[rc_chico]

Earlier this month I took a trip with my wife in my 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax pulling my small travel trailer. We left Arizona and traveled to Washington then back down the coast. Crossing Nevada my truck set a code. That evening I received an email from Onstar that I needed to take the truck to the dealer within seven days. We continued towards home as there was no dealer close and as we were approaching Las Vegas the monitor chimed and the truck went into “Limited power made”. We limped into Las Vegas at 42 mph on flat ground and 25 on the hills. In Vegas I rented an Uhaul to tow the trailer home and left the truck at Fairway Chevrolet truck center and continued home.

The next week the service adviser Anthony Cervantes emailed me and stated that my truck had high idle time and that the K&N air filter element in the truck was restricting the air flow so that the truck could not regenerate [clean] the diesel particulate filter.

I have an extensive background in Mechanics, AS degree in Auto technology, ASE certified Master auto and Master truck mechanic. I have been to Cummins engine school twice, International Harvester school three times and too much other training to list. I was a California Smog check instructor and have a lifetime California Community College teaching credential for Automotive and Diesel Mechanics and related technologies. I have more than forty years managing a large fleet.

I just want to state, considering my extensive background, that I am confident in my expertise.

After a week, I flew to Vegas to get my truck. Now the story is, they won’t warranty the repairs [New factory air filter, clean the Mass air flow sensor and multiple service Regenerations] because the K&N air filter “oiled” the mass air flow sensor. The bill is $661.42. I retained the K&N element which showed a normal amount of surface oil and only light dust accumulation. The filter was factory oiled and only been installed for eight months.

I was hot at this point, of course, and suggested that they were either incompetent, or dishonest.

After returning home, I called GM customer service and filed a complaint, today they called and denied my claim stating that they will always deny a claim such as this because an aftermarket air filter such as a K&N does not meet factory specifications.

So, as I promised them, I am going to file a further complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the EPA and since it was a Nevada dealer, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. I also promised them fame on social media and to spread the word so people are aware of how they could be affected in similar situations.

 

[oak1971]

This is the same GM that told me the bumper to bumper warranty does not cover the actual bumper, which had a rust bubble forming on my 2015 Sierra.
Good luck.

 

[GimmeTicTacs]

Earlier this month I took a trip with my wife in my 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax pulling my small travel trailer. We left Arizona and traveled to Washington then back down the coast. Crossing Nevada my truck set a code. That evening I received an email from Onstar that I needed to take the truck to the dealer within seven days. We continued towards home as there was no dealer close and as we were approaching Las Vegas the monitor chimed and the truck went into “Limited power made”. We limped into Las Vegas at 42 mph on flat ground and 25 on the hills. In Vegas I rented an Uhaul to tow the trailer home and left the truck at Fairway Chevrolet truck center and continued home.

The next week the service adviser Anthony Cervantes emailed me and stated that my truck had high idle time and that the K&N air filter element in the truck was restricting the air flow so that the truck could not regenerate [clean] the diesel particulate filter.

I have an extensive background in Mechanics, AS degree in Auto technology, ASE certified Master auto and Master truck mechanic. I have been to Cummins engine school twice, International Harvester school three times and too much other training to list. I was a California Smog check instructor and have a lifetime California Community College teaching credential for Automotive and Diesel Mechanics and related technologies. I have more than forty years managing a large fleet.

I just want to state, considering my extensive background, that I am confident in my expertise.

After a week, I flew to Vegas to get my truck. Now the story is, they won’t warranty the repairs [New factory air filter, clean the Mass air flow sensor and multiple service Regenerations] because the K&N air filter “oiled” the mass air flow sensor. The bill is $661.42. I retained the K&N element which showed a normal amount of surface oil and only light dust accumulation. The filter was factory oiled and only been installed for eight months.

I was hot at this point, of course, and suggested that they were either incompetent, or dishonest.

