BREAKING: GM is officially recalling the L87

[Silverado4x4]

It is very strange for me that even in the USA it is difficult to order an engine. In Russia there are no problems with this at all. Yes, it is more expensive. But 4 weeks, and I will have a new engine. They actually found one in stock in Russia. and they installed the engine in 2 days it was already in the service, ready for disassembly, inspection and modification.

I would think because there are way more Tahoes and Yukons with the 6.2 motors here in the States then in Russia so stock for 6.2 motors is more available in Russia then here.

 

[Vladimir2306]

If the crankpins (more commonly referred to as the connecting rod journal of the crankshaft) are not properly hardened, then thicker oil absolutely would make the engine last longer as metal on metal contact with non-hardened steel would cause near instantaneous damage.

Obviously the real right answer would be to replace the crankshaft with one that has been properly heat treated/ hardened (of course), but if you have a crankshaft with soft metal journals, then thicker oil will allow that bad crankshaft to last longer than if using a thinner oil.

GM would know this and is perhaps why they are recommending the thicker oil, to get soft metal crankshafts pasted the warranty period (just a theory, but its plausible).
...

You know, in contrast, I can say this. We have a lot of cars that have changed the connecting rod bearings, not the crankshaft, and are running at 0-20. There are some with 50 thousand miles on the clock, on the other hand, and my example, where up to 75 thousand miles there was nothing, no shavings, no metal in the filter, and then everything suddenly happened. It seems to me that if there was wear on the crankshaft, then most likely we would see shavings.

 

[Antonm]

You know, in contrast, I can say this. We have a lot of cars that have changed the connecting rod bearings, not the crankshaft, and are running at 0-20. There are some with 50 thousand miles on the clock, on the other hand, and my example, where up to 75 thousand miles there was nothing, no shavings, no metal in the filter, and then everything suddenly happened. It seems to me that if there was wear on the crankshaft, then most likely we would see shavings.

There is no use case, no set of engine operating conditions, and no environmental condition in which an 0W20 oil protects the engine better than a 0W40 oil, not a single one. In every case the 0W40 oil is at least as good or better than a similarly formulated 0W20.

The only downsides to running an 0W40 oil vice an 0W20 oil is that the oil itself costs slightly more, and in theory at least, there should a be slight hit to fuel economy (although if there is a fuel economy penalty I haven't noticed it).

If everything in the engine is working perfectly, and no abnormal usage is taking place (i.e. towing at 100mph) then yes, an 0W20 oil is sufficient (barley, but sufficient) and one could argue that using 0W40 oil is a waste of money. But the potential waste of money on overkill is the one and only negative argument that can be legitimately made about using 0W40 oil over a 0W20.
...

 

[0x_2a]

Hey folks, giving an update after my recall replacement 5/30/25.

Photo of first oil change at 2K miles. Chunky glitter!

 

[Vladimir2306]

There is no use case, no set of engine operating conditions, and no environmental condition in which an 0W20 oil protects the engine better than a 0W40 oil, not a single one. In every case the 0W40 oil is at least as good or better than a similarly formulated 0W20.

The only downsides to running an 0W40 oil vice an 0W20 oil is that the oil itself costs slightly more, and in theory at least, there should a be slight hit to fuel economy (although if there is a fuel economy penalty I haven't noticed it).

If everything in the engine is working perfectly, and no abnormal usage is taking place (i.e. towing at 100mph) then yes, an 0W20 oil is sufficient (barley, but sufficient) and one could argue that using 0W40 oil is a waste of money. But the potential waste of money on overkill is the one and only negative argument that can be legitimately made about using 0W40 oil over a 0W20.
...

You know, I disagree. We already have several cars in the group with 6.2 engines and two 5.3, which used thicker oil, and after 100 thousand km they had problems with lifters, like on 6.2 engines of the 4th generation. 5.3 got this problem on 5-30 oil, two pieces. and several on the 6.2 engine with oil index 40.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Hey folks, giving an update after my recall replacement 5/30/25.

Photo of first oil change at 2K miles. Chunky glitter!

View attachment 463188

Did they change your engine during the recall?

 

[jfoj]

That appears to be the 3rd engine that 0x_2a has had in his vehicle. I believe this should be a build after the July 1, 2024 magic fix date.

A lot of metal in the pan, I hope he has the oil filter and can cut this open for inspection as well.

2023 L87 New Motor. How does this cylinder sound?

I put a remote-mic on the oil dipstick close to cylinder 4 (passenger side, second from front) and drove around the neighborhood. Compare with the rest of the engine 10 seconds in, when AFM shuts off the cylinder. How does it sound to you?

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Antonm]

You know, I disagree. We already have several cars in the group with 6.2 engines and two 5.3, which used thicker oil, and after 100 thousand km they had problems with lifters, like on 6.2 engines of the 4th generation. 5.3 got this problem on 5-30 oil, two pieces. and several on the 6.2 engine with oil index 40.

And you base your disagreement off what exactly???? Your feelings?What the fortune teller told you? Your horoscope?

Because there is no basis in fact for thinking there is a situation where an 0w20 oil protects the engine better than an 0w40 oil.

More expensive, sure, worse gas mileage, yeap, but equal or better in every way as far as wear protection of oil lubricated parts goes.
…

 

[Vladimir2306]

And you base your disagreement off what exactly???? Your feelings?What the fortune teller told you? Your horoscope?

Because there is no basis in fact for thinking there is a situation where an 0w20 oil protects the engine better than an 0w40 oil.

