CT5BW Blown Motor Registry

[rubberduck]

Wait, was this a veiled shot at us Chicagoans?

Wasn’t intended to be, but recent mayors do prove the point. The so called Peter Principle.

This could explain the blown engines and I highly suspect they are across all builders.

 

[BimmerFan]

Someone needs to clarify this , because the way I see it CT5 BW HAS TITANIUM RODS!
Of course I could be wrong

I thought the LT4 in the CT5V-BW had some titanium valve train parts. Not sure which parts... I'm guessing rocker arms, perhaps pushrods?

 

[Finally-a-V]

IIRC, the ATS-V manual had titanium push rods if that helps

 

[RDATLTE]

I thought the LT4 in the CT5V-BW had some titanium valve train parts. Not sure which parts... I'm guessing rocker arms, perhaps pushrods?

I believe intake valves.

 

[SS_Shooter]

I heard the engine builders were DEI hires.

Maybe we should also start a 'STILL GOING STRONG' registry, so it doesn't appear like some large percentage of CT5BW's are blowing their motors on a regular basis...

 

[NorCal Blackwing]

LOL - there's already a thread with "Did your engine blow up yet", I think that's the one you're looking for.

 

[Carguyshu]

FWIW the engine in mine went b/c the computer leaned it out a cylinder bank when it shouldn't have. There was nothing wrong with the motor from a who built it perspective or parts failure. It was still running very strong for a motor that nuked half the cylinder rings I'll say that. Under boost it was blowing out oil seals b/c so much was going past the rings.

 

[CB34]

FWIW the engine in mine went b/c the computer leaned it out a cylinder bank when it shouldn't have. There was nothing wrong with the motor from a who built it perspective or parts failure. It was still running very strong for a motor that nuked half the cylinder rings I'll say that. Under boost it was blowing out oil seals b/c so much was going past the rings.

How is this possible? Bad gas? All of these cars have the same ECU programming - I would think we would have seen that problem much more often if it was purely a programming issue.

 

[MookdocOE]

How is this possible? Bad gas? All of these cars have the same ECU programming - I would think we would have seen that problem much more often if it was purely a programming issue.

The ECU's are mapped for Ultra Agressive added timing at the end of RPM curve. The Bank is not getting enough fuel is the bottom line. Anyone of the components bringing fuel to rail is causing the glitch and starving the fuel rail. I think the car and driver engine died in same manner if I remember correctly?1

 

[1Evil55]

FWIW the engine in mine went b/c the computer leaned it out a cylinder bank when it shouldn't have. There was nothing wrong with the motor from a who built it perspective or parts failure. It was still running very strong for a motor that nuked half the cylinder rings I'll say that. Under boost it was blowing out oil seals b/c so much was going past the rings.

So it was the IT guys fault instead of the motor builder?

 

[NorCal Blackwing]

So it was the IT guys fault instead of the motor builder?

It would be absolutely amazing if that were the case b/c then an ECU update would fix the problem!
I heard rumor the '25 is not affected. We'll have to see what transpires.

 

[Jakemey]

I started a list of the reported blown motors on this forum. It's far from scientific because not all people who have had this issue are on the forum, and not all on the forum who have had an issue will post about it, but I'm hopeful it will shed some light on the failure modes if nothing else.

At a glance it seems to be an issue with every model year, the bottom-end tends to give out at fairly low miles, and the lifters can fail at pretty much any mileage. I didn't include transmission but it seems like it's happened for both manuals and autos.

If I've tagged you here and you have a correction or an update, let me know.

User	Mileage	Model Year	What Broke
@AACaptRet	~5000 miles	2022	bottom-end
@Nadnerb	~200 miles	2023	bottom-end
@Carguyshu	~3500 miles	2022	bottom-end
@CT5BW757	~10000 miles	2023	tick (lifter?)
@CT5BWenthusiast	~21000 miles	2023	Rod Bearings, Lifters
@SS Performance	~5500 miles	2024	bottom-end ?
@Magnetic Flux	~6500 miles	2024	lifters
Philsblackraven	~14500 miles	2022	spark plugs?
@Motobones	~3128 miles	2024	??
@S2K_MoZo	~2100 miles	2024	bottom-end
@Firefrog	~3500 miles	2023	bottom end
C&D's Blackwing	~1800 miles	2022	Cylinder number six failed
@FARMER	~3500 miles	2023	bottom-end ?
@marcmac	~21000 miles	2024	lifters
@Slick Blackwings	~18,000 miles	2022	bottom-end?

How do i add myself to this lol 2022 bottom end 8500 miles

 

[NorCal Blackwing]

How do i add myself to this lol 2022 bottom end 8500 miles

Really sorry to hear that, that sucks. I've added you. Keep us posted on the resolution, I hope it's a speedy one for you. These are incredibly fun, special cars. I really hope GM makes this right for all those affected, or this will be an example of a halo product actively destroying a brand.

 

[Keith l]

24 ctsv blackwing first motor at 3,600 miles lower end. 2nd engine at 5200 miles a 1inch round plug fell out of the oil area 10qts on the road.

 

[rubberduck]

Third motor is the charm. You should be good to go for a very long time now.

 

[Argent86]

well heck what if I'm way out up on a mountain road (will be soon), 100+ miles from anything? bring a tent? Hagerty for towing? I plan on going OffStar but...does OnStar connect out in the toolies? Or do I need a cellphone with satellite coverage?

thread drift not intended, I didn't see where to ask this

 

[565565]

well heck what if I'm way out up on a mountain road (will be soon), 100+ miles from anything? bring a tent? Hagerty for towing? I plan on going OffStar but...does OnStar connect out in the toolies? Or do I need a cellphone with satellite coverage?

thread drift not intended, I didn't see where to ask this

I mean, considering there are 5 million injuries a year and 50,000 fatalities a year from car accidents, the chances of a deer jumping out in front of your car and totalling it or you getting a tire blow out and being stranded are going to be higher than your motor exploding.

I would say if you are gonna be out there far enough where you might be stranded and die of exposure, it is worth investing on a personal locator beacon (PLB) or EPIRB device

 

[Slick Blackwings]

Got car back seems good quick break in 500 miles since no worries about rear end. Change oil then out for long trip month of September.

Check out pics, to me seems like oil delivery issues! See how BLUE things are.

 

[NorCal Blackwing]

well heck what if I'm way out up on a mountain road (will be soon), 100+ miles from anything? bring a tent? Hagerty for towing? I plan on going OffStar but...does OnStar connect out in the toolies? Or do I need a cellphone with satellite coverage?

thread drift not intended, I didn't see where to ask this

I got a Garmin inReach satellite communicator and have it in the 5BW at all times. Not because I'm especially paranoid about the motor (well, I am a bit) but almost all of my fun driving is in remote mountain backroads with no service ... free of priii, cyclists and other annoyances

Should note: this is not 100% because of motor concerns. I've also had a deer launch itself at me during rut season and wipe out half a Porsche, so it makes sense to be prepared regardless.

 

[NorCal Blackwing]

24 ctsv blackwing first motor at 3,600 miles lower end. 2nd engine at 5200 miles a 1inch round plug fell out of the oil area 10qts on the road.

I've added you. Thank you for reporting these guys.