After returning home, I called GM customer service and filed a complaint, today they called and denied my claim stating that they will always deny a claim such as this because an aftermarket air filter such as a K&N does not meet factory specifications.

So, as I promised them, I am going to file a further complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the EPA and since it was a Nevada dealer, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. I also promised them fame on social media and to spread the word so people are aware of how they could be affected in similar situations.

Understand you have confidence in your training but these new, and small, diesels are significantly different than what you’ve probably been trained on and what you manage. If you had been trained on them you’d know that these 2.8s with all their pollution controls won’t regen at idle and therefore can’t idle for long periods of time. Once you mod your truck you don’t have a leg to stand on - and I bet you knew when you dropped your truck off at the stealership that your aftermarket filter could potentially void your warranty in this situation, right? But because you were a long ways from home there was nothing you could do about it. You’d be wasting your time going to the DMV. Sounds like a hard knock that you’ll just have to learn from. Not trying to be unsympathetic but in this case, as much as you don’t like to hear it, the mechanics are probably right.

 

[CleverUserName]

I question your credentials and mechanical knowledge. Anyone who uses a K&N filter, especially on a diesel doesn’t understand the Diesel combustion cycle or appreciate the importance of good air filtration.

1. Diesels are fuel limited by design. Reducing the restrictions on the air filter by reducing filtration efficiency (allowing dirt and dust into the engine) WILL DO NOTHING to increase HP or TQ. You need to increase fuel IQ to boost power on a diesel and that is done with engine tuning. You should know this...

2. K&N filters have caused many DPF failures in VW TDIs for the same reasons. The oil from the filter gets on the MAF and inhibits filter regeneration. It’s very common. You’re lucky the DPF was able to be serviced and didn’t need to be replaced because of your stupidity.

I know your angry and probably feel victimized, however what the dealer and GM told you is 100% correct. You should remove your negative comments and social media posts as it makes you look like an ignorant a$$.

K&N also knows about what their filters do to modern diesels, yet they still sell them because there are so many suckers out there. They have a “warranty”, you may be able to get some money from them but I doubt they will help.

 

[oak1971]

Makes me glad I decided to stick with OE filter.

 

[bigoilbob]

IMO, I can't fault r chico. You go to Walmart, you go thru their retro electronic product choosing gadget, and you buy what they say works. If they had had a K&N air filter in stock last Saturday, I would have it in today. Now, there ARE aftermarket items that GM approves. Dexos 2 oil is an example. But if there is specific warranty language about parts that may not be aftermarket, then it's my fault for not reading the warranty closely enough. So:

1. Since some posters here seem to know already, would they point out the specific warranty language?
2. Are there any other items that any of you know of that are also verboten to replace aftermarket?

I don't doubt anyone's expertise here. And I'll pore thru my warranty. I'm just asking for anything similar, that any of you know of, that I might miss.

But FYI, ANY air filter restricts to some extent. Are folks who understand and appreciate diesels, but have not spent their lives working on them professionally, be expected to know about K&N air filters?

 

[terryjm1]

Speaking of air filters... isn’t the factory recommended change interval a bit long?

 

[CaliforniaCanyon]

