2002 GMC DENALI Engine And Engine Coolingengine Problems

WE OWN A 2002 DENALI, THAT WE BOUGHT USED. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AROUND NOV. 2008 (APPR. 120,000 MILES) WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BUT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER (AROUND 150,000). THROUGH CIVIL LITIGATION, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT PREVIOUSLY, AT AROUND 70,000 MILES. WE ARE WONDERING IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DENALIS AND IF ANY COMPENSATION IS AVAILABLE. *TR

UPON FIRST START-UP IN THE MORNING THE ENGINE TAPS FOR 10 TO15 SECONDS. THE LENGTH OF TIME AND NOISE LEVEL INCREASES WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS FOR TWO DAYS. IT IS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND AND THE OIL LEVEL IS GOOD. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A LIFTER IS LEAKING DOWN. SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT WAS BROUGHT BACK BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DISC THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL CONNECTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS WHERE THE OIL WAS ORIGINATING FROM AND CORRECTED THE LOOSE VENT CONNECTOR. THE DEALER SERVICE INVOICE DOESN'T STATE HOW MUCH FLUID WAS ADDED IF ANY. SERVICE ADVISOR DID NOT KNOW THE ANSWER. *LA

ENGINE TAPS LOUDLY UPON STARTUP. THIS METALLIC TAPPING OCCURS AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING AND ALSO IF SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR SO. WHEN DRIVING COLD ENGINE, VALVE CLATTER OCCURS BEFORE EACH SHIFT OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. EMAIL AND TELEPHONE CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM LEFT ME WITH THEIR OFFER TO PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ENGINE, OF WHICH I DECLINED. PART OF THEIR RESPONSE: WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW YOUR CONCERNS WITH YOUR 2002 GMC SIERRA DENALI. WE HAVE EXAMINED REQUEST NUMBER 1-60877406 IN WHICH YOUR ENGINE TAPPING NOISE IS DOCUMENTED WITH THE GMC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND WE ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE POSITION PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED TO YOU. UNDER THE TERMS OF THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY, OUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. SINCE THIS IS CONSIDERED A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS NO REPAIR NECESSARY. WE ASSURE YOU THAT IT WILL NOT EFFECT THE DRIVABILITY OR SAFETY...