2014+ owners having issues with their truck?

[kazaman]

I removed it because it left me stranded at 4:30 AM at work in ,-32 degree weather, after being awake for about 31 hours... It freezes and prevents the truck from starting. Onstar couldn't locate me, as I was off a government maintained road(I'm in the oilpatch)... So basically they told me I was S.O.L. I just hung up on the guy, popped the hood, and disconnected the battery for 10 seconds.. Jumped in, and it fired up., reluctantly. GM service dept, later that morning, told me that GM's solution was to first, put a bolt through the flapper. If that doesn't work, they will replace the exhaust with a re-engineered version, with no flapper. I proceed to attempt to explain as to why this is an unacceptable solution for me.... It fell on deaf ears. So, I drove to my go-to muffler shop, and instructed them to cut the POS out of there, along with the stock muffler. I then got them to install a FloPro for a little more sound, since they were down there already. While he was cutting, I noticed the flapper already HAD a shiny bolt through it(double nutted).. I should have taken a pic, but had left my phone at home.

 

To answer your other question... I cant say whether or not removing the flapper affected the sound, due to the fact I changed the muffler out as well. It gave it a little more rumble, but I'll likely add a cat back at some point... He just didn't have one I wanted at the time.

Wow.. thanks for sharing. So far no issues with the flapper, although plan on adding cat back this summer.

I removed it because it left me stranded at 4:30 AM at work in ,-32 degree weather, after being awake for about 31 hours... It freezes and prevents the truck from starting. Onstar couldn't locate me, as I was off a government maintained road(I'm in the oilpatch)... So basically they told me I was S.O.L. I just hung up on the guy, popped the hood, and disconnected the battery for 10 seconds.. Jumped in, and it fired up., reluctantly. GM service dept, later that morning, told me that GM's solution was to first, put a bolt through the flapper. If that doesn't work, they will replace the exhaust with a re-engineered version, with no flapper. I proceed to attempt to explain as to why this is an unacceptable solution for me.... It fell on deaf ears. So, I drove to my go-to muffler shop, and instructed them to cut the POS out of there, along with the stock muffler. I then got them to install a FloPro for a little more sound, since they were down there already. While he was cutting, I noticed the flapper already HAD a shiny bolt through it(double nutted).. I should have taken a pic, but had left my phone at home.

 

To answer your other question... I cant say whether or not removing the flapper affected the sound, due to the fact I changed the muffler out as well. It gave it a little more rumble, but I'll likely add a cat back at some point... He just didn't have one I wanted at the time.

Wow.. thanks for sharing. So far no issues with the flapper, although plan on adding cat back this summer.

[mzodarg]

Update ..

 

My truck vibrates, at different speeds, however 50-75 is most severe. There is also a weird feeling in my ears, almost like a back window is half open (although it is not). The dealer test drove the truck and did feel the "sensation". Tires have been force balanced, no change. New wheels and tires from another truck (Bridgestone's) vibrated so bad the dealer pulled over to see if the lug nuts were on. Back to original wheels and tires (18" Goodyear SRA's). Dealer calls GM in, after a test drive and mechanical "inspection", no mechanical problems were found and the truck is "as designed". So the design is a truck that vibrates and "flutters"... is that what GM is after these days? Really?

 

Extended crank time and black smoke at initial start up has been happening since day 1, well before the "fire" recall . But only on first start of the day (yes it is cold outside, I am in Chicago). Dealer inspects truck, again no problems found 'this is normal'. Could it be oil dripping into the cylinders due to DOD? Extra fuel to start the truck? So again GM designs a truck to crank over a 5-10 times, spit some black smoke, and then idle.

 

Radio back lights. Again "as designed, should not be there". Although this is a convenient escape for GM, my dealer felt bad for me, ordered the part which was installed and arrived the next day. So all good there.

 

My other truck was a 99 Silverado 5.3 Z-71 with 273,000 miles on it, ran like a top and smooth as silk and never a puff of black smoke. Sure miss that truck.

Regarding the vibration, I believe GM knows of there is a problem here, however does not have a fix yet. At least that is what I am hoping. If this is "normal", and after the word gets around, they will have a hard time selling these trucks.

 

Hope for a fix soon...