Very similar experience. Also at a GM dealershit in Nevada. Installed a K&N air filter and after about 6 months my truck started throwing codes, would come on for a while then go away for a day or two. Took it into the dealershit as my truck was still under "warranty". They said I had oil coated my MAF sensor from the after market filter and that I would not be covered under warranty.
I was also furious and ready to file a complaint with anyone who would listen. K&N's website has a large page on dealerships trying to deny claims due to their product, they say its all a sham and don't let them trick you into believing our product caused any problems. They even have a warranty center that you can open a claim with, in which they are supposed to go to bat for you with the dealership. Which I did, and the K&N rep made it seem like those are the worst guys in the world and that he would handle it. I contacted the dealership and informed them I had filed a claim against them, they emailed me back a service bulletin from corporate stating the damage and prohibiting of "oil bath air filters".
After doing more research and reading on more forums like these, talking to the guys at r/trucks on Reddit, there does seem to be a correlation between oil bath filters and MAF problems which lead to other issues. I fucking hate to admit that, because I was so mad at the dealershit and reading K&N's website and speaking to their rep did not help! I never did here back from K&N and am still out the $560 for a MAF sensor. You can bet I've been running OEM filters ever sense and have not had a single problem in about a year and 25k additional miles. Knock on wood.
However, I say dealershit because when I picked my truck up from this mess, I had a cracked windshield right down the center, edge to edge. They told me to call my insurance and THEN they could have their "glass guy" come out and repair it. Absolutely not, I left the dealershit in the Chevy volt loaner that I still had the keys to, went home, plugged my car in, and wrote more emails to management and corporate. They did immediately agree to repair my windshield as it broke under their care, but the fact that they even TRIED to push it on me and my insurance and not spend a few hundreds bucks to do the right thing is mind boggling. It's actually disgusting and shameful!! (Yeah I'm talking to you GM in Carson City) Not to mention they fucked up my name on their records, they forgot to produce my title and send it to my financier until I was threatened with repo almost a year after making payments, and general shitty customer service after they've already sucked you dry. So I still strongly dislike the dealershit situation which is a scam.
But the K&N thing I decided to swallow that bitter pill and move on. Time is valuable.
This is based on no mechanical training or experience, I'm nervous to start my truck after a home oil change, and when my sprinkler breaks I have to call someone to fix it. But I do have an extensive business and limited statistics background (bell curves, standard deviations, probabilities, etc..) and it's just simply hard to deny all the anecdotal evidence on this topic. Don't get me wrong, the truck is awesome and has exceeded my needs and expectations. That has been my only problem in 2 years and 50k miles of high altitude, extreme temperature, high desert/mountainous driving.
Great truck. Shitty people who sell them.

 

[PowderMonkey]

Very similar experience. Also at a GM dealershit in Nevada. Installed a K&N air filter and after about 6 months my truck started throwing codes, would come on for a while then go away for a day or two. Took it into the dealershit as my truck was still under "warranty". They said I had oil coated my MAF sensor from the after market filter and that I would not be covered under warranty.
I was also furious and ready to file a complaint with anyone who would listen. K&N's website has a large page on dealerships trying to deny claims due to their product, they say its all a sham and don't let them trick you into believing our product caused any problems. They even have a warranty center that you can open a claim with, in which they are supposed to go to bat for you with the dealership. Which I did, and the K&N rep made it seem like those are the worst guys in the world and that he would handle it. I contacted the dealership and informed them I had filed a claim against them, they emailed me back a service bulletin from corporate stating the damage and prohibiting of "oil bath air filters".
After doing more research and reading on more forums like these, talking to the guys at r/trucks on Reddit, there does seem to be a correlation between oil bath filters and MAF problems which lead to other issues. I fucking hate to admit that, because I was so mad at the dealershit and reading K&N's website and speaking to their rep did not help! I never did here back from K&N and am still out the $560 for a MAF sensor. You can bet I've been running OEM filters ever sense and have not had a single problem in about a year and 25k additional miles. Knock on wood.
However, I say dealershit because when I picked my truck up from this mess, I had a cracked windshield right down the center, edge to edge. They told me to call my insurance and THEN they could have their "glass guy" come out and repair it. Absolutely not, I left the dealershit in the Chevy volt loaner that I still had the keys to, went home, plugged my car in, and wrote more emails to management and corporate. They did immediately agree to repair my windshield as it broke under their care, but the fact that they even TRIED to push it on me and my insurance and not spend a few hundreds bucks to do the right thing is mind boggling. It's actually disgusting and shameful!! (Yeah I'm talking to you GM in Carson City) Not to mention they fucked up my name on their records, they forgot to produce my title and send it to my financier until I was threatened with repo almost a year after making payments, and general shitty customer service after they've already sucked you dry. So I still strongly dislike the dealershit situation which is a scam.
But the K&N thing I decided to swallow that bitter pill and move on. Time is valuable.
This is based on no mechanical training or experience, I'm nervous to start my truck after a home oil change, and when my sprinkler breaks I have to call someone to fix it. But I do have an extensive business and limited statistics background (bell curves, standard deviations, probabilities, etc..) and it's just simply hard to deny all the anecdotal evidence on this topic. Don't get me wrong, the truck is awesome and has exceeded my needs and expectations. That has been my only problem in 2 years and 50k miles of high altitude, extreme temperature, high desert/mountainous driving.
Great truck. Shitty people who sell them.

