Thin Oil and Tight Clearances in New Engine Failures

[Lou Schneider]

According to this YouTube video, engines are using thinner oil to help meet federal fuel mileage standards. This means bearings need tighter clearances to maintain the oil film, going from millimeters to microns. Manufacturing cleanliness hasn't kept pace, leaving contaminants in new engines that used to harmlessly pass through rod and main bearings getting caught and destroying them.

 

[DutchmenSport]

It's for reasons such as this that I'm hanging on to my 2014 Chevy Silverado Dually Diesel Long-Bed Crew-Cab pick-up truck. I had a rental 3 months ago. It was a GM SUV of some sort. The thing was awful. Buttons and displays and computer garbage all over the thing, I couldn't even figure out how to turn the windshield wipers on or the head lights. It goes without saying, I didn't drive it in rain or after dark. I had it for 10 days and never figured it out.

I was so glad to get my 12 year old dually back and so glad I spent $11,000 for a total body repaint job. I plan to never get rid of this truck. I can't handle the stuff being built today.

Here she is after the repaint. No way do I want a new one with all the tech garbage and government invasive tracking junk.

 

[RayIN]

It's for reasons such as this that I'm hanging on to my 2014 Chevy Silverado Dually Diesel Long-Bed Crew-Cab pick-up truck. I had a rental 3 months ago. It was a GM SUV of some sort. The thing was awful. Buttons and displays and computer garbage all over the thing, I couldn't even figure out how to turn the windshield wipers on or the head lights. It goes without saying, I didn't drive it in rain or after dark. I had it for 10 days and never figured it out.

I was so glad to get my 12 year old dually back and so glad I spent $11,000 for a total body repaint job. I plan to never get rid of this truck. I can't handle the stuff being built today.

Here she is after the repaint. No way do I want a new one with all the tech garbage and government invasive tracking junk.

However, we both have Onstar in our pickups, mine is a 2013 silverado. Even when we don't have a paid subsription to Onstar, it actively tracks our vehicle. The only way to eliminate that is locate and pull the fuses or cut the wires.
Want proof? turn off your cell-phone and attempt to place a call; it will likely say you don't have enough minutes to place a call, IF you haven't a paid subscription. Although the emergency button is still active regardless.

 

[Lou Schneider]

It's for reasons such as this that I'm hanging on to my 2014 Chevy Silverado Dually Diesel Long-Bed Crew-Cab pick-up truck.

Same here for my 1999 Ford 7.5l Powerstroke. I almost bought a new Chevy last year but backed out after the test drive - the hood on that truck was so tall a child could stand in front of the truck and I would never see them. The salesman said they offered a front view camera to cover the blind spot, I laughed and cancelled the deal.

Good thing I didn't buy - it's engine was one with the thin oil and tight clearances that fail suddenly.

 

[Bearcatrp]

On the Ram forum, am reading nightmare posts about new vehicles sitting at the dealer waiting on parts, some 6 months. There vehicles just purchased a few months ago, now sitting awaiting parts. No way would I buy a new vehicle. Junk. Slapped together like RV’s. Now this report, wow. My 2021 Ram 3500 with 6.4 gasser gets 0W40 synthetic when I get my oil changed at the dealer. My manual states 7000 miles between oil changes. I change it at 5000, always. May have to research a thicker oil. Thanks for posting this information.

 

[DonTom]

According to this YouTube video, engines are using thinner oil to help meet federal fuel mileage standards.

Forget the engine oil. Get an EV!

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

Being a “doom and despair” sceptic, this video hits all the emotional buttons, has a few factual statistics, but very little information regarding reference and sources. While GM may have had a recall involving 500,000 vehicles, there is no factual reference to any of the engine failure claims.
I tried to find out the source of the video (and other Flash Discovery videos) and this was the best that I could find.
AI report…
AI Overview



Flash Discovery is a popular YouTube channel that produces long-form mystery, history, and science documentary videos.
The exact identities of the individuals behind the channel remain publicly unknown, as the creators use AI-generated voiceovers and do not show their faces on camera. The channel operates anonymously, relying on licensed and stock footage combined with dramatic storytelling to cover topics like lost civilizations, space anomalies, and unexplained mysteries

 

[TheBar]

May have to research a thicker oil. Thanks for posting this information.

Going to a thicker oil can cause bearing failure due to the tighter clearances in modern engines. Bearings are designed to have oil flowing through them while the engine is running. It may not be able to force the oil through. And can cause oil leaks due to the higher oil pressure.

If you already have over 100k miles going to one step thicker oil like 5W40 may actually be good for the bearings due to the clearances opening up due to wear.

