05 SRX Help Needed

[ashaal]

Charlie,

A little background....I picked up a 2005 Cadillac SRX (V6 AWD) for my wife a few months ago. I read up on some common issues online to familiarize myself. From a little research I learned that the LY7 engine consumes a lot of oil. So I made it a habit to check it regularly, until a few weeks ago, I got busy at work and she took a few long trips for work. She calls me last night and says the car is broken down and isn't running right. I get there and check the dip stick...damn near dry so i put 4 quarts in let it idle for a while and it seems to smooth out. Next morning from a cold start it is barely running...but once the engine warms up it smooths out. I take it to the dealer and they call me today to let me know I will be needing new timing chains (3 total), guides (6 total) and cam actuators (4 total).

Grand total $2252....(1342 for labor, 850 parts, 60 tax)

Questions....

do you think this is a fair price?
how difficult is doing this myself, 1-10 scale?
is their anything i can do to mitigate the oil consumption in the future?

[GRRRR8]

This is not a job for a do-it-yourselfer. The price is in line with what most shop charge.

[norm8332]

How much is a used or salvage engine? Might want to check around.

[Struggle]

I know nothing of this engine but have to ask how much oil does it burn between changes?

How many mile between changes?

Sounds almost as bad of an engine as the Chrysler 2.7L