I would say maybe 5% of my customers keep up on their oil changes. Toyota will be my next truck unless GM owns up and makes wright with consumers. I used 1 quart of tranny fluid in the crankcase ran it for 20 minutes, no luck. will feel like a jerk asking the clerk at lowes to cut them again. The engine is close siblings with the LMG which shared many of the same featuresexcept the LMF isnt saddled with AFM. Teflon coatings does not last. My 2011 Tahoe has a LMG motor in it with a build date of May 2011. If someone didnt want to spend gas buy a Toyota. How stupid do you have to be to whine like a welfare check cashing idiot when there are literally 3 or 4 different ways to totally disable AFM. GM uses 3 different styles all are engine specific. Ayush Srivastava Can they be faulty? Would really appreciate your comments on this point as really interested in an 07/08 escalade without or an 09 hybrid with dod. I have seen more internal engine failures in the last 5 years or so than I have in the first 15 years in the business. Ive read at many websites that the GMCs envoys, Chevys and saabs did start to come with AFM in 2005 with the LH6 motor,It says here it started in 2006 on the saabs, then the pick-ups got AFM in 2007. There may be an ignition related issue on that cylinder. Its not possible to install them wrong? It looks as if Ill need to start saving for a complete AFM delete kit with a new cam. When I first bought my newer truck with fuel management, the GM tech at the dealership told me; if I wanted the engine to live a long life keep the RPMs below 4500. Id wait until the warranty expires then disable. Friend will send to me from Arizona. General Motors has issued a service update for 2021 model year full-size truck and SUV models that are being shipped to dealerships and may be affected by valve lifter problems. Once the failure has occurred, the AFM shut off methods other than that probably wont work. I am hoping this does the trick. With 44, its a enormous Jon to remove the oil pan. The only solution is to replace the entire cylinder head. They dont so any better than domestics on mpgs. I asked my local Chevy dealer, from whom I purchased the engine, to find out why the oil pan lacked the fitting. Perform a Cylinder Deactivation (Active Fuel Management) System Compression Test. Vortec 5300s featuring LH6 and LC9 engines are prone to failing spark plugs due to carbon build-up. You can unplug the sensor on the vacuum booster and it will fool the computer into thinking there is a high demand on the engine and shut down the AFM system but you will have a Check engine light in your face for doing so . There is a filter screen under the oil pressure sender that may be clogged and not getting enough oil to supply the solenoids. All the time. I have an 07 Yukon with over 180K. Most of all, my concern is reliability. I had privilege to work on some of that garbage they never did work . 2 15 with 5.3 Sierras both with 100k and Another option is to plug it entirely if the AFM is already removed. The Jury is still out on the Gen. 5s but the warranty could be an issue. Why would GM ever produce such problems with such little to gain. Thanks for the detailed post! That might show up if you cut the filter and looked for debris in the pleats. Call chevy.They should being paying most of that. Driver reported this occurred suddenly while driving down the highway. GM get a clue! I can tell you for the past 2 years I changed out my LC9 5.3L fully synthetic oil every 3,000, even though Mobile Oil claims 10,000 miles or more. Why cant u just unplug the solenoid on back of engine by oil pressure sensor? As a side note, the early ones had a 24x reluctor and plastic chain guide (good) vs. the later ones with 58x and the spring loaded tensioner (not so good). how many miles do you have on your engine? Hi my name is noel I am a mobile mechanic and I have a client that was having trouble with the lifters on a 2011 gmc yukon Denali 6.2 I placed the lifters after finishing I still had a problem with cylinder 8,6,3 rocker arms were not moving so I replaced the cam OEM part but still having miss fire on cylinder 6 what should I do to get rid of this problem, [] computer cannot switch over to four-cylinder mode. There is no light on my dash or anything that indicates the system is active or exists, so its very confusing, Im still not sure if my vehicle has it or not. The Service Traction Control and Check Engine lights also came on again but went out after a few minutes. Cylinder deactivation--branded