2023 Denali - looking to buy - what should I watch for at 42k miles?

[TahoeFL2017]

2023 Denali with 42k miles - what should I watch out for?

6.2 is running strong and still has 18k left on the powertrain warranty - should i assume I'm safe?

I'm coming out of a 5.3 Tahoe with 110k miles, but all I have heard is the issues with the 6.2

Appreciate all replies - bring it on!

Very likely I pull the trigger on this one today - one minor accident and 1 owner.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

The risk associated with the 6.2 motor is real, but there's an awful lot of 6.2's of that generation out there running without any issues. So, do you feel lucky?

If the service records are available and look good, that is a good sign.

Is this a standard or an XL Denali?

Let's see if any actual '23 Denali owners will post their own experiences with this model/year truck.

 

[TahoeFL2017]

The risk associated with the 6.2 motor is real, but there's an awful lot of 6.2's of that generation out there running without any issues. So, do you feel lucky?

If the service records are available and look good, that is a good sign.

Is this a standard or an XL Denali?

Let's see if any actual '23 Denali owners will post their own experiences with this model/year truck.

Not an XL, has 42k on the engine so that makes me feel somewhat confident.

Are all the 6.2's running heavier oil, or just the affected ones?

I have heard about the issue, but not scared of it unless there's definitely issues with ALL of them - anyone wanna chime in?

 

[Antonm]

Are all the 6.2's running heavier oil, or just the affected ones?

I have heard about the issue, but not scared of it unless there's definitely issues with ALL of them - anyone wanna chime in?

GM is only recommending the heavier oil in the affected ones after a PICO test. All 6.2's outside the window are still being recommend to run the thin 0W20 oil.

There is debate on why that is and what is best for engine longevity. I suggest you do a little reading around the internet as there is plenty of discussions /arguments already going on about the topic.

As for "ALL" of them being affected, no,,, its not all of them. GM was having their crankshafts made at two different locations (one location in Mexico and one in the US), the location in Mexico was making far more (last I read was 80%-ish of the total crankshafts produced came from the Mexican plant).

From what GM is saying, all the defective crankshafts identified came out of the Mexican plant but its only a small percentage (GM says 3%, but that number is also being questioned) that have the defect.

So, according to GM at least, 97% of all 6.2's are defect free (anecdotal evidence from various places doing some data mining suggests the number is closer to a 6% failure rate, meaning that 94% are still okay, but we'll likely never know the real numbers).
...

 

[TahoeFL2017]

Thank for the detailed reply, it is appreciated - going at 2pm and very likely i'll drive off with it.

Never owned a 6.2 but already love the power from my limited drive around the dealership lot - closing time so didn't keep the guy late.

Can a Cadillac dealer do CPO on this truck?

Or is there a dealership that sells warranties at volume that will give me a deal?

I seem to remember posts about buying the warranty from some dealers that sell them to whoever - if anyone can chime in it's appreciated.

 

[Fless]

GM is only recommending the heavier oil in the ones that fail the PICO test.

Don't the engines that fail the PICO test get replaced? And use 0W20 oil?

The ones that pass the PICO test don't get replaced but get the heavier oil, right?

Or do I have it backwards?

 

[Antonm]

Don't the engines that fail the PICO test get replaced? And use 0W20 oil?

The ones that pass the PICO test don't get replaced but get the heavier oil, right?

Or do I have it backwards?

No you are correct, I made a typo (I'll edit the original post for clarity). PICO failures get a new engine, PICO pass get 0W40. Outside recall window 6.2's still get 0W20 (or at least GM is still recommending 0W20 in those anyway).
...

 

[GMCnewbee]

Which is really the question, has your vehicle had the PICO test? The Dealer should be able to tell you, and I would think you would get the test under warranty(?) No harm in asking right?

Anyway, our 2022 Denali just passed the test and is now running the 0W-40 oil. All done under warranty, and now with an extended engine crankshaft and rod bearing warranty.

 

[TahoeFL2017]

Anyone else underwhelmed after coming from a 5.3 to a 6.2?

I felt a difference but not enough to care - I'll probably get arguments here but i could barely tell

Just drove 5.3 in a 2023 last week, and for a little less power, I'm leaning towards the 5.3 now.

