Chevy Silverado 1500 – Silverado Gas Mileage – Repair History – Silverado Accessories – Buying A Chevy – About Us
We Have Used and Emphatically Recommend
The Auto Spa
44110 Sterling Hwy
Soldotna, AK 99669
(907) 260-7945
Complaint: Check Engine Light and Hard Starting
Date: March 4, 2013
Arriving in Alaska after a non stop 56 hour trip covering 3000 miles up the Alaska Highway and down to the town of Soldotna Alaska, our 2011 Chevy Silverado began experiencing it's first hick-up in the way of the check engine light coming on. First off we had the Superchips Scanner with us so we connected up and read the codes. Lean mixture in right and left banks. Sounds like an oxygen sensor might be acting up. We cleared the code and immediately received the same warning again. Not a good sign so we took it easy back to the house in Alaska and shut down for the night.
Day 2: After disconnecting the trailer and cleaning out the truck, we attempted to start it so we could move it out of the garage; cranking and cranking again, it was not wanting to fire up. not even a sign of firing at first and than suddenly it tried to start. Letting the starter cool, we checked the tank for any signs of water using a water cutting paste on a brass bob. Nothing, the fuel showed no signs of water at all.
Called our friend and father-in-law, a retired GM Service Manager and not a bad guy to have in the family either, gave him the symptoms and after some checks and more checks came to the conclusion it was most likely the fuel pump on it's way out.
Time to call GM and test out that Warranty that was pitched to us when we picked up the truck from the dealer in Idaho. So we called the toll free number and the person on the other end took over and was immediately getting things rolling.
Day 3.) March 4, 2013 @ 8AM the Silverado was delivered to The Auto Spa (44110 Sterling Hwy Soldotna, AK 99669 (907) 260-7945) for diagnosis and repairs. Our first impressions are this is a very clean and professional business and we feel very confident in the location given to us by the team from the Chevrolet Warranty call service.
So that is where we're at, the conclusion will be written once we have all the facts and figures at hand. Be sure to stop back and see how the warranty on a new Chevy works. So far it appears to be exceptional.
Some days we just want to crawl under a rock and hid from all that may be watching, today is such a day. It seems that the culprit in this whole mess wasn't the fuel pump, nor any of the original equipment parts on the Silverado. What was the problem was a bonafide blunder from it's owner, me.
Sure enough the mechanics pulled the codes and found the same readings as we did, difference is, their trained mechanics and we're nerds, actually I prefer being referred to as a geek but in this case we'll stick with nerds. In poking around the engine compartment at the gas station we, I, knocked the air intake duct loose separating the mass airflow and started a major lean condition that could not be overcome by the computer.
In just a matter of minutes the problem is located and soon was completely cured. Once again the Super Chevy is sailing down the roads as happy and proud as she has always been. At least I got my oil changed, let's just say I took it in for that and forget that I'm human too.
CONCLUSION — GM trained mechanics, worth their weight in gold. I highly recommend The Auto Spa, 44110 Sterling Hwy Soldotna, AK 99669 (907) 260-7945 for diagnosis and repairs.