2014 Silverado with 6.2 19,000 miles bottom end of engine exploded in

[ghgmi]

I wanted to alsopint out that GM officially added a 500 mile oil change interval for the Corvette back in December. A few Auto magazines with long-term cars have had their engines grenade. The consensus seems to be metal debris from the manufacuring process as the culprit.

 

 

 

No they really are requiring an oil change at 500 miles for C7 Corvettes. It's likely that the oil is picking up contaminants from the manufacturing process or engine break-in. Maybe the old timers that would change the factory oil extremely early had the right idea after all.

 

 

Ah, an oil change "at 500 miles" is hardly a "500 mile oil change interval". I googled and found this:

 

Effective Immediately:

 

GM is changing the required maintenance schedule for all 2014/2015 Z51 and Z06 Corvettes equipped with dry sump systems. The new schedule will require the oil/filter be changed immediately after the break-in period, which occurs after the first 500 miles of operation. Once the break-in oil change is performed and the Oil Life Monitoring system is reset, customers should follow the Oil Life Monitoring system for all future oil change needs.

[jvanwinkle2]

Wonder what they are running into issue wise to make this change.

[dbannerz71]

Wonder what they are running into issue wise to make this change.

Would be interesting to know for sure, but I did this in my siverado for the hell of it.. at about 1k though not 500. Service manager looked at me like I was a space alien when I brought in in with only 1k on the odometer.

Edited July 10, 2015 by dbannerz71

[HondaHawkGT]

 

 

 

 

Ah, an oil change "at 500 miles" is hardly a "500 mile oil change interval". I googled and found this:

 

Effective Immediately:

 

GM is changing the required maintenance schedule for all 2014/2015 Z51 and Z06 Corvettes equipped with dry sump systems. The new schedule will require the oil/filter be changed immediately after the break-in period, which occurs after the first 500 miles of operation. Once the break-in oil change is performed and the Oil Life Monitoring system is reset, customers should follow the Oil Life Monitoring system for all future oil change needs.

 

 

Yeah I should have worded that better.

 

If I were the buy a 6.2 Silverado/Sierra, I'd be changing the oil at 500 just like the bulletin for the Corvette. There's obviously something going on with the manufacturing process or during break-in that GM hasn't come out with but wants to guard their flagship vehicle against.

[Higgs Boson]

It's only for the dry sump Z51 and Z06, not the wet sump C7. The truck is a wet sump so don't worry about it.

 

A lot of the dry sump cars were coming overfilled from the factory and the manual stated the wrong oil fill amount and they were puking oil into the intake tube and getting all in the intake manifold and leaking onto people's garage floors and driveways through the airbox so the early oil change is basically a way for them to correct any potential fill level issues, NOT because of break in as stated.

 

Again, this has ZERO to do with trucks.

Edited July 12, 2015 by Higgs Boson

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

It's only for the dry sump Z51 and Z06, not the wet sump C7. The truck is a wet sump so don't worry about it.

 

A lot of the dry sump cars were coming overfilled from the factory and the manual stated the wrong oil fill amount and they were puking oil into the intake tube and getting all in the intake manifold and leaking onto people's garage floors and driveways through the airbox so the early oil change is basically a way for them to correct any potential fill level issues, NOT because of break in as stated.

 

Again, this has ZERO to do with trucks.

 

 

Ya after reading that I wondered if the 500 mile first oil change was anything to do with the external oil tank and not the conventional oil pan.

 

The way I figure is that if GM thought any vehicle would need a 500 mile oil change for engine break in then they'd make sure to put it out there or there would be warranty fixes. As far as I know the engines already had an initial break in before installing and the 500 miles that the manual said that is the break-in period is breaking it in during normal use since you have to actually drive it to really break it in. I could be wrong though. All it said was basically no interstate driving or long drives for the first 500 miles which is why I think the initial break-in was already done. I still didn't follow it because after only a couple hundred miles I went on a 400 mile trip to the beach (150 each way and then 100 local driving once I got there). Haven't had any issues "yet" after 14,000 miles so I doubt that really did anything to it.

[Higgs Boson]

Remember you have to break in the transmission and differentials, too.....

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Remember you have to break in the transmission and differentials, too.....

 

Ya I know, just didn't think it would be 500 miles for them and I believe when the manual mentioned the 500 mile break-in that it only mentions the engine.