I love that post! That’s awesome..... what you said about the dealershit, not the pill. Guys have been swallowing that pill for a couple years now on here. K&N are bad for anything that has a MAFS I used them for years it’s always been a problem. A far as the dealership goes, had the same issue but as far as they were concerned “that’s impossible that never happened here, we would have said something if that happened here”.

 

[DCBULLINGTON]

After reading several "episodes" of emissions related issues, the limited coverage of the GM warranty for same and the potential for some big repair costs, I decided to purchase an aftermarket warranty. I did some research and the only company I found who would cover the emissions components and labor was CarChex. I bought a 6 year/100K mile extended warranty for $3K. I hope like hell I never need to use it but the peace of mind it give me is worth the price of admission!

Dave

 

[bigoilbob]

After reading several "episodes" of emissions related issues, the limited coverage of the GM warranty for same and the potential for some big repair costs, I decided to purchase an aftermarket warranty. I did some research and the only company I found who would cover the emissions components and labor was CarChex. I bought a 6 year/100K mile extended warranty for $3K. I hope like hell I never need to use it but the peace of mind it give me is worth the price of admission!

Dave

Bad decision IMHO. If you think the factory warranty is weasily, you ain't seen nuthin' yet. As the memory of the US Fidelis scam fades, I have noticed the companies creeping back. I think a better solution would be to (1) If you haven't bought a Colorado diesel yet, don't, if you think that the combination of potential problems and/or weasily factory warranty make it a bad use of $, or (2) if you own one already, do what I am doing (and should have already done). Read the warranty repeatedly, and for comprehension. Pay attention to good advice on this forum, such as don't purchase K&N air filters. Overserve your vehicle, drive within it's limits, and save your warranty payments for what may come.

 

[DCBULLINGTON]

After reading several "episodes" of emissions related issues, the limited coverage of the GM warranty for same and the potential for some big repair costs, I decided to purchase an aftermarket warranty. I did some research and the only company I found who would cover the emissions components and labor was CarChex. I bought a 6 year/100K mile extended warranty for $3K. I hope like hell I never need to use it but the peace of mind it give me is worth the price of admission!

Dave

Bob,

Can't fault your logic, it's a toss of the dice either way IMO. I have read some pretty hairy stories on this and other forums specifically about emissions problems that occur out of GM's 2yr/24K mile warranty on these components. The fact that they only warranty them for 2yr/24k says a lot. Seems like (to me anyway) that you could burn through $3k pretty fast given the complexity and sheer number of components that make up the emissions system on these engines. I was defiantly on the fence about diesel vs. gas but I wanted the towing capability of the Duramax. Reading all of the issues surrounding these engines is what led me to getting the extended warranty. Once I found a company that included these specific components as part of their overall coverage, it gave me confidence to pull the trigger on the diesel. I guess only time will tell. I agree 100% on staying within the limits of the vehicles capabilities and avoiding the use of aftermarket components that might void the warranty. These conditions are spelled out clearly in the extended warranty. I have attached a sample contract, maybe you could look it over and see if there are any "gotcha's" I may have missed? Pay particular attention to section "D", this is where the language got a bit "murkey" but not so much as to cause me to not purchase the plan. I plan on keeping this truck at least through 100K miles if not longer so for me having coverage for major repairs that aren't covered by GM or that happen beyond the factory warranty makes sense. As for the credibility of CarChex and their willingness to live up to their end, the jury is out. If/when I file a claim with them I will let everyone know if they try to weasel out or give me the run around.

