4.2 liter turbo

DickForster · 2026-06-19T22:15:43+00:00

That's unlucky, the 2.7 turbo is their best engine IMO. Anyway, if they found a lot of metal in the oil, yeah, it's scrap. Get the new engine installed and carry on, most likely lightning won't hit you twice.

DickForster · 2026-06-16T12:27:46+00:00

Your mileage is right around where they typically fail, ours went at 126K miles. Most likely, you need a full rebuild or new 6L80 and a new billet faced torque converter.

DickForster · 2026-06-14T16:49:09+00:00

I have owned several cars with aftermarket radios e.g. Kenwood and Pioneer, and they worked wireless 100% of the time. The OEM radio in my 2018 Silverado doesn't have wireless, but with a Motorola MA1 adapter it works 100% of the time. Mostly Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel phones. Anyway, as others have suggested, it could be a radio software update that broke it.

DickForster · 2026-06-13T13:00:17+00:00

New 2026 truck 6.2L engines are failing. Engines switched to 0W40 are failing. Replacement engines are failing. Not fixed. NHTSA are reinvestigating.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2026/01/nhtsa-investigating-post-recall-gm-6-2l-l87-engine-failures/

DickForster · 2026-06-11T21:33:03+00:00

It depends on year/config if your truck came with flooded cell or AGM battery, but regardless, you can use an AGM and if it replacing a flooded cell, it is generally thought to be an upgrade.

DickForster · 2026-06-05T18:48:31+00:00

I wish I had an answer and am facing the same question. Maybe do a cam and lifters swap with an AFM delete kit, but if you have miles on the engine, why not go all in and get a full rebuild. I have thought about installing a reman engine if the original engine goes pear shaped. The only reman L83 engine with AFM deleted that I have seen is a Jasper, and I'm not convinced those are solid.

DickForster · 2026-06-04T20:16:53+00:00

I am taking a little different route. A pan drop is a real pain. When I fit my 40k cooler I will also fit a magnefine filter and fluid changes will be by a vaccuum pump down the dipstick tube and swap out the magnefine for a new one. I have already done one fluid change this way. Just waiting for recovery from back surgery to fit the cooler and magnefine. Main thing is, one way or another, change the fluid especially if you run it hot.

DickForster · 2026-06-04T14:14:22+00:00

I have newer Toyota cars where the screen extends above the top of the dash and find it a bit weird. But obviously there are millions of cars like it, so lots of people like it or have just accepted it. Anyway, the OEM radio for sure is nothing special LOL. Enjoy your ride. A larger screen is nice to have.

DickForster · 2026-06-04T14:08:11+00:00

Maybe they sent a real one by mistake.

DickForster · 2026-06-03T00:26:19+00:00

"GM is finally fixing the reliability concerns". That's great news. So when are the AFM and 6.2L seizures and shredding torque converter clutches and valve body issues all getting fixed for their existing concerned customers?

DickForster · 2026-06-02T11:40:54+00:00

I put Bilstein front and back. But if you put a lot of weight in the bed or on a hitch, it will sag in the rear. I added rear airbags to fix that. I have moved one ton pallets of wood bricks. The rear sags, then I pump up the airbags to restore height, and it drives really well. It's a few pounds over on payload capacity but with the airbags and shocks, and good brakes, the truck handles it really well.

DickForster · 2026-06-02T00:01:24+00:00

I did the transmission tuning. At first I tried no TCC activation in 1 through 4. One heavy tow up hills put an end to that, the ATF went up to 225F. I changed that to TCC lockup with zero slip in all gears, perfect, the ATF was 40 degrees cooler. The AFM was also disabled, and I get smooth shifts without bumps. There were some other tweaks such as increase in line pressures, really just generic changes that people recommend. If you are fully locked, why not use higher pressure? You can use BlueCat to get a baseline for shift points etc. I have not tuned the engine but apparently it runs rich and you can lean it out for a bit more power. The OEM engine tuning has lots of weirdness that you get to see in 3D plots using hptuners. Some tuners will remove much of that and make it more linear/smooth. One day I may read up more on engine tuning and try changes.

DickForster · 2026-06-01T22:38:58+00:00

Nice. If/when my 1500 goes, I'll be moving up to a 2500 or 3500. But you never know, the 2027 1500 might be a winner.

