An odd noise coming from the engine bay is something vehicle owners never want to hear. Unfortunately, a few GM vehicles, including the Cadillac CT4-V, have been making a strange whining noise, alarming some owners in the process. However, according to a GM service bulletin seen by GM Authority, this whine is considered part of the vehicle’s normal operation, at least as of this writing.
Affecting vehicles with the turbocharged 2.7L L3B I4 gasoline engine, the whining noise is present in the engine area and is most noticeable while coming off idle, in the range of 1000 RPM to 2500 RPM. A number of vehicles across GM’s North American lineup are affected by this condition, including:
- 2022 Cadillac CT4-V
- 2023 Cadillac CT4-V
- 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500
- 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500
- 2022 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
It’s worth noting that transmission choice has no correlation to the whining noise.
Certified GM service technicians are instructed to use a stethoscope to determine if the whining noise can be isolated to the lower oil pan area or transmission bell housing area. If this is the case, then the whine is likely being generated by balance shaft gear-to-gear interactions. This noise will not cause any durability or reliability issues for the vehicle. A further investigation into the issue by GM Engineering is currently underway.
As a reminder, the turbocharged L3B inline four-cylinder engine was first introduced with the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, rated at 310 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 348 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 RPM. Originally designed as a low-rpm, torque-rich engine, the L3B I4 later made its way into the 2020 Cadillac CT4-V. In this application, the engine made 325 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. With an aluminum block and cylinder head, the L3B I4 engine is able to keep weight to a minimum while still delivering very healthy output figures.
With the 2022 model year refreshes of the Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500, the L3B I4 received several updates that enabled peak torque to grow to 430 pound-feet. The CT4-V, however, did not receive these bumps in power.
Production of the L3B I4 gasoline engine takes place at the GM Spring Hill plant in Tennessee, USA.
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Comments
Apparently testing and quality are not a part of GM goals.
This engine will also be the only choice for the next generation Colorado and Canyon which start production 01/23. The usage of the “redesigned” 8 speed automatic transmission gave me pause, but now this engine noise might just scratch this truck off my list for 2023.
Sounds to me like 30,000 miles or so of constant whining from the engine will result in major drivetrain issues, not to mention having to listen to it.
You don’t like to read do you and in stead make horrible ASSumptions to try and stir the pot…
Straight from the article:
“This noise will not cause any durability or reliability issues for the vehicle.”
So 30k huh? How did you pull that number out of you arse?
Modern engines are not quiet, with multiple cams, solid lifters, and turbos. Nothing like the ICE’s of old that ran like sewing machines and that you couldn’t even hear running when warmed up and idling.
You just described the sewing machine sound my 1953 Series 62’s wonderful 331 with rochester 4 barrel makes while idling to a T.
Carl: Another source of noise from the “engine” is with direct injection. I recall when we were training on the first Cadillac with direct injection (with a GM trainer) and they showed us a specially made sound deadening panel they put on the top of the engine to help reduce the noise. When he removed the panel, you could really hear it more, so that panel worked. My point is just building off your comment. Engines are made of many parts of metal, aluminum, plastic, etc and you are going to have noise. I’m just impressed that they are able to make them as quiet as they are. I know how quiet my Malibu 1.5L is when running and it amazes me. However, not all brands do so well. One of my neighbors has a 2022 Subaru and that thing is really loud when started and running. Other neighbors have two Toyota Rav4 hybrids and I can hear those turds from over a block away.
Good point, I forgot about fuel injector noise. A carburetor with a properly installed air filter/breather makes no sound.
Had a similar problem with a V8 engine built by a crosstown rival a few decades ago. The solution at the time was Introducing a few ounces of oleic acid to the crankcase to help bed the noisy parts.
This whine needs to be eliminated ASAP, even if it causes no reliability/durability issues. Calling this whine normal is a very bad idea. Anyone remember the 1981 Cadillac V8-6-4? It vibrated when running on 6 cylinders. GM informed dealers this is normal. After 1981, the engine was only offered in Cadillac factory limousines.
I have a CT4 premium luxury with the 2.7 liter turbo engine. The whine is the turbo spooling it’s not a problem.
My friend that works as a service advisor at a Ford dealership would jokingly recommend customers turn their radio up.
@John Wettlaufer. Would you mind describing the noise you are referring to? I’m having the same issue, that’s what brought me here. I hear spooling all the time while driving. I also hear what I consider something else. Cadillac tells me it is “normal spooling”. It does not sound like any spooling I’ve ever heard.