[FL335i]

Gotta love that mentality... air filter caused a engine to blow. I do not run K&N's b/c I've first handedly seen MAF wires get dirty quickly. But blowing an engine... no. I really wish everyone that works at a dealership would start turning wrenches for 3yrs-5yrs before they give them a desk job. Most service advisors are just driveway salesmen and some don't have any car knowledge or wrench experience. Gator Ford in Tampa pulled a real good one on me with my F250. I had OEM GY wranglers from the factory, put 35" MT's on for a while, had sold the OEM's so I bought another GY set of OEMs. All 3 sets of tires did the same; truck vibrated between 45-50mph. So I took it to them and they tried selling me a set of GY OEM's 3 days after I just put a new set on!! and then turn to find out, they had a TSB out for the 45-50vibration and installed a hitch/frame mounted balancer. So there you go, I almost got taken for $1,200 on tires. Good luck with the new 6.2. At the end of the day you need to be as educated and informed as possible when walking in to a dealership. Modifying vehicles now a days has really lost it's flavor. Just not worth all the headaches. I have a Cat-back AFE, tinted windws and a tonneu cover. That's where it ends for me. I'll buy a muscle car if I want to tinker.

Edited July 12, 2015 by FL335i

[HondaHawkGT]

It's only for the dry sump Z51 and Z06, not the wet sump C7. The truck is a wet sump so don't worry about it.

 

A lot of the dry sump cars were coming overfilled from the factory and the manual stated the wrong oil fill amount and they were puking oil into the intake tube and getting all in the intake manifold and leaking onto people's garage floors and driveways through the airbox so the early oil change is basically a way for them to correct any potential fill level issues, NOT because of break in as stated.

 

Again, this has ZERO to do with trucks.

If that was the case GM would just have the dealer drain it when the car was delivered. Makes absolutely no sense to instruct the owner to drive 500 miles before finall draining their overfilled engines. Edited July 13, 2015 by HondaHawkGT

[Higgs Boson]

If that was the case GM would just have the dealer drain it when the car was delivered. Makes absolutely no sense to instruct the owner to drive 500 miles before finall draining their overfilled engines.

 

Unless GM didn't want to waste the oil. This also gives the customer the impression they are getting a special service for their special car. They are trying to build value from a mistake.

 

Just so you know, it IS the case. I own a C7. I am also in the car business, if you know what I mean. ;-)

[nomadicdogg]

So here is an update since I have not been here in months.

The engine failed due to a valve spring breaking and the retaining clip also failing allowing the valve to drop into the cylinder, the piston hit it and it imploded. A softball sized hole on the passenger side of the block and a golf ball sized hole on the driver side.

3 weeks fight with area manager after blaming the CAI to finally take the oil cover off to see the faulty valve spring. Funny how some phone calls from K&N and the BBB changes the tune.. GM was not the issue particularily, Nor was the dealer, but the district service manager. Either way it has caused me to highly consider where the next repairs will be done etc...

Gm made a payment for me and also gave me a future use loyalty certificate as an apology as well as a full detail on the truck to remove the oil.

It was back for a second repair within a day or so, a wire harness had to be replaced, and then about 2 weeks later for a new exhaust gasket as it was leaking.

Since that point and roughly 5000 miles more there have been no other issues.
From what I have been able to find out, the valve spring is an issue, however mine was the ONLY one in the country at that time to have the spring retainer fail and cause full failure.

Guess my truck was special.
My dealer could have handled it better, GM could have been better about getting me a truck to drive during the 8 weeks they had my truck. And the district service manager can kiss my ass.

Edited September 17, 2015 by nomadicdogg

[Northside]

Glad you got your truck back and it's running fine now. Not to nit pick, but I see no way a valve spring could drop into the cylinder. When a spring breaks the valve drops and the piston will hit the spring. If the retainer or the valve stem breaks the valve will drop into the cylinder and wreak havoc on the piston, cylinder, the rod and crankshaft. I would guess that the spring was laying on the head and visible when the valve cover was removed. Good luck with your truck.

[nomadicdogg]

Glad you got your truck back and it's running fine now. Not to nit pick, but I see no way a valve spring could drop into the cylinder. When a spring breaks the valve drops and the piston will hit the spring. If the retainer or the valve stem breaks the valve will drop into the cylinder and wreak havoc on the piston, cylinder, the rod and crankshaft. I would guess that the spring was laying on the head and visible when the valve cover was removed. Good luck with your truck.

The valve spring broke, the valve retainer also failed. the valve itself is what dropped down into the cylinder NOT the spring. My apologies for the confusion, it was a long day yesterday lol.

 

Yes the spring was laying on top once they took the valve cover off. of course 3 weeks after it happened since they wanted to argue air cleaners lol

[nomadicdogg]

I just want to add to all of this:

From day one, as soon as the CAI was mentioned I got on the phone with K&N and they were 100% with me through the whole ordeal. They flat out said, if they prove our product hurt your motor we will fix your motor just the same as the dealer, if they cannot prove it and wont fix it, our attorneys will have a field day.

Also, when the truck was fixed and they were refusing to re-install my CAI K&N even offered to buy back my CAI for full paid price if I chose to go back factory. Of course I chose to keep the CAI.

But K&N stood behind their product, beside me and made me a devout customer for life.

They even sent me a whole new filter as the one that was in the truck when the engine went was plastered with oil. They said, just in case you cant get the original filter clean heres a new one.

That is customer service.