QuestionI have a 2009 Acadia SLT-1 with a 3.6L SIDI V6 engine. I made the mistake of believing the Oil Life System would really work and ended up with severe oil sludge after going approximately 8000 miles between changes. The OLS said 43% oil life remaining. The service engine life came on so I took it in and decided to go ahead and change the oil early as it was winter and I live in rural Nebraska. This was at 30624 miles. The light was a past code (P069C). They discovered the sludge and did an "engine oil sludge service." Since then (12-23-2010) I have had to have the timing chains replaced, had a bad ground strand me, then had to replace both catalytic converters. According to GM my vehicle is now fixed - good as new.
My question is this: How much lasting damage is done to an engine by sludge? Is the "sludge service" enough to eliminate future concerns? Or can I expect more repairs down the road as a result? Our concern is that the sludge has compromised the engine permanently.
Your help is appreciated.
AnswerHi
Trying to keep my personal opinion out of this answer for you.
I have done also numerous timing chain replacements on these vehicles,
with much less miles than yours.
The inside of those engines were "spotless" in a sense, no heavy sludge
build up. Some did have more sludge than others.
So making for me, making the assumption that it is oil
related is not always what I feel is true. I believe the problem
stems from higher in the process, either materials, manufacturing or engineering.
Thats the chain portion.
For the loose ground, I also personally had to go behind another technician
who left a ground on the rear head loose, causing heavy misfires, which in turn
did cause premature failure of the Catalytic Converter. Only one converter failed for this one
not both. I could notfind code you listed, usually code is a P0008 for chains.
I will say, usually after all the work is complete the vehicles do not have timing issues.
I have never sold a "sludge Service" and could not find anything in GM Service Information
about performing this service. I do know there are services avalible. Has the sludge
compromised the engine, honestly, I cannot say, due to not knowing the severity of the
sludge. Probabally not. Make sure the crankcase vent system is not plugged, this is a first line
of defense. I recommend oil changes at the 4-5k mile range. GM has recently developed a new oil
espically designed for all engines starting in 2011. dexos is the brand. I would also recommend
either this or another oil that meets these standards. ( http://www.gmdexos.com/ )
I do really hope this helps.
These vehicles have their problems, but all vehicles do.
As long as you properly due maintance, it does have the 5 yr. 100k powertrain warranty.
that should give you more piece of mind.
Thanks
Pawl
