LY7 engine 3.6 V6, dexos?

[ECUADOR4X4]

Hi!, i have a 2010 Chevrolet Captiva with a LY7 engine (3.6 V6), this engine should use a dexos certified oil? or is not mandatory?

Thanks!

 

[gabriel9766]

Dexos was not required till 2011. But it is back speced to dexos. So u dont have to use is but it would b a good choice. Especially with the known timing chain problems in the 3.6

 

[ECUADOR4X4]

Thanks! what would be the symptoms with the timing chain issues? im on 80000 km and so far so good, this engine tends to a little oil consumption right? i've found little bit of oil in the air duct, since this engine doesn't have PCV valve.

 

[TiredTrucker]

I have a LY7 3.6 in a 2006 Cadillac that I am using a dexos1 rated Schaeffer 5w30 synthetic in. I got this Caddy a few weeks back. It had just under 52K miles on it. So about 5000 miles a year on the car. Needed MAF and TB cleaned and an air filter, so did that. Cleaned up the top inside with CRC Intake Valve Cleaner. Put on a Elite Engineering E2 PCV catch can. Changed transmission fluid and filter. Changed rear diff lube. Also did a Amsoil engine flush job on the motor and changed oil to the Schaeffer. And did a complete coolant change. dexos1 is not mandatory, but it is a good spec. And like has been stated, is backward compatible. I have heard of the timing chain issues on the LY7 also. Lots of threads about that on the cadillac user forums. I think they modified some stuff after 2008 so the later engines don't have nearly the timing chain issues.

 

[gabriel9766]

Originally Posted By: ECUADOR4X4
Thanks! what would be the symptoms with the timing chain issues? im on 80000 km and so far so good, this engine tends to a little oil consumption right? i've found little bit of oil in the air duct, since this engine doesn't have PCV valve.


This engine is known for sheering oil and consuming it and that and low oil level can cause the chains to stretch. Never heard an engine with a streached chain but the 3.6 is hard on oil. Also the DI 2.4 ecotec is also.

 

[MrHorspwer]

Originally Posted By: ECUADOR4X4
Thanks! what would be the symptoms with the timing chain issues?


The LY7 didn't have near the timing chain issues as the later LLT engines. Not being direct injected like the LLT, the LY7 is much easier on oil.

First indication of a stretched timing chain is DTCs P0008, P0009, P0016, P0017, P0018 and/or P0019 being set.

 

[TiredTrucker]

That's good to know. I wondered about getting the 2006 Caddy with the LY7 3.6L, but the deal was a good one. Car looked like it had just come off the showroom floor. Cashmere leather interior with heated seats, less than 52K miles, luxury package and sun roof. $9100.