GM now saying to use 0w40 in 21-24 6.2L

[ARCOgraphite]

The connecting rods are Powdered Metal/Sinter Forged.....Automotive manufactures haven't used Cast Iron Rods in decades.

GM has been using PM rods since the mid 90's so this isn't new technology.

The GM Delco Gen 4 and the L87 rod (12641607) both appear to be cracked cap forged PM. If these part images are correct.
Cannot even see a registration/parting line.

Should NOT be an issue. Wonder if rod bolt torque or bolt issue? That sounds improbable also given the wide range of years and units. Also robot torque checking and reporting QC systems in place
Leaves us with Oil pressure and MOFT.

The L87 doesn't look good compared to the Gen 4 rod right below if I had to pick one.
Yes, I have Tinius testing eyes

Gen 4

L87 (below)

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Amazing. It's almost like thicker is better.

Our shop GMC 6.2 has 174K on it and runs like new on M1 0w20.
Just did belts, battery and Wp last month. Sample of one.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

A naturally aspirated DI engine isn't going to have lspi unless in extreme scenarios. It's usually the turbo that exacerbates the possibility of lspi.

My ford ecosport started having loud ping at throttle tip in this spring.
12.5:1 compression small n.a. engine in a 3500lb gross weight AWD Mini SUV running 87 octane.
ECU corrected that in 2 seconds. Maybe just engine control, not top ringland ash related. Lot of late fuel burn down around the top ring.
Better than early burn, I suppose. Ford OM state to use premium fuel if "a knocking sound from the engine is heard" Lol. It was a Ford Mazda 2 D.I. 2 liter.

 

[BrendanC]

My ford ecoport started having loud ping at throttle tip in this spring.
12.5:1 compression small n.a. engine in a 3500lb gross weight AWD Mini SUV running 87 octane.
ECU corrected that in 2 seconds. Maybe just engine control, not top ringland ash related. Lot of late fuel burn down around the top ring.
Better than early burn, I suppose. Ford OM state to use premium fuel if "a knocking sound from the engine is heard" Lol. It was a Ford Mazda 2 D.I. 2 liter.

compression ratio is very high for regular 87. probably should be running premium 93 in that.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

compression ratio is very high for regular 87. probably should be running premium 93 in that.

Typical for D.I. Most all recommend 87. It's gone.

Both Subaru in the driveway are 12.5:1 comp. too. 2 liter boxer D.I

I am missing that funny little Ford. More enjoyable than the dang Impreza. Bought stupid car due to Tarriff worries and my Ford warranty was about to up. I should know better by now.
Look for a 2025 Subaru for sale soon.

 

[PontiacHO]

Wondering if these 6.2 engines are spinning rod bearings, seizing that rod and then breaking it? Same could be said for a seized wrist pin although the piston would probably break first. Either way, engine ruined. They make excellent power for their displacement (without the aid of turbo - supercharger). They do require 93 octane so maybe spark knocking with 87 octane could be partly to blame….The 0w20 could be partly to blame for all the failed cam-lifters in the GM V8s too. I’ve probably said this before at some point but our first responder fleet used an “all fleet” 15w40 in everything to include the Fords that preached 5w20. Lost a few engines to extreme overheating and running into a flooded ditch and pond but never an oil related failure. Our Ford Fleet representative used to wag his finger in our faces about our oil of choice but after several years he learned that Ford’s excuse for using the lighter oil was due to tighter clearances was BS. Same goes for GM now. Got to love CAFE….

 

[userfriendly]

From the other thread on the topic:

Please note: GM dexos R engine oils meet or exceed the performance of GM dexos 2 and GM dexos 1 Gen 2 and Gen 3 oils and are backward compatible, therefore vehicles equipped with gasoline engines that used GM dexos 2, or GM dexos 1 Gen 2 or Gen 3 may use a GM dexos R licensed engine oil of the appropriate viscosity grade at their next oil change.

Licensed dexos®R brands​

Mobil 1 Supercar	ExxonMobil Oil Corporation	dexos™R	0W-40	DR40FADA015
Mobil 1 Supercar	ExxonMobil Oil Corporation	dexos™R	5W-50	DR40JADH015
Mobil 1 FS	ExxonMobil Oil Corporation	dexos™R	0W-40	DR40FAGD817
MOBIL 1 ESP X4 0W40	ExxonMobil Oil Corporation	dexos™R	0W-40	DR40FBGD817
Mobil 1	ExxonMobil Oil Corporation	dexos™R	0W-40

Any 0W40 that passes API SQ should do.
Like others posting, I’ve been using xW40s in everything for decades.
CRAs are in Congress now and waiting to be voted on. Soon if not already, CAFE may be a thing of the past.

 

[JavierH19]

My ford ecosport started having loud ping at throttle tip in this spring.
12.5:1 compression small n.a. engine in a 3500lb gross weight AWD Mini SUV running 87 octane.
ECU corrected that in 2 seconds. Maybe just engine control, not top ringland ash related. Lot of late fuel burn down around the top ring.
Better than early burn, I suppose. Ford OM state to use premium fuel if "a knocking sound from the engine is heard" Lol. It was a Ford Mazda 2 D.I. 2 liter.

