New bulletin/Campaign 6.2 L87

[GETGONE]

5 hours ago, MrLeadFoot said:

 I hate to be morbid, but it's possible that someone will have to die from this problem before they get serious.

How is someone going to DIE if the engine stops running????

[MrLeadFoot]

7 hours ago, GETGONE said:

How is someone going to DIE if the engine stops running????

Exactly! They would have to crash, possibly into into someone else, because of a lockup that causes them to lose control. Maybe the engine dies going downhill around a corner, compromising the power brakes or power steering. Or, your truck locks up and you get plowed into by a big rig on said downhill turn. The scenario possibilities are endless, but the likelihood is small. It's all a numbers game. That's how recalls, and liability, works. That's why actuaries have jobs. And, that's why they are likely doing these pico tests. They will have record of at least doing something to mitigate liability. As was said, above, they're not going to replace a running engine. However, if someone dies, they just might start doing something proactive to preempt any future morbid events. 

 

It's not unlike when they finally add traffic lights at some intersections or guardrails on highway turns. Even when those intersections and turns already seem dangerous. It's not until a disaster happens that they spend the money. Happens all the time. 

[EfiBB69]

Also the slim possibility that maybe the test could theoretically pick up the sounds of a failing engine and that those that pass are ok?

I guess the old guys that used stethoscopes to listen for engine problems were just playing doctor to impress the customers?

[66ss3964spd]

The engine locking up is certainly the most obvious failure, but it's certainly possible that an engine develops a slight rod knock and still runs. The Pico test should pick that up.

[GETGONE]

12 hours ago, MrLeadFoot said:

Exactly! They would have to crash, possibly into into someone else, because of a lockup that causes them to lose control. Maybe the engine dies going downhill around a corner, compromising the power brakes or power steering. Or, your truck locks up and you get plowed into by a big rig on said downhill turn. The scenario possibilities are endless, but the likelihood is small. It's all a numbers game. That's how recalls, and liability, works. That's why actuaries have jobs. And, that's why they are likely doing these pico tests. They will have record of at least doing something to mitigate liability. As was said, above, they're not going to replace a running engine. However, if someone dies, they just might start doing something proactive to preempt any future morbid events. 

 

It's not unlike when they finally add traffic lights at some intersections or guardrails on highway turns. Even when those intersections and turns already seem dangerous. It's not until a disaster happens that they spend the money. Happens all the time. 

 

 

Do you own stock in a tinfoil hat company? The truck has ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING, so you're not going to lose steering. It also will not effect the brakes per GMs FAQ's about engine failures.

[newdude]

12 hours ago, 66ss3964spd said:

The engine locking up is certainly the most obvious failure, but it's certainly possible that an engine develops a slight rod knock and still runs. The Pico test should pick that up.

 

 

The one we just had towed in definitely does not have a "slight" knock and it also has the P0016 crank/cam correlation death code for the recall.

[MrLeadFoot]

14 hours ago, EfiBB69 said:

Also the slim possibility that maybe the test could theoretically pick up the sounds of a failing engine and that those that pass are ok?

I guess the old guys that used stethoscopes to listen for engine problems were just playing doctor to impress the customers?

The pico test is supposedly in place to detect problems before an engine failure so they can replace said engine before it breaks down, but I have not heard of one instance anywhere (not just here) where an engine that had not already developed a serious issue failed the pico test and was replaced due to the results of that pico test, have you? 

 

Regarding old guys using stethoscopes: I don't need a stethoscope. I've used aluminum tubes, long socket extensions and more to listen for things like valves that need adjustment, bearings that are going, which pulley needs replacing, etc., so I know that a pico scope can detect oscillation and it should theoretically work. But whether or not it works is not the issue. It's a matter of whether or not GM will actually replace an engine due to pico scope findings. With all the tests done so far I haven't heard of one. And, while @newdude has been so kind as to keep us informed of engines are breaking down, broken engines appear to be the ONLY ones that are being replaced. 

[MrLeadFoot]

11 hours ago, GETGONE said:

 

 

Do you own stock in a tinfoil hat company? The truck has ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING, so you're not going to lose steering. It also will not effect the brakes per GMs FAQ's about engine failures.

