BREAKING: GM is officially recalling the L87

[BacDoc]

2023 High Country

I’ve read every post in this thread and need some help thinking through the potential remedy. I understand engine basics but am nowhere near as knowledgeable as many of you, so I’m seeking some input.

When notified I’ll take the Tahoe into the dealership for the inspection. If they identify the failed part, I’ll get in line for a replacement engine. If they do not identify a faulty part then I get different oil, a new oil cap, and an extended warranty. The piece I’m struggling with is the timing of the test. If my engine passes the test on inspection day, how can GM be sure the potential faulty part won’t fail in 10 miles or 30,000 miles down the road? I understand that’s part of the reason for the extended warranty, but it does not alleviate my concerns or fear of being stranded on a remote highway/road. I live in the Pacific NW and frequently travel over mountain passes with limited shoulder space. If the engine loses propulsion and I have to pull over in the pass, then part of Tahoe will be in the road (especially in winter when the shoulders are covered in snow banks), presenting a dangerous situation for approaching traffic (forward and rear).

I guess I’m curious if I’m contemplating this risk correctly? Just because my engine passes inspection that day, am I really any “safer” than I was the before the test?

This is exactly what most of us need to worry about. The motor or transmission failing, inconvenience of being without the truck - all of this is secondary to our lives and safety!

As usual the true winner in this situation is the attorney who initiates the wrongful death or personal injury suit. It’s too bad these defective products get out there but GM is literally digging their own grave. No question about liability and they should do what other manufacturers like Toyota have done, just recall and replace engines.

 

[blanchard7684]

2023 High Country

I’ve read every post in this thread and need some help thinking through the potential remedy. I understand engine basics but am nowhere near as knowledgeable as many of you, so I’m seeking some input.

When notified I’ll take the Tahoe into the dealership for the inspection. If they identify the failed part, I’ll get in line for a replacement engine. If they do not identify a faulty part then I get different oil, a new oil cap, and an extended warranty. The piece I’m struggling with is the timing of the test. If my engine passes the test on inspection day, how can GM be sure the potential faulty part won’t fail in 10 miles or 30,000 miles down the road? I understand that’s part of the reason for the extended warranty, but it does not alleviate my concerns or fear of being stranded on a remote highway/road. I live in the Pacific NW and frequently travel over mountain passes with limited shoulder space. If the engine loses propulsion and I have to pull over in the pass, then part of Tahoe will be in the road (especially in winter when the shoulders are covered in snow banks), presenting a dangerous situation for approaching traffic (forward and rear).

I guess I’m curious if I’m contemplating this risk correctly? Just because my engine passes inspection that day, am I really any “safer” than I was the before the test?

Yes there is some "tail risk" here.

The test is only going to indicate if the engine is in the early or incipient stages of bearing failure. It is a way to tell if the bearings are heavily stressed before the engine seizes.

Assuming your crankshaft and connecting rods are in the realm of defective units, there could be incipient damage that will take some time to progress to failure point. The pico test won't be able to pick this up.

0w40 in this specific engine can greatly reduce the progression of the damage.

 

[Vladimir2306]

No one can be SURE. GM is willing to use 0W40, which will offer some extra protection in exchange for 2MpG.
Your concerns cannot be COMPLETELY alleviated, they can only be mitigated.

Would not be surprised if an unusually (embarrassingly) high number of L87s fail between 150,001 & 200,000 miles ...

I am currently driving on 0-40 oil, I understand that the engine is new, I understand that the oil is thicker, but fuel consumption has increased significantly. 2MPG, is this in the city or in highway mode?

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

Hello!!!! Please forgive me I have not read this whole thread but have a question on warranty for the experts here:

I have a ‘21 Tahoe and a ‘21 Silverado, both with 6.2s and have had zero problems, but am concerned obviously. With the new extended warranty being issued for rods, I assume we will get coverage for lifters by default? It would be a standard powertrain warranty that would cover all lubricated parts just like the regular pt warranty? Not limited to just rod/bearing issues?

My wife’s Tahoe is at 58k and my Silverado is at 91k….a pt warranty to 150k would drastically alter when I replace these trucks. Thanks in advance!!

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Hello!!!! Please forgive me I have not read this whole thread but have a question on warranty for the experts here:

I have a ‘21 Tahoe and a ‘21 Silverado, both with 6.2s and have had zero problems, but am concerned obviously. With the new extended warranty being issued for rods, I assume we will get coverage for lifters by default? It would be a standard powertrain warranty that would cover all lubricated parts just like the regular pt warranty? Not limited to just rod/bearing issues?

My wife’s Tahoe is at 58k and my Silverado is at 91k….a pt warranty to 150k would drastically alter when I replace these trucks. Thanks in advance!!

We wont know until we see it in print from GM.

 

[mummer43]

I have a bit of a dillemma. I’m due for an oil change, which I would have to pay for. My Yukon is not up for the recall yet and I don’t know if I should have the oil changed or wait for the recall which basically included a free oil change. For what it’s worth my app says I am at 18% oil life.

 

[2017sltXL]

No one can be SURE. GM is willing to use 0W40, which will offer some extra protection in exchange for 2MpG.
Your concerns cannot be COMPLETELY alleviated, they can only be mitigated.

Would not be surprised if an unusually (embarrassingly) high number of L87s fail between 150,001 & 200,000 miles ...

I'm a little surprised that switching to 0W40 would make that large a difference in mpg unless it was combined with disabling the DFM?

 

[jfoj]

I am currently driving on 0-40 oil, I understand that the engine is new, I understand that the oil is thicker, but fuel consumption has increased significantly. 2MPG, is this in the city or in highway mode?

Not sure where anyone came up with a 2 MPG hit running 0W40 vs. 0W20.

This was just one trip with the 0W40 and there was a bit of stop and go driving in this average.

This is also with the Auto Stop/Start and DFM disabled!

 

[the 18th letter]

Not sure where anyone came up with a 2 MPG hit running 0W40 vs. 0W20.

This was just one trip with the 0W40 and there was a bit of stop and go driving in this average.

View attachment 457829

Post your mileage before the switch if you are implying you didn’t lose 2mpg with the switch.

 

[JTGZ71]

I have a bit of a dillemma. I’m due for an oil change, which I would have to pay for. My Yukon is not up for the recall yet and I don’t know if I should have the oil changed or wait for the recall which basically included a free oil change. For what it’s worth my app says I am at 18% oil life.

Not that I have anymore information than anyone else, but I would say, don't wait for the "free" oil change. If GM starts sending out letters in early to mid June, that is still at least a couple weeks from now. And I think some have said on here that it likely will happen in waves (ranges of VINs or however GM will do it), so it may not mean that you get a letter Day 1 and will be able to immediately bring it in for inspection. Seems like this will take some time. In my opinion, better to care for your vehicle now the best you can.