Someone calm my 6.2 fears...

adonahue00 · Mar 13, 2025

DHW said:
When the ticking/tapping starts, can you hear it in the cab while driving?

The exact same thing OP described happened to me. First sign things were going downhill was the engine dying and not starting up again (starter fuse was blown) after the fuse and starter were replaced, a few days later, a faint tapping sound started like the one in the video (yes you can hear it from inside the cab but its faint), then all of a sudden a clacking/squeaking sound started and I lost acceleration as OP described. All downhill from there.

DHW · Mar 13, 2025

myrez said:
Curious, did you install an oil catch can?

I put the J&L catch can on this past weekend, the only engine mod I've done. That said, while I know how a catch can works, I have no idea how a catch can could effect the 6.2 issues. Can you (or anyone) explain?

Sport0519 · Mar 13, 2025

DHW said:
I put the J&L catch can on this past weekend, the only engine mod I've done. That said, while I know how a catch can works, I have no idea how a catch can could effect the 6.2 issues. Can you (or anyone) explain?

I can't say for sure, but the sound coming from that engine in the video sure sounds like the bottom end got wiped out. I don't see catch can in the PCV system preventing this issue. Catch cans are designed to separate all the vapors coming out of the crankcase into condensate (usually a oil/water mix) and air. They are more of a longevity modification on direct injected engines to ensure the engine doesn't lose performance over time due to buildup on the back of the intake valves. I don't see how this would lead to a bearing failure. Usually bearing failures are caused by heat buildup due to oil starvation issues. I wish I had saved the links, but I have read about the oversized lifter bore issue as well as a cam thrust bearing issue on the early T1 platform 6.2's. I could see both of these issues leading to oil pressure issues, causing a main or rod bearing failure. Curious if anyone who has had an engine failure has the paperwork from the dealer that might detail what they think caused the engine to fail. Anyone??

Leo581 · Mar 13, 2025

Sport0519 said:
I can't say for sure, but the sound coming from that engine in the video sure sounds like the bottom end got wiped out. I don't see catch can in the PCV system preventing this issue. Catch cans are designed to separate all the vapors coming out of the crankcase into condensate (usually a oil/water mix) and air. They are more of a longevity modification on direct injected engines to ensure the engine doesn't lose performance over time due to buildup on the back of the intake valves. I don't see how this would lead to a bearing failure. Usually bearing failures are caused by heat buildup due to oil starvation issues. I wish I had saved the links, but I have read about the oversized lifter bore issue as well as a cam thrust bearing issue on the early T1 platform 6.2's. I could see both of these issues leading to oil pressure issues, causing a main or rod bearing failure. Curious if anyone who has had an engine failure has the paperwork from the dealer that might detail what they think caused the engine to fail. Anyone??

Unfortunately the dealership didn't add any notes when they replaced my engine. They kept it brief. "Owner complains of tapping noise, metal found in the oil, new engine installed."

Sport0519 · Mar 13, 2025

Leo581 said:
Unfortunately the dealership didn't add any notes when they replaced my engine. They kept it brief. "Owner complains of tapping noise, metal found in the oil, new engine installed."

I know GM has to approve the engine swap or any warranty repair. The dealer must just send the cores back to GM for investigation if requested. I can see why they wouldn't tell you what went wrong. The engineer in me would want my bad engine to disassemble and see what happened for myself!

Leo581 · Mar 13, 2025

Sport0519 said:
I know GM has to approve the engine swap or any warranty repair. The dealer must just send the cores back to GM for investigation if requested. I can see why they wouldn't tell you what went wrong. The engineer in me would want my bad engine to disassemble and see what happened for myself!

So they actually had a GM tech or engineer come out to the dealership and look at the engine. I still didn't get any explanation on what happened. When I asked the service advisor what it was, he simply said "lifters."

Sport0519 · Mar 13, 2025

Leo581 said:
So they actually had a GM tech or engineer come out to the dealership and look at the engine. I still didn't get any explanation on what happened. When I asked the service advisor what it was, he simply said "lifters."

Interesting. If the engine seized and wouldn't turn over like you said, lifters wouldn't be the first thing I would suspect...

Leo581 · Mar 14, 2025

Sport0519 said:
Interesting. If the engine seized and wouldn't turn over like you said, lifters wouldn't be the first thing I would suspect...

I think you might have me confused with "jakrbt." He reported that his engine seized. I was still able to drive mine into the dealership.
I agree with you though.

myrez · Mar 15, 2025

DHW said:
I put the J&L catch can on this past weekend, the only engine mod I've done. That said, while I know how a catch can works, I have no idea how a catch can could effect the 6.2 issues. Can you (or anyone) explain?

It's not directly linked.

mal.colm · Mar 16, 2025

myrez said:
Maintain it regularly like you are but with the addition of a quality oil catch can like the the JL seperator. Combine that with driving in L9 and I feel like that's the most any one can do. I feel confident that my 6.2 will last.

What is L9?

myrez · Mar 16, 2025

Instead of selecting D for Drive, select L and then use the paddle shifter to select the ninth gear.

cynistersix · Mar 21, 2025

Well posted before about my Yukon. 19k miles and the engine quit on the freeway. Was doing 80mph and felt like I was fighting wind. Then magically the transmission shifted to N. I pulled over right away.

The dash said press start to restart vehicle. After parking on the shoulder I hit my onstar button and had it towed to a dealer near me.

No attempt to start the vehicle is successful.

Had it towed and will find out Monday what was the issue but I now share OPs fears.

DHW · Mar 31, 2025

I fell victim to 6.2 derangement syndrome this weekend, traded my '22 AT4X. Well, that was only part of it. It was also just too big for midtown Atlanta. Probably would have kept it if I lived somewhere more rural. Traded for this '24 Colorado ZR2. It only has 6k miles on it so the dealership certified it, giving it a 100k mile warranty. Also got about $10k back.

jakrbt · Mar 31, 2025

Great looking truck! Sorry we couldn't quell your fears/reservations surrounding the L87....but seems like you found other reason to get away from it.

I test drove my truck's replacement over the weekend...and even my wife said if we knew what was going to happen with my AT4X we'd have driven it home right then. When Momma likes it....it's a done deal! So as soon as we figure out which way is up on the AT4X...there's a very good chance it's going away.

myrez · Apr 5, 2025

jakrbt said:
Great looking truck! Sorry we couldn't quell your fears/reservations surrounding the L87....but seems like you found other reason to get away from it.

I test drove my truck's replacement over the weekend...and even my wife said if we knew what was going to happen with my AT4X we'd have driven it home right then. When Momma likes it....it's a done deal! So as soon as we figure out which way is up on the AT4X...there's a very good chance it's going away.

What's the replacement? The RHO?