Cam shaft problem

BillM · #1 (**permalink**) 02-27-08, 08:07 PM

End of last week my check eng lite came on. Onstar diagnostics told me that I had an ECM fault, and to get the car in ASAP. The service writer told me that the code actually called out a cam fault. He said that there was a service bulletin that he was looking into. Well today he told me that indeed my cam shaft was out or spec, and they were back ordered globally. So my engine is being reassembled and when the part finally shows up, they will tear it down again . My car also has the shifter vibration issue. I wonder if these are related? Anyway, I'm obviously not happy that my engine is being torn into twice with only 4000 miles. Is anyone else aware problems with cam shafts??????

caddycruiser · #2 (**permalink**) 02-27-08, 08:27 PM

I'm not sure on the CTS...but I've seen a handful of the SAME issue with the cam with the 3.6L in a lot of the new crossovers, like the Enclave. Not a huge number, but just on the one board, some owner's getting a check engine light and some also with it running poorly, only for the dealer to discover it's a cam issue and be waiting on the parts, with the engine torn down.

So, it's at least been seen in other vehicles with the 3.6L, which might say something. Interesting to see if other CTS guys, current '08s, have run into it also or not.

BillM · #3 (**permalink**) 04-14-08, 11:35 PM

i just picked my car up after 3 weeks at the dealer for the camshaft replacement. They actually replaced both cams and the head on the drivers side of the engine. There is a site called "MyCarStats.com" that tracks and logs issues people are having with their cars. I will be the 3rd to post a camshaft/head problem with an 08 CTS. As much as the service writer talked about how good their mechanics are, considering the carelessness of the previous service techs, I don't have the best feeling about my car at this point. Figured I'd give it a test and took a 320 mile road trip. pushed it pretty good. My son was along and he's a cop, so we even got it well into triple digits for a little ways. At this point.... if it blows up... oh well! Anyway it ran ok as far as we could tell, except ..... when we got to our destination, as we slowed down there was this loud grinding vibrating sound .... it did it every time we were coming to a stop. brakes...rear end... nope. The nitwits didn't put the bolts back properly in the big plastic panel that covers the bottom of the engine compartment, and it was dragging on the ground. They probably fell out on the highway and broke somebody's windshield. See..... careless!! The headliner still looks like crap after they tried to clean the dirty hand prints from the last time it was in. I told them I want a new headliner installed, but thats a scary thought too... know what I mean? I also have a wind noise from the sun roof that hasn't been fixed . So far I got them to give me a wood trimmed shift knob as a "good will" gesture, but I'm not done with these people yet.

bobelew · #4 (**permalink**) 04-15-08, 12:21 AM

That sounds like a scary service dept. I think that I would be looking for a different dealer's service dept. about NOW!
Good luck with all that and keep us informed on how it all works out.

fadywwf316 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-15-08, 09:52 PM

I too just got my car back after 3 weeks. Camshaft replacement at 8k mi. Clearly this is a major issue. My camshaft came in quick but the gasket was back ordered about 10 days. Anyway, the service manager said he would make things right by paying a lease payment for me...oh well, but i dont think the car will never be the same again...it is a little noisier now, but i'm going to talk to the service rep about it... they maybe just didnt seal things off that well