I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN WINTER CONDITIONS. MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE I STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND EXIT THE INTERSTATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LOUD KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE AND A STRONG GAS SMELL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED. THE ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SUCH AS INTERSECTIONS AS I WENT STRAIGHT TO A NEARBY CHEVROLET DEALER.

I WAS INFORMED THE REAR MAIN SEAL BLEW OUT CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THEY ALSO SAID THIS HAPPENED DUE TO HIGH POSITIVE PRESSURE IN THE CRANKCASE DUE TO A FROZEN OR BLOCKED PCV VALVE.

GM IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS STATED IN THE GENERAL MOTORS SERVICE BULLETIN 14882. HOWEVER, GM SAYS MY VIN DOES NOT APPLY IN THIS CASE. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE, I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO LET SOMEONE KNOW SO OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES COULD BE NOTIFIED OF THE EXTREME HAZARD.

2010 Chevy Equinox 2.3 4 cylinder engine. According to dealer and warranty inspector PCV Valve and PCV tubing became clogged with sludge which clogged the engine ventilation system and caused a massive pressure buildup and subsequent catastrophic failure of the Rear Main Seal, Intake Manifold Gasket, and both valve cover gaskets. Extended warranty does not cover failure of the PCV Valve, therefore related failure of other parts are also not covered!!!! I have researched this issue and noticed many other instances of this type of failure for this model year and two other years of this motor. GM has been aware of this problem for many years but a recall or service bulletin has never been issued. Apparently this is a particular problem in cold weather climates as sludge becomes very viscous and stiff and causes catastrophic engine failure. It is very unfortunate that those of us who really enjoy the ride and handling of this very comfortable vehicle have to contend with such a massive problem when a small retrofit could easily correct and prevent this very expensive and dangerous failure of the engine.