 

[Antonm]

and for a little less power, I'm leaning towards the 5.3 now.

Probably the wiser decision to got with the 5.3 at this point in time.

On the flip side, wise decision's rarely result in much fun being had (at least when it come to cars anyway).
...

 

[Bigburb3500]

Anyone else underwhelmed after coming from a 5.3 to a 6.2?

I felt a difference but not enough to care - I'll probably get arguments here but i could barely tell

Just drove 5.3 in a 2023 last week, and for a little less power, I'm leaning towards the 5.3 now.

When I was test driving last yr I THINK I remember there being a big sound difference that made me like the 6.2 over 5.3. The gearing makes the biggest of difference.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Probably the wiser decision to got with the 5.3 at this point in time.

On the flip side, wise decision's rarely result in much fun being had (at least when it come to cars anyway).
...

Side note, have a friend that the 5.3 exploded due to oil starvation. It’s consuming oil… didn’t know that was a thing but it’s almost out of warranty and dealership is giving them a run around that a qt/week is “normal”… found that super strange because that’s not normal.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Side note, have a friend that the 5.3 exploded due to oil starvation. It’s consuming oil… didn’t know that was a thing but it’s almost out of warranty and dealership is giving them a run around that a qt/week is “normal”… found that super strange because that’s not normal.

That's right, 5.3 also eats oil, and you need to keep an eye on it too.

 

[TahoeFL2017]

I have a 2025 2wd Tahoe 5.3 rental with 30k miles - because my Tahoe got hit my a cyclist ( senior citizen on an E-Trike rammed my door - only in Florida!)

I swear this truck is faster or equally as fast as the Denali 6.2 I drove yesterday, which was a 4x4 and higher miles , 42k

Honestly surprised how quick it is in sport mode - so I'm definitely doing the 5.3.

 

[RST Dana]

I have a 2025 2wd Tahoe 5.3 rental with 30k miles - because my Tahoe got hit my a cyclist ( senior citizen on an E-Trike rammed my door - only in Florida!)

I swear this truck is faster or equally as fast as the Denali 6.2 I drove yesterday, which was a 4x4 and higher miles , 42k

Honestly surprised how quick it is in sport mode - so I'm definitely doing the 5.3.

Easy now. Us 6.2 pilots drank the coolaid and unless your 5.3 has some extra added toys, we would be obliged to give you go…..

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Are we comparing apples to apples here, except for the motor? I'll be that the answer is no. Gearing differences come to mind, for one item.

 

[RST Dana]

Are we comparing apples to apples here, except for the motor? I'll be that the answer is no. Gearing differences come to mind, for one item.

Are you saying that rental is going to have 4.11 gears? Lol

 

[TahoeFL2017]

2025 2wd in sport mode, just seems quicker.

To be fair, the Denali 6.2 has some detonation - mild but it was there - so the dealer may have filled it with 87 octane, almost certainly, because it was pinging under load

So based on how how much better my personal 5.3 runs on E85, it could very well be the engine holding back on crap fuel.

My 5.3 is a beast on E85 and a lot slower on 87, with pings under load in the Florida heat running Costco cheap 87 fuel.

So the 6.2 might have been dialed back from the detonation.

 

[RST Dana]

2025 2wd in sport mode, just seems quicker.

To be fair, the Denali 6.2 has some detonation - mild but it was there - so the dealer may have filled it with 87 octane, almost certainly, because it was pinging under load

So based on how how much better my personal 5.3 runs on E85, it could very well be the engine holding back on crap fuel.

My 5.3 is a beast on E85 and a lot slower on 87, with pings under load in the Florida heat running Costco cheap 87 fuel.

So the 6.2 might have been dialed back from the detonation.

Sounds like it for sure. Dealers only care about the fuel gage level and not what’s going in it.

 

[ivin74]

Anyone else underwhelmed after coming from a 5.3 to a 6.2?

I felt a difference but not enough to care - I'll probably get arguments here but i could barely tell

Just drove 5.3 in a 2023 last week, and for a little less power, I'm leaning towards the 5.3 now.

Fyi, the 6.2 uses premium fuel.