Aztek Fan Club

[chameleon-Kat]

We had the groan moan thing  going on with ours.  Nothing I could really check (didn't want to get under ther either with snow/ice in drive), but I did take quick gander underneath and saw it was leaking fluid in rear. Of course dealer couldn't re-create noise (all they could here was harmonic noise from winter tires), but seeing as how its getting up a bit in miles I had them do versatrak fluid change along with replaceing seal thats was source of leak. Sound appears to be gone now.  Also had stress cracked A/C condensor replaced (first one for us).

Dealer was pretty good in that they offered up enterprise rental when the seal they had in stock was bad and they had to keep it over weekend.

[qstick777]

qstick77... any updates on your repairs?  What did they say it was?  How did they fix it?  How much did it cost?

Sorry, still haven't taken it in for service.  My state safety inspection is due this month, so I'm thinking I'll have it done the same time as the brakes. 

Just came in to see if I could find the thread about the rear diff oil (and read up on some info on the brakes).

My buddy owns a service shop, so I'll probably take it to him for the brakes and fluid jobs.  I'd like to do it myself, but I'm still recovering from a broken foot, and I'm not sure when the weather is going to go back to being nice (high of 40 today!).  Plus, it always sounds nice to do the work yourself, until you spend twice as long as you planned and realize that you spent the entire day (or weekend) fixing the car instead of spending time with the family!  

[qstick777]

mumaluke,

Oil change places could probably do it, but make sure that they use the correct fluid.  You might have to bring it with you.  They most likely will not have it and the use of the wrong fluid will damage the rear drive module.  Do not under any circumstances use any other type of fluid even if they say it is the same thing or better.

Newfie

Newfie-

What makes the fluid so special?

I still haven't gotten around to having my looked out, but I'm not really big on paying $100+ per quart for this fluid, especially when my dealer claims that they don't hear any noises! 

Since people were nice enough to provide the TSB numbers, I guess I have to tell them how to do their jobs!  I realize that I have an 04 and the bulletin given was for 03's, but I'm not convinced that the problem was isolated to only 03s, especially since Saturn owners are having the same problems. 

Now that I've got 45k miles and am outside of my warranty, I'm not about to end up with a large out of pocket repair, especially since I complained about the problem while the car was still in warranty and was told it was noise from tire tread!

I was reading some stuff about AWD Saturn's having a similar problem and some people have used Royal Purple synthetic fluid without any problems.

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-57065.html

[qstick777]

Also ran across this - any comments?

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t593159-versatrak_system__changing_fluids___.html

A_Bartle03-06-2007, 07:45 AM
I ended up changing the fluid myself, was not too hard, but I used an Amsoil product called "Severe Gear 75W-90W" oil. It worked great and much, much cheaper than the GM stuff. After changing the oil, I did the multiple tight circle turn maneuvers in both directions, and the "groan" went away. Here is the Amsoil web site, and here is the message they sent to me when I inquired about using their product.

http://www.amsoil.com/ (http://www.amsoil.com/)

Email reply Amsoil sent to me:

Thank you for contacting AMSOIL with your concerns.

In response to your inquiry, the Severe Gear 75W-90 Gear Oil is recommended to use for this application (product code SVG). It already has the additional performance additive formulated in it.

Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to your concerns. As always, please feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance.



Darryn Wallace

Technical Service Department

AMSOIL, Inc.

[qstick777]

Also ran across this - any comments?

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t593159-versatrak_system__changing_fluids___.html

A_Bartle03-06-2007, 07:45 AM
I ended up changing the fluid myself, was not too hard, but I used an Amsoil product called "Severe Gear 75W-90W" oil. It worked great and much, much cheaper than the GM stuff. After changing the oil, I did the multiple tight circle turn maneuvers in both directions, and the "groan" went away. Here is the Amsoil web site, and here is the message they sent to me when I inquired about using their product.

http://www.amsoil.com/ (http://www.amsoil.com/)

Email reply Amsoil sent to me:

Thank you for contacting AMSOIL with your concerns.

In response to your inquiry, the Severe Gear 75W-90 Gear Oil is recommended to use for this application (product code SVG). It already has the additional performance additive formulated in it.

Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to your concerns. As always, please feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance.



Darryn Wallace

Technical Service Department

AMSOIL, Inc.

Nevermind, I just looked it up on the Amsoil website and it says:


Differential, Rear .....SLF[2]
Transfer Case,.....SLF[3]
        No AMSOIL Product Recommendation
Fluids
    Power Steering Fluid.....PS
    Brake Fluid.....HB

1. 5W-30 is preferred.
2. SLF is a special gear lube, GM part no.12378514
3. SLF is a special gear lube, GM part no.12378514


Guess I'm stuck getting it from the dealer!   Now I just have to figure out the correct amount.  I've seen it as 2.1qts or 4 pints, but I've also seen that you are supposed to top it off, drive around and then flush and re-fill.  So, 8-9 pints at $25 a pint!

[qstick777]

On recommendation for somebody else, I decided to contact Royal Purple.  Here are the two replies (yes, I asked twice....this is an expensive part and I don't want to risk screwing it up!):

Our Synchromax is what we recommend for the Versatrak.

Have a great day.
Kyle Neal
Technical Sales Representative
1 Royal Purple Lane
Porter, TX 77365

I replied back with a "are you sure, this is an expensive system to risk not using the dealer.  I don't want to save hundreds and end up costing myself thousands" and received back:

You will be just fine running our Synchromax and it will not harm your Versatrak.  We have tested  Synchromax in many applications like yours with out any problems.


Have a great day.

Kyle Neal
Technical Sales Representative
1 Royal Purple Lane
Porter, TX 77365

[97drexelgrad]

write him back and ask him if he could back that statement in writing just incase any issues do arise from their company's product.  Wait to see his response before ordering.  If he says he don't make any guarantees, thank him for his time and move on to a GM dealer

[diceallion]

AYE AYE!!!  I second that motion.  Get it in writing then make your move.  I hope it works cause I never wanna pay $40 a pint again!!!

write him back and ask him if he could back that statement in writing just incase any issues do arise from their company's product.  Wait to see his response before ordering.  If he says he don't make any guarantees, thank him for his time and move on to a GM dealer

[optimist134]

Hey, I don't have an Aztek, but the Buick Rendezvous has the same versatrak system.  Took it in to dealer who changed the  fluid per the TSB (got hosed, of course), and the noise is still there!  Called him back and he said I had to drive it for a few days to "wear in"!  Told him I would give it a week, and then get back at him.  How does this "wear in" sound to you folks?

[ungoliant13]

Hey, I don't have an Aztek, but the Buick Rendezvous has the same versatrak system.  Took it in to dealer who changed the  fluid per the TSB (got hosed, of course), and the noise is still there!  Called him back and he said I had to drive it for a few days to "wear in"!  Told him I would give it a week, and then get back at him.  How does this "wear in" sound to you folks?

Hi optimist134...glad you joined.  Rendezvous' are welcome here...you make three members with Vous'. 

No, driving it around and "wearing it in" is not normal.  What is there for fluid to "wear into" would be my question.  The level is either correct or it isnt...or something else is wrong.  Many of us on here have gone through this procedure, including myself.  When my fluid was changed, the sound stopped.  Like that.  No wearing in period. 

Hey, put pics up of your Vous and drop by more often. 

[qstick777]

Okay, finally ordered some Royal Purple Synchromax today.  Even though they list NAPA and several auto parts stores as carrying the product, I was not able to find anyplace that carried Synchromax.   I finally broke down and ordered it from Amazon.  Slightly over $36 for 3 quarts (including shipping).  Should be here early next week.

Of course, after ordering I found a place on-line that sells the GM Versatrak fluid:  http://paceperformance.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=74593

$21 for 16.9 oz.  That would've put me at $112 for 5 bottles (including shipping).

After doing a lot of research on this, it's amazing how many problems I've found with mostly all of GM's vehicles with AWD.   Not sure of every vehicle they sell, but mostly Saturn Vue, Chevy Venture/Ponitiac Montana, Buick Rendevouz, and Chevy Equinox.  Even more disturbing is there are 05 and 06 owners that are complaining of the same thing!  And, strangely, they all seem to happen around the 40k mile mark!

