GM just recalled the 6.2L L87 for most of it's vehicles from 2021 to 2024. Clearly there is a mechanical/engineering problem that makes these thing spin rod bearings and quickly grenades the engine.
GM in their acknowledgement letter to their dealers and customers states that the fix for no-compromised engines (i.e., those without signs of mechanical failure or excessive metal in the oil) should switch from 0W-20 to 0W-40 oil. -- Can you see the idiocy in this recommendation?
Don't address the real mechanical issue, but rather put a 0W-40 oil based band aid on it for a few more years until the engine is out of warranty and then wash your hands of the problem.
The good folks that bought these late model disasters should organize a Class Action lawsuit and go after GM like rabid dogs. These vehicles were already having HUGE problems with faulty fuel pump modules and cylinder deactivation system issues (Active Fuel Management and the newer Dynamic Fuel Management). This fix is just an insult to their customer base.
It's ironic that the most reliable engine that GM now offers in many of these vehicles is the turbo chargerd 2.7L four cylinder L3B.
My suggestions: Stick with your older cars and give a finger to all the current cars coming from all the major manufacturers. The only standout I see that's actually worth a damn is Mazda.
They actually approached a friend of mine to be a plaintiff in a class action. His was older then they were going for , but had less then 30K and looked like it drove off the showroom floor. GM/dealer agreed to replace the motor (believe he knows someone higher up), and it was over six months, and he found a dealer in Texas that had six motors, did some talking with GM, so his "delayed" motor would go to the one in Texas and they would ship that motor up here, to replace his.
They did and two weeks later, the new motor became a grenade, back to square one.
Quote from: AbiggerGarage on Apr 29, 2025, 08:57 AMThey actually approached a friend of mine to be a plaintiff in a class action. His was older then they were going for , but had less then 30K and looked like it drove off the showroom floor. GM/dealer agreed to replace the motor (believe he knows someone higher up), and it was over six months, and he found a dealer in Texas that had six motors, did some talking with GM, so his "delayed" motor would go to the one in Texas and they would ship that motor up here, to replace his.
They did and two weeks later, the new motor became a grenade, back to square one.
That's absolutely ridiculous -- your buddy must really be torqued at GM. I'd gladly join a CAL if I had one of these monstrosities.
So what's the base line problem with the 6.2L? I always heard the Active Fuel Management was what caused these motors to grenade, which made sense to me. I know of a company fleet that had such a hard time with these motors they switch to Dodge trucks.
Quote from: Highland512 on Apr 30, 2025, 04:35 AMSo what's the base line problem with the 6.2L? I always heard the Active Fuel Management was what caused these motors to grenade, which made sense to me. I know of a company fleet that had such a hard time with these motors they switch to Dodge trucks.
Rainman Ray's channel reported that it's an engineering flaw in the wrist pin. Apparently the #3 cylinder wrist pin retainer clips are failing and therefore the load on the piston and the rod shifts to one side causing an uneven load on the rod bearing. If it gets bad enough the bearing fails, spins on the crankshaft and grenades the piston and shaft.
The "inspection" that GM dealers are supposed to do is to see if there is a specific engine code present and also if there's any bearing material in the oil or the filter. If so, the engine qualifies for a short block. If there is no bearing material present and no code, then all they do is change the oil to 0W-40, give you a new oil filler cap (that is inscribed with the new oil viscosity), and they add an addendum to your owner's manual.
The BIG elephant in the room is whether or not GM actually re-engineered that wrist pin issue? The evidence suggests that they're just replacing the grenaded blocks with the same parts in the short block.
Just kickin' the can down the road because you don't get a new full warranty with the new short block. You get a mileage warranty that is left over from your old broken engine.
GM is just a terrible company these days. Mary Barra will go down as one of the worst Chairman in GM history -- she's worse than Roger Smith was back in the early 1980s.
Found this video:
https://youtu.be/CnF5SFcgxJc?si=ZsHbZ3iTQcROzHGO
Great video! Thanks for posting that. Bottom line: There's a problem with the wrist pin design. Most likely the retaining clip grooves get compromised and break. I'm guessing GM tried to save a few ounces of weight by reducing the piston skirt thickness and in so doing they didn't leave enough meat on the piston to properly retain the wrist pin retainer clip.
Like Toyota, Ford, Stellantis, and a host of other manufacturers, GM is losing customers left and right. Not even long-time GM fans (like myself) will trust their product designs from here on out.
I think in 2025 the only car makers that really have a lock on middle class consumer value are TESLA and Mazda. Subaru may also qualify, but I know their CVTs are also having issues.