GM's OLM monitor malfunctions

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Originally Posted By: Durango
Hello to you all,

My brother received a post card in the mail indicating that GM's OLM monitors can malfunction indicating an OCI much later than what is recommended for his Cadillac CTS. They now want him to bring his car in to the dealership so they electronically adjust down the OLM monitor.

Since I use the OLM monitor in my 08' Impala SS I wonder when Chevy sends me a post card to do the same thing.

So what gives I thought this system was pretty fool proof. What do you guys think????



Durango


This system was bulletproof until GM came out with its HF V6.
 
Originally Posted By: 3311
The GM OLM is an excellent piece of proven engineering. I have yet to see a uoa where it was off. Give GM credit for getting it recalibrated in this instance.


Ditto!
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Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Sounds to me more like an attempt at a band aide fix for another problem.


I agree:

There is ‘talk’ that one consequence of this reprogramming of the ECM will be a lessening of the “sensitivity” for which engine CELs are generated.

It is because of this possibility that I will *not* or at least postpone getting this update.

I am convinced that either poor design, poor manufacturing or poor materials is the reason(s) for the inordinate number of timing chain failures with the 3.6L engine. And so under such an assumption one could reasonably argue that this revised ECM will just delay the inevitable i.e. timing chain failure. And of course I want such a failure to occur within the powertrain warranty so as to be covered with GM’s dime.

So actually I may push the current OLM ie increase my OCI; daring “it” to happen sooner rather than later!
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Good morning everyone,

Thanks for the replies..... I'll talk to my bro about it tonight but by that time the recalibration will be already done on his Caddy. In either case I hope it works. Personally I believe in the system and use it in my Impala SS cuz oil is getting more expensive especially the synthetic oil I like to use. Based on my current driving habits my OLM tells me to do my OCI's every 6K.

Durango
 
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Originally Posted By: 3311
The GM OLM is an excellent piece of proven engineering. I have yet to see a uoa where it was off. Give GM credit for getting it recalibrated in this instance.


It might be OK in an EFI engine, in a DI engine the OLM is in need of some serious reprogramming. Have a look at some of the UOA reports where the oil was changed early, and shot, yet the OLM said it had plenty of life left. Even quality oil like Schaeffers was spent in short order. No fault of the oil, just a poor engine design.
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: 3311
The GM OLM is an excellent piece of proven engineering. I have yet to see a uoa where it was off. Give GM credit for getting it recalibrated in this instance.


It might be OK in an EFI engine, in a DI engine the OLM is in need of some serious reprogramming. Have a look at some of the UOA reports where the oil was changed early, and shot, yet the OLM said it had plenty of life left. Even quality oil like Schaeffers was spent in short order. No fault of the oil, just a poor engine design.


I would also like to point out this is not for all DI engines. I have only seen this problem in GM engines. I have not seen enough data on ford's DI engines. Mazada's engines seem to be fine.
 
Originally Posted By: dave1251
I whould not lose the faith in this system just because one of GM's engines was poorly designed.


Poorly designed? Maybe, maybe not. The timing is interesting. It could just be based on the anticipated performance of the new oil formulations, that are now coming into service, in these engines.

The HF V6 is made all over the world and is in a lot of cars, and they are not exactly littering the sides of the roads with failed engines.

Adjusting the service interval based on field experience with the engines sounds pretty normal to me. I didn't lose any sleep over it last night.
 
Originally Posted By: Win
Originally Posted By: dave1251
I whould not lose the faith in this system just because one of GM's engines was poorly designed.


Poorly designed? Maybe, maybe not. The timing is interesting. It could just be based on the anticipated performance of the new oil formulations, that are now coming into service, in these engines.

The HF V6 is made all over the world and is in a lot of cars, and they are not exactly littering the sides of the roads with failed engines.

Adjusting the service interval based on field experience with the engines sounds pretty normal to me. I didn't lose any sleep over it last night.


That may be but unless the new PCMO can combat fuel dilution as good or better than HDEO's I consider this a poor engine design. I do not see the problem with Mazda's DI engines.
 
They need to add the V6 Camaro to this list. I am surprised they haven't yet. Same engine, and the OLM easily goes out to between 10,000 and 12,000 miles at around 5%.

Regardless of if they add it or not, i have already cut my OCI's on the Camaro back to 3,500.
 
Good evening guys/gals,

My brother had the service performed and he's satisfied of the results cuz it now indicated his current oil has more life left in it than before the service. Did the dealership skept a step???


Durango
 
Originally Posted By: Durango
Good evening guys/gals,

My brother had the service performed and he's satisfied of the results cuz it now indicated his current oil has more life left in it than before the service. Did the dealership skept a step???


Durango



Part of the process is to write down the current OLM percent before reprogramming and use that value again with the new programming. The dealer must have recorded the wrong value, that's all.


(see step 3.4 in my previous post showing the bulletin.)
 
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GMBoy,

Thanks for your posting. What my brother should have done was have a OCI done as well and just reset the OLM back to 100%. Oh well he'll wind up changing the oil towards the end of the year anyway.

Durango
 
I'd hardly call it a poor design, have you driven one of these vehicles lately, they're fast, smooth and a real pleasure to drive. If I have to change the oil a few thousand miles sooner than they originally reccomended, that wouldn't exactly consititute a poor design in my book. I'm guessing you drive a honda
 
I believe the V6 Camaro may have a higher oil capacity than the engines mentioned in the recall.
On one oil change last year, I went 128% of the oil change interval. UOA came back perfect. Maybe it's a testamnet to the fortitude of the 5.3 motor


Steve
 
Originally Posted By: 3311
Originally Posted By: Malo83
Never use it, sticking with 5K OCI's
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And your dumping good oil if you don't follow the olm.
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Did you read the original post?

I will continue to do 5,000 mile changes in my 04 Saturn with the OLM and watch the OLM out of curiosity. I enjoy getting under my car anyways.
 
I agree that GM does a great job with their OLMs.

They also have a great In-Service Life Program, where they monitor items and make re-designs/corrections. This was an example of one of them.

On the C5 Corvette (model years 1997-2004) they did just the opposite. In 2001, they increased the Highest possible OCI to 15,000 miles (from 10,000 miles) on their OLM. However, they never reprogrammed the older OLMs. Guess changing oil too much is not a problem.
 
Originally Posted By: steve20
I believe the V6 Camaro may have a higher oil capacity than the engines mentioned in the recall.


My 2010 V6 Camaro takes 6qts if that helps.
 
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
Originally Posted By: 3311
Originally Posted By: Malo83
Never use it, sticking with 5K OCI's
56.gif

And your dumping good oil if you don't follow the olm.
56.gif



Did you read the original post?

I will continue to do 5,000 mile changes in my 04 Saturn with the OLM and watch the OLM out of curiosity. I enjoy getting under my car anyways.
The op's has been repaired/ adjusted. Didn't you read the thread?
Again if your not using yours your dumping good oil, but if you feel you need to then then have at it.
 
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