2016 Denali/6.2 long term reliability

[Bo Top]

I couldn’t find any threads for this so I started a new one.

I’m almost at 85k mile on a ‘16 Denali. What’s the consensus for the drivetrain, long term wise. I know there are reports of spring and lifter failures on the engine, but how common is it?

so far I’ve been through the standard: AC condenser, torque converter, magnetic ride quit, and recently the trans temp quit. What else is coming down the tube? Trying to figure out if it’s time to trade or run it for the long haul. TIA

 

[swathdiver]

I couldn’t find any threads for this so I started a new one.

I’m almost at 85k mile on a ‘16 Denali. What’s the consensus for the drivetrain, long term wise. I know there are reports of spring and lifter failures on the engine, but how common is it?

so far I’ve been through the standard: AC condenser, torque converter, magnetic ride quit, and recently the trans temp quit. What else is coming down the tube? Trying to figure out if it’s time to trade or run it for the long haul. TIA

The transmissions do not last as long as they should because GM put a thermostat on them to keep the temp up. Keeps the government happy at your expense, dump it. If you bought it new you're either done with payments or near so by now. Which would you rather have, occasional repairs or a monthly car payment? Curious as to how the trans temp quit.

 

[hcvone]

I change the diff fluids every 25k miles, they are small and do not hold a lot of fluid, it has made my GM trucks run with no problems dating back to the 70's, yea I am old

 

[91RS]

Sounds like the only major common thing left for you would be cam and lifter failure. You could get ahead of it and do an aftermarket cam (a mild VVT cam would get you a little more power and without hurting drivability) and delete the AFM and then that problem will no longer exist. As long as you're happy with it otherwise, that's what I'd do if you plan to keep it long term. The 8L90 doesn't have a reputation for outright failures just the shuddering and crap shifting.

 

[CMoore711]

Sounds like the only major common thing left for you would be cam and lifter failure. You could get ahead of it and do an aftermarket cam (a mild VVT cam would get you a little more power and without hurting drivability) and delete the AFM and then that problem will no longer exist. As long as you're happy with it otherwise, that's what I'd do if you plan to keep it long term. The 8L90 doesn't have a reputation for outright failures just the shuddering and crap shifting.

This is a great idea. Mechanically delete the AFM, maybe do a once over on your heads (preventative maintenance), at least a good intake valve cleaning while they're off the engine. Do that and that 6.2 L86 will have no reason to NOT last for many years and miles to come.

 

[Bo Top]

Does a reprogram to stop AFM from dropping to V4 mode fix the long term lifter fail probability? Or is it an inherent design issue? I guess the real question is do the lifters only fail when going in and out of collapsing for v4 mode or are they just failure prone regardless.

 

[91RS]

That can make them last longer because they're not locking and unlocking but that isn't the only way they fail. Pitting of the cam and a lifter (causing a chirping noise that sounds like a belt or sometimes a misfire at idle) is just as common at the lifter lock pin breaking. Disabling the AFM is the minimum I would do.

 

[avalonandl]

Does a reprogram to stop AFM from dropping to V4 mode fix the long term lifter fail probability? Or is it an inherent design issue? I guess the real question is do the lifters only fail when going in and out of collapsing for v4 mode or are they just failure prone regardless.

No it really does not. The parts can still fail. Keeping your oil changed is most important.

 

[Garryowen]

I couldn’t find any threads for this so I started a new one.

I’m almost at 85k mile on a ‘16 Denali. What’s the consensus for the drivetrain, long term wise. I know there are reports of spring and lifter failures on the engine, but how common is it?

so far I’ve been through the standard: AC condenser, torque converter, magnetic ride quit, and recently the trans temp quit. What else is coming down the tube? Trying to figure out if it’s time to trade or run it for the long haul. TIA

Hello - you've listed things I've yet to endure with our 2011 Yukon Denali. At 169K miles we've only had:
1. Pax power window failure
2. Idiot light failure requiring a dropping of steering wheel assy to repair.
3. Two cracks in dashboard; first one center location and second along drivers' side trim. Result of cheap parts (cheap to GM, not to me!) and Yukon is not garaged.
4. Annoying leak along pax floorboard. Have had this since new and all I get from GM is "deer in the headlights" stares. Fortunately, its very minimal, dries quickly and the Weathertech mat handles the rest.
Ours is regularly serviced by an honest Chevrolet dealer near home. A major upgrade from the thieves and criminals we purchased the vehicle from!
Hoping to get a few more years from our daily driver.
It is not abused whatsoever. Avoid interstate travel and traverse mountains of NE Georgia and western NC on a regular basis.
When wife wants to run amok she takes her 2002 Thunderbird. My "wild side" is indulged with my 2004 Corvette convertible. All three vehicles are original owner units, full maintenance records and each has five-figure mileage. No "garage queens" here.
I love having clear titles!
Best of luck with your Denali. They are great autos and, as with everything, there are gremlins to be had!

 

[RobDenali]

Run premium gas Keep up with oil changes and Clean your intake with PEA and all you might endure is some fuel injector replacing.