Check Engine Light came on Monday.

"Meatcoma" (mastapoof)
04/09/2014 at 10:03 • Filed to: code P0008, check engine light

So, this light came on Monday after I had just left work.

I swing through O'Reilly and borrow their scanner and get the code - P0008(Performance - bank 1). I have no clue what that means obviously so I google that shit with my phone. First thing I see is this link titled 'The dreaded P0008 code', at this point I'm saying 'OH SHIT'.

I read on and find out that the Camaros that are made up to about halfway through '10 have a timing chain made either differently or from different materials than the newer ones, mine is #255 so I fall into this batch of cars. Well these timing chains can stretch causing the timing to be off duh.

I call the dealer that I bought it from and let him know that I need an oil change and a error code looked at. The service guy lets me know that he can get me in at 10am 4/8. I'm ok with this and drive the car home.

The next morning while taking the car back to the dealership, I pass a truck and the car feels sluggish. I shrug it off as the car seems fine other than that and drop it off at the dealership. He informs me that they will do the diagnostics which will be $60 and they will call about any other repairs after that before starting any work.

I have my son come and pick me up and before we get back to the house the service guy calls and says 'You have extensive damage, you will need to replace your timing belt and possibly your camshaft.', to which I respond with the obvious how much. The service guy blurts out '$3850' and I tell him I'd rather light it on fire than spend that much to which he states the price surprised him as well. I asked about the powertrain warranty from Chevy and he stated that the 'in-service date' on my car was 2/25/09 which put the 5yr/100k warranty expired at 2/25/14. A month and a half out of warranty and I'm crotch-shot for $4k. At this point all I can say is 'That Figures.'

Well needless to say this put me in a very bad mood for the drive home. Once we got home I grabbed another set of keys and headed to work. I got about 4 miles down the road and had to turn around and come home. I was in no mood to be driving, I was seriously mad/distraught etc. I called my boss and explained my situation(he is around my age and pretty easy going), he tells me to 'take care of my shit and see ya tomorrow'.

At this point I'm kinda flipping out. I have no idea where I am going to come up with $4k and I sure as hell don't want to keep making payments on a car that I can't drive or even afford to fix. This is when I remember reading on car forums about where the manufacturer has stepped in and helped people out.

I decide it's worth a shot and visit chevy's website and look for contact information. I call their number and tell my story to a rep who then transfers me to another rep that I repeat my story to. At this point I'm also telling the rep how much I enjoy my car and that I genuinely tell anyone who asks how much I enjoy it and I really do. I also tell the rep I would hate to tell this horror tale to the same people that I have praised about the car to.

The Chevy rep then says there is no guarantee but they will try to work with the local dealer for cost assistance. She informs me of the whole process and who she will be contacting and who I should be expecting calls from and if they dont call in 48 hours that I should call her etc.

About 3 hours later I receive a call from the contact that had 48 hours to call me. Between the dealer and Chevy they are going to cover all the costs - $300. While I mutter under my breath that it should be free, I realize none of them had to do a damn thing and am just happy that I will be able to drive my car in a day or two and not have to worry about this issue anymore.

Thanks Chevy,

Mastapoof.

DISCUSSION (16)

Party-vi > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 10:05

Damn skippy! Congrats on getting Chevy to hook you up and do the right thing.

Meatcoma > Party-vi
04/09/2014 at 10:07

Yea, put me in a much better mood last night.

CalzoneGolem > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 10:07

GG Chevy

Sir Halffast > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 10:12

Dood. Just put your seatbelt on.

Soloburrito > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 10:14

how did your issue go from costing nearly $4k to $300? Or was $300 only your cost after everything?

AthomSfere > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 10:14

Woohoo!

It seems we are finally getting back to car makers wanting happy customers! Good days, good days!

Meatcoma > Sir Halffast
04/09/2014 at 10:14

Knew someone would mention that. You're the one.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 10:16

A month and a half out of warranty and I'm crotch-shot for $4k.

Welcome to the experience of every German car owner. :)

Good that Chevy picked up the tab.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 10:16

thanks for sharing because that's awesome.

I know of similar stories

Meatcoma > Soloburrito
04/09/2014 at 10:17

Chevy will be making up the difference. I am only responsible for $300 of that repair.

Sir Halffast > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 10:24

Yup. That's me!

Meatcoma > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
04/09/2014 at 10:24

Thanks for reading. You should post some of the ones you know. That's what made me contact Chevy. Maybe one of your stories will help someone else too!

Meatcoma > AthomSfere
04/09/2014 at 10:25

Yea I was pretty happy about it.

Mattbob > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 11:44

The New GM at work.

Meatcoma > Mattbob
04/09/2014 at 11:51

Tis a good sign.

Slave2anMG > Meatcoma
04/09/2014 at 12:56

Dang. That could be been REALLY ugly. Left up to the dealer they'd have told you to pound sand AND taken on the interwebs to 'prove' they're right....good job GM of owning it.