Subject:
Information on Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Models: 2017 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks

Important:

Engine damage that is the result of an incorrect or improperly installed engine oil filter is not a warrantable claim.
The best way to avoid oil filter quality concerns is to purchase ACDelco® oil filters directly from GMCCA. Oil filter misapplication may cause abnormal engine noise or internal damage.
Always utilize the most recent parts information to ensure the correct part number filter is installed when replacing oil filters.

Today’s engines have precision clearances, and technologies that require different oil filtration needs than required in the past.
Bearing clearances are tighter, and the replacement of lead overlay to aluminum overlay bearings has put an increased significance on proper oil filtration, which is dependent on oil filter paper area, and paper filtration efficiency.
Do not rely on physical dimensions alone. Counterfeit copies of name brand parts have been discovered in some aftermarket parts systems.
Always ensure the parts you install are from a trusted source. Improper oil filter installation may result in catastrophic engine damage.

Engine oil filters with the same exterior dimensions may have filters with reduced paper area, which is achieved by reducing the number of
pleats. Filtration efficiency can only be determined by specialized tests.
New technologies have increased oil flow rate, resulting in higher engine pressure differentials across the oil filter, requiring oil filters with
higher oil filter bypass settings.
Oil filters made by different manufacturers may have significantly lower oil filter bypass settings than required by today’s GM engines, resulting in unfiltered oil to the engine bearings, resulting in accelerated bearing wear and potential bearing damage.

Refer to the appropriate Service Information (SI) installation instructions when replacing any oil filter and pay particular attention to procedures for proper cartridge filter element alignment. If the diagnostics in SI (Engine Mechanical) lead to the oil filter as the cause of the internal engine noise or damage, dealers should submit a field product report. Refer to the latest version of Corporate Bulletin Number 02-00-89-002 (Information for Dealers on How to Submit a Field Product Report).