When an engine blows many incidental things can happen including electrical interruption. I share the following with you that might help open up your thinking. The first week I had my truck, I was sitting in the left turn lane at an intersection on a rainy night. The truck auto-stopped. The left turn arrow turned green, I took my foot off the brake, and the truck started. I stepped lightly on the accelerator so as not to lose traction on the wet road and began my turn. Halfway through the intersection, I suddenly had no engine power. I didn't know what was happening and saw a message on the dash saying something about putting my foot on the brake to start the car. I put my foot on the brake and nothing happened, no brakes, nada! I tried turning the wheel and the car would not turn. Fortunately, the wheel was already turned and I made it through the intersection, and the road I was turning onto was uphill. The incline was steep enough to stop me before the truck oversteered into oncoming traffic, although I was then stopped ******-eyed in the middle of my lane. I shut the truck off and restarted it. 

 

The next day I took it into a dealership. They said they tested everything and nothing seemed amiss. They also said with all that had happened, there SHOULD have been some kind of code thrown or stored. Well, guess what? No codes. 

 

So, believe me when I tell you, that sh|t happens, whether it's supposed to or not. I lost steering and brakes and my engine hadn't seized and all power was still on. You go ahead and believe you might not have a disaster when your motor siezes at night in the rain going around a corner on a remote highway somewhere, and I will hold onto my shares in the tinfoil hat company. Sheesh! 

Edited August 18, 2025 by MrLeadFoot

[newdude]

8 hours ago, MrLeadFoot said:

When an engine blows many incidental things can happen including electrical interruption. I share the following with you that might help open up your thinking. The first week I had my truck, I was sitting in the left turn lane at an intersection on a rainy night. The truck auto-stopped. The left turn arrow turned green, I took my foot off the brake, and the truck started. I stepped lightly on the accelerator so as not to lose traction on the wet road and began my turn. Halfway through the intersection, I suddenly had no engine power. I didn't know what was happening and saw a message on the dash saying something about putting my foot on the brake to start the car. I put my foot on the brake and nothing happened, no brakes, nada! I tried turning the wheel and the car would not turn. Fortunately, the wheel was already turned and I made it through the intersection, and the road I was turning onto was uphill. The incline was steep enough to stop me before the truck oversteered into oncoming traffic, although I was then stopped ******-eyed in the middle of my lane. I shut the truck off and restarted it. 

 

The next day I took it into a dealership. They said they tested everything and nothing seemed amiss. They also said with all that had happened, there SHOULD have been some kind of code thrown or stored. Well, guess what? No codes. 

 

So, believe me when I tell you, that sh|t happens, whether it's supposed to or not. I lost steering and brakes and my engine hadn't seized and all power was still on. You go ahead and believe you might not have a disaster when your motor siezes at night in the rain going around a corner on a remote highway somewhere, and I will hold onto my shares in the tinfoil hat company. Sheesh! 

 

 

To be fair here...you lost the "assist" for the steering and brakes.  Its no different when in a car/truck with hydraulic steering and vacuum brakes.  Engine goes down you can still steer and stop, it just requires a lot more force input from you the driver.  

[Silverado4x4]

8 minutes ago, newdude said:

 

 

To be fair here...you lost the "assist" for the steering and brakes.  Its no different when in a car/truck with hydraulic steering and vacuum brakes.  Engine goes down you can still steer and stop, it just requires a lot more force input from you the driver.  

Exactly.

[66ss3964spd]

9 hours ago, newdude said:

death code

Hahaha

 

I only suggest that a rod knock, even if only slight, is a failure. The engine just hasn't quit, yet, and probably runs just fine, oil pressure isn't noticeably low, and there's no code. The Pico test should hear the rod knock and the test would fail, resulting in engine replacement. If the PT doesn't hear the knock and there's no death code, the engine passes, gets the new oil and extended warranty.

 

But once the bearing to journal clearance opens up enough to cause a rod knock it's just a matter of time, even though the thicker oil may mask the knock for a while.

 

In addition to running the PT test at 2k RPM, I'd like them to run it at idle with the oil at full operating temp. That's when oil pressure is lowest.

[newdude]

1 hour ago, 66ss3964spd said:

 

 

In addition to running the PT test at 2k RPM, I'd like them to run it at idle with the oil at full operating temp. That's when oil pressure is lowest.

 

 

90C/194F oil temp and 2000rpm is where the data is collected.  

[newdude]

On 8/14/2025 at 5:20 PM, newdude said:

 

 

 

 

 

Update to this truck.  Here's a few shots upon damage inspection of the failed engine.  

 

 

[newdude]

This engine would not turn by hand initially and would not crank.  Tech was able to persuade it a bit finally and did get it to bar over by hand but it was a struggle.  Can't wait to see what the one that was towed in looks like.  That recent tow in still runs too, its not seized up completely yet.  

 

 

 

Edited August 18, 2025 by newdude

[66ss3964spd]

Spun bearing(s), pretty ugly.