3.6L Problem

[IBMROBERT]

Not sure if this has anything to do with us (LLT owners), but my son-in-law called to tell me GM sent him a notice about a timing chain issue on his Saturn Outlook which has the 3.6L direct injection engine. Car has been recalled to "reset" the oil monitor system to force the customer to change the oil more frequently, because the timing chain could stretch out. I would assume that the software change will be to increase the speed of the oil life percentage. He's not a happy camper. Has me a little worried.

[BaylorCamaro]

I've heard this talked about several times now. I haven't heard any problems on our cars. However, given how new the car is I'm not too surprised that we haven't seen any problems yet. I'd just make sure you change your oil often and use good oil too.

[Beauwulf]

Here's the GM service bulletin. Has NO mention of the Camaro... sad to say, other models are afflicted...


Date: 02/09/2011
Subject: 10287 - Customer Satisfaction Program - Premature Timing Chain Wear - Reprogram ECM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTERSALES

DCS2552

URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY



Date: February 9, 2010

Subject: 10287 - Customer Satisfaction Program
Premature Timing Chain Wear - Reprogram ECM

Models: 2007 GMC Acadia, Saturn OUTLOOK
2007-09 Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS
2009 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia,
Saturn OUTLOOK
Equipped with a HFV6 Engine

To: All GM Dealers

Attention: General Manager, Service Manager, Parts Manager,
Used Vehicle Sales Manager, and Warranty Administrator

General Motors is announcing Customer Satisfaction Program 10287 today. The total number of U.S. vehicles involved is approximately 383,000. Please see the attached bulletin for details.

Due to the availability of the required calibration, this program will be administered in phases. The first phase will include the Cadillac vehicles. You will be notified when the calibration and VINs are being released for the remainder of the vehicles.

Customer Letter Mailing

The customer letter mailing will begin on February 15, 2011, for Cadillac customers.

Global Connect (GWM)

The "Investigate Vehicle History" (GMVIS 2) link on the Global Warranty Management (GWM) application within GlobalConnect will be updated February 9, 2011, with Cadillac VINs.

Campaign Initiation Detail Report (CIDR)

The CIDR will be available February 11, 2011, for the Cadillac vehicles.


END OF MESSAGE

GM CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTERSALES

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message Attachment(s):
10287 bulletin.pdf Acrobat PDF (77.17KB) 10287


CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM
SUBJECT: Premature Timing Chain Wear – Reprogram Engine Control Module
MODELS: 2009 Buick Enclave
2007-2009 Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS
2009 Chevrolet Traverse
2007 GMC Acadia
2009 GMC Acadia
2007 Saturn OUTLOOK
2009 Saturn OUTLOOK
Equipped with HFV6 Engine

Due to the availability of the required calibration, this program is being administered in
phases. This first phase will include the Cadillac vehicles only. You will receive a dealer
message when the calibration and VINs are being released for the remainder of the
vehicles.

THIS PROGRAM IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FEBRUARY 28, 2013.

CONDITION
On certain 2007 model year GMC Acadia; Saturn OUTLOOK; 2007-2009 model year Cadillac
CTS, SRX, STS; 2009 model year Buick Enclave; Chevrolet Traverse; GMC Acadia; and Saturn
OUTLOOK vehicles equipped with a HFV6 engine, under certain driving conditions, and with
extended oil change intervals, the timing chain could wear prematurely and cause the
illumination of the Service Engine Soon light.

CORRECTION
Dealers are to reprogram the engine control module, including the engine oil life monitor.

VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 2007 model year GMC Acadia; Saturn OUTLOOK; 2007-2009 model year
Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS; 2009 model year Buick Enclave; Chevrolet Traverse; GMC Acadia;
and Saturn OUTLOOK vehicles equipped with a HFV6 engine
Important: Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using the
Required Field Actions section in the Global Warranty system.
For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete
vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared and
will be provided to US and Canadian dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports, or
sent directly to export dealers. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved
vehicles currently assigned.

The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle
Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other
than follow-up necessary to complete this program is a violation of law in several
states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the
follow-up necessary to complete this program.


Dear General Motors Customer:
This notice is sent to inform you that General Motors is conducting a Customer Satisfaction
Program that affects 2007 model year GMC Acadia; Saturn OUTLOOK; 2007-2009 model year
Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS; 2009 model year Buick Enclave; Chevrolet Traverse; GMC Acadia;
and Saturn OUTLOOK vehicles equipped with a V6 engine.

Your vehicle was designed and built to meet GM's high standards for quality and reliability.
However, we have determined that under certain driving conditions, and with extended oil
change intervals, the timing chain could wear prematurely and cause the illumination of the
Service Engine Soon light. Timing chain wear can be affected by the age of the engine oil and
driving conditions.

What We Will Do:
To ensure that your vehicle will not experience this condition, your GM
dealer will change the calibration of the engine control module, including the engine oil life
monitor, which in most cases will recommend more frequent oil changes. This calibration
change will be performed for you at no charge until February 28, 2013.

What You Should Do:
To limit any possible inconvenience, we recommend that you contact
your dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for this repair.
__________________

[bowtie628]

speaking of v6 issues.. why does the camaro v6 engine tick?

[Sasquatch]

prolly hearing injectors

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by bowtie628

speaking of v6 issues.. why does the camaro v6 engine tick?

I would call the bomb squad.

[BaylorCamaro]

Originally Posted by bowtie628

speaking of v6 issues.. why does the camaro v6 engine tick?

Are you talking about when the engine is idling? If so I've always wondered, I was hoping mine wasn't the only one that does this.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

prolly hearing injectors

+1

[KMPrenger]

The ticking is due to the Direct Injection. Nothing to worry about.

As far as the chain goes the general consensus is change your oil often enough (do not wait for the dang DIC to tell you when to change it. If I did that I'd be going 7,000 or more miles until my first oil change). This should help to keep the chain stretching issue from worsening.

[Cmicasa the Great XvX]

Originally Posted by bowtie628

speaking of v6 issues.. why does the camaro v6 engine tick?

It's not an issue... it because of Direct-Injection. Every DI engine I kno of from various manufacturers have the same NVH sound. BMW 3.0L is known for this by many BMW owners

[bowtie628]

thats pretty shitty that all the v6 engines tick. people have asked me what it was, i felt embarrased..

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by bowtie628

thats pretty shitty that all the v6 engines tick. people have asked me what it was, i felt embarrased..

No reason to be embarrased, thats forsure.

[Sasquatch]

don't get embarrased when your engine squirts.

don't let it tick you off, i mean.

[rtcat600man]

The timing chain issue is well documented in the forum. Do a search and you can read plenty on this issue. As was said above change the oil. It is dirty oil and wear that allows the chain to stretch. No issue in the newer Camaros. There are new chains to address the issue. Also, documented somewhere, do the search.

BOTTOM LINE don't let the DIC tell you when to change the oil.