Cadillac Engines: Common Problems and Key Specs

When it comes to Cadillac, almost all of its engines are made by General Motors. However, I still distinguish the engines that are mostly used in Cadillac cars now and decided to create a separate category for these units.

It's not easy to find something to tell you about in this section. Still, I will describe the engines mainly engineered for Cadillac vehicles and will try to categorize them so that you can easily find what you are searching for.

This is a dynamic page and I will update it once I write about any other engine found under the hood of Cadillac.

Cadillac 2.0 Turbo (LTG EcoTec) engine

This is not exactly the Cadillac engine - it was used in a myriad of GM cars including even European Opel vehicles (under a different code). So, the LTG engine is the 2.0L turbocharged machine engineered in 2012.

This is the 4-cylinder turbo engine offering 230-275 horsepower, direct injection, DCVCP phasers, timing system driven by chain. The engine is all-aluminum.

The LTG EcoTec powered many models of Cadillac including the ATS, CT6, and CTS.

The engine had a bunch of common issues in the first years of production. Now, it's a pretty reliable machine. Among issues that you will commonly have to deal with are the thin timing chain, weak pistons that are afraid of any engine knock, intake valves contamination, and a lot of oil leaks.

Key facts and my opinion:

• Production years: 2012-now
• Average lifespan of LTG Ecotec: 160,000-200,000 miles
• Fuel supply type: direct injection
• Power range: 230-279 hp
• Fuel efficiency: good
• Engine block material: aluminum
• Engine reliability score: medium
• The most common problems: weak pistons, carbon buildup on intake valves, very weak timing chain, oil leaks

Cadillac LSY engine

This is a pretty fresh engine made by GM. It was introduced in 2018 and has powered a lot of Buick, Chevrolet, and Cadillac vehicles. The LSY engine can be found under the hoods of the CT5, XT4, XT6, and CT6.

The is the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with the tricky DCVCP phasers and the AFM technology to deactivate two cylinders when the load is low. It has a twin-scroll turbocharger with high efficiency. Direct injection makes the engine more powerful and efficient but less reliable.

Among the problems I can think of are the faulty temperature sensor in the early years, limited timing chain lifespan (about 140,000 miles), noise work in some modes, and also oil leaks from unpredicted places. As with all direct injection engines, this one suffers from carbon buildup on intake valves.

Key facts and my opinion:

• Production years: 2018-now
• Average lifespan of LSY: 160,000-220,000 miles
• Fuel supply type: direct injection
• Power range: 170-241 hp
• Fuel efficiency: good
• Engine block material: aluminum
• Engine reliability score: medium
• The most common problems: problematic sensors, carbon buildup on intake valves, chain is still weak, oil leaks, noises.

Cadillac LM2 Duramax engine

The LM2 Duramax engine is the 3.0L diesel inline-6 engine that is offered by GM primarily for light trucks. But it can also be found in the Escalade as the only available diesel option.

The engine is quite fresh, it was introduced in 2019 and was installed in a lot of GM vehicles including the Escalade. Although it's not the most popular choice, it offers wonderful gas mileage of 23 MPG, on average, and also ensures you will always have great torque.

The engine is good for towing, but it still comes with its own set of common problems. The high-pressure fuel pump is not going to last very long and, unfortunately, it's quite expensive. Also, the oil pump belt is known to be very tender and may let you down. As with any other diesel engine, this one has issues with emission-control equipment such as the EGR and DPF.

Oil leaks are very common. The engine may experience issues with a long start in winter. Other than that, this option is often thought to be one of the most durable Escalade engines.

Key facts and my opinion:

• Production years: 2020-2024
• Average lifespan of LM2 Duramax: 200,000-220,000 miles
• Fuel supply type: Common Rail
• Power range: 277-305 hp
• Fuel efficiency: excellent
• Engine block material: aluminum
• Engine reliability score: high
• The most common problems: high-pressure fuel pump problems, oil pump issues, EGR problems, oil leaks.

Cadillac L87 EcoTec3 engine

The L87 EcoTec3 engine was introduced in 2019. This is the 6.2L V8 gas engine that has been used in many GM vehicles including the Cadillac Escalade. The engine is huge and offers up to 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

The L87 V8 engine is one of the last huge gasoline engines that General Motors has to offer. Probably, the new generations won't exist because of the emission standards going too high. You can even feel emission madness in this engine by observing all the emission-control technologies presented here.

Among the common problems, I can think of is carbon buildup on intake valves. It's not as bad as in other direct injection engines but still can bother you. Also, the DFM system that turns off the unneeded cylinders may leak oil internally. The timing chain causes some concerns in terms of the lifespan of the chain itself.

I also noticed some high-pressure fuel pump issues and common oil leaks in this engine that need to be considered.

Key facts and my opinion:

• Production years: 2020-now
• Average lifespan of L87 EcoTec3: 200,000-220,000 miles
• Fuel supply type: direct injection
• Power range: 420 hp
• Fuel efficiency: bad
• Engine block material: aluminum
• Engine reliability score: medium
• The most common problems: lifters clogging, valve coils can break, cooling system issues, oil leaks.