More expensive, sure, worse gas mileage, yeap, but equal or better in every way as far as wear protection of oil lubricated parts goes.
…

The thing is that in the situation with L87, 0-40 oil does not help, in any way at all. They also fail, breaking the liners and crankshaft. At the same time, thicker oil creates other problems. Do not look for the cause in the oil, change the liners, and drive further calmly on oil 0-20.

 

[Silverado4x4]

Lake Speed Jr explains why 0w40 should not be used in Direct injection engines.

 

[vcode]

And you base your disagreement off what exactly???? Your feelings?What the fortune teller told you? Your horoscope?

Because there is no basis in fact for thinking there is a situation where an 0w20 oil protects the engine better than an 0w40 oil.

More expensive, sure, worse gas mileage, yeap, but equal or better in every way as far as wear protection of oil lubricated parts goes.
…

Just because the oil may spec out better doesn't mean it will actually perform better in real life. Show me documented proof of identically prepared 5.3l or 6.2l engines tested under identical lab conditions that conclusively proves engines run significantly longer on 0W40. GM has produced millions of V-8 engines for over a decade now spec'd with 0W20 oil with few issues, proving it is just fine in real life applications. Manufacturing issues are causing the current issues, not the oil.

 

[jfoj]

Lake Speed Jr explains why 0w40 should not be used in Direct injection engines.

Need to be careful, this video is almost 3 years old. A lot has changed with the oil formulations recently.

I think the title should be more about running an oil with too high a Calcium level should be avoided in DI engines regardless of Viscosity.

 

[Antonm]

Lake Speed Jr explains why 0w40 should not be used in Direct injection engines.

If you think that’s what the take away from that video is then you either need to watch it again or understand it better, because that’s not remotely even close , he was talking about additive packages, specifically detergent additive.
..

 

[Antonm]

Just because the oil may spec out better doesn't mean it will actually perform better in real life. Show me documented proof of identically prepared 5.3l or 6.2l engines tested under identical lab conditions that conclusively proves engines run significantly longer on 0W40. GM has produced millions of V-8 engines for over a decade now spec'd with 0W20 oil with few issues, proving it is just fine in real life applications. Manufacturing issues are causing the current issues, not the oil.

Those post has been edited by Staff. Name calling and personal attacks are not allowed on this forum.

 

[Fless]

Okay, can I review your documented proof about two identical prepared engines first.

You think you sound smart by asking for the results of a specific experiment that no has, or ever will, conduct. But really it just shows what a dumb ass you in that you can’t grasp back 101 level concepts.

Also, your small brain is even arguing against points that are never made. No where was the statement made “engines run significantly longer “ that’s just you trying to words in my mouth. I’ve repeatedly said 0w20 oil is adequate if everything is perfect, barely adequate but adequate. 0w40 oil provides a buffer of protection for when things aren’t perfect ( like say you get a little to much fuel dilution in your oil) , but unknowing dumbass keyboard warriors like you are just to stupid to actually read and understand what is written, so you add in your own points to argue against.
…

Time to stop the name-calling. Feel free to discuss, argue, or the like, but the personal attacks are not appropriate on the forum. Let's keep it civil and interactive without attacking members.

 

[AEHaas]

"There is no use case, no set of engine operating conditions, and no environmental condition in which an 0W20 oil protects the engine better than a 0W40 oil, not a single one. In every case the 0W40 oil is at least as good or better than a similarly formulated 0W20.

The only downsides to running an 0W40 oil vice an 0W20 oil is that the oil itself costs slightly more, and in theory at least, there should a be slight hit to fuel economy (although if there is a fuel economy penalty I haven't noticed it).

If everything in the engine is working perfectly, and no abnormal usage is taking place (i.e. towing at 100mph) then yes, an 0W20 oil is sufficient (barley, but sufficient) and one could argue that using 0W40 oil is a waste of money. But the potential waste of money on overkill is the one and only negative argument that can be legitimately made about using 0W40 oil over a 0W20."

Not so. If you read my original chapters on the use of thin oils in high performance engines you will learn something.

Ali Haas

 

[blanchard7684]

Any discussion about engine oil that doesn’t at least superficially reference sommerfeld number and stribeck curve is doa.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Okay, can I review your documented proof about two identical prepared engines first.

You think you sound smart by asking for the results of a specific experiment that no has, or ever will, conduct. But really it just shows what a dumb ass you in that you can’t grasp back 101 level concepts.

Also, your small brain is even arguing against points that are never made. No where was the statement made “engines run significantly longer “ that’s just you trying to words in my mouth. I’ve repeatedly said 0w20 oil is adequate if everything is perfect, barely adequate but adequate. 0w40 oil provides a buffer of protection for when things aren’t perfect ( like say you get a little to much fuel dilution in your oil) , but unknowing dumbass keyboard warriors like you are just to stupid to actually read and understand what is written, so you add in your own points to argue against.
…

When a person has no arguments for his words, he always resorts to rudeness and insults.

 

[07Burb]

All, I've edited the rude reply post and given the user a warning. Let this be a reminder to all of us that we do not allow name calling or personal attacks on this forum. We give one warning and if the issue persists then the offender is no longer allowed here on TYF. We're all adults so let's continue to conduct ourselves as such.

Thanks

 

[OR VietVet]

All, I've edited the rude reply post and given the user a warning. Let this be a reminder to all of us that we do not allow name calling or personal attacks on this forum. We give one warning and if the issue persists then the offender is no longer allowed here on TYF. We're all adults so let's continue to conduct ourselves as such.

Thanks

If you'd like, I can give on line forum etiquette classes.......