Aveo coolant problems - Help! Anyone else had this happen?

[rdbinla2000]

I have a 2010 Aveo. My wife and mother-in-law were on the freeway when this happened last Sunday: The car started sputtering and would not accelerate, they slowed down and pulled off at the first exit. The car stalled as they pulled off the freeway and smoke poured out from under the hood, and would not start again. We had it towed to the nearest repair facility. A hard plastic coolant line at the back of the engine had melted and split. Coolant had spilled onto the engine. Pep Boys who looked at the car first, said that the plastic coolant line that was used on the original car now is replaced with an aluminum tube when a new one is purchased. As the car still would not start after the tube was replaced, I had it towed to the nearest Chevy dealer. The car had overheated so badly that the piston developed a hole in it. The engine is ruined and needs to be replaced. As the engine is still under a power train warranty, the dealer contacted GM who said that since it was the coolant system that failed, the warranty would not cover the damage to the engine. I feel that I have been cheated on my warranty - they want $5500 to purchase and install a new engine, when they should have installed an aluminum part in the first place.

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by rdbinla2000

I have a 2010 Aveo. My wife and mother-in-law were on the freeway when this happened last Sunday: The car started sputtering and would not accelerate, they slowed down and pulled off at the first exit. The car stalled as they pulled off the freeway and smoke poured out from under the hood, and would not start again. We had it towed to the nearest repair facility. A hard plastic coolant line at the back of the engine had melted and split. Coolant had spilled onto the engine. Pep Boys who looked at the car first, said that the plastic coolant line that was used on the original car now is replaced with an aluminum tube when a new one is purchased. As the car still would not start after the tube was replaced, I had it towed to the nearest Chevy dealer. The car had overheated so badly that the piston developed a hole in it. The engine is ruined and needs to be replaced. As the engine is still under a power train warranty, the dealer contacted GM who said that since it was the coolant system that failed, the warranty would not cover the damage to the engine. I feel that I have been cheated on my warranty - they want $5500 to purchase and install a new engine, when they should have installed an aluminum part in the first place.

Dealers are hard nosed on warranties you can talk to a couple of independent garages and look for a good used engine or having it sent to a machine shop to be rebuilt. I looked at rebuilt short block for a 5.3L which was $1150.00 for a short block. Your head will have to be checked also as it maybe warped. I looked at a
1 ton Chevy van 24,000 and the oil was never changed his warranty was also denied.

[gmtech1]

How many miles are on the car? I can't speak for your dealer, but my suggestion is to ask the dealer for the number for GM customer assistance. Call them and plead your case. I have seen many cases where a claim was not covered, then after the customer called the assistance number, the repairs were warrantied or split with the customer (GM bought parts and customer paid labor). Worth a shot at least.

FYI, it's not the dealers descision on weather or not to cover it. If the dealer decides to do the repairs and then GM kicks it back, the dealer in on the hook for the repairs.