Active Fuel Management by GM--shuts off some cylinders when extra power isn't needed, to improve fuel economy. If I were to put a 2006 5.3L in a 2007 Avalanche and buy the unit to plug into my OBD2 port would it work? Looking forward to input from the forum, Thank you. I would appreciate any feedback. I have a 2011 Chevy Tahoe with the 5.3 Gen 4 LS (VIN Code 0) and I bought a CAM motion DOD/AFM delete kit, 3 bolt drop in CAM Motion stage 2 camshaft, VVT delete kit and finally a Diablo Predator 2 Premium for GM programmer. Who knew? The biggest difference between the Vortec engines that used to be found in Chevy and GMC vehicles and the EcoTec engines found in them now are the fueling methods. Active Fuel Management (AFM) is a trademarked General Motors technology that improves gas mileage by shutting down half of the cylinders under light-load conditions to reduce fuel consumption. Then changed the oil. If you just crack it without it starting it moves all the time . Right now I have just over 77K miles with no lifter problems Knock on wood I am thinking of the AFM disabler. NOTE:If you were in a situation where youve installed the AFM delete kit, but dont have access to a programmera disabler can still be a viable option. Oil flows to the special lifters through theAFMtowers. Some guys have been able to use a tool through the top with the cover off to get it to release. [] For more on that, read: How to Delete or Disable Active Fuel Management (AFM) on GM Engines. I quites down to nothing after running for about a minute. I will be installing the AFM deactivator tonight when I get hoe. Getting ready to diy for $450. another common cause for low OP is the oil pick up tube O ring. changed oil , its all working now, but want to disable this sorry system. After reading these forums Im a little concerned about my decision to stay with GM. All New lifters were from AC delco. Bought an 07 GMC Yukon 5.3 with the AFM, 87k. Gary, [] 3 engines didnt have AFM (Active Fuel Management) or VVT (Variable Valve Timing), so you dont have the expense of an AFM or VVT delete []. I had the same issue and had to have the AFM information deleted from the computer and the car tuned. I wouldnt trade my 2000 Silverado, 5.3 liter that has constantly gotten 20 mpg since I bought it 15 years ago, for a dozen of these new $50,000 POS. Dale, I have a 08 Tahoe thats doing the same thing.Any info you have on this would be appreciated, [] Do they have a downside? I hate it. You will get codes thrown if the afm is physically removed without telling the ECM you did so. 1. . If you scroll back, you will find that it is recommended to change lifters and camshaft and looks some more. Junk . It was well researched and tested back in the late seventies and eighties . A new class-action lawsuit has been filed against General Motors over alleged issues with its Generation IV 5.3L Vortec V8 engines. Definitely dont want to do anything to fix one problem and create another. Replaced all lifters on passenger side as well as pushrods for even wear. I have a shop 39 yrs . The L76 is an adapted version of the LS2, featuring new rectangle port cylinder heads and Active Fuel Management (AFM). You are correct. WATCH THIS VIDEO https://youtu.be/1MJMf3nnQhQ. is it still working good since you have done that with the trans fluid? If you are using VVT, you could use the NAL-12612273 (L92) cam. Replaced all 16 lifters due to collapsed lifter on CYl #4. The original version sprayed oil on the cylinder walls and increased oil consumption. According to some experts, switching to cylinder deactivation reduces the emissions high somewhere between 4 and 10%, which is a huge percentage of saving the air from pollution. (Bought car 1 day before lifter died!) Any guidance would surely be appreciated. I ordered a electronic disabler for it today. There are two ways to disable or delete Active Fuel Management on your GM or Chevy Gen IV LS or LS-based Vortec engineone is to install an AFM Disabler, and the second is to install an AFM Delete Kit. I am a long time GM fan but after reading how they messed up the 5.3 ( I had a fantastic 2003 Z72 off road) Ill look else ware for my next vehicle. How do you know if the lifter has failed? yep, you are 100% Right, I called a local saab shop and they filled me in, in 2005 the trailblazer and clones have DOD (displacement on demand), My next issue is getting extra ignition keys on the cheap. There are 5.3 cylinder deactivation problems that can occur. Id try the disabler and the screen