Sounds like a fatal flaw to me!

I guess I'm going to give the Royal Purple a try and hopefull the noise will go away.  Then, I guess I will look at getting rid of the Aztek and looking for something a little more reliable (read non-GM, and most likely non-American).  Sad to say that cuz I really like the thing, but I just have a bad feeling about the long term reliability.


I even stumbled across this wonderful article about the Aztek......probably the only one that was a positive review!  http://www.autoworld.com/news/pontiac/Aztek.htm

[optimist134]

Hey, I don't have an Aztek, but the Buick Rendezvous has the same versatrak system.  Took it in to dealer who changed the  fluid per the TSB (got hosed, of course), and the noise is still there!  Called him back and he said I had to drive it for a few days to "wear in"!  Told him I would give it a week, and then get back at him.  How does this "wear in" sound to you folks?

Hi optimist134...glad you joined.  Rendezvous' are welcome here...you make three members with Vous'. 

No, driving it around and "wearing it in" is not normal.  What is there for fluid to "wear into" would be my question.  The level is either correct or it isnt...or something else is wrong.  Many of us on here have gone through this procedure, including myself.  When my fluid was changed, the sound stopped.  Like that.  No wearing in period. 

Hey, put pics up of your Vous and drop by more often. 

"Wearing it in" did not sound right to me either!  TSB tells them to drain fluid, drive it for 20 minutes, then drive in right and left circles for 5 minutes each way.  Then, drain fluid again, and refill.  I wonder(?) if they really did all this.  I believe I will try to get some fluid and go through this procedure myself. If I take it back to the dealer, he'll just tell me I need a whole new rear end, I'll bet.   It is quieter than it was, but still noisy.  Got bigger issues to deal with right now, so it may be a while before I get to it.  Hope to be able to get the fluid.

[optimist134]

Hey, I don't have an Aztek, but the Buick Rendezvous has the same versatrak system.  Took it in to dealer who changed the  fluid per the TSB (got hosed, of course), and the noise is still there!  Called him back and he said I had to drive it for a few days to "wear in"!  Told him I would give it a week, and then get back at him.  How does this "wear in" sound to you folks?

Hi optimist134...glad you joined.  Rendezvous' are welcome here...you make three members with Vous'. 

No, driving it around and "wearing it in" is not normal.  What is there for fluid to "wear into" would be my question.  The level is either correct or it isnt...or something else is wrong.  Many of us on here have gone through this procedure, including myself.  When my fluid was changed, the sound stopped.  Like that.  No wearing in period. 

Hey, put pics up of your Vous and drop by more often. 

"Wearing it in" did not sound right to me either!  TSB tells them to drain fluid, drive it for 20 minutes, then drive in right and left circles for 5 minutes each way.  Then, drain fluid again, and refill.  I wonder(?) if they really did all this.  I believe I will try to get some fluid and go through this procedure myself. If I take it back to the dealer, he'll just tell me I need a whole new rear end, I'll bet.   It is quieter than it was, but still noisy.  Got bigger issues to deal with right now, so it may be a while before I get to it.  Hope to be able to get the fluid.

OOPS! Just read my post and found I omitted an important step!  You're supposed to drain the fluid, refill, and then drive it for 20 minutes, etc.  Certainly wouldn't do any good to run it while dry!   Found the post for on line sales of versatrak fluid at $21 per bottle. My capacity supposedly is 2.1 quarts, meaning I would need 8 (eight!) bottles of this stuff to do the double fill myself.  That's $170! What is this stuff, liquid gold? 

[diceallion]

Liquid gold friend.  You got it...  Liquid gold.    I cried over the cost of liquid when I changed mine 3 months ago.

[JAztek]

When I complained that I still had an intermittent grinding noise even after their required "differential system flush" at $330, sevice dept. said that I needed to drive it at least 200 miles to distribute the fluid througout the differentail - not really "wearing in" as such. 
 
But...I still have an intermittent noise, and my son-in-law-to-be, a Subaru mechanic, says that if there's noise, the differential needs to be replaced.