2025 Chevy Tahoe 6.2L - metal in factory oil filter

[wwillson]

This 2025 Chevy Tahoe was built in April of 2025, well past the June 1, 2024 date that GM says they fixed the manufacturing problems with the 6.2L gas motor. I changed the factory oil and filter a while ago, cut the filter and let it drain. The factory oil and filter had 2,000 miles when changed. Always cut the element out of your filters, as you get a lot of insights to what might be going on in your engine.

The below pictures of the factory AC-Delco filter element cut out of the filter and stretched out to get good pictures. I will keep this element as long as I have this vehicle, just in case. To me the amount of metal in the filter is disappointing and hopefully it isn't a sign of trouble. Time will tell.

 

[Toyotech454]

I don't know I would be worried too much, the volume of metal pieces isnt alarming, the large size of some of them are pretty unusual though. I'll try to remember to save filters to cut open from work from first services, it would be good to have more for comparison on this board.

 

[AZjeff]

Not again.

 

[Patman]

Oh oh

 

[mrsilv04]

Yikes. That's enough to make me want that first oil change at 1000 miles.

 

[walterjay]

That seems like a lot of metal.

 

[Zee09]

I wouldn't be happy with that.
I never owned a vehicle that did that...

 

[Gasbuggy]

Get the extended warranty

 

[Zee09]

Yikes. That's enough to make me want that first oil change at 1000 miles.

More like 100 miles

 

[BobsArmory]

I wouldn't be to worried at this moment. I have found metal in the first oil change and the car ran great for years after. Here is a big chunk I found. Scared the daylights out of me

 

[redhat]

I did not see any metal on the L84 5.3 filters I opened at 500mi and 2,500mi. I am starting to think the 5.3 is the sweetheart of the bunch.

 

[4WD]

I did not see any metal on the L84 5.3 filters I opened at 500mi and 2,500mi. I am starting to think the 5.3 is the sweetheart of the bunch.

I’m on my 4th and 5th 5.3L … no issues with any of them …
Have always done an early change - 500 to 1000 miles …

 

[wwillson]

I’m on my 4th and 5th 5.3L … no issues with any of them …
Have always done an early change - 500 to 1000 miles …

Did you cut the element out of the filter and check for metal?

 

[dnewton3]

Generally, it's not uncommon to see some break-in and machining remnants in the first FCI. Though I must admit that's the most I've seen in a filter in a long time.

I have to wonder, if that's what was caught by the filter, what didn't get caught? Where else has it accumulated? How much and how large is the stuff at the sump pickup tube screen? What got ground up by the pump? I'm not saying I have the answers; only curiosity about what's going on in there.

 

[Egg_Head]

Putting in a magnetic drain plug may catch more product if that is a concern.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

That's a fairly big engine, so I would expect some machining leftovers. Do a few more short mileage OCI's and see if it clears it. Apples to oranges example here : The oil in my new Briggs riding mower looked liked it had someone dump tons of metal into the oil. 3 - OCI's later, it cleared up.

 

[Randol]

I've never examined a filter to the extent you have so I don't have a feel for what would be normal for a new engine.

 

[4WD]

Did you cut the element out of the filter and check for metal?

Have cut cans on all of my filters for over a decade - but I just generally use a finger and a flashlight - have spotted very little of what you found …

 

[4WD]

Putting in a magnetic drain plug may catch more product if that is a concern.

Yep, that’s what you want - the aluminum will do less damage …

 

[tblt44]

Manufacturering left over metal.
That's why we have oil filters