3.0 Duramax engine stoppage.

Kaze Morrissey · October 9, 2020

Was searching the forums to see if anyone else had this issue, but it seems I may be the first and possibly aware of a second to come across this problem. So, 2020 Silverado high country with about 6000 miles. Has towed a travel trailer all over the western US with no issues beyond pouring in a lot of DEF. love the truck.

goes in for an oil change before it’s next big trip and have dashcam installed. Drive another 50 miles of commuting no issues. Hook up the trailer to head to Utah and start feeling a mild vibration 10 minutes into the trip. Think a tire went out, they’re fine, think maybe new spring bars on the WDH causing weird harmonics. Notice vibration is associated with engine speed between 1500-2000. Checked oil pressure, temps, everything looks normal, no warning lights. Then a noise starts like the cooling fan is hitting something. Decide to pull over, make a turn at an intersection, engine drops to idle then dies. Again, no warning lights. Go to start the motor, turned over a few times then dies as if low battery. Attempt another start, now it acts like the batter is dead and all power goes out. Doesn’t even turn over the motor. Have to call tow and get it towed back to dealership.

its been at the dealership for over a week now. They went through all the electronics and can confirm that it’s not a dead battery. Been speaking with my service rep and he’s saying they’re in contact with GM. I’m suspecting the engine may have seized. Had video of the sound and shaking and a diesel mechanic buddy thought it might be a rod was thrown. After the engine stopped, I checked that there was oil in the engine and paper work showed the proper oil type.

the interesting part was my service tech called in to say another truck had come in with identical issues. So hoping this isn’t a fleet wide issue. Will keep posting updates as they come.

prior to this, hadn’t had any issues with the truck. Drove great, gas mileage was amazing, towed as if the trailer wasn’t even there.

Hopefully will have some answers.

Stranny · October 9, 2020

That's interesting, maybe the tech put in the wrong oil? I know the paperwork said the right stuff, but? The right oil for our trucks is not out there in good supply yet. It makes me think about it everytime I get mine changed at the dealership. I have seen a couple stories on here that make me worry.

If that's the case your dealership has to cover it one way or another. Can't say third party did it. Keep us us posted on it. Sorry, your down such a nice truck.

Duramax3oh · October 9, 2020

Haven't heard of that and hate to hear it... one of my worst fears. I love this truck and haven't had any issues with it but I'm still nervous about something like this happening. Keep us posted and best of luck.

Kinda interesting that the technician says another one acted up the same way. Leads me to instantly suspect the problem lies with something he/they are doing.

redwngr · October 9, 2020

50 miles seems kinda quick, but I wonder if it is an oil issue and if the additives in the wrong oil are not suitable for the diesel emissions and have poisoned the SCR/DOC/DPF.

Be sure to post what you learn!

Edit to ask: Was this the first oil change?

If there was earlier change(s) were they at the same garage?

Edited October 9, 2020 by redwngr

Colossus · October 10, 2020

1 hour ago, Stranny said:

That's interesting, maybe the tech put in the wrong oil? I know the paperwork said the right stuff, but? The right oil for our trucks is not out there in good supply yet. It makes me think about it everytime I get mine changed at the dealership. I have seen a couple stories on here that make me worry.

If that's the case your dealership has to cover it one way or another. Can't say third party did it. Keep us us posted on it. Sorry, your down such a nice truck.

This truck will run fine if it were 10W30 or straight weight SAE 30 or 5W30. Something much more.

steve841 · October 11, 2020

If it seized ... thank your service tech.

With my 3.0, I made the mistake of allowing dealer to do the first free oil change. After, I looked at the paperwork. Wrong oil and 1 qt short.

I'll never allow anyone to do my oil again.

Edited October 11, 2020 by steve841

Baker 5 · October 12, 2020

Is it normal for the check engine light to come on during regen? I am 2 weeks in to my 2020 1500AT4 second tank of fuel and 1100 miles. Is there another indicator of regen happening?

steve841 · October 12, 2020

6 minutes ago, Baker 5 said:

Is it normal for the check engine light to come on during regen? I am 2 weeks in to my 2020 1500AT4 second tank of fuel and 1100 miles. Is there another indicator of regen happening?