 

[TheBar]

Being a “doom and despair” sceptic, this video hits all the emotional buttons, has a few factual statistics, but very little information regarding reference and sources. While GM may have had a recall involving 500,000 vehicles, there is no factual reference to any of the engine failure claims.
I tried to find out the source of the video (and other Flash Discovery videos) and this was the best that I could find.
AI report…
AI Overview



Flash Discovery is a popular YouTube channel that produces long-form mystery, history, and science documentary videos.
The exact identities of the individuals behind the channel remain publicly unknown, as the creators use AI-generated voiceovers and do not show their faces on camera. The channel operates anonymously, relying on licensed and stock footage combined with dramatic storytelling to cover topics like lost civilizations, space anomalies, and unexplained mysteries

But there are multiple manufacturers recalling engines. There are other reasons besides contamination though.

Increasing smaller engines overstressed by developing 3 HP per cubic inch is a big problem. Back in the 1960's muscle car era 1 HP per cubic inch was considered the safe maximum.

 

[tlmgcamp1]

My first experience with the auto start/stop was with a dealership loaner. I was in a city needing to complete a somewhat aggressive ledt turn in an unsignalized intersection. Got out into the middle of the intersection and the engine dies. A definite WTF moment. Very thankful that the feds eliminated that stupidity

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

But there are multiple manufacturers recalling engines. There are other reasons besides contamination though.

Increasing smaller engines overstressed by developing 3 HP per cubic inch is a big problem. Back in the 1960's muscle car era 1 HP per cubic inch was considered the safe maximum.

I agree that it’s possible that we are asking to much from many engines in the name of fuel economy and horsepower. The Ford Ecoboost for example, made me very wary in regards to longevity when it’s used as a towing engine.

This video is still suspect and was created to trigger an emotional response.

 

[Lou Schneider]

My first experience with the auto start/stop was with a dealership loaner. I was in a city needing to complete a somewhat aggressive ledt turn in an unsignalized intersection. Got out into the middle of the intersection and the engine dies. A definite WTF moment. Very thankful that the feds eliminated that stupidity

The Subaru dealer refuses to disable the Auto Start in my sister's Outback. Her last Outback received a new engine under warranty and since the new one is still under warranty she doesn't want to install one of the aftermarket plug-ins.

 

[Primerump]

I agree that it’s possible that we are asking to much from many engines in the name of fuel economy and horsepower. The Ford Ecoboost for example, made me very wary in regards to longevity when it’s used as a towing engine.

This video is still suspect and was created to trigger an emotional response.

a simple way to increase HP and MPG is to remove ethanol from gas..
proponents claimed 5% reduction in harmful emissions but forgot to tell anyone about the 15% reduction in HP and MPG.. it all seems counter productive

 

[Derby6]

hits all the emotional buttons, has a few factual statistics

still suspect and was created to trigger an emotional response.

Yep.

Forget the engine oil. Get an EV!

-Don- Reno, NV

Also suspect with no factual statistics and was created to trigger an emotional response.


Well over 90% of what we see in online videos and forums are issues/complaints—and or fixes for them.
But how many more have little to no issues. No need to post or complain. Just enjoy the truck, RV, or any product for that matter.

 

[DutchmenSport]

... dramatic storytelling to cover topics like lost civilizations, space anomalies, and unexplained mysteries

Wow! That sounds just like RVing!

Lost civilizations ... we're always discovering new places and things to do.

Space anomalies ... How much space do I have to cram all my junk into my RV? How much space does that campsite have to fit my RV? It's a never ending battle for RVers.

Unexplained mysteries: Um... exactly what caused my tire to blow? Am I over weight? Can I tow this trailer? What's the best route?

Yep, sounds like AI has been hanging around us RVers way too long!

 

[SargeW]

My Ram 2500 also has the 6.4 gasser and ZF 8 speed auto. I use 0W40 as recommended whenever the oil life meter gets low and do my own oil changes. The truck has 52K on it, at least half or more while towing. I had the last two oil changes tested at a lab. The second sample was after returning from a month long towing trip all over the west, lots of steep inclines. I matched the two sample reports and both were perfect, well within expected wear limits. So I will keep driving, and towing. Out on a 3 month trip right now, just pulled in to Eureka Montana.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Am at 55,000 now. Need to send in a sample to see how my 6.4 is doing.

 

[Derby6]

2019 F350 Diesel -- 213,000 miles
No issues

 

[Chef Duane]

Lost civilizations ... we're always discovering new places and things to do.
Space anomalies ... How much space do I have to cram all my junk into my RV? How much space does that campsite have to fit my RV? It's a never ending battle for RVers.
Unexplained mysteries: Um... exactly what caused my tire to blow? Am I over weight? Can I tow this trailer? What's the best route?

Yep, sounds like AI has been hanging around us RVers way too long!

And here I've been hoping finally to get to see a Bigfoot!

 

[SargeW]

Am at 55,000 now. Need to send in a sample to see how my 6.4 is doing.

I paid about $30 for the kit and testing. It's great peace of mind, especially since it also tests for contaminates in the oil like coolant.

The interesting thing about the GM problem running the 0W20 oil is that the fix for the existing engines on the lot still, or any previously sold that are not having problems yet is to switch to 0W40. Will it fix it? Unknown yet, but it probably won't hurt.