GM engineering at its best...

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: ktrsb
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
But what makes it worse is the dealer rapes you for the new plug, a part that should cost $10 is $100.


lol. I suppose you don't get to Mercedes dealers very often.



Supposedly, he actually must, given the way he 'kvells' over that marque.

But of course, the Teuton brand charging >$1000.00 for an equivalent part is perfectly A OK because it is, after all, a Merc.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
If nothing else, everything electrical in the 97 cavalier I had worked when I got rid of it (oil pump lunched the engine), minus the alternator going at 129k miles (Very common for the diodes to fail around that mileage on that particular alternator)


If the diodes don't fail, it'll cook out the rear bearing on the alternator. It's right there by the exhaust manifold. Horrible design but at least it's easier to change than a Saturn S-series or DOHC Lumina Z34.

I had an '83 Olds 98. Window switches were junk but that's okay because the window motors were junk too. You didn't want to roll it down because it might not make it all the way back up.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Ahhhh...same old threads. Funny thing, you all are talking about older model years. GM has improved tremendously as have Ford and Chrysler. All makes are gonna have problems, including engineering issues that somehow got buy...even Toyota and Nissan, etc. These are consumer goods just like a washing machine and you will have atleast 1 or 2 problems per the "problems per 100" formula.


I was calling GM out on a [censored] part on my truck, I have no issues with the truck otherwise if you bother to read my post; and rather like it. I have no issues with little problems, I just think GM has a very poor policy of making changes when they see systematic problems. That plug should have been up sized in later years and it wasn't. Having owned other vehicles I have seen companies take a much more proactive approach in fixing things like this.

Also mine is a 2005 which isn't to old, my friend has a 2011 which is the same truck except with the new body on it. But underneath its the same frame, trans, rear end, and motor. You could swap body's between chassis without any issues.

So I wonder if finally GM managed to fix a few things on his truck? Well lets see the plug I just changes looks the same, and we will see if he has to do his intake manifold gaskets too.

I mean they have only made the 4.3 for what 30 years? One day they will learn how to make an intake manifold that doesn't leak.



I wasn't talking about you so no need to re-read anything...and you just "can't swap bodies" between the old style 800 series and new 2007+ 900 series. I assume you were speaking matter of factly, but you're just wrong.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
If EVERY brand (yes, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, you-name-it) is as bad as just ONE PERSON says it is, NONE of them would be in business.


Great wisdom in this.

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy

Afaik they don't make an aftermarket version of this plug, its AC Delco or nothing. I have seen them online though for $75 so I probably overpaid a bit but I have limited time and can't wait for parts to get shipped to me. Also that plug should not even cost $75, its an overgrown $10 trailer connector.


Yes, they do...and you did. It took me about 2 minutes to find these on Rockauto.com:

Dorman 973300 -- $18.70

Standard Motor Products S916 -- $23.79

AC Delco PT2195 -- $29.89

and if you want local:

Echlin EC397 -- $38.49 (NAPA)

 

[ktrsb]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy

Afaik they don't make an aftermarket version of this plug, its AC Delco or nothing. I have seen them online though for $75 so I probably overpaid a bit but I have limited time and can't wait for parts to get shipped to me. Also that plug should not even cost $75, its an overgrown $10 trailer connector.


Yes, they do...and you did. It took me about 2 minutes to find these on Rockauto.com:

Dorman 973300 -- $18.70

Standard Motor Products S916 -- $23.79

AC Delco PT2195 -- $29.89

and if you want local:

Echlin EC397 -- $38.49 (NAPA)



Seriously, Sparky has the page and video with instructions on the repair, plus a link to get both the resistor and the harness for less than $75.00. And no, I don't know him.

 

[SteveSRT8]

sounds like the well known shifter interlock woes my car shares with many Mercedes.

The part that breaks is a tiny plastic piece that you simply cannot get. Dealer gets 700-1400 for a whole shifter assembly.

Dorman sells the part in cast aluminum for 20 bucks, Takes 20 minutes to install.

 

[Stu_Rock]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Afaik they don't make an aftermarket version of this plug, its AC Delco or nothing. ...
Yes, they do ... It took me about 2 minutes to find these on Rockauto.com:...
Or, you can go to Mouser and buy
1 - 12052854 @ $1.02 each (housing)
7 - terminals @ $0.25 each (look up appropriate part # for wire size)
... and put together a new connector for under $10 shipped.

 

[ktrsb]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Dorman sells the part in cast aluminum for 20 bucks, Takes 20 minutes to install.


Dorman's whole business is selling the commonly broken parts at a whole lot less than the dealer. So I guess every vehicle they sell parts for is poorly engineered. lol.

 

[Donald]

GM engineering at its best would be the 5.7L engine. Its pretty bulletproof and there are millions in large cars and trucks not to mention the majority of Mercruiser marine engines.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: ktrsb
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Dorman sells the part in cast aluminum for 20 bucks, Takes 20 minutes to install.


Dorman's whole business is selling the commonly broken parts at a whole lot less than the dealer. So I guess every vehicle they sell parts for is poorly engineered. lol.


Yep, you know those [censored] Mercs!

 

[SSGSTbirdtoyman]

It seems to me its kindof a game of chance, as far a parts breaking in most of the vehicles I've owned and I had owned many in my 55 years.
So far my GM vehicles have faired the best - my 96 Silverado went 173K when I sold it and the only issue with it was one fuel pump all else was just normal maintenance. Not so with some of my other vehicles.
97 Subie Outback - wifes- bought new was in the shop more than at home. sold it for something more "reliable"
02 Honda Odyssey -transmission and AC problems had to get a lawyer to help us with Honda for warranty.
01 BMW X5 inheirated this one, but had to sell due to massive breakdowns and waiting for parts

 

[INDYMAC]

My daughter has a very nice 2008 Avalanche with 57K miles. She recently had to take it to the dealer for a P0231 DTC. They ended up replacing a fuel pressure module and fuel pump to fix it under extended warranty. They also fixed a body/frame mount that was causing a popping noise while turning left slowly. It was not covered under warranty. She loves her truck, but I'm afraid she won't be able to afford it after the warranty expires at 60K.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: ktrsb
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
But what makes it worse is the dealer rapes you for the new plug, a part that should cost $10 is $100.


lol. I suppose you don't get to Mercedes dealers very often. Rock Auto and Sparky probably had better prices. GM hasn't got much control over their dealers, seeing as how they are independent businesses.



Actually if we want to talk about parts, Mercedes parts are usually pretty cheap and easy to get. I can walk into a dealer and get the most oddball part for a model that has been out of production for 40 years, and if they don't have it they can get it from Germany or through the classic center. Heck you can still get brake drums for Gullwings, can I go into a GM dealer and get a brake drum for a 1957 Corvette?

In regards to getting parts and prices I find the German's to be the best, right behind the Americans and British since they have a strong aftermarket, the worst are the Japanese.

Although it really does depend on what your buying, some Jags for example have Brembo brakes and the prices on discs and pads is pretty eye popping.

The nice thing about GM is most parts are like $5, and they are simple.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Donald
GM engineering at its best would be the 5.7L engine. Its pretty bulletproof and there are millions in large cars and trucks not to mention the majority of Mercruiser marine engines.
Depends on the year. Some of them were extremely prone to to valve stem seal leaks.