2007 Cadillac SRX Timing chain

CABNNWDS

MEMBER
2007 CADILLAC SRX
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
29,000 MILES

I have a 2007 Cadillac SRX which just rolled over 29,000 miles (still under warranty). It is in the service shop right now for the second time due to "check engine light" that came on about 6 weeks ago. First service department "reset" the error that was a "crankshaft error" and told me that it was not serious or the light would not have reset. However, the light came right back on when I drove it off their parking lot. Now I have taken it back to the original dealer where I purchased the car. They first said it was a camshaft actuator and replaced that to no avail. It didn't fix the problem. Now they say it turned out to be the timing belt/chain and they are replacing all three. Everything I'm reading on the internet shows this as a problem with much older vehicles with lots more miles than mine. Is is possible for these timing chains to go bad that soon with under 30K miles? Or is it probably something more serious? Thanks.

5 Replies

BRIAN 1

MECHANIC
1,030 POSTS

I dont think its a serious problem, If it dosent get takin care of it could be a serious problem. Just because this vehicle is new or newer dosent mean it can never experence problems.I assume you have a 3.6L engine. These engines have alot of crank and camshaft clearence problems. There are some bulletins on this problem.I"ve had vehicles with 500 miles to 3000miles have major engine, trans and rear end problems. It's a poor design. The only good thing is cadillac warraty is 4/50,000 and it's an 07 which it also has 5/100,000 powertrain warranty, so you should not have to worry about this. Post back with any other questions.

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Friday, January 16th, 2009 AT 2:31 PM

CABNNWDS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks! Yes it is a 3.6L V6. You have eased my mind but I'm still considering trading this vehicle off. I have had so many little things worked on in the 18 months I have owned the car. And my dealer is an hour and a half away from me. Seems other local dealers just do what they have to to get you out the door so I took it back to the original dealer. I drive 75 miles a day round trip to work and as a female I need something dependable! Can I locate the bulletins you were talking about? Thanks again.

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Friday, January 16th, 2009 AT 3:01 PM

BRIAN 1

MECHANIC
1,030 POSTS

You will not be able to locate the bulletins because they are to new and the dealer is the only one with this info, sorry. These bulletins have to do with checking the clearence with the cams and crankshaft. Due to an SES light. What was the code?

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Friday, January 16th, 2009 AT 3:08 PM

CABNNWDS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I'm sorry. I don't have the code. The first dealership/service department told me it was a "crankshaft error". The service department working on it now first said it was a camshaft actuator that was bad. But after replacing it and test driving, they said it didn't fix the problem. They say they had to call GM about the problem and GM recommended they check the timing chains. They say now that is the problem. My father (and the internet) just said they have never seen timing chains go bad in a car this new. So I guess I was just concerned that this might not even be the real problem? I'm so ready to trade this car. But I really do like it if I can just keep it out of the shop. Like you said. Thank goodness it has all been under warranty!

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Friday, January 16th, 2009 AT 5:01 PM

BRIAN 1

MECHANIC
1,030 POSTS

I dont really think its the chain itself, I think on some of these engine's I think they lined the timing marks up wrong, which would cause a camshaft code.I know most of this because I work at a GM dealer.(I dont work for cadillac)but there all the same, so I think that might be the problem.