Motor tear reveals internal damage behind the L87 6.2L V8 of GM

Engine Teardown reveals internal damage behind the L87 6.2L V8 of GM originally appeared in Autoblog.

NHTSA probe is aimed at over 870,000 gm truck and SUV

General Motors started 2025, facing a major problem: the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an official investigation into the widely used 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine of the company. The probe affects 877,710 trucks and SUVs after multiple engine damage reports were submitted to the agency. The investigation has led to the fact that GM issued a voluntary large -scale withdrawal and a stop sale order.

In some cases, these engine damage occurred when driving on the highway or just a few miles in the use of vehicles. Needless to say, they are serious safety risks.

Check out the 3 images of this gallery in the original article

Which vehicles are affected by downloading the L87 engine?

The list of affected vehicles includes non-black to cancel Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban; Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; and GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and Sierra 1500, Model Years 2021 to 2024, all powered by the engine with a small block V8. The US car manufacturer has not determined the exact problem with the problem plant, only saying that the connecting rod and/or crankshaft components have unspecified defects in production.

Inside the damage: Teardown reveals severe engine damage

But what happens inside the L87 V8 engine when it fails? Internet Cars I got hands on one for the tear of the engine, providing an intimate view of the interior of one of the V8 Mill of GM, which is confronted with catastrophic damage. It is alleged that the engine in question was recalled (by GMC Yukon Denali from 2022), although details of how it was not revealed.

The tears start optimistic: the engine can be finished by hand, indicating that there are no completely seized components. However, the first sign of trouble occurs on the pistons that exhibit abnormal wear. The lifts, though no one has completely collapsed, show signs of debris exposure, with one in a particularly poor condition.

Check out the two images of this gallery in the original article

Connecting rod, crankshaft problems confirmed by damage

Removing the oil pan reveals more – much more. Internal oil has become black carbon, which shows strong overheating and destruction of the oil. All eight connecting rods are fully shot, showing great damage. The camshaft lobe also lacks a piece, while the front of the block shows a scoring, suggesting that the crankshaft has hit the block.

The Teardown reveals significant and unusual damage to a relatively young and modern engine, although it is aligned with GM’s claim that the problem lies in connecting rods and crankshafts. This engine is also likely to fail gradually, unlike other reported cases of immediate engine damage. As the presenter notes, the owner probably ignores the early signs of engine problems, leading to more crashing damage.

GM problems recall but owners repel back

As part of the download, GM has already provided a solution to the problem. The engaged engines will be replaced by their oil with a thicker 0W-40 oil (replacing the former 0W-20), offering increased protection at operating temperatures. They will also get a new oil filter and oil filling cap, which reflects the change. The engines that have been shot will be replaced.

However, not all are satisfied with the GM Band-AID solution to this widespread problem. The lawsuit claims that replacing the engine oil with a higher viscosity would reduce fuel economy. The court case claims that “the owners present themselves with two bad options: they do nothing and risk catastrophic damage to the engine or get a reminder and pay hundreds of dollars more for gasoline.”

The engine Teardown reveals internal damage behind the L87 6.2L V8 of GM for the first time appeared in Autoblog on May 30, 2025.

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.