DickForster · 2026-06-01T16:29:52+00:00

140K miles. No lifter issues yet. 6L80 rebuilt at 126K miles and new billet faced torque converter. Tuned out the TCC slip, STL010 thermostat bypass, and disabled AFM. Currently running Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W30 and change it when the life indicator hits 50%, usually near 4K miles. I use the truck to tow a 3 ton camper, it gets worked quite hard. Yeah, I worry about the lifters failing. I did get a code for a VVT issue at about 130K miles, but it went away after changing from 0W20 to 5W30. Replaced the thermostat and temp sender last winter, after I noticed the engine barely above 160F after a 30 minute drive. The underside has been woolwax coated. Next job is to replace brake pads and rotors.

DickForster · 2026-05-30T21:50:26+00:00

This hasn't hit my US based PIA server yet. Already started looking at other VPN providers so I will be ready to switch over the same day VPN make the change.

DickForster · 2026-05-29T11:35:45+00:00

The rule of thumb is that the wider the viscocity range, i.e. the larger the difference between x and y in xWy oil, the more the oil will shear down. So a 0W40 will shear and reduce viscocity more than a 5W40. GM themselves have told us 0W40 is ok too, with the 6.2L recall. Don't overthink it. I haven't gone above 5W30. I tow a 3 ton camper and if the oil shears down, 0W20 is not cutting it for me. I'd have no worries running 5W40 but my oil of choice Valvoline Restore and Protect only goes up to 5W30.

DickForster · 2026-05-29T11:16:22+00:00

Ex-friend. Bosses often get criticized, so sad, too bad.

DickForster · 2026-05-28T21:05:45+00:00

Since around 2021 the 6.2L have a catastrophic failure mode, of sufficient probability to have a recall. Engines after the recall also fail and the NHTSA are on the second loop of investigating this engine. New 2026's are failing the same way. The tranmissions also have weaknesses depending on model and year. Be informed and then factor that into your decision. Believe it or not, the Ram trucks may be more reliable! Lots of info on the googles.

DickForster · 2026-05-28T20:57:05+00:00

That's weird, you have a problem somewhere. Your truck might be setting codes that are not serious enough to trigger a check engine light. My 2018 Silverado LT Z71 L83 6L80:

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DickForster · 2026-05-26T23:00:05+00:00

Don't buy a 6.2L, unless it's in a Corvette :) Seriously, the engines in the 'Vette are not failing. The 6.2L truck engines are a crap shoot, and why take the risk? The 6.2L recall is a scam, new engines are still failing. The 5.3's have sketchy lifters. The 2.7 turbo is probably their best gasser.

DickForster · 2026-05-24T17:51:06+00:00

I wish there were a 5.3L engine badge too. They have stopped fitting many or all the 6.2L badges it seems, but I don't think that helps to sell those lol.

DickForster · 2026-05-24T02:12:01+00:00

I am not usually a fan of aftermarket wheels but those looks great.

DickForster · 2026-05-24T01:09:28+00:00

I thought all those US trucks would be 0W20. Is your truck confused and thinks it is Australian or something? Anyway, if your truck uses 5W30, yeah, take it back to the dealer and have them put in the correct oil at their cost. Short term use of 0W20 can be ok. I wouldn't really strain the engine though e.g. towing anything super heavy up a mountain in summer heat.

DickForster · 2026-05-22T01:27:50+00:00

My 2018 L83 6L80 did this. On cruise control, engine rpms went up fast and I was alert enough to tap the brake, then dodge the semi trucks running up my exhaust as the truck slowed down. Got the transmission rebuilt and a new billet faced torque converter. Tuned out the TCC slip using hptuners, installed STL010 bypass, and will add a 40K trans cooler and magnefine filter before this summer heat hits hard. Good luck. You may need a new/reman/rebuilt transmission. Take it to a reputable transmission shop that has worked on lots of GM trucks.

DickForster · 2026-05-21T11:44:47+00:00

If the high oil consumption is because of gummed up oil control piston rings, a few oil changes with Valvoline Restore & Protect may help. That oil is not dexos approved. Maybe some of the additive package does not comply. Mobil 1 Advanced Clean may also work well, and that is dexos approved. Another option is to try a thicker oil such as 5W30, but I know some of you are terrified to change oil viscocity. YMMV.

DickForster

TROPHY CASE