12.5 is naturally very high for 87. Toyota and others do have high compression Atkinson cycle engines that run 87 and it's usually their hybrids. I have heard of there being direct injection tricks where it can spray multiple times instead of once in an effort to reduce that. I also think there's something called open valve injection which Ford did in some of their engines along with further adjusting timing for those engines. It is possible to run 87 octane and not have issues with higher compression if you're driving it normally and not flooring it but it gets very tricky. The bore and stroke, piston and intake design has to be refined along with the software. I recall hearing something about how some fuel injection computers weren't fast enough to prevent knock and other things or having intermittent software hiccups but not in fords I think it was for fca.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Wondering if these 6.2 engines are spinning rod bearings, seizing that rod and then breaking it? Same could be said for a seized wrist pin although the piston would probably break first. Either way, engine ruined. They make excellent power for their displacement (without the aid of turbo - supercharger). They do require 93 octane so maybe spark knocking with 87 octane could be partly to blame….The 0w20 could be partly to blame for all the failed cam-lifters in the GM V8s too. I’ve probably said this before at some point but our first responder fleet used an “all fleet” 15w40 in everything to include the Fords that preached 5w20. Lost a few engines to extreme overheating and running into a flooded ditch and pond but never an oil related failure. Our Ford Fleet representative used to wag his finger in our faces about our oil of choice but after several years he learned that Ford’s excuse for using the lighter oil was due to tighter clearances was BS. Same goes for GM now. Got to love CAFE….

Roller lifters have a limited life due to high speed. Also, if you float the lifter/valve regularly with factory springs you are pounding them.

I think good cooling from oil flow is a benefit, not viscosity.

Also rollers are very much subject to low materials quality.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Has the fact GM has issued a stop sale on these engines been posted here. I can't seem to find it? I don't want to start a new thread, but all I see here is the oil change recomendation?

https://www.gm-trucks.com/gm-l87-62...024-silverado-sierra-escalade-tahoe-suburban/

 

[ARCOgraphite]

12.5 is naturally very high for 87. Toyota and others do have high compression Atkinson cycle engines that run 87 and it's usually their hybrids. I have heard of there being direct injection tricks where it can spray multiple times instead of once in an effort to reduce that. I also think there's something called open valve injection which Ford did in some of their engines along with further adjusting timing for those engines.

Sounds absolutely nutty to me too, but that high comp is in every engine that is N.A. D.I these days from what I have read and owned and driven.

 

[JavierH19]

Wondering if these 6.2 engines are spinning rod bearings, seizing that rod and then breaking it? Same could be said for a seized wrist pin although the piston would probably break first. Either way, engine ruined. They make excellent power for their displacement (without the aid of turbo - supercharger). They do require 93 octane so maybe spark knocking with 87 octane could be partly to blame….The 0w20 could be partly to blame for all the failed cam-lifters in the GM V8s too. I’ve probably said this before at some point but our first responder fleet used an “all fleet” 15w40 in everything to include the Fords that preached 5w20. Lost a few engines to extreme overheating and running into a flooded ditch and pond but never an oil related failure. Our Ford Fleet representative used to wag his finger in our faces about our oil of choice but after several years he learned that Ford’s excuse for using the lighter oil was due to tighter clearances was BS. Same goes for GM now. Got to love CAFE….

I don't run 93 in my 6.2. I run 87 and when driving it normally it pretty much never knocks. I can only remember one single time I drove it where I heard knock but it was just one knock not multiple like when you're flooring it with old gas. The l86 6.2 has the same compression as the l87 but does say to use 87. I think running fresh gas helps. I usually get gas at Costco cause it's the closest so not only good quality but gets refilled constantly.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Has the fact GM has issued a stop sale on these engines been posted here. I can't seem to find it? I don't want to start a new thread, but all I see here is the oil change recomendation?

https://www.gm-trucks.com/gm-l87-62...024-silverado-sierra-escalade-tahoe-suburban/

It's in the TSB if I am reading your question correctly

 

[JavierH19]

Normally something like this would include an extended warranty for the engine. I wonder if they'll issue that later or if those that are out of warranty should do this before the recall expires.

 

[nthach]

Good to hear man. Do it and never look back. I honestly dont know why anyone with the Gen V didn't stick with 5W30. I know all of mine and everyone who would listen to me has never ran 0 20.

Was GM certified for years. I'll tell anyone. Do not run 20 in anything GM. Goes for the V6s and turbo 4s too.

Only things I would run 8/16/20 in are Hondas or Toyotas, maybe Subarus(definitely during warranty). And even so, I notice they run a bit smoother and quieter on 5W-30 API/ILSAC oils.

 

[BornSlippy]

Having a look around on the interwebz, it seems as though some of these engines are experiencing catastrophic failure with as low as a couple miles on the engine.

I'm all for running thicker oil, but I don't see how 0W-20 is grenading these engines in a couple miles.

 

[rijndael]

My friend has a Cadillac Escalade. His died on the highway last week. He was going 75 mph and it just cut off. All the dash lights came on. No sputtering no catastrophic sounds. It just shut off, and wouldn’t restart with the button. It needs a whole new engine, 2 1/2 month wait. 20K miles on it.

 

[4WD]

Have a buddy with a ZR2 - will tell him FS

 

[tcp71]

12.5 compression ratio should be fine on a modern DI engine with 87 octane. Mazda has been running 13 to 14:1 since 2012.

 

[burbguy82]

Oops. So much for CAFE and xw-20 oils protecting as good as thicker oils........... Not so in this application. Time to hide.

Yeah, I mean the proof is in the pudding.

The reason for this is "lack of propulsion"? LOL.

They are recommending this for some reason, if the change is in the oil, one has to assume that the issue was the oil to begin with.