2001 Chevy Express Bad Cylinders

JANMERTON

MEMBER
2001 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
V8
FWD
AUTOMATIC
138,000 MILES

I have a 2001 Chevy Express conversion van. By doing a compression test, my mechanic has informed me 2 of the cylinders are bad. (I just returned from a trip out west and was taking the van in for an oil change when the engine started with a horrible noise.) I have an extended warranty on this van and the administrator wants the engine broken out completely and torn down to the heads before they will even consider a claim. (They want to know why it happened, but don't want to pay for that.) I'm looking at $1300 at least to have this done. Do you know what possible causes this could be? We sent in oil change records and I'm good about that. I didn't notice any smoke from the tail pipe but am told oil has been burning and there is soot. Also at time of oil change it was about 3 qts. Low, but there wasn't that much oil found on the undercarriage. Mechanic tells me oil must be leaking thru the cylinders. Claims still insist on tearing apart the engine first, I am angry for the expense and time on my part for what I believe is an unnecessary step.

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

Hi there,

You are at the mercy of the insurer, this is their way of culling out claims that people just cant be bothered with continuing with, you have to play their silly game to get anywhere, more than likely they will find worn or broken rings which should be part of the warranty (check the small print) if you have the service history documented this is a big advantage, you will just have to push on with it and hope for the best.

Mark (mhpautos)