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.
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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.

Examples of Engines with the Rubberized Contamination Described Above:

 

Great post! Just one more reason to stay away from these type of shops. You'll never know if you recieve the right products for your vehicle, more importantly the motor oil.

Tough for women who depend on these shops to maintain their vehicles too.

As seen on TV reports, many times these shops rip customers off in one way or another. One recent report was filmed taking a customers air filter out and telling them it needs replacing. Then caught on camera, taking the removed filter outside and blowing it out with air, placing it in an air filter box, pulling it out in front of the customer and installing it in their car. Customer just assumes it was a new one.

 

 

What's one of my sayings again???

 

Omg!

 

Yikes

 

Glad I have mine done at the dealer.

 

Theme of "change engine oil" is already stuffed on edge and I apologize that once again return to this subject.
But guys! I just got chills creeping when I see how some Americans refer to the choice of engine oil.
1. You can not buy motor oil on a "lower price - so s top;
2. You can not trust the labels of 7,000 miles driven. Still less can exceed this mileage;
3. Can not be ignored Regular inspection of oil. It is not hard at least once a week to open the hood, pull out the dipstick and see what's in Inside;
4. You can not pour one brand of engine oil after the other brand of motor oil without pre-treatment system. Especially! This applies to the replacement of mineral oils. They are chemical additives in conflict with each other;
5. Must give preference to synthetic motor oils, though they are more expensive;
6. We need to change engine oil, not only after a certain path but before changing seasons, especially in middle and high latitudes where there is a cold snowy winter. I hope for you is no secret that the characteristics of oils for different seasons should be different;
7. Need to buy motor oil only in trade organizations with an impeccable reputation and proven suppliers. By the way, dealers are not those of a default.
Petrol - it's not blood car, it is his food. Blood of the car - engine oil. Follow my recommendations and the life of your car will be a long and happy. Do not be afraid to spend an extra twenty bucks, you save a thousand bucks on repairs.

 

First thank you for the information!!! It would be good if you could post the list of 11 shops(if you know them) for others. I do my own oil changes(as well as all other services) but for others who don't have the time, this would be great info. I can't believe there would be a recall/TSB or whatever is going on just in S.E. Michigan. There has to be other franchises of these places across Michigan's state lines. Regardless, I hope this problem is solved ASAP for my fellow S.E. Michigander's HHRs!!!!

Dave