BREAKING: GM is officially recalling the L87

[Vladimir2306]

With all due respect, I have never heard of an engine failing due to higher viscosity oil. I seriously doubt that the oil pump and other components will fail in time due to this thicker oil.

If that were to happen, then GM would be dumber than we thought. Because they would get hit with more lawsuits and perhaps another recall etc. I’m pretty sure they knew all along that running thicker oil was the way to go for the L87, but because of EPA regulations decided to spec the thinnest stuff they could for the sake of marginal fuel and emissions efficiency.

When using thicker oil, the problem with lifters returns, as it was on the L86. And yes, 0-40 oil does not protect against problems with the L87 engine, there are already broken engines on 0-40 oil.

 

[vcode]

When using thicker oil, the problem with lifters returns, as it was on the L86. And yes, 0-40 oil does not protect against problems with the L87 engine, there are already broken engines on 0-40 oil.

That is an interesting point. Does GM have any other engines that use 0W40 with DFM? As far as I know, both C7 and C8 Vettes use a version of AFM, not DFM. Not sure how closely related the 2 are.

 

[Lonny]

Just got back my Escalade ESV - passed the test, new cap, new 0w40 oil. The dealer left a service reminder sticker on the windshield saying the next oil change is in 10,000 miles. Can this be right?

 

[James Fagin]

Just got back my Escalade ESV - passed the test, new cap, new 0w40 oil. The dealer left a service reminder sticker on the windshield saying the next oil change is in 10,000 miles. Can this be right?

Wow on my 2022 Tahoe High Country that passed a few weeks ago my oil change sticker is for 5,000 miles so not sure wha to think about yours.

 

[jerry455]

The oil pump for a 2024 6.2 Camaro is the same part # as the 2021 Suburban 6.2. The Camaro uses 0W40 oil.

 

[Vladimir2306]

The oil pump for a 2024 6.2 Camaro is the same part # as the 2021 Suburban 6.2. The Camaro uses 0W40 oil.

The Camaro is not L87, there is an LT4 engine, these are different engines.

 

[jerry455]

They have the LT1 non supercharged 6.2 and the LT4 supercharged 6.2. The LT1 and L87 are very similar. They share most engine parts.

 

[blanchard7684]

They have the LT1 non supercharged 6.2 and the LT4 supercharged 6.2. The LT1 and L87 are very similar. They share most engine parts.

Weird how they spec'd 0w40...

 

[Vladimir2306]

They have the LT1 non supercharged 6.2 and the LT4 supercharged 6.2. The LT1 and L87 are very similar. They share most engine parts.

All cars have many common parts, but they are still all different)) so these engines have a similar volume, but different tasks, and different reliability.

 

[blanchard7684]

All cars have many common parts, but they are still all different)) so these engines have a similar volume, but different tasks, and different reliability.

https://www.holley.com/blog/post/everything_you_want_to_know_about_the_gm_gen_v_lt_engine/

The 6.2L L86 is very similar to the passenger car LT1 with the only real changes to the intake and exhaust. The truck engine employs a longer-runner intake manifold and deeper oil pan, but beneath the skin, the two engines are identical.

From another source.

Chevy LT Engines - The Ultimate Gen V Guide

With the buzz around Chevy LT Engines starting to gain momentum, we decided to put together the ultimate LT engine guide.

inthegaragemedia.com

L86/L87 6.2L V-8
Displacement (ci): 376
Bore x stroke (in.): 4.06 x 3.62
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Horsepower: 420 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 460 @ 4,100 rpm

The LT engine platform goes oversquare with the high-performance L86 and L87 variants. Similar to the L83 and L84 5.3L engines, these variants are essentially the same but with slight packaging differences depending on the vehicle generation. The L86 was used in the previous-generation Silverado 1500, Tahoe, and Suburban, while the L87 is used on the current-generation models. The oversquare dimensions mean a larger, 4.06-inch bore than the 3.62-inch stroke. Along with a half-point bump in compression, it contributes to greater high-rpm horsepower, which peaks at 420 at 5,600 rpm. Torque is strong, too, at 460 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm. The L86 and L87 are also very similar to the LT1 engine in the Camaro and C7 Corvette—they even share the same camshaft part number—but with a specific intake manifold and other variances to enhance lower-rpm torque production. Another win for the L86/L87 is a super-tough forged steel crankshaft.

LT1 6.2L V-8
Displacement (ci): 376
Bore x stroke (in.): 4.06 x 3.62
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Horsepower: 460 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 460 @ 4,100 rpm

Debuting in the C7 Corvette, followed shortly thereafter in the Gen 6 Camaro, the LT1 breathes deeper and revs higher than the L86/L87, pushing peak power up to 460 horses at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque (with an optional, lower-restriction exhaust system in the Corvette). It, too, has a forged steel crankshaft and its high-pressure, camshaft-driven, direct-injection fuel pump sends fuel to the injectors at 2,175 psi. Chevrolet Performance offers crate-engine version of the LT1 in conventional wet sump (Camaro) and dry-sump (Corvette) kits. The wet sump version is rated at 455 hp and 455 lb-ft.