Dave

 

[Coloradorob]

I installed a K&N in my 2011 Ranger. It worked great until I was driving in a light snow.
Then it would start missing. I dropped a factory filter in for the winter and no more problems.
Seems the snow was passing right through the filter effecting the the MAS...

also had one installed on my Victory Cross Country Tour. While checking the bike over during the winter I noticed oil coating the intake. There was grit mixed in with the oil. Proof that dirt was passing right through the filter and sticking to the oil that came from the filter.

I don’t use them anymore.
And this post has proven I was right about these filters.....

warranty issues and the lack of GMs ability to repair these trucks is one of my big concerns about owning a GM diesel........
Some of the stories about the ability to diagnose and repair the issues is very spooky..

last summer while pulling my travel trailer (toy hauler) 6000lbs from Nova Scotia to Ontario and back all I could think about was .......... don’t break down........

The truck was really working it’s asss off especially during head winds.

Really love this truck. But I am skeptical about reliability.
To many sensors being exposed to very high temperatures.....

 

[CleverUserName]

Hi Dave,

Did you read your contract? It says in Section "B", Subsection 1 (Exclusions) That the exhaust system is an excluded part not covered by the warranty.

Subsection 4 lists the items covered by the contract.

As you can see, this policy covers very little. You may want to review this document, as it appears to not be what you think it is. When I purchased my Canyon, the GMC dealer was super sleazy and tried to sell me one of these "extended warranties", which are actually service contracts like what you have here. I've seen service contracts like this, and could tell he was being dishonest during our conversation so I declined the policy. GM likely does not actually have any factory backed extended warranty that covers the emissions system parts because they are high maintenance and failure prone items (especially the DPF and NOX sensors). I suggest you give your vehicle the best diesel fuel, filters and fluids possible and do the maintenance early and by yourself, or a trusted independent shop. This is the best preventive there is to costly repairs.

Bob,

Can't fault your logic, it's a toss of the dice either way IMO. I have read some pretty hairy stories on this and other forums specifically about emissions problems that occur out of GM's 2yr/24K mile warranty on these components. The fact that they only warranty them for 2yr/24k says a lot. Seems like (to me anyway) that you could burn through $3k pretty fast given the complexity and sheer number of components that make up the emissions system on these engines. I was defiantly on the fence about diesel vs. gas but I wanted the towing capability of the Duramax. Reading all of the issues surrounding these engines is what led me to getting the extended warranty. Once I found a company that included these specific components as part of their overall coverage, it gave me confidence to pull the trigger on the diesel. I guess only time will tell. I agree 100% on staying within the limits of the vehicles capabilities and avoiding the use of aftermarket components that might void the warranty. These conditions are spelled out clearly in the extended warranty. I have attached a sample contract, maybe you could look it over and see if there are any "gotcha's" I may have missed? Pay particular attention to section "D", this is where the language got a bit "murkey" but not so much as to cause me to not purchase the plan. I plan on keeping this truck at least through 100K miles if not longer so for me having coverage for major repairs that aren't covered by GM or that happen beyond the factory warranty makes sense. As for the credibility of CarChex and their willingness to live up to their end, the jury is out. If/when I file a claim with them I will let everyone know if they try to weasel out or give me the run around.

Dave

 

[Burgess159]

I also purchased an extended warranty from a 3rd party at the dealership when I bought the truck. I remember specifically saying to them I wanted this to cover the emissions. They didn’t say anything and ignorant me did not read the contract until someone on here told me I should have. Sure enough, after looking in to it, it was not covered. I cancelled the policy and ended up getting half my money back. Of course, there are special circumstances as to why the money came back to me but I won’t go over that.

