2009 Yukon Denali 6.2 L9H Engine Replacement

[KraftMatic87]

Kit Performance built my new L9H and he also did a DOD delete on my 09 G8 GT, maybe he can help you out. He's in Erie though, it may be further away from Denver than you'd like to drive it.
kit-performance.com

I live just 15 miles from Erie. I called Kit Performance last week and they said they only rebuild Subarus now. Do you know of anyplace else? I live in Thornton and the only places in Colorado I got reasonable quotes from were down in Colorado Springs which I think I could also drive to and make it as long as I go slow and don’t drive it until then.

 

[mikeyss]

I live just 15 miles from Erie. I called Kit Performance last week and they said they only rebuild Subarus now. Do you know of anyplace else? I live in Thornton and the only places in Colorado I got reasonable quotes from were down in Colorado Springs which I think I could also drive to and make it as long as I go slow and don’t drive it until then.

I know the owner of Kit, I will ask him for recommendations. I was not aware that they changed to just Subies

 

[KraftMatic87]

I know the owner of Kit, I will ask him for recommendations. I was not aware that they changed to just Subies

Yeah I talked to someone when I called Kit and she said they used to do other make and models but now exclusively do Subarus. Just my friggin luck they were probably the best option close to me for a rebuild.

If you can get any recommendations for me in the north Denver metro that would be most appreciated. My most reasonable quotes were from Kansas and Colorado Springs and having to drive a few hours away with the engine in this state makes me a bit nervous.

 

[swathdiver]

Sounds the same as Mike's.

Lawrence Tolman from Powernation TV has a shop in your area now, Colorado Springs.

Lawrence LT Tolman

I'm LT, and I love to build fast trucks and cars. On my channel, I show you every step along the way, whether its fabrication and welding, wiring, engine swap tips, mechanical repair and more. I try to focus on high performance upgrades, so a lot of the projects I do revolve around adding...

www.youtube.com

LT knows LS motors forwards and backwards.

 

[Fless]

You're thinking worst-case. What if it's just valve work? Why not get an actual diagnosis locally before heading down the rebuild rabbit hole?

 

[KraftMatic87]

Sounds the same as Mike's.

Lawrence Tolman from Powernation TV has a shop in your area now, Colorado Springs.

Lawrence LT Tolman

I'm LT, and I love to build fast trucks and cars. On my channel, I show you every step along the way, whether its fabrication and welding, wiring, engine swap tips, mechanical repair and more. I try to focus on high performance upgrades, so a lot of the projects I do revolve around adding...

www.youtube.com

LT knows LS motors forwards and backwards.

Thanks I’ll try giving them a call next week.

 

[KraftMatic87]

You're thinking worst-case. What if it's just valve work? Why not get an actual diagnosis locally before heading down the rebuild rabbit hole?

I have had three separate mechanics tell me that my engine needs to be either rebuilt or replaced. That is the only reason I’m making the worst case assumption. I’m taking it to one more shop next week to get a 4th opinion before I actually commit to a rebuild. Here are two of the inspection reports I’ve gotten:

https://atxt.me/8HoAI

https://shop.tekmetric.com/inspection/W1ITrcRe8c1o1Zkx7uuIxQDwqrd76pPA2XVCsstIorw

What I’m most concerned about is the place that did my pre-purchase inspection didn’t flag any of this stuff. They sent me this report here that said everything was fine except brake pads:

https://www.shopbosspro.com/getstatusdvionly.php?ro=19180&shopid=19479&typ=dvi

I’m afraid that I’ve been sold a nice looking lemon and I’m just trying to see if I can afford to get the truck roadworthy or not. The expert opinions I’ve gotten so far are not very positive. If I just needed valve work I’d be willing to invest but no mechanic has told me that’s the problem.

 

[swathdiver]

Thanks I’ll try giving them a call next week.

Keep us posted. Even if you have to have it towed to his shop, he'll do proper diagnostics before tearing into it.

 

[KraftMatic87]

Keep us posted. Even if you have to have it towed to his shop, he'll do proper diagnostics before tearing into it.

I could probably drive it there and it would make it. I’m just really bummed I’m in this situation so quickly after buying this thing. The past few weeks have been super tough.

 

[B-train]

I'd say change the oil and put in 15w-40 to drive down, and keep the rpms low and engine load low. Denver to CO springs isn't too bad of a drive if I remember correctly. It may make it.

Or put 20w-50 in it and trade it.........I'm not really serious, but it could be an option. I had an acquaintance 20 years ago that put 80w-90 in an old camaro to mask the rod knock when he got rid of it. I could never do that to a person........maybe a shady dealership though.

I did trade in a 2009 Denali because all of a sudden it started drinking oil on a road trip. It was a beautiful black XL. But, I was tired of the piston slap that never went away and dropped it like a bad habit for a pristine 2017 Denali. I don't feal bad because the salesman said it would go to auction because it had 165k. Somebody got a nice truck for pennies I'm sure and put a motor in it.