cleaning first and do the AFM delete if that doesnt solve the problem. Dont drive it if you have a dead cylinder due to afm failure. I am wondering the same thing. I dont plan on installing the delete kit at this time. The VLOM consists of 4 electronically operated solenoids and is bolted to the top of the engine block beneath the intake manifold assembly. It seems to me that the high volume oil pump should not hopefully cause premature wear but if it is pushing more oil through the heads than I guess the valve stem seals have more work to do. General motors sent out a service bulletins to their dealers however, all dealers will not tell you about the bulletin. A 17 with 5.3. Would it be fine to go ahead with the AFM Disabler? Or is the shuddering indicative of failed/failing lifters that need to be replaced before moving forward? Never again, except for my gen4 Z28 that has a perfect engine/trans on an otherwise rolling pc of gm crap chassis. Can you tell me what needs to be done with the VVT? The motor I pulled was a 2007 LY5 with about 77k on it. With that said, the current global chip shortage has been affecting the industry on a wide scale, forcing production halt among several automakers. [] For more on that, read:How to Delete or Disable Active Fuel Management (AFM) on GM Engines. More information can be found in the GM TSB bulletin number 10-06-01-008g. Thats not all bad because it saves the cost of an AFM delete kit. AFM or active fuel management is a GM/Chevy technology meant to improve gas mileage. In 2015, I purchased a new Tahoe with the AFM and two weeks ago with 71K miles on it, the engine light came on. Regards, Took it in this morning and mechanic said cylinder 6 misfire, he said the lifter hasnt failed. Do you think I can still disable AFM? I tried the trans fluid in the oil. Unfortunately, I found out about the lifters too late. The engine will operate on 8 cylinders in V8 mode during starting, idling, and medium or heavy throttle conditions. My Wifes 17 Buick with afm was my attempt to get back to gm. Thanks. Its ribbed with solenoids on the underside. They are taller and have special oil holes. thx Brian, Knock on wood I drive a 2011 silverado 44 Ltd with the 5.3 AFM/DOD not tuned out or delete being used and have experienced no problems or any sign of problems for that matter juat rolled over 210,000 all original factory parts would you suggest I tune it out or juat let it ride I change my oil religiously and also use lucas products for all aspects of my motor. Why doesnt anyone make an aftermarket set of replacement AFM lifters that are the right length but DO NOT COLLPASE! I got a 09 Chevy Ive had the 1 go out then the 7 about 2 weeks apart if I known what I know now I wouldve changed them all at once but now I have a misfire on cyl 4 but it came back in why are these lifters going out one at a time like this the 1st two that went out I was coming off the interstate an stabiltrack came on now the 4 misfired twice both times pullling out my driveway. While it does still use the GM Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology that caused a plethora of issues on the gen-four Vortec 5300 engines, it seems that GM has solved the issues related to excessive oil consumption. It replaces the AFM components with standard parts. I have a 2013 1500 with the LC9. After all we bailed them out of bankruptcy. I sold them when they were new. Now you tell me AFM works and I will tell you; that you are full of shit! As we were installing the sensors prior to installation in the vehicle, we noticed that there was no fitting on the oil pan for the oil level sensor. Now i have my mechanic trying to follow a YouTube video I saw with a guy and a rod and a hammer. The 1st design (built prior to April 1, 2006) was had afm components but wasnt connected. The 2016+ Tacomas are junk. Now it appears GM and their handlers want to push the electric market with throw away junk that is mechanically weak . Any advice that you could offer would be great. Pulled right valve cover an rockers on syl 6 dont move. I always have done my oil changes on time, not sure about the people who owned it before me though. Im a little confused on the problems too, Im reading that the 2007 pick-ups with 5.3 really had bad oil consumption and plug fouling problems, but is the 2005 5.3 that came in the trailblazers, envoys, and sabb 9-7s the exact same design as these pick-ups and prone to the same failures? Thanks. My tech just installed the engine, only to notice that he doesnt