I own a 2004 Cadillac SRX, V6, 2WD. It has about 75,000 miles on it. I have owned itapproximately 3 years. During that time, I have experienced 8 to 10 times when it would not start. Usually, it would start if I waited until later in the day or the next day. This week, it would not start no matter what I did. I ran the battery down trying. It was towed to my local dealer.

I explained my problem in detail to the service writer. I was called later in the day and told that the engine did not have enough compression to run and they would have to remove the timing chain covers because they suspected timing chain failure. I went to the dealership and spoke directly to the mechanic with the service writer present. I explained that his theory was suspect because this had happened several times in three years and that I did not believe a timing chain problem could have fixed itself or gotten better on its own. The mechanic said that the three cylinders that he had easy access to showed only 65 pounds of compression. I also questioned why, if the timing chain was bad, would not one or more cylinders have registered zero compression. He said he did not know, but it could be bent valves.

Needless to say, we were talking big bucks but, not knowing what else to do at the time, I gave them the go ahead. Overnight, I studied the problem and spoke to a mechanic friend and decided that this problem might be related to the Variable valve system. Perhaps it was not letting the valves close completely. I guessed that would be the valve position if the engine were actually running at high RPM.

I went back to the dealership and this time spoke to the service manager. I told him my problem and what I suspected. He acted surprised that it had been an intermittent issue. He agreed that the timing chain would not likely cause that type of intermittment problem. I explained that I had advised the mechanic and the service writer that it had indeed been an intermittment issue.

Later in the day, the manager called me and said they had gotten the car running. He said it ran rough for several minutes but finally smoothed out. He said they now suspect sticking valves and that they will run some cleaner through the engine. Also, he advised the injectors need to be cleaned.

I agreed to all of this and hope I don't have the problem again. I still suspect that there could be an issue with the VVT system, however, I have decided to trade the car off now, so I am not going to pursue the issue.

The reason I am writing to you is to perhaps save a lot of money for some other poor soul with the same issue. Had I followed the original advice, I am confident that he would have torn the engine down at great expense to me. I was lucky I got to them before they tore the engine down!