 

[Vladimir2306]

They have the LT1 non supercharged 6.2 and the LT4 supercharged 6.2. The LT1 and L87 are very similar. They share most engine parts.

By the way, Escalade V, with an LT4 engine, breaks down in the same way as L87, on 0-40 oil
Mileage less than 4000 miles

 

[BacDoc]

Does the Escalade V have DFM? What oil is speced for that engine?

 

[vcode]

Does the Escalade V have DFM? What oil is speced for that engine?

No AFM or DFM. 0W40.

 

[West 1]

By the way, Escalade V, with an LT4 engine, breaks down in the same way as L87, on 0-40 oil
Mileage less than 4000 miles

What do the backs of those bearings look like, each side has information you need to examine. The bearings in that picture are not terrible, just some wear through the Tin Plate, tin plate is just a super thin protective coating, you can run the bearings with no tin plate and be fine. The circular marks in the tin plate do indicate you had less than clean oil in there. Small machining particles from the rebuild maybe? Still nothing major shown in the photos and I have examined thousands of bearings after engine tear down.

 

[Vladimir2306]

What do the backs of those bearings look like, each side has information you need to examine. The bearings in that picture are not terrible, just some wear through the Tin Plate, tin plate is just a super thin protective coating, you can run the bearings with no tin plate and be fine. The circular marks in the tin plate do indicate you had less than clean oil in there. Small machining particles from the rebuild maybe? Still nothing major shown in the photos and I have examined thousands of bearings after engine tear down.

This is a new engine, the oil has not even been changed from the factory. The products of this wear continue to work as an abrasive, scratching the bearings, crankshaft, and oil pump petals.

 

[blanchard7684]

What do the backs of those bearings look like, each side has information you need to examine. The bearings in that picture are not terrible, just some wear through the Tin Plate, tin plate is just a super thin protective coating, you can run the bearings with no tin plate and be fine. The circular marks in the tin plate do indicate you had less than clean oil in there. Small machining particles from the rebuild maybe? Still nothing major shown in the photos and I have examined thousands of bearings after engine tear down.

This is correct.

I'd also mention that the only thing a bit concerning in the bearing pictures is that the wear pattern changes-- some are more worn than the others. There could be a bunch of reasons for this outside of manufacturing.

However, these pictures don't represent in the slightest the catastrophic bearing failures that are subject to the recall.

 

[Vladimir2306]

This is correct.

I'd also mention that the only thing a bit concerning in the bearing pictures is that the wear pattern changes-- some are more worn than the others. There could be a bunch of reasons for this outside of manufacturing.

However, these pictures don't represent in the slightest the catastrophic bearing failures that are subject to the recall.

Give other reasons for the breakdown))) about 0-40 oil, it seems very clear to me, another engine. And such photos are not the only ones, we have many such photos and breakdowns of Escalade V, There are already breakdowns of L87 engines of 2025. There are also engines with 5-30 and 0-40 oil, and 0-20. That's why I say, as a factor that you add to the engine, and it eliminates the risk of engine breakdown, neither 0-40 works, from DFM deactivation.
so far from what is evident from observations, a clear factor. This is urban or highway operation. More precisely, active or quiet driving. If a person drives with the gas pedal to the floor, revving the engine to the red zone, then such engines break down much later than those who drive slowly, sluggishly moving from traffic light to traffic light. The latter break down right at 1-2-5-10 thousand miles. Rarely even reaching the first oil change.

 

[Vladimir2306]

On the topic of the oil pump, look, the guy took the pump apart and showed how it works. It has an interesting spring that, when the pressure is exceeded, closes the pump, reducing the main channel. Now let's imagine what will happen if we fill it with thicker oil 0-40?
The oil creates more pressure, the oil pump closes the main channel valve, supplying less oil to the engine. This means that by pouring 0-40 oil, you are creating oil starvation of the engine with your own hands, reducing the volume of oil supplied by the pump.

 

[jfoj]

Funny how GM is specing 0W49 for the same L87:s that have been recalled and other V8's in other models all with the same oil pump

No problems what so ever using 0W40 oil in these oil pumps. GM's biggest mistake is the 2 Stage oil pump still in the L87, the removed the 2 stage from the L84 which was wise. Same pump,no 2nd stage electrical control

The sad point is the 2nd stage is trigger based on RPM and not engine load, stupid design

 

[jfoj]

Just got back my Escalade ESV - passed the test, new cap, new 0w40 oil. The dealer left a service reminder sticker on the windshield saying the next oil change is in 10,000 miles. Can this be right?

Change the oil when the OLM hits 50%, typically around 3500-4000 miles is very wise