kw679676

Hi guys,

Thanks for your help in advance. Vehicle is a 2005 C6 (hard top) with 80K miles.

I had an intermittent high pitch squeal when accelerating, starting back in Nov 16, which would disappear once the engine warms and drives a few miles. Dealership diagnosed it as harmonic balancer and quoted me $1200. I took it to a Midas next door for a second opinion, and they said there was a harmonic balancer wobble but could possibly be fixed by replacing the tensioner and alternator (but no guarantees). Got this done for $400 at Midas, which did fix the squeal.

One year later: squeal returns. Dealership says harmonic balancer wobble again, and that the tensioner and alternator replacement only treated the symptoms. They urged the $1200 HB fix, which would solve the squeal for good. I gave in and got it done. Drove off the lot, within one day the squeal returned. Brought it back, and they said it's likely the fuel pump causing the squeal now, so I told them to fix it. They tried charging me an additional $600 for this, which I refused to pay (though I agreed to $200 for the parts/materials and a new belt). Drove it off the lot, and again within a day the squeal returns. I bring it back and made it clear it's now their responsibility to fix this since it's all based on a poor diagnosis. They clean all the gunk and grime off the entire pulley system and put on another new belt (all at no charge). Still the squeal returns the next day. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I now have a brand new harmonic balancer, fuel pump, and belt (and newer alternator and tensioner). They've confirmed it's not the AC belt by running the car w/ the belt off. I also wrote a note to the mechanic asking him to check if there's a high electric load causing the alternator to fail prematurely (since this issue is in the weather, presumably more use of heater and headlights).

Honestly I'd like to sell the car and get into a C7, but not sure anyone's going to buy a C6 with a squeal, and now I'm wary of GM's quality in general...

Edit/update: The water pump was replaced, not the fuel pump. November 16 = November 2016. By 'intermittent' I mean only that it goes away after driving for 10min. I can reproduce the squeal consistently every single time following a cold start after sitting overnight - it doesn't squeal when idle, though, only when accelerating (increases in loudness) or maintaining a speed (no change in loudness). The car was left at the dealership at least overnight (they kept it for over two weeks at one point), so it's definitely getting cold started after sitting. I'm located in Albany, NY; there are two large Chevrolet dealerships in the area, and they have a mechanic who is a Corvette specialist who travels between the two locations. There are some other Corvette technicians further away from me, but this is the closest I can get to within 30-40 miles (it gets logistically difficult and time consuming if I'm leaving my car overnight). The head mechanic/foreman at this Chevrolet dealership also got involved and helped try to diagnosis as well. As for getting a second opinion at Midas, the shop was walking distance from the dealership, and had good ratings for general car repair and maintenance and they had a much quicker turnaround time and mechanic to car ratio. I will also add that the Chevrolet dealership has been accommodating. They've provided me with a courtesy vehicle free of charge (in total, they've provided me with a rental car for 6 weeks or so) and provided pick-ups and drop-offs from my home.

Also, pardon the delay in responding, I've been traveling for work.

Thanks again everyone.


Update #2. I brought the car back in one last time (on Monday) because the squeal hadn't been resolved. I got a call yesterday from the manager saying that the foreman still couldn't identify the squeal and that I should come back in and go on a test drive with the foreman. This morning I went to the dealership, and the manager called the foreman to let him know I was here. Foreman told the manager that my vehicle had been struck when it was in the shop by one of the mechanics backing up a truck. So now my fender, the narrow turn signal light, and my bumper are damaged. I left it at the dealership, and they said they will cover the repairs. So now not only is the squeal not repaired but now there is significant damage to the vehicle. I'm starting to think I need to file a complaint with BBB or hire an attorney.

pewter99

dude you need to find a good mechanic that works on Vettes...the stealership is clueless...

where do you live maybe someone can point you to a good place

AORoads

Agree w. above: find a good Corv. tech that knows the cars, and just one question: when you say Nov 16 is that this past November, or is November, 2016?

Turbo6TA

Are you sure they actually replaced your fuel pump?

Replaceing a fuel pump on these cars is a BIG job and costs alot more than $600.

ddame2

I thought this too. $600 is the quote I got for my water pump replacement, after 10% off.. Fuel pump was closer to double that, Neither of which I had ultimately done at the dealership.

NY09C6

I'm guessing it was the water pump they replaced. The fuel pump makes no sense for a number of reasons.

Rice Boy

With all those pulley replacements... one of them probably had bad bearings. During the replacements, they were probably not lined up correctly if the new pulleys are after-market. I've had a similar issue with my Jeep Grand Cherokee. I had the power steering pump replaced with a rebuilt after-market unit. The unit itself was slightly shorter than with a longer shaft than OEM. They also put in an after-market pulley with which also seated differently. The aftermath was that the pulley was sitting further in than the rest of the pulleys. It was pretty noticeable at first, since the belt would pop off track after a couple of days. Had it re-aligned, but still not perfect... squeal wasn't as bad and not coming off-track anymore, but still slight squeal. Still have a slight squeal, but I think the whole deal caused my HB to fail, so... will have to replace that soon.

Turbo6TA

Yup, I am sure your right.

I think the OP got a little confused between the fuel pump and the water pump.

the kid C6

In defense of techs, intermittent problems are the worst to diagnose.

Are you leaving the car overnight, so they can hear it first thing when it's cold, or are you simply reporting what you hear?

irok

I wouldn't be surprised if your new balancer is bad.quite often they don't last very long.I've replaced new ones with only 4,000 miles on them and have seen others fail in 35 miles.they need an after market hb when replaced as the GM ones are junk

Turbo6TA

What happened to the OP ?

He never came back to this thread he started

Sox-Fan

The fuel pump is located inside the driver's side fuel tank. It's not the cause of the squeal.


Sounds as though the dealer is hunting around and charging you for all of the misdiagnoses. Time to hunt around for a new dealer.

dryadsdad

[sigh] another ask and run post.

Sox-Fan

It hasn't even been 24 hours. Some people don't live on internet forums.

Jimmy W1

I gave up on this thread when he took his car to Midas to diagnose a harmonic balancer squeal. WTH??

He might as well have taken it to the McDonald's across the street.

dryadsdad

Gee, guys, these cars aren't exotica like a Ferrari. They're Chevys with a low revving push rod V8 engine and perfectly common components. Midas is as good with them as it'd be with a Cruze or a Focus.

Turbo6TA

Midas is primarily an exhaust shop ... but I don't think I would take my C6 to Midas to have a set of headers installed in it.

FortMorganAl

Now it's been 24 hours and 14 minutes. WHERE IS THE OP???!!!

pewter99

guess we will never know

stingray71

Using the proper tools, the technicians should be able to isolate the component that is making the noise without guessing.

I would find a better shop.