 

[DCBULLINGTON]

Here is a pic of my policies declarations page including special coverage for emissions and electronics. I spoke to them and exhaust system is muffler, tailpipe, etc. which are considered wear items. Again, we will see if these guys are what they say they are when it counts!

 

[bigoilbob]

My extended warranty views are probably biased, because US Fidelis was a local outfit. Whatever they offered, in the end it made no diff. They started shirking, and were allowed to continue to do so for a long time. My niece worked there, and in the end they were told to try and put off complainants, accuse them of violating contract terms, etc. The founding brothers went to the hoosegaw, but left a trail of debt to trusting folks behind.

 

[terryjm1]

The dealer tried hard to sell me an extended warranty. Actually, it was required I meet with the “finance guy” who I was forced to wait hours to meet with even though I didn’t use their financing. Laura Buick GMC in Collinsville had by far the best selection of diesels and had the best prices. The 4 hours it takes to get the “deal closed” totally sucks, but they were $2000 less than any other deal I could find. They wont start the closing process until you arrive, in spite of holding a $2000 deposit. You literally have to wait at the dealership.

When we finally got to see the finance guy to sign the paperwork, that is when the hard sell on the warranty comes. It isn’t oppressively hard, but they sorta tried to make me feel stupid for not going the extended warranty route. He literally said, the truck will need repairs and they will be expensive. The thing I was primarily worried about was the emissions system.

However, in addition to the hard sell totally convincing me to not buy the extended warranty (service plan), the emissions system has a standard GM 8 year 80,000 mile warranty, which was my main concern. I assumed by then I would delete.

What is puzzling to me is I have heard both here and other forums the emissions system is less than 8/80. So, as I am approaching AARP age, I thought I may have confused that point.

So, I double checked, it is indeed 8/80.

 

[bigoilbob]

Good judgment terrygm1. And my experience was similar, but somewhat less time consuming. The financier meet was mandatory before I could give them cold cash (no financing). I aksed why, and they told me that they were getting so many complaints from folks who had not been offered extended warrantees and were now in the jackpot with a big repair, that they HAD to make it mandatory as a public service. But he sensed my psychic blockage and only stole ~20 minutes of my time. A long time to keep my feet up though....

Thanks for the .png as well.

 

[terryjm1]

Probably a “growing old complaint” but it seems more than ever people/society try to justify poor morals and ethics with a responsible good morals and ethics justification. I think the worst part is many people believe their own BS. As I have grown older I have become increasingly anti-corporation and as such much less trusting of them and the government involvement they buy with their billions.

Frankly, I think that argument for forcing the meeting is a thinly veiled example of those thoughts. If they were so concerned and truly cared, they would give buyers at least a couple weeks after buying to choose the extended warranty. I have been in sales and know well the “get em here, get em now, or you will lose the sale technique.” “Public service“, I call total BS.

Just over a year ago I bought my wife a new Subaru. They made the extended warranty offer, albeit in much less insulting manner. However, I was told we couldn’t get the same level of coverage unless we bought it right then and there. Seeing as we had previously bought a new Subaru from them 5 years earlier, I mentioned that we were able to buy it months later direct from Subaru at half the price back then. He said they didn’t do that any longer. I’m not suggesting he wasn’t bing truthful, he was just saying what he was told. Needless to say I passed up the offer this time as well. On the anniversary date of our purchase, I received a direct emailed extended warranty offer from Subaru for longer and more comprehensive coverage for 30% less than offered the day of purchase.

Again, more unethical BS from a corporation.

By the way, the 3 years and 34,000 miles of extended bumper to bumper coverage I purchased for $660 on the Subaru was never needed. The dealer didn’t offer me what I thought was a good trade in price so I sold it myself for a good bit more. With a year and 10,000 miles left on the extended warranty when I sold it, no repairs had been needed.

As this is an enthusiast page for trucks,I’ll stop here and delete these comments if anyone takes offense.