SB-10-06-01-003C

SB-10053866-5182
File in Section:
Bulletin No.:
Service Bulletin
Date:
06 - Engine
10-06-01-003C
September, 2013
INFORMATION
Subject:
Diagnostic Information on Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter
Replacement
Models:
2004-2006 Buick Rendezvous
2005-2014 Buick LaCrosse, Allure (Canada Only)
2008-2014 Buick Enclave
2010-2014 Buick LaCrosse
2010-2014 Cadillac SRX
2013–2014 Cadillac ATS, XTS
2008-2014 Chevrolet Malibu
2008-2014 Chevrolet Equinox
2009-2014 Chevrolet Traverse
2014 Chevrolet Impala
2007-2014 GMC Acadia
2010-2014 GMC Terrain
2007-2009 Pontiac G6
2008-2009 Pontiac Torrent
2007-2009 Saturn AURA
2007-2010 Saturn OUTLOOK
2008-2009 Saturn VUE
Equipped with 2.8L (RPO LAU), 3.0L (RPOs LF1, LFW) or 3.6L (RPOs LLT, LY7, LFX)
6 Cylinder Engine
Attention: Oil filter misapplication may cause abnormal engine noise or internal damage. Always
utilize the most recent parts information to ensure the correct part number filter is
installed when replacing oil filters. Do not rely on physical dimensions alone.
Counterfeit copies of name brand parts have been discovered in some aftermarket
parts systems. Always ensure the parts you install are from a trusted source. Improper
oil filter installation may result in catastrophic engine damage. Some aftermarket oil
filters share the outside dimension of Factory Equipment and AC Delco service
replacement filters. Though they look the same, these filters do not meet GM
specification and function requirements. In recent warranty engine teardown reviews,
it has been found that aftermarket filters have caused internal engine failures and/or
noise due to the lack of lubrication.
This bulletin has been revised to include the Impala model and RPO LAU and update the
model years to 2014. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 10-06-01-003B.
Important: Engine damage that is the result of an
incorrect or improperly installed engine oil filter is not a
warrantable claim. The best way to avoid oil filter
quality concerns is to purchase ACDelco® oil filters
directly from General Motors Customer Care and
Aftersales (GMCC&A).
Copyright 2013 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
This condition may be caused by aftermarket oil filter
internal failure. Filter debris can be transferred
throughout the engine this way.
Important: Aftermarket oil filter failure is not covered
by GM Powertrain warranty.
The following information is being communicated to aid
the technician in proper diagnostics.
Page 2
September, 2013
Bulletin No.: 10-06-01-003C
Engine Ticking Noise in Valve Train
First, the location of the tick must be determined
(exhaust or intake, front or rear engine bank). Using a
suitable listening device such as chassis ears and/or a
stethoscope, determine the location of the ticking noise.
1. Does the noise only come from one bank location
(intake or exhaust lifters area)?
2. If the noise is in the one bank location, then the oil
galley lubrication hole may be obstructed with
foreign material.
2479454
5. (A) Bank 1 (2, 4, 6) Reference 1–Intake oil galley
for lifters, Reference 2–Camshaft Actuator
(Phaser) Oil Galley, Reference 3- Exhaust Oil
Galley for Lifters.
2479378
3. When the location is determined, the technician
should remove the valve cover and inspect the
lifters for aeration. Remove the stationary hydraulic
lifter assemblies (SHLA) for the suspect location /
cylinder. For Example; Bank 2 Cylinder # 1 A & B
exhaust lifters are making noise. Inspect the lifters
for the presence of oil. If oil is present, SHLA will
be pumped and hard to compress. If aeration is
present, the lifter will be spongy. Test by trying to
compress with your fingers or a suitable tool.
4. Spongy SHLA (lifters) mean aeration and
obstruction to flow oil to SHLA is present.
Reference the oil lubrication description document
in SI for details of system operation.
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(B) Bank 2 ( 1, 3, 5) Reference 1–Intake oil galley
for lifters, Reference 2–Camshaft Actuator
(Phaser) Oil Galley, Reference 3- Exhaust Oil
Galley for Lifters.
An obstruction to oil flow is present at the engine
block deck passage under the head gasket for lifter
oil pressure. The passage is the location in the
front engine block deck. The oiling passage can be
identified as a hole with eye brows cut to each
side. See figures above.
Bulletin No.: 10-06-01-003C
September, 2013
2479441
6. One example of obstruction is shown above. Filter
media material plugging the 2 mm lubrication
passage hole creating aeration in the exhaust lifter
oil galley. The obstruction can be filter media
material or an orange silicone rubber material. The
above example is filter media.
7. Engine oil passages will have to be cleaned of
aftermarket filter media debris or orange silicone
rubber.
Page 3
2479435
Rod bearing welded to crankshaft (1).
Engine Knocking / Piston Skirt Knock-Topic 2
1. Follow the procedures in SI for the source of a
knock condition. Additional diagnosis is required
by removal of the oil pan for main and rod bearing
inspection. Further inspection for the source of
bearing failure is required. Recent failed engine
analysis reviews reveal the bearings are not
removed and oil passages are not being checked
in many cases. Technicians need to inspect for oil
galley obtrusion, which is a source for oil starvation
and bearing life in some cases.
2. One source for oil starvation is due to aftermarket
oil filter anti-drain back valves deterioration.
Orange silicone rubber material has been found in
many cases of oil starvation underneath the main
and rod bearings, with material contained in the oil
lubrication galley in both blocks and crankshaft
lubrication holes. The orange silicone rubber is
from aftermarket oil filters anti drain back valve
assembly, which is located under the filter media
and above the screw on the base. Orange silicone
rubber is not used in the assembly of the High
Feature V6 as well as most GM engine
applications. Examples are below.
2479437
Orange silicone rubber obstructing the oil flow to
the main and rod bearings in the engine block
webbing (1).
Page 4
September, 2013
2479440
Silicone rubber found in main and rod bearing and
in the piston skirt squirters (sprayers) (1).
Sprayer is removed to show obstruction material.
3. Such related failures as shown in the examples
above are not considered to be warranty by
General Motors.
Bulletin No.: 10-06-01-003C
2493734
This is an oil filter that is teardown. The left (1) shows a
part removed from a failed engine oil main bearing
gallery. The right one (2) is a new seal removed from a
new aftermarket filter. This is what a drainback valve
looks like prior to failure.
Conclusion
Example of Aftermarket Filter Failures
Repair as necessary to remove filter media/debris from
oil galleys and piston squirter sprayer in the cylinder
head. Repair and/or replace damaged engine
components as necessary.
GM Powertrain engines require oil filters that can meet
the challenges of today oil filtration systems, engine oil
pressure requirements (both hot and cold) and Oil Life
Monitoring systems. Improper oil filter usage may result
in catastrophic engine damage or failure that is not
covered by the GM Powertrain warranty.
2493733
First do a general inspection for possible source. With
the metal can cut off, you can see detail of media
failure.
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.
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