2009 Yukon Denali 6.2 L9H Engine Replacement

[Geotrash]

I am dying for someone trustworthy to take this job on for me bc I’m not capable of properly diagnosing and fixing this myself.

Are you sure? If you’re not interested in learning, then that’s one thing, but to say you’re not capable is something different. All of us started from zero and over time learned to wrench. Removing the heads is not a particularly difficult job and there are a ton of good videos and guides on how to do it. All of the tools you’d need can be borrowed from your local parts house as well.

I did this job myself with the help of these resources and the good people here. Got stuck in a couple of spots but within a few minutes had my answers.

 

[KraftMatic87]

I agree with you, it's better to be safe than sorry. Unfortunately, the only way to know if you are having the same issue as I did, is by having the heads removed and thoroughly inspected.

I’m definitely willing to go that route to avoid more pain in the future. I’m at 144k miles and have only driven it about 600 miles since I bought it. At this point I don’t think I’ll feel safe until someone pulls the heads and we can have a look inside before it self-destructs.

 

[KraftMatic87]

Are you sure? If you’re not interested in learning, then that’s one thing, but to say you’re not capable is something different. All of us started from zero and over time learned to wrench. Removing the heads is not a particularly difficult job and there are a ton of good videos and guides on how to do it. All of the tools you’d need can be borrowed from your local parts house as well.

I did this job myself with the help of these resources and the good people here. Got stuck in a couple of spots but within a few minutes had my answers.

I could definitely learn how to pull the heads but I’ve never done that before. The most major repairs I’ve ever done were changing rotors and brake pads on my Volvo V50 and my Highlander. I just would be at a complete loss how to fix whatever is going wrong. I’ve done a ton of research trying to just diagnose this noise on my own and while I think I’m smart I’m coming to the conclusion that I’m a little out of my depth when it comes to tearing down and rebuilding a motor. I’ll try seeing if pulling the heads is something I can reasonably do on my own but my fear is that I’ll then need a shops help anyway to help me fix this if I find something that is going to require more involved repairs.

 

[wjburken]

I could definitely learn how to pull the heads but I’ve never done that before.

I had that problem once. Then I did it. Take your time and pay attention to how things come apart and you can do it.

Some great resources here to help along the way.

 

[Fless]

If it needs head / valve work, check out Jim's Automotive Machine Shop up by Greeley (near Gill). No direct experience with them, but they seem to do excellent work.

Jim's Automotive Machine Shop, Inc.

Automotive Machine Shop located near Greeley, Colorado. Specializing in light industrial and agricultural engine machine work.

www.jimsmachineinc.com

JAMSI Online - Automotive Engine Parts

JAMSI is a trusted source of automotive engine parts. With over 35 years of experience in automotive machining, you will not find a more trustworthy and reliable source of parts. Visit www.jamsionline.com to shop today.

jamsionline.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN0rAGKAOHjPLCVwvKPLX9w

 

[Tonyrodz]

Hard to find a trustworthy mechanic today. Lots of greedy parts swappers out there tho.

 

[petethepug]

First off, it’s a one year only Denali with No AFM & runs e85. It’s a 300k+ drivetrain.

2nd, it’s time for it’s 2nd major service. What you do to it now will extend the service life as well as give a one time view of its normally inaccessible internal health.

3rd, you can work a lot of other maintenance related jobs into a potential tear down for little or no labor cost.

You’re moving in the right direction. My Indi has tackled at least three major do-overs I would of been stuck with on our 08 YXL Denali & 09 Esky over the span of a decade… steering rack, trans rebuild and fuel pump. All those jobs need a lift to save time & energy.

With two kiddos and the Mrs & I both working, my hindsight was 20/20 fortunately. The jobs aren’t bad to do. The problem lies when things go sideways. I rebuilt the same motor 3x @ 19 because a reman factory gave me 3 bad short blocks. Live & learn

Happy Father’s Day!

 

[KraftMatic87]

First off, it’s a one year only Denali with No AFM & runs e85. It’s a 300k+ drivetrain.

2nd, it’s time for it’s 2nd major service. What you do to it now will extend the service life as well as give a one time view of its normally inaccessible internal health.

3rd, you can work a lot of other maintenance related jobs into a potential tear down for little or no labor cost.

You’re moving in the right direction. My Indi has tackled at least three major do-overs I would of been stuck with on our 08 YXL Denali & 09 Esky over the span of a decade… steering rack, trans rebuild and fuel pump. All those jobs need a lift to save time & energy.

With two kiddos and the Mrs & I both working, my hindsight was 20/20 fortunately. The jobs aren’t bad to do. The problem lies when things go sideways. I rebuilt the same motor 3x @ 19 because a reman factory gave me 3 bad short blocks. Live & learn

Happy Father’s Day!

I knew it was due for its 150k mile service anyways it just appears that the previous owner had a lot of deferred maintenance that was not mentioned on a pre-purchase inspection from the shop I took it to. Tough lesson to learn but time to move forward. I’m going into this knowing I’m going to do a major tear down and just get this motor back working the way it should. I’m willing to invest the money I need to get it going, it’s just been a tough ride the past few weeks.

Looking forward to the day I can turn the key on this truck and hear a nice clean idle.

Happy Fathers Day to you too!

 

[KraftMatic87]

Did you put the extension in your ear and look for the source of the noise? It sounds exactly like what happened to Mike and if that's the case for you, it's a relatively easy and inexpensive fix compared to overhauling or replacing the entire engine.

Careful with those low dollar estimates, know exactly what you're getting for that.

Do you have a link to a thread about what happened to Mikes truck? If there is one?

 

[Fless]

Do you have a link to a thread about what happened to Mikes truck? If there is one?

I think it's this one: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/mikeyss-build-thread.118770/