Just a noticeably louder idle

Baker 5 · October 12, 2020

Thanks. Is the illuminated check engine light normal?

Sqrls · October 12, 2020

No. Check engine is not normal. Regen or not. When warm idle is normally ~400 rpm, during regen or cold start/warm up, usually closer to 600rpm. Also sounds more like a big rig during regen. It will usually run a bit hotter than normal on temp gauge for a minute or two when regen is first starting.

BurnsMax · October 12, 2020

1 hour ago, Baker 5 said:

Is it normal for the check engine light to come on during regen? I am 2 weeks in to my 2020 1500AT4 second tank of fuel and 1100 miles. Is there another indicator of regen happening?

No you will not get a CEL during a regen.

Colossus · October 12, 2020

As already stated, CE light should not come on during regen. There might be an emissions component that is out of compliance though that caused it come on. Only way to know the truck is doing a regen is an increase in exhaust temps, and the RPMs at idle jump up about 200-300RPM. If I see my truck is doing a regen, I get on the highway when I can and drive for about 15-20 min/miles at highway speeds to let it complete the regen properly (it can't do it at speeds below 50 MPH) and then all is well.

Kaze Morrissey · October 12, 2020

Here’s a video of the noise it was making right before it died along with the vibrations.

The oil was changed by the dealership and I drove it around for another 50 miles of commuting before this problem arose. I do love the truck and hope that this does get resolved. I did check the oil level and that was in spec on the dipstick, couldn’t confirm the oil type (haven’t calibrated the taste buds to oil type yet:). I had done my own break in oil service at 500 miles before I started any towing as recommended by the owners manual, so I knew it had the right amount and correct oil prior to the dealership as I put in only the GM oem oil and filter. The truck was being driven in between 70-80 temps when I started off and while I do understand that the incorrect oil would be bad for the engine, I don’t see how it could’ve caused this noticeable problem that quickly. So far haven’t heard much from the dealership beyond that GM is going to replace the engine. One service rep thought it might be a lifter, but don’t see how that could’ve caused the vibrations. Dealership said it’ll probably take to the end of the month for me to get the truck back. Currently they’re working on a loaner for me. Hope this helps any of you guys out there. I do think it’s a great truck and loved the motor when it was working. Again, there were no warning lights and all the oil pressures and temps looked normal as I was scrolling through them on the dash. There was a faint burning smell from the engine compartment after I opened the hood, but no over temps on any gauges or any other indicators of an overheating situation. Really bit of a head scratcher.

DemonWorks · October 12, 2020

1 hour ago, Kaze Morrissey said:

Here’s a video of the noise it was making right before it died along with the vibrations.

The oil was changed by the dealership and I drove it around for another 50 miles of commuting before this problem arose. I do love the truck and hope that this does get resolved. I did check the oil level and that was in spec on the dipstick, couldn’t confirm the oil type (haven’t calibrated the taste buds to oil type yet:). I had done my own break in oil service at 500 miles before I started any towing as recommended by the owners manual, so I knew it had the right amount and correct oil prior to the dealership as I put in only the GM oem oil and filter. The truck was being driven in between 70-80 temps when I started off and while I do understand that the incorrect oil would be bad for the engine, I don’t see how it could’ve caused this noticeable problem that quickly. So far haven’t heard much from the dealership beyond that GM is going to replace the engine. One service rep thought it might be a lifter, but don’t see how that could’ve caused the vibrations. Dealership said it’ll probably take to the end of the month for me to get the truck back. Currently they’re working on a loaner for me. Hope this helps any of you guys out there. I do think it’s a great truck and loved the motor when it was working. Again, there were no warning lights and all the oil pressures and temps looked normal as I was scrolling through them on the dash. There was a faint burning smell from the engine compartment after I opened the hood, but no over temps on any gauges or any other indicators of an overheating situation. Really bit of a head scratcher.

Wow, sounds like a rod knock to me !

Eek !!!

Edited October 12, 2020 by Carbon

Kaze Morrissey · October 12, 2020

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking as well. Hoping I can get an answer as to what happened. Don’t quote me on this, but it sounds like GM is asking the techs to not tear apart the engine and just send the whole unit back to them to tear into. I’m not too surprised that they don’t want the local mechanics to tear into the engine before they have a look at it themselves.