Posted on 01/28/2025 3:07:44 PM PST by TexasKamaAina
General Motors is now the subject of an NHTSA investigation after more than a thousand complaints were logged over sudden and catastrophic failure of some of its “L87” 6.2-liter V8s—a core power plant for Cadillac, Chevy, and GMC trucks. It’s actually the latest in a string of uncommon but linked reliability problems to impact the 5.3- and 6.2-liter small block families over several recent model years—a notably bad run for what’s supposed to be an uncomplicated, naturally-aspirated V8 engine.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedrive.com ...
Even Toyota is building crap.
Per AI:
Toyota recalled 98,568 Tundra trucks with the 3.4-liter turbocharged V6 engine for the 2022 and 2023 model years.
This recall is part of a larger action that includes 102,092 vehicles in total, with the remaining being Lexus LX600 models1. The recall affects only purely gas-powered models, not those with Toyota’s hybrid powertrain.
The issue stems from machining debris that may not have been properly cleared from the engine during production, potentially leading to engine knocking, rough running, failure to start, or loss of power.
To address this problem, Toyota has committed to replacing the entire engine in all affected vehicles at no cost to customers.
This engine replacement recall is considered Toyota’s most extensive and expensive recall in history, with estimated costs between $300 and $500 million.
The replacement process is time-consuming, requiring 13 to 21 hours per vehicle, which may result in extended wait times for affected Tundra owners.
The AFM (active fuel management system) is killing these engines. It wipes the cam, lifters and rings out and spreads metal all through the oiling system in the name of “fuel economy”. Very fuel efficient to cast ans machine tons of new engines / not.
“To do this they cut oil pressure to the lifters so they don’t open the valves.”
Backwards. The oil solenoid valve is closed during normal operation.
To deactivate a cylinder, the oil valve opens and the oil pressure causes the lifters to not function.
I had to replace the lifters in my 2005 6.0 L Yukon Denali XL. Its been fine since, now at 238,000 miles.
The Chevy 348 and 283 engines were also workhorses in the late 50’s early 60’s.
My last “American” vehicle is living it’s last days as my salt sponge grocery getter. Had great luck with Buicks for the last 20 years. Nowadays can’t even buy a Buick that is actually a Buick...they’re just weird tiny crossover SUVs now like everything else. I bought the wife a 2024 Honda and I recently bought myself a new 2024 pickup. Not “American” as the american companies make junk that looks hideous. My new rig is a Nissan Frontier made in Mississippi. Naturally aspirated V6 with barely legal safety features. Liking it so far. Happy I didn’t get a frat boy Silverado.
They are not supposed to resurface them if they are going to be below the minimum thickness on rotors or maximum inside diameters !!! it’s illegal for them to do it and the corporate lawyers will not allow them to do so.
I am quite aware of who can/will do the procedure and how it is performed. I have 20 years of professional experience in the sale of Auto Parts starting when I was 12 working for Lunch on Saturday and a few dollars here and there, eventually full time for a living. And resurfacing Rotors and Drums.
I have worked in a Machine Shop tearing down and Rebuilding Engines/doing Valve Jobs/turning Crankshafts/Boring engine blocks/rebuilding Connecting Rods/resurfacing Rotors and Drums for a few years.
I have been working on vehicles ever since I was 10 years old, I'm currently 64 years old and no longer doing it myself because of severe Neuropathy in My hands and feet but the knowledge is still there.
I have 14 years of professional experience in the Automotive Repair business at a few Shops and Owned a Shop working on all brands and types of cars and trucks ranging from domestic (GM/Ford/Chrysler from the early 1900's on up through the years as well as foreign including high end (Jaguar/Bently/Rolls-Royce/BMW/Mercedes/Ferrari/Porsce/Audi/VW/Pantera and other Exotics) and an occasional Forklift and every day Subaru/Datsun/Nissan/Toyota/British: MG/Triumph/Cortina/etc, Fiat/Renault/Volvoand 1 Delorean. Fleet service on Isuzu Delivery Trucks, the occasional Tractor Trailer Rig.
I'm sure that I helped put several Snap-On, Matco and Cornwell Dealers children through College.🤪
“I am quite aware of who can/will do the procedure and how it is performed”
Apparently not since you posted “Parts stores will not do them either”.
These idiots haven’t figured out internal combustion engines after over 100 years. Meaybe they should go back to the Olds Rocket or Chevy small block. They actually worked.
Some of Chevy’s push rod V8’s gave little to no trouble for the first 200,000 miles. In particular the 350 and 454.
It appears the problem with this stories subject V8’s is oil starvation burning out the front rod and main bearings. This would have been caused by a design change that restricted the oil flow.
The cause could be manufacturing errors. My dad and I both bought Ford’s with 302’s in them in 1980. Both broke pistons. The cylinders were bored too large, which was a manufacturing flaw.
The ‘24 Equinox with auto-stop/start we just bought doesn’t shut down unless the engine is fully warmed. There is also the bypass button.
Decent car, but the block heater doesn’t turn on until -20, which really sucks.
I am a little surprised that a 6.2l engine is considered a “small block”
Yeah, it doesn’t seem that small, but GM is sticking with the term
https://www.google.com/search?q=gm+l87+small+block
“Meaybe they should go back to the Olds Rocket or Chevy small block. They actually worked.”
This IS a Chevy small block.
Reminds me of Honda’s problem with a manufacturing defect in their otherwise bulletproof 3.2L V6 engine back in the late 2010’s.
“All my friends who own them have had catastrophic failures with either the engines, Trannies, or the fuel system on the Diesels.”
Yes, they seem to be the least reliable vehicles on the road, just the opposite of what you might have expected a priori.
“Yeah, it doesn’t seem that small, but GM is sticking with the term”
It doesn’t refer to displacement. It refers to the size of the “block”
Generally, a big block can accommodate larger displacement like a 454 but there are big blocks that have lower displacement where the power is not required so there are small blocks with larger displacement than some big blocks.
There has to be a thermostat adjustment to correct this. If all else fails put your own block heater. A dipstick heater heater would be better than what they thought up. I'm sure some government regulation is behind all of this.
They keep them on the road with engines out of Russian Ladas. Those they can get parts for.
CC
Disabling the feature likely extends engine life significantly, I would guess. My most recent purchase doesn’t have cylinder deactivation. Of course, it’s a 2009.😁
CC
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