are normal, no external indications of anything else. I'm not exactly in the safest of places for a 2hr wait for a tow truck and/or for the tow truck itself so I choose to try to baby it up to another turn out a little further up. About two thirds of the way to the turn-out the motor shuts down entirely. I am able to coast to the beginning of the next turn-out. Panicking as this is happening thinking I'm not going to make it, will be stuck in the middle of the road, and will have to somehow turn the vehicle around to roll down the hill into my previous turn-out location. At this point, I'm stopped, I've called AAA prior to even popping the hood again.. I will have plenty of time to inspect, lol.
AAA shows up with a "kneeling" flat bed in less than 35 minutes. I was blown away. Driver was fantastic and was a wheel guy. Took extreme car to make sure he did everything the right way. The truck didn't even require blocks since it had air suspension that deflated upon arrival. Just low enough for everything to clear without a hitch. Took it back to the shop, removed my wheels and threw the stockers on. Called AAA for the next truck to show up while I was putting the stock wheels back on and they were there in less than 8 minutes with another flatbed. I literally had only removed 1 wheel at that point, lol. He helped with the rest.
Dealership
Vehicle gets dropped off at the dealership and of course I have some reservations as even with just an intake and DP back exhaust, you never know what they're going to try and blame things on. I was already approved for my transmission to be replaced due to the 6th gear grinding issue, so I have at least 1 pre-approval. They know that the motor is seized but haven't taken it apart yet. Fast forward to Thursday. They pull the valve covers and the oil pan. Immediately find that I snapped a rod on Cylinder 1. Haven't been able to provide me with either a reason or images as of yet, but I'm hoping for both. Reason might come shortly... Pictures, I'm waiting for approval but he's doing his best. My service advisor will be receiving a little "bonus" if he comes through. I made sure to not ask about warranty coverage, whether there were any issues, etc. You never want to because it will raise suspicion. I mean, why would I be asking about warranty... I EXPECT it to be covered, right!? Finally got confirmation this morning that the new motor and transmission were ordered and should arrive on Tuesday of next week. I'm assuming that the install should only be a day or two at most followed by a day or two of road testing. Don't know if I'm getting a reman (as I imagine I would be) or if it's a crate long block... guess I'll find out later. If I manage to get images, they'll be going up on our social, so be sure to check 'em out.
TL;DR
Motor failed, turns out to have snapped a rod on Cyl 1. Motor is being replaced under warranty along with transmission due to 6th gear grinding issues. Will post pictures IF I can get my hands on them.
Karbon Koncepts | Instagram
Karbon Koncepts Project Genesis | Instagram
Points still in question
What are the major failures, weakpoints, and issues that 3.8 GDI owners have experienced and or that are known to exist?
I'm looking for serious failures and/or warranty work that's transpired.
Thank you in advance.