have anything to plug the AFM solenoid pack into. Install an AFM Delete Kit It is a bad deal for sure.ive fixed a few best thing u can do is delete it in buy kit.no sense in fixing a flawed problem with the same flawed parts. Our patented technology is the only product that will disable Active or Dynamic Fuel Management without reprogramming the factory ECU. I have a 2014 Silverado with a 5-3. Every one of these engine will have a lifter fail, this is a travesty! Plugs spark fine engine has power at higher RPMs although it is still in Limp mode / stabilitrack message, even after driving it a few times above 60 MPH then clearing errors with handheld programmer. Anyway, after some pushing and pulling I took it to the Dealer who sold it to me. The cylinders are deactivated by means of a double-stroke lifter which is FAR more prone to failure than a standard lifter. i currently get 8 mpg with the vortec 350 and a 4l60, I have a 99 Sub k1500 that i get 16 to 18 hwy loaded lightly, I get about 14 on my 95 Tahoe 2 door with 5.7 and 4l60. . Have an intake and Borla exhaust. Send response to tkrieg@cox.net. Took it to my dads and he tore things apart and found that I had a lifter that was stuck. It works . Now I get 24 to 26 with deactivation locked out and full power. Very confusing stuff out there. Would doing the disabler option once I get it back be the right one? Fouls those plugs. The cherry on top is its not saddled with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) or Active Fuel Management (AFM) found on some Gen. 4 engines. How is that an improvement. From what I am reading this would eliminate the possibility of failure, prevent false check engine lights and continue to make the appropriate power??? A lot of drivers reported losing 2-4 quarts of oil in between oil changes. It is replaceable.. just remove oil pan and it will be on top at the filter. For a primer [], [] cathedral port cylinder heads and used Active Fuel Management (AFM). I dont know where to being to look for the problem. It could be the filter screen under the oil sending unit. Hello Mike, if you dont have any obvious signs like check engine lights etc., there are couple different possibilities. I didnt have lifters fail, I had the 4 cylinders 1,4,6,7 have such blow by that my choice was a valve and piston job or a new motor. Ive been a Ford guy my whole life, so I was unaware of AFM until a recent trip where I did a lot of highway driving and happened to bring up the real-time mpg display, where I saw it switch between V6 and V4. You mentioned that it will shoot oil into the pan and on the cylinder walls possibly causing some oil consumption So i have a running vehicle and my only concern is making it as reliable as possible, should I disable the AFM or not?? Most will want to get rid of the AFM immediately. He used seafoam and changed to synthetic oil. Good point which begs the questuion, why does the Service Stabilitrak error seem to coincide with lifter failure? I know I felt the same way. This lowers the cost of building it [], [] aluminum block engine. Basically rebuilt most of the engine while in the vehicle. I just took a long trip and it used 1.5 quarts of oil. I have a 08 6.0L out of a Silverado with an aftermarket oil pan that has no provision for a pressure relief valve. Replaced the engine with remanufactured one and had the AFM turned off with a computer hooked to the ECU. Oil consumption problems can be caused by a number of factors, including low oil pressure, worn oil seals, or worn engine parts. Chevrolet 5.3 Engine Issues and Recommendations Took it to the dealer and was told I had a collapsed lifter. I had purchased an extended warranty when I bought the truck new. I was told that before I start the vehicle up I will need to have the AFM and VVT disabled in the ECU but that would require a custom tune from a tuner as the ECU cannot just be told that the AFM and the VVT is gone. , Production date on the vehicle is 04/2006 oddly enough. I have a Yukon 116k it now needs its 3rd set of lifters and cam. Took it to a shop and they advised that it could be due to the AFM system not functioning properly. thank You so much! If so what would the vin code be? I contacted service manager in Gastonia, NC and he was kind enough to tell me the whole history of the problem.. EPA required better fuel mileage and less emissions and GM, Ford and Honda(V-6) came up with this failed AFM system. The 2nd went with a conventional valvetrain. I got the AMF disabler anyway and so far so good. also in