A recent class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Ohio claims General Motors‘ 5.3-liter LC9 V8 engine burns high amounts of oil and has other design flaws that could lead to engine damage.
The suit alleges the 5.3L V8 engines found in a number of 2010-2014 model year GM vehicles have flawed piston rings that don’t maintain tension well enough to keep oil in the crankcase. Additionally, the PCV system may vacuum engine oil out from the valvetrain and expel it into the intake, where the oil is then taken in and burned in the combustion chambers.
The active fuel management compounds the oil burn problem, as well. The system uses an oil pressure relief valve that sprays oil directly onto the piston skirts, but this oil spray can allegedly overload the piston rings, leaking past the rings and burning off, or accumulating on the surface of the combustion chamber and causing carbon buildup. Furthermore, the plaintiff says the oil monitoring system will not inform the driver about the low oil levels, so some owners may not be aware when the engine runs low on oil.
These issues can lead to spark plug fouling, ring wear, lifted collapse, bent pushrods, camshaft wear, valve wear, rod bearing wear, rod breakage and other major failures in the engine, the class action suit claims.
According to Car Complaints, GM told dealerships to carbonize the rings and combustion chambers of affected vehicles, but it did not remedy the problem. GM also apparently knew about potential problems with the engine as far back as 2007, based on consumer complaints and Technical Service Bulletins it issued. The TSBs indicate the problems are caused by PCV issues, piston rings and the active fuel management system.
GM redesigned its 5.3-liter V8 engine after the 2014 model year, using redesigned piston rings and adding a shield to deflect oil away from the piston skirts. The newer versions of the engine also feature an oil level sensor and new valve covers. Vehicles involved in this class action were all built between 2010 and 2014. They include:
The plaintiff in the lawsuit is looking to represent current and former owners or lessees of affected vehicles in the United States that have experienced similar problems. The case is Szep v. General Motors LLC (Case No. 1:19-cv-02858) and was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
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Source: Car Complaints
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Melling makes the lifters and claims they are not the issue.The issue is oil blow bye which turns into carbon and sticks the lifters.One hiccup in valve train is devastating.I saw a 2015 Silverado with a 6.2L with 140,000+ miles on it come into a shop.It had a flat cam which was caused by a stuck lifter that was stuck by carbon,made by the oil blow bye.The invoice was around 2K and an oil catch can is $149 at JLT Performance,just saying....
How do you join the class action lawsuit
google the subject and contact the attorneys office surprised they have not found you have been getting junk mail from them for a good 5yrs
We are currently in the process of having to get my 2012 Chevy Silverado engine fixed due to this issue. As everything we have read it cylinder/lifter #7 and most likely the camshaft. My truck only has 115,000 miles and has never missed an oil change and had zero warning of having issues. We also have a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban with the same engine at 91,000 miles so we are panicking that this will happen again! Something needs to be done immediately about this!!
Dylan, again...GDI engines for all manufacturers have an oil consumption defect by design.Older engine designs dealt with blow by in different ways but in GDI it puts it back through the intake manifold and throttle body.This causes an excessive amount of carbon build up and eventually chunks and bits break loose and stick a lifter.As for the rings as the oil enters into the combustion chamber and it should never be there it raises the internal temperature and causes premature wear and tear.It's as simple as that.You can find comments on all manufacturers that have a forum and see for yourself. Melling makes the GM lifters and made a public statement as to how it isn't their products that are to blame.Basically the hot rodders are generally ahead of the game with engines and they came up with the oil catch can and it works to keep the oil blow bye to a minimum.It is the best anyone can do with a GDI engine.FCI(Chrysler) engines have more blow bye and they have lifter issues to,so should everyone sue them too?Where does it end then?
I have been running the 5.3L and 4.8L V8 for years.No oil consumption at all.I use an oil catch can and it saves the engine!I also use Supertech oil from Walmart (Exxon Mobil oil!) synthetic and Wix filters, again no issues.GDI engines from all makes have the blow by,so pony up a little money for a catch can and there you go.I change my oil every 5K.It doesn't matter what company-GDI engines just do this. It does help if you go to a trusted shop and get the BG Products line of GDI help,it has an engine oil treatment,fuel system flush,and an engine cleanser to get out the carbon garbage from the blow by.After that install a catch can and you will not have to worry about it again.I generally have 1-3 onces of oil in the catch can cannister at each oil change interval.That would be going into the engine if not for the catch can and causing issues.Just saying...
I have a 2007 that burns a quart 1/2 every 1500 miles...I want in on this suit. Mine is a 2007 and they know they had problems back then so suit should include all 5.3. How to extend it?
Not sure how old this is but I have the same problem I have a 2010 Silverado 5.3 and it literally burnt to nothing and was smoking I have to rebuild my engine
My current 2014 Silverado 5.3 is loosing oil, with no signs of oil leakage . I add 3qts between oil changes
sell
I have a 2009 Chevy Silverado 5.3 that the lifters are going out every 1,000 miles for a total of 8 times now and this has cost me thousands of dollars!
Oil catch can is what saves the GDI engines, after damage and an engine change get one so it doesn't happen again.
I have the same issue on my 2011 Chevy Tahoe. Anyone knows what can be done. This is frustrating and expensive been up to date with maintenance and buying quarts of oil to refill. Spark plugs being replaced due to the oil getting to them. Mechanic shops can’t see the problem as no signs of oil leaks.
I am having same issue with my 2011 Chevy Tahoe. I have put a lot of money in this year in to my truck but still having this issue. I am tired and I can’t afford if my engine gets damage with the COVID-19 crisis that we are facing. What can be done if dealer can find this issue and not doing anything in regards to this settlement issue?