Engine Belts And Pulleys problems of the 1998 Oldsmobile 88

In early 1998, I purchased a 1998 Oldsmobile eighty-eight brand new from reliable Oldsmobile dealership in cleveland, OH. Although the car is a few years old, the problem I am complaining about began around may 1998. I went to the dealership on numerous occasions complaining about excessive, loud noises that were coming from the engine. The first time I went was June 1, 1998. Each time the dealership tried fixing or doing something different, but they never fixed the problem. I endured the noise and the problem because I did not know of anything else to do. While traveling from georgia to ohio last summer (2003), the car finally broke down. The dealership in tennessee determined that the problem was a defective tension pulley. This defective pulley also caused an extensive amount of residural damage to the engine. This was the noise I was hearing . When I contacted the general motors company (the Oldsmobile division has shut down), they ignored me except for telling me that my warranty had expired. I recognize that it has expired. However, the problem arose long before the warranty expired and could have been fixed long before it expired but for the Oldsmobile dealership's failure to properly diagnose the problem. I do not think it is fair that a dealership can fail (deliberately or not) to diagnose a problem covered by the warranty while the warranty is in effect and then scream that the warranty has expired. Particularly, after one of its own dealership diagnosed the problem. If the dealership in tennessee could diagnose it, then the one in ohio should have been able to do so as well. I wish to be reimbursed for the cost of this repair, which was $1944. 67. I am not asking for the cost of the hotel room and the wages I missed, but it should have to pay for that as well.

This alternator growling/noise and tension pulley assembly began making noises at about 30,000. Then at about 40,000 it really began making growling noises especially a lower speeds. Then while we were on a trip to michigan and wisconsin visiting my relatives and children, it became apparent I had better get this fixed before getting back on the road to our home in bella vista,ar. Some 750 miles. While in milwaukee I was advised to to see felsing service inc. 9128 w. Burleigh st. , milwaukee, WI. Since gm dealerships could not guarantee me to have car ready as I had to be back in bella vista on Thursday. Mr. Flesing said he could repair this. I wanted a new alternator, but none could be found in milwaukee. So I consented to a delco remfg. Unit and a new pulley assembly. This was completed in a few hours. The bill was $388. 10. I feel this alternator should last and be adequately functional for more than 40,000. But the very fact that no new altarenator for my vehicle could be found in milwaukee on that Monday tells me, as I also have heard, gm is having problems with alternators etc. Otherwise the car is a fine runnign car with good gas mileage etc.

Serpentine belt failed. Yh.