2016 Sierra 6.2L repeated lifter failures

[martinto]

21 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

Did they ever replace the VLOM?  GM wants that replaced if it hasn't been done yet.  

Read up in VLOM…thanks for the heads up.  Could be a contributing factor in the failures.  I’ll be discussing with dealer service.  

[16LT4]

19 hours ago, Snowcamo said:

Oil Change Intervral

 

Used to be 3k back in the day when engines outlasted vehicle ownership.

 

 

 

Attached is the UOA from my truck after ~ 4800 miles on Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30.  The numbers look mostly good, but look at the viscosity numbers at the bottom; the oil was starting to thin out.  A 0w-20 (stock spec) oil would be even worse; toss some fuel dilution into the oil and varnish in the oil galleys, and you've got a recipe for lifter disaster.  Blackstone misunderstood my comment in the paperwork; my truck hasn't been having issues, but I mentioned issues with other trucks that I wanted to stay ahead of (fuel dilution).

 

OP: I'd send your oil out for analysis.  At this point, nothing should be left to guesswork, and the more data at your disposal, the better.

Edited November 24, 2022 by 16LT4

[diyer2]

Beating a dead horse but I still say oil changes are cheap insurance and more so today due to the complexity of modern engines.

[rav3]

Interesting report on the oil. Please keep one thing in mind. The Viscosity spec. that they show for "should be" is higher than what Pennzoil comes out of the jug. Pennzoil calls out 8.6 for the SUS @ 100c where UOA calls out a range of 8.8-11.3. And Pennzoil does meet & exceeds the GM dexos 1 Gen 3 spec. and I'm not sure of what the tolerance for this value is

 

I'm not trying to dispute UOA but wanted to clarify their (Value should be) numbers

[customboss]

1 hour ago, 16LT4 said:

 

Attached is the UOA from my truck after ~ 4800 miles on Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30.  The numbers look mostly good, but look at the viscosity numbers at the bottom; the oil was starting to thin out.  A 0w-20 (stock spec) oil would be even worse; toss some fuel dilution into the oil and varnish in the oil galleys, and you've got a recipe for lifter disaster.  Blackstone misunderstood my comment in the paperwork; my truck hasn't been having issues, but I mentioned issues with other trucks that I wanted to stay ahead of (fuel dilution).

 

OP: I'd send your oil out for analysis.  At this point, nothing should be left to guesswork, and the more data at your disposal, the better.

You're fuels dilution is at least 1.5% but the reason for lifter and valve train issues is metallurgy issues. Some oil can delay failing but not stop. I recommend you procure a better quality oil analysis from Nick Black02Silverado to know instead of cheap out and guess. 

[rav3]

1 hour ago, customboss said:

You're fuels dilution is at least 1.5% but the reason for lifter and valve train issues is metallurgy issues. Some oil can delay failing but not stop. I recommend you procure a better quality oil analysis from Nick Black02Silverado to know instead of cheap out and guess. 

I agree with you on the metal issue. He may be getting some of the 'old' stock of inventory. I read somewhere that they have changes the materials on tge lifters so they are harder &less susceptible to damage. 

[16LT4]

9 hours ago, customboss said:

You're fuels dilution is at least 1.5% but the reason for lifter and valve train issues is metallurgy issues. Some oil can delay failing but not stop. I recommend you procure a better quality oil analysis from Nick Black02Silverado to know instead of cheap out and guess. 

 

Duly noted, but I don't have lifter nor valvetrain issues with my truck.

 

Educate me: what in the data tells you that fuel dilution is 1.5%?  I know that Blackstone uses flash point as a proxy method for determining fuel dilution, but I'm curious on your standpoint.

[customboss]

9 hours ago, 16LT4 said:

 

Duly noted, but I don't have lifter nor valvetrain issues with my truck.

 

Educate me: what in the data tells you that fuel dilution is 1.5%?  I know that Blackstone uses flash point as a proxy method for determining fuel dilution, but I'm curious on your standpoint.

45 years of materials science focused on IC engines. Using FTIR, Raman, Gas Chromatography, engine test cell emissions and combustion dynamic testing. Bklabs flash testing is not accurate for modern oil and fuels chemistries fuel dilution testing so I can see the totality of their data and estimate fairly accurately what gasoline or diesel fuels they miss. It’s an educated guess but I’m usually more accurate than their method is. 

Don’t guess and spend your money to guess is my advice. 
 

Edited November 25, 2022 by customboss

[KARNUT]

In the years I’ve been following this website I’ve come to the conclusion that DI engines forwarded can’t go extended. At least GM engines. My experience with extended was prior to DI engines and cylinder deactivation. They’re as bad as the carburetor days. At least GM is. I suffered through GM experiments in the past I’ll pass this go around. Seems like the best way to experience GM like BMW is leasing. Or buying older GM trucks. They were the best anyway. At least to me. 

[KARNUT]

3 hours ago, customboss said:

45 years of materials science focused on IC engines. Using FTIR, Raman, Gas Chromatography, engine test cell emissions and combustion dynamic testing. Bklabs flash testing is not accurate for modern oil and fuels chemistries fuel dilution testing so I can see the totality of their data and estimate fairly accurately what gasoline or diesel fuels they miss. It’s an educated guess but I’m usually more accurate than their method is. 

Don’t guess and spend your money to guess is my advice. 
 

Damn 45 years! Did you do your commercial Flying on weekends? All that after flying in the military. That’s a full life. I thought I was busy. I might have beat you though. I started bailing hay at 12. And saving money. Did you fit college in there too? I didn’t. I got married. 

[customboss]

2 hours ago, KARNUT said:

In the years I’ve been following this website I’ve come to the conclusion that DI engines forwarded can’t go extended. At least GM engines. My experience with extended was prior to DI engines and cylinder deactivation. They’re as bad as the carburetor days. At least GM is. I suffered through GM experiments in the past I’ll pass this go around. Seems like the best way to experience GM like BMW is leasing. Or buying older GM trucks. They were the best anyway. At least to me. 

You’re not far off Sir. 

[customboss]

9 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Damn 45 years! Did you do your commercial Flying on weekends? All that after flying in the military. That’s a full life. I thought I was busy. I might have beat you though. I started bailing hay at 12. And saving money. Did you fit college in there too? I didn’t. I got married. 

I flew in military and major airlines. I worked 24/7 almost until I fell apart. Finished college while Army warrant helo and fixed wing pilot. I grew up on a farm so bailing hay since I could reach pedals and levers. 

[customboss]

In military you have additional duties so I was always POL ( petroleum oil and lubricants) started oil analysis training at age 18 for H2 helicopter while an aircrewman/swimmer. Army was POL officer and hazardous waste officer. 

[KARNUT]

17 minutes ago, customboss said:

I flew in military and major airlines. I worked 24/7 almost until I fell apart. Finished college while Army warrant helo and fixed wing pilot. I grew up on a farm so bailing hay since I could reach pedals and levers. 

I did pick string beans at the farm across the street before that. Got paid by the basket. That was miserable work. Seems you had a fulfilling life as did I. 

[Black02Silverado]

4 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I did pick string beans at the farm across the street before that. Got paid by the basket. That was miserable work. Seems you had a fulfilling life as did I. 

I grew up beside a farm.  Oh the joy of grabbing 70lb bails as they came out the back of the baler and then staking them up on the trailer.   Actually it was good times, young and car free.