GM trucks and SUVs, handled every week
Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs carry a lot of Richmond families and businesses, and they come through our bays all the time. A Silverado and a Sierra are close to the same truck underneath, as are a Tahoe and a Yukon or an Equinox and a Terrain, so the same knowledge applies across the badges. Buick and Cadillac models share many GM engines and transmissions too, and we work on those as well.
Modern GM vehicles run on networked modules, so we scan the whole vehicle, check live data and test the suspect part before replacing anything. You'll hear what we found, what it takes to fix and what it costs before anything happens.
V8 lifter tick on the 5.3 and 6.2
The 5.3 and 6.2 V8s in many Silverados, Sierras, Tahoes, Suburbans and Yukons use Active Fuel Management or Dynamic Fuel Management to shut off cylinders and save fuel. On some engines the special lifters used by that system fail. The usual signs are:
- A ticking or tapping noise from the engine that gets louder over time
- Misfire codes, often on the same cylinder, and a rough idle
- A flashing check engine light under load, which means stop driving it hard
- A bent pushrod or worn camshaft lobe when the problem has gone on too long
Catching it early keeps the repair smaller. Clean oil of the correct specification, changed on time, also matters on these engines, since the lifter system depends on oil pressure to work properly. If you're hearing a tick, we'll confirm the source before quoting anything.
8-speed transmission shudder
Many 2015 to 2019 GM trucks and SUVs with the 8-speed automatic (8L90 or 8L45) are known for a shudder that feels like driving over rumble strips, usually at light throttle between about 25 and 80 mph. In many cases it comes from the torque converter clutch and the original transmission fluid, and GM issued updated fluid and a flush procedure to address it.
The procedure matters. A quick drain-and-fill won't replace enough fluid to help, so the system has to be flushed properly with the updated fluid. If the shudder continues after that, the torque converter itself may need attention. We'll drive the truck, scan the transmission and tell you which situation you're in.
Smaller engines and other known issues
- 2.4L oil consumption. Some 2010 to 2013 Equinox and Terrain models with the 2.4L four-cylinder are known for burning oil, often linked to the piston rings. Low oil on this engine can also wear the timing chain. Check the oil level between changes and keep a log if you're adding it.
- 3.6L timing chain stretch. The 3.6L V6 in Traverses, Acadias, Equinoxes, Camaros and others can stretch its timing chains, particularly with long oil change intervals. Timing correlation codes and a rough idle are the clues.
- 1.4T and 1.5T coolant and PCV problems. Small turbo engines in the Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and others can develop coolant leaks from the water pump, thermostat housing or hoses, and PCV faults that cause oil leaks, whistling and lean codes.
- Electric power steering faults. Some GM models show a "Service Power Steering" warning with suddenly heavy steering. A weak battery, a connection problem or the steering module itself can be the cause, so we test before replacing the expensive part.
Brakes, tires and towing on heavy trucks
A Tahoe, Suburban or 1500 pickup weighs well over 5,000 pounds, and a heavy-duty truck much more. They go through brake pads and rotors faster than drivers expect, especially in city traffic or with a trailer behind them. We measure rotors, check fluid condition and replace the hardware properly so the brakes stop quietly and evenly. More on that on our brake repair page.
We also fit light-truck and all-terrain tires from Nitto, Toyo, Falken, Cooper, Goodyear and Ironman, with the load range your truck calls for. If you tow, shorten the intervals on transmission fluid, differential oil and brake fluid, and check the trailer brake controller and wiring before a long trip.
Running Express or Savana vans, or a small fleet of Silverados? Fleet accounts get priority scheduling, and we can combine oil service, brakes, tires and repairs into one visit.
Every Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac
Beyond the trucks, we handle the Malibu, Trax, Trailblazer, Blazer, Colorado, Canyon, Traverse and Acadia, along with Buick Enclave and Encore models and Cadillacs like the Escalade, XT5 and CT5. For a check engine light that won't go away, our diagnostics process finds the cause instead of clearing the code.
We're on Richmond Hwy in South Richmond, minutes from I-95 and downtown. Walk-ins are welcome and same-day service is often available, or you can book online with your plate or VIN. Ask about financing for bigger jobs like a lifter repair.
Ready when you are. Call or text (804) 297-6350, or book online and we'll come back with a quote and a time.