Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

16-NA-222
October, 2020

INFORMATION
Subject:

Information for Engine Concerns Resulting from Lack of Scheduled Maintenance,
Improper Service or Aftermarket Calibrations

Brand:
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
GMC

Model:
GM
Passenger
Cars and
Trucks

Model Year:
from

VIN:
to

2021 and Prior

Involved Region or Country

from

to

—

—

Engine:

Transmission:

All

—

North America, Europe, Uzbekistan, Russia, Middle East, Iraq, Israel, Palestine,
Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay,
Venezuela, Japan, Cadillac Korea (South Korea), GM Korea Company, China, Taiwan,
Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Egypt, Other Africa, South Africa

Information
Notice: Engines that are repaired for the conditions
outlined in this bulletin should not be considered
warranty. Any warranty claims submitted with these
conditions may be debited.
Debits will be issued for the following reasons per the
Service Policies and Procedures Manual:
• Failure or damage due to vehicle use, wear,
exposure, lack of maintenance, alterations or
improper servicing is not covered.
• Non-Return of Parts.
• Inspection Results by WPC.

Please refer to the latest version of Service Bulletin
#99-00-89-019: Global Warranty Management (GWM)
Warranty Parts Center (WPC) Parts Return Program for
more information.
Following the recommended vehicle maintenance
schedule is required in order to reduce the possibility of
engine oil sludge build-up, contamination and/or any
other conditions that may result in poor engine
performance and/or internal engine damage.
Following proper service procedures is necessary to
reduce the risk of foreign debris entering the engine,
which may also cause poor engine performance or
internal damage.

Conditions/Symptoms
Conditions That May Result from not Following
Scheduled Maintenance
Oil filter blocked by debris and oil sludge.

Copyright 2020 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

October, 2020

Bulletin No.: 16-NA-222

4543496

Note: Using care, some oil filters may need to be cut
open in order to validate the condition of the filter.
•

On vehicles equipped with an oil filter cartridge,
inspect the cap (1) for sludge.
• Oil filter pleats (2) with heavy debris or sludge.
• Damage, holes, tears, improper installation, or
missing seals (3).
For additional information, refer to the latest version of
Service Bulletin #10-06-01-003: Diagnostic Information
on Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter
Replacement.
Sludge build up in the bottom of the oil pan.

4543483

•
•

Sludge (1) or debris found in the bottom of the pan
blocking the pick up tube (2) screen.
Light debris in the oil pump pick-up tube screen is
normal, from normal engine wear.

•

Some determination must be used to validate
what is or what is not considered normal wear.

Bulletin No.: 16-NA-222

October, 2020

The valve covers blocked at the engine breather,
vacuum or oil return ports.

•
•
•

Page 3

Sludge build up on the camshaft (2) and camshaft
caps (1).
Scratches or gouges on the journals or lobes (3) of
the camshaft causing a low or loss of oil pressure
condition.
Lack of oil on the lifter tappet creating ticking
noise.

4543670

•
•

The rockers and rocker oil supply ports (1)
blocked.
The return ports blocked by sludge (2).

4548494

•
•

4544568

Sludge (2) build up on the camshaft position
actuator solenoids.
Debris (1) on solenoid screen may cause engine
performance concerns.

Page 4

October, 2020

Conditions that May Result From Improper Service
Improper installation of the air filter into the air filter
housing or the use of aftermarket air filter.

Bulletin No.: 16-NA-222

Main and rod bearing damage caused by foreign
debris.

4543396
4543465

•
•
•

Foreign debris bypassing the air filter and/or the
air filter housing outlet ducts.
Faulty installation of the air filter in the air box
housing causing the dirt and debris (2) to enter the
combustion chamber.
Damage to the piston and the piston cylinder
wall (1).

•

Dust and debris on the crankshaft, crankshaft
bearings, rods (1) or rod bearings (2) caused the
chrome finish of the journals to prematurely wear
away causing the clearance to increase, possibly
causing low oil pressure or a knocking noise.
• Scratches or gouges on the journals result in low
or loss of oil pressure condition.
• Possible previous engine repair may result in
some debris entering the engine through open
ports that are normally sealed or closed off.
For additional information, refer to the latest version of
Service Bulletin #00-06-01-012: Use of Surface
Conditioning Disks When Cleaning Engine Gasket
Sealing Surfaces and/or Reused Engine Parts.

Bulletin No.: 16-NA-222

October, 2020

Page 5

Conditions That May Result From Aftermarket
Calibrations
Incorrect calibrations or modifications that may
cause engine damage.

4547308

•

Piston damage (1) caused by a pre-detonation
lean event.
• Improper engine warm up creates excessive heat
to the piston causing them to seize to the cold
cylinder walls cracking the piston lands (2).
• Aftermarket cold air filter, air filter housing and
intake system not allowing proper engine
warm up.
Note: Service Bulletin #09-06-04-026 is for gasoline
V8 and HFV6 engines only.

Debits will be issued for the following reasons:
• Failure or damage due to vehicle use, wear,
exposure, lack of maintenance, alterations or
improper servicing is not covered.
• Non-Return of Parts.
• Inspection Results by WPC.
Please refer to the latest version of Service Bulletin
#99-00-89-019: Global Warranty Management (GWM)
Warranty Parts Center (WPC) Parts Return Program for
more information.

For additional information, refer to the latest version of
Service Bulletin #09-06-04-026: (gasoline V8 and
HFV6 engines only) Identifying Non-GM (Aftermarket)
Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines Using Tech 2
or GDS 2.
Version

6

Modified

August 31, 2017 – Added the 2018 Model Year.
May 01, 2018 – Added a Note in Aftermarket Calibrations section for V8 and HFV6 gas
engines.
July 23, 2018 – Added the 2019 Model Year, first bullet in Notice under Information and
additional bulletin reference information in text after the Note under Conditions That May
Result From Aftermarket Calibrations.
June 25, 2019 – Added the 2020 Model Year.
October 23, 2020 – Added the 2021 Model Year and updated the Involved Region or
Country section.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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