Bulletin No.: PIP4495F
Published date: 06/15/2018

Preliminary Information
PIP4495F Cylinder Head Tick Noise And Or Damage - Possible
Plugged Oil Feed Ori ce
Models
Brand:

Model:

Model
Years:

VIN:

Engine:

from to

Transmissions:

Buick

Allure (Canada only)

2010

All

All 2.4L LAF, LUK

All

Buick

LaCrosse (including Hybrid,
eAssist)

2011 2016

All

All 2.4L LAF, LEA, LUK

All

Buick

Regal (including Hybrid, eAssist)

2011 2017

All

All

Buick

Verano

2012 2017

All

All 2.0L LHU, 2.4L LEA

All

Chevrolet

Captiva

2010 2017

All

All 2.4L LAF, LEA

All

Chevrolet

Cavalier

2002 2005

All

All 2.2L L61

All

Chevrolet

Cobalt (including SS)

2004 2010

All

All

Chevrolet

Equinox

2010 2017

All

All 2.4L LAF, LEA

Chevrolet

HHR (including SS)

2006 2011

All

All

Chevrolet

Impala (VIN 1 )

2014

All

All 2.4L LUK

Chevrolet

Malibu (including ECO, eAssist,
Hybrid and Classic)

2004 2014

All

All

GMC

Terrain

2010 2017

All

All 2.4L LAF, LEA

All

Oldsmobile Alero

2002 2004

All

All 2.2L L61

All

Pontiac

G5

2007 2010

All

All

Pontiac

G6

2006 2010

All

All 2.4L LAT, LE5

All

Pontiac

Grand Am

2002 2005

All

All 2.2L L61

All

Pontiac

Pursuit (Canada Only)

2005 2006

All

All 2.2L L61, 2.4L LAT, LE5

All

Pontiac

Sun re

2002 2005

All

All 2.2L L61

All

Pontiac

Solstice (including GXP)

2006 2010

All

All 2.0 LNF, 2.4L LE5

All

2.0L LHU, 2.4L LAF, LEA,
LUK

2.0L LNF, LSJ, 2.2L LAP,
LE8 2.4L LAT, LE5

2.0L LNF, LSJ, 2.2L LAP
LE8, 2.4L LAT, LE5

2.2L L61, 2.4L LAT, LE5,
LE9, LUK

2.0L LNF, LSJ, 2.2L LAP,
LE8, 2.4L LAT, LE5

All

All
All
All
All
All

All

Brand:

Model:

Model
Years:

VIN:

Engine:

from to

Transmissions:

Saturn

Aura (including Hybrid)

2007 2009

All

All 2.4L LAT, LE5, LE9

Saturn

ION (including Redline)

2003 2007

All

All

Saturn

L Series

2001 2005

All

All 2.2L L61

Saturn

SKY (including Redline)

2007 2010

All

All

2.0L LNF, LSJ, 2.2L L61,
2.4L LAT, LE5, LE9

All

Saturn

VUE (including Hybrid)

2002 2010

All

All 2.2L L61, 2.4L LAT, LE5

All

2.0L LNF, LSJ, 2.2L L61,
2.4L LAT, LE5

All
All
All

Supersession Statement
This PI was superseded to update the Labor Operation number. Please discard PIP4495E.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition / Concern
Some customers may complain of a loud tick/rattle noise under the hood at all operating
conditions.
In some cases, the noise may have started shortly after an oil change or previous internal
engine repairs.
During diagnosis, the technician will find that the noise is coming from the cylinder head
area and believes that several/all of the valve lash
adjusters (lifters) are making noise.
The cylinder head is equipped with oil feed orifice (2) that may become plugged with debris,
such as excessive RTV/sealer or broken down oil filter material.
If this occurs, this noise may occur as a result of no/low oil pressure to the valve train.

Recommendations / Instructions
If a major valve train noise is encountered that sounds like several/all valve lash adjusters (lifters), it is suggested
to compare the lower end oil pressure to the upper end oil pressure as outlined below:
1. Check the lower end oil pressure by attaching an oil pressure gauge to the oil pressure sender port or to one of
the gallery plug ports in the engine block.
2. Check the upper end oil pressure by attaching another oil pressure gauge to one of the oil gallery plug ports on
the back of the cylinder head (1).
3. Start the engine and note the oil pressure gauge readings from both locations while at the same engine RPM
and engine temperature.
4. Turn the engine o .
5. Compare the oil pressure readings.
5.1 If the lower end oil pressure is below SI speci cation, this PI does not apply so normal SI diagnosis should be
followed to diagnose and repair the noise.
5.2 If the upper end oil pressure is near 0 PSI/KPA but the lower end oil pressure is within SI speci cation, the oil
feed ori ce (2) is most likely plugged with debris. Please note that it is not uncommon for the upper end oil
pressure of a normally functioning engine at idle to measure as much 35% less than the bottom end oil pressure.
This is due to the large amount of oil pressure bleed o that normally occurs in the valve train, combined with the
small size of the oil feed ori ce (2).
If you suspect a plugged oil feed ori ce after performing the test above, remove the cylinder head and visually
inspect the oil feed ori ce (2) for debris. If debris is present, it can normally be cleaned out to repair the noise.
Please note that the ori ce is not available separate from the cylinder head and cannot be inspected/cleaned
without cylinder head removal.

Important: To prevent future concerns, care must be taken not to use excessive amounts of engine sealant during
internal engine repairs, use the proper oil lter that is listed in the parts catalog, and change the engine oil/ lter
according to the schedule in the owner's manual.
Notice: The oil gallery plug port threads (1) on the back of the cylinder head are M12x1.75 and it is unlikely that a
related oil pressure gauge adapter will be found at a hardware or auto parts store. The 509376 Kent Moore Fitting
that comes with the Engine Preluber Kit (EN-45299/J-45299) will screw into the head
and may be adapted to some oil pressure gauges. Or, there are also several online retailers that can supply a
tting that will work as an adapter - the male end has to be M12x1.75 while the female end has to be 1/8"x27
NPTF so a standard oil pressure gauge hose can screw into it. It has also been found that some automotive gauge
companies, such as Auto Meter, o er the necessary adapter/ tting (M12x1.75 / 1/8"x27 NPTF) for $5-$20. Some
technicians have also reported success in making a temporary tting out of an oil pressure sender body.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation

Description

Labor Time

4061730

Cylinder Head Gasket Replacement

Use Published Labor
Operation Time

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is
resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

Additional SI Keywords
adjuster cam camshaft follower installation lash lifter replacement valve

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