Snoopy

Shamelessly borrowed from another forum. This applies to ALL GM vehicles (and probably all competitive vehicles) that had oil changed in aftermarket venues of SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. It was sent to GM dealers, that may heave been affected.

Hope it doesn't affect anyone.


#PIP4835: Engine Noise And/Or Low Oil Pressure After Oil Change In SE Michigan - (Sep 30, 2010)


Subject: Engine Noise and/or Low Oil Pressure After Oil Change in SE Michigan


Models: All GM Vehicles with a Gasoline Engine that have had the oil changed at an aftermarket oil change facility in Southeast Michigan between 5/10/2010-5/31/2010.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Some customers may complain of an engine noise and/or oil pressure light/message that started happening within 2,000 miles of having their engine oil changed at an aftermarket oil change facility in Southeast Michigan between 5/10/2010-5/31/2010.

This may be the result of the rubberized crankcase contamination described below.

A local oil distributor company delivered machining/cutting oil to aftermarket quick lube oil change companies in 8 cities (11 locations) in Southeast Michigan between 5/10/2010-5/31/2010 instead of engine oil. This machining/cutting oil will eventually breakdown and turn into the rubberized crankcase contamination shown below.

The distributor contacted the affected facilities around June 2010, who were supposed to contact the affected customers so they could return to have their engine flushed and oil changed but in some cases, this did not happen.

The insurance carrier currently estimates that a total of 3000 vehicles may be involved.

Recommendation/Instructions:
If this concern is suspected, review the customer's oil change receipts. If they indicate that the oil was changed at an aftermarket oil change facility in Southeast Michigan between 5/10/2010-5/31/2010, proceed with the rest of this PI.

Inspect the engine oil dipstick for any sign of rubberized contamination that leaves residue on your fingers that wipes off. This rubberized material should not be confused with sludge (stains your fingers and is soft and wet or hard, black and fluffy) or lack of maintenance.

If present, inspect the inside of the engine (oil pan or valve spring area of cylinder head) for rubberized material that can be scraped off of flat parts with a fingernail but is impossible to remove from the oil galleys. Normally, there will be a thick coating in the bottom of the oil pan (up to 2" thick) that is hard to tear apart.

If an engine is encountered that meets the description above, looks like any of the photos below, and had the oil changed at an aftermarket oil change facility in Southeast Michigan between 5/10/2010-5/31/2010, the service manager should contact their GM FOM with the following information:

• Original oil change receipt from the aftermarket oil change facility.

• Location of the vehicle (dealership location)

• Make, Model, and Year of the subject vehicle

• Owner information- Phone Number / Address ETC

• Contact Indiana Insurance Company:

As outlined in a message that was sent to GM FOMs during September 2010, the GM FOM should contact Jessica Crews @ 1-866-727-5041 (Extension 7622878) regarding Claim Number 704077780. If the aftermarket oil change facility is verified as an affected location, Jessica will arrange to have an adjuster inspect the vehicle and determine further direction.

urbexHHR

Dang, that's scary! I had my oil changed at the dealer at that exact time, but I'm not really in SE Michigan, and it was a dealership..... Besides, I think I would have had problems if that was the case by now...

Still scary!

Gas Man

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/mid-east-28/fyi-se-michigan-32046/

Althought this is great info to have reposted.