Any Oppos with GM LLT experience?

"BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind" (briangriffinsprius) 03/27/2019 at 18:04 • Filed to: None

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So a dark horse candidate has entered the “find BrianGriffen a comfy cheap car to protect his ass and back for his 100 mile a day commute”...I found a Granny driven 2010 CTS with only 34,000 miles.  Has every option available in the recession era, including a dorky fake key keyless start.

Exceptionally low mileage concerns me on a DI engine, especially one known for such early timing chain failure. Now, as some might know, I own a LR with the 5.0 A.J.-V8, so timing chain failure is something I live with every day anyway.

Does anyone have real world experience with the LLT and are reports of failures overblown? Do you think a better oil with more frequent changes (say full synth 5w-30 or even 0w-40) would help, plus knowing I’d be doing long hot commutes? Or at this point, is the damage done?

Or any other experience with post bailout CTSs would be appreciated, too. 

NKato > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/27/2019 at 18:20

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I would probably set up a budget for the timing chain replacement. Other than that, I don't have any experience with the engine. 

RacinBob > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/27/2019 at 18:43

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One point of reference is Edmunds. Granted most consumer reviews are old, but still 92% are either 4 or 5 . In cases like this I suspect if there are problems, they are few and far between. I absolutely do believe synthetic oil is worth it. In my experience, it’s use eliminates sludge and mechanical wear.

So as long as she changed the oil, go for it. https://www.edmunds.com/cadillac/cts/2010/consumer-reviews/?sorting=created%3Adesc

RacinBob > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/27/2019 at 19:00

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PS - another virtue of of synthetic is 15,000 mile change cycles if not longer. 

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/27/2019 at 19:42

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NO NO NO NO NO.

The LLT is the one that leaks oil like a fucking sieve and eats timing chains. It is the BAD engine. The LGX is the good 3.6. The LLT is the TERRIBLE one which is why it is DEAD. It’s also FIRST GEN SIDI. Which makes it even worse. GM’s “fix” for some of these problems was to change the oil life calibration to insist on more frequent oil changes. 

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 03/27/2019 at 20:15

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That sucks. Guess it’s why the car was priced well with such low miles. No way to prevent failure, then?  Thanks for the insight. 

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/27/2019 at 20:34

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Pre-emptively replace every gasket and seal every 25k miles when you remove the heads for hot-tanking after you detune the shit out of it, pretty much.

GM’s always been extremely cagey about their “calibration” fix, but I’ve had multiple reputable sources tell me it deletes about 20-25HP.

If you’re interested in a Cadillac though, uh... well I can’t recommend them because Cue is complete shit and no you cannot replace the infotainment in them period. But the ATS with the LTG or LGX is a nicely reliable setup (no matter what the uninformed claim) and easy to find cheap off-lease examples of.

pip bip - choose Corrour > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/28/2019 at 03:29

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NOPE!

why? -  timing chains!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 03/28/2019 at 03:30

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wrong

ALL HFV6 are bad.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > pip bip - choose Corrour 03/28/2019 at 08:24

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Well yes, but the LLT is extra  bad.

RacinBob > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/29/2019 at 19:42

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Saw a fellow with a ‘14 CTS V6. Said it was great. Zero problems. Don’t know if a ‘14 is a LLT engine or not

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > RacinBob 03/29/2019 at 19:49

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Nah, 14 is LFX. Those engines are great so I’ve heard, so I guess I just need to stay away from cheap CTSs

RacinBob > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/29/2019 at 21:56

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BS - This is not 1976. Engines are a well sorted technology and I bet this engine will be fine too. Do your own research before walking away. Stop by a Cadillac garage and ask somebody. I think it will be fine.