lucerne valve rattle

[grand prix driver]

I have a 2007 buick lucerne cxl 3.8 liter v6 series III with a valve rattle problem.....the car runs fine until it is under a load or going up a hill, the valves start to chatter and black smoke comes from the exhaust...the car sets no codes and has been to the gm garage 7 times to no avail.......Gm garage has replace the computer control module and o2 sensors...This has not helped the problem.....anyone out there that can help with the problem.......Thanks......

[maxwedge]

Valves or ignition ping?

[grand prix driver]

valves....

[maxwedge]

I've never heard of this condition, I own and have owned 3800's, never had this. Contaminated or thin oil, low oil pressure?

[polarzak]

Never heard of it either. Are you sure it is not ping? I cannot see valves being loose enough to "rattle". For what it is worth, try a premium grade fuel.

[grand prix driver]

hey people........I tried the premium gas idea to no avail......the car has 12,000 miles on it.....the problem started out at 4,000 miles.......the car has been in the dealership 7 times for warranty work and the problem still has not been solved........i think the problem is internal engine problem....any ideas on what to do ????????????????

[polarzak]

If the dealer will not fix it, try another dealer, or write to GM..Customer Satisfaction...the address should be in the back of your owners manual. Sorry, it is the best I can offer.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by polarzak

If the dealer will not fix it, try another dealer, or write to GM..Customer Satisfaction...the address should be in the back of your owners manual. Sorry, it is the best I can offer.

I agree. If this problem is verifiable, that is, the dealer agrees the problem really exists and is unable to fix it, despite numerous attempts, you really need to start yelling!

You should receive a new engine under warranty for this car as soon as possible. There are Lemon Laws in various jurisdictions, as well as legal precidents which spell out the appropriate remedy for persistent problems which cannot or are not getting fixed. However, often, neither the dealer nor the manufacturer will volunteer these remedies..... you must research your rights and loudly demand satisfaction. Start calling and writing to the dealer, GM, the newspapers, any consumer website you can think of and start harassing the dealer and GM to get this fixed, before the warranty expires.

Here is further info on Ohio new car lemon laws:
http://www.ohiolemonlaw.com/new-car-lemon-law.html

[Rasp]

I have never owned a new car with a warranty before but I think I would make sure that GM needs to own up to their responsibility.

I would expect them to continue to work the problem until it is fixed.

Unless...

The problem happened because of something that you have done?

for example. Did you do all the oil changes on time? ,etc.

Otherwise - My car would continually be at their garage until the problem was fixed. I would pick up the car when they said it was ready. If the car still had problems I would U-turn it back to the garage and do it again.

At least that is what I think I would do.

[Franco2112]

Dump it for a Toyota/Lexus. You'll love them!

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by Franco2112

Dump it for a Toyota/Lexus. You'll love them!

Not what we need to see in the tech forums, no more, thanks.