Black smoke is normally an indicator of too much fuel-carbon. If the smoke is white/light blue you have oil issues.

 

Mike

Edited February 10, 2014 by mzodarg

[VMaxtastic]

Based on that, im guessing that while its cranking ten times, trying to start, its flooding the engine. Or maybe thats why its cranking ten times, because its getting too much fuel when attempting a cold start.

[JToups386]

Exactly... apparently myself and the other guy on this Forum from back in September and you arent crazy.. my truck has the same vibration and sound.. i think the sound is a result of the vibration "echoing" in the cab... and I believe its drive train.. either a out of balance drive shaft (front or rear) but it kind of drives me crazy.. I can turn the radio up and not hear it, but my OCD self turns it back down just to "make sure the sound is still there" Hope somehow they figure out what it is.... Ive been in conversation with Customer service and the Dealer.. and I plan on dropping my truck off until its "fixed" or I will demand my money back and or get lawyers involved.. there have been numerous issues with my truck (as well as the dealer) and I am beyond frusterated...and ready for this to be over!!!

 

I'm experiencing that similar sensation too. Maybe not as pronounced as yours but none-the-less it's noticeable and had made me question whether or not I was overly sensitive (and crazy), or if there was a legitimate issue. Apparently based on all the comments I've read, GM does have a problem with the vibration or what I refer to as "wobbling", and it definitely needs to be addressed by them.

I also think GM clearly rushed to get this new truck release out and clearly did not properly test it. Although it's a beautiful truck with great features, it's becoming an automotive version of the Microsoft "Vista" release, which ended up tanking horribly. I think the execs at GM are probably trembling and scrambling to try and figure out how to salvage what is clearly a heavily flawed release, and they know there will be countless recalls and/or lawsuits, not to mention the bad publicity.

I can assure you had I been on this forum before I bought the truck, I never would have made the purchase. Now I'm stuck with 6 years of paying on a vehicle that will likely be an ongoing headache, and with no way to recoup my investment. I'm just glad I bought the full GMPP extended warranty with 0 deductible, because I'm quite certain it'll spend a lot of time in the shop using it.

As for the sales of these new trucks, GM is already hurting badly. They're having to offer huge incentives right now to sell them, and I would bet a portion of that decline is due to the negative publicity on various forums, not to mention the fire recall.

I really wish I would've stuck with my initial plan and kept my AMG Mercedes and just bought an older early to mid 2000's GMC for a backup utility vehicle. Ahhhhh hindsight......

 

 

 

[Dnt]

Anyone know if the later model build 2014's still have this exhaust flapper thing? Mine was built 12-11-13. Sounds like a crazy thing to have in an exhaust system?

[Silverado 6.2]

My 6.2 also has an extended crank then a puff of black smoke when cold, but only the first start after being cold. Its been between -5 and 10 the last couple weeks here. Does anyone no what the flap in the exhaust is really even there for?

[suess13]

It's supposed to open when under full v8 power

[suess13]

 

http://www.drivingthenation.com/?p=8331. It's tied to the cylinder deactivation v4 to v8 mode if your in v4 mode I assume the engine needs more back pressure to maintain torque

[VMaxtastic]

Anyone know if the later model build 2014's still have this exhaust flapper thing? Mine was built 12-11-13. Sounds like a crazy thing to have in an exhaust system?

Mine was built in December 2013. If you read my post, a couple posts up, you will see that mine just had the bolt through the flapper from factory.. It clearly didn't help. Pathetic quick fix.

 

I cut it out, including the muffler, and haven't had a problem with it not starting since.

Edited February 11, 2014 by VMaxtastic

[block8head]

My Nav screen showing me in a middle of nowhere:

 

And when I put in reverse .The screen showing me my previous location instead of my current.. "showing there are some cars behind me in the screen"

And this is the back of me in reverse. "The freaking wall. LOL

[VMaxtastic]

Whoa thats a weird one.

[TX14Z71]

Dang, that sucks. Are you planning on taking it in?

[1997SierraSLT]

GM contract with Zenith ??

[block8head]

Dang, that sucks. Are you planning on taking it in?

Already did and they said Nothing they can do for me at this time....

[TX14Z71]

More of that great customer service.