Originally Posted By: Kinderteckel
Thanks for the feedback. Van went for second opinion at different shop that is willing to do the work of replacing the engine, should that be the best course of action. My original mechanic said the van was drinking coolant and should have engine replaced but didn't have time to do a 19 hour replacemenr job. Second shop had it for 10 days and said not only is compression low on cylinder 5, but there is also a mechanical issue...knocking sound....cam is bad, and by the time you take off the front of the engine and take the heads off, you are within a few hundred dollars in labor of an engine job anyway and might as well just get a replacement engine.
My gut is telling me to get the 12530282 GM Goodwrench new crate engine for my half ton conversion van. For $2000 and less core charge than what the reman people want ($450 core for some and sketchy core policies), it is cheapest off the line. However, it appears that the three year, 100,000 mile warranty for the GM Goodwrench crate engine will be parts warranty only, no labor. That is what scares me. However, the reman companies like Jasper, Gearhead/ATK, S & J, West Coast/Motor Works, etc. all talk the talk, with their warranties that include labor (can buy a No Fault warranty that covers shop labor up to $90, which is more in line with the $85/hour shop labor here in California, through ATK for $200 and Jasper has something like that, too) but I read reviews that they never honor the warranties.
Speaking from personal experience, I'd stay as far away from ATK as possible. Used them several times and had problems most every time.
About Jasper not honoring their warranty- If it actually did happen that they backed out, I'd be surprised, or if they did, maybe it had to do with that area's rep? Our rep is really good and has told us of cases where they had issues with a product and it was honored right away. I realize it could all be a line of dog doo, but I don't think so- he is a real genuine good guy.
