Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

16-NA-222
August, 2023

INFORMATION
Subject:

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

Brand:

Model:

Model Year:
from

to

VIN:
from

to

—

—

Engine:

Transmission:

All

—

Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet

GM Passenger Cars
and Trucks

2024 and Prior

GMC

Involved Region or Country

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

Important: Service agents must comply with all
International, Federal, State, Provincial, and/or
Local laws applicable to the activities it performs
under this bulletin, including but not limited to
handling, deploying, preparing, classifying,
packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping
dangerous goods. In the event of a conflict between
the procedures set forth in this bulletin and the
laws that apply to your dealership, you must follow
those applicable laws.

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.

Copyright 2023 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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.

Page 2

August, 2023

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

August, 2023

Page 3

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

4543670

•
•

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

4548494

•
•

4544568

•
•
•

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.

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

Page 4

August, 2023

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

•

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.
Engine Block Damage caused by Foreign Debris,
Dirt, or Coolant Left in the Cylinder Head Bolt Holes

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).
Main and rod bearing damage caused by foreign
debris.

6407761

4543396

The engine block may be cracked or damaged if debris,
dirt, or coolant is left in the cylinder bolt holes of the
block, or if the threads are damaged when installing the
head bolts during any service repair that requires
removal, installation, or replacement of the cylinder
head. (See GenV engine photos below as example).
The head bolt holes in the block are being damaged
due to coolant, dirt, or debris being present in head bolt
holes during cylinder head installation during a repair,
or when re-assembling the engine for core return.
If coolant, dirt, or debris is present in the bolt holes
during assembly, the foreign material will create a
hydro-lock condition that will over-pressurize the
casting column of the threaded hole in the block,
causing the casting to break as shown in the graphic
above.

Bulletin No.: 16-NA-222

August, 2023

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.
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.

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.

Page 6

August, 2023

Bulletin No.: 16-NA-222

Version

10

Modified

Revised August 31, 2017 – Added the 2018 Model Year.
Revised May 01, 2018 – Added a Note in Aftermarket Calibrations section for V8 and
HFV6 gas engines.
Revised 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.
Revised June 25, 2019 – Added the 2020 Model Year.
Revised October 23, 2020 – Added the 2021 Model Year and updated the Involved
Region or Country section.
Revised January 06, 2022 – Added the 2022 Model Year.
Revised September 09, 2022 – Added the 2023 Model Year and an Important statement
above Information.
Revised March 17, 2023 – Added the 2024 Model Year.
Revised August 10, 2023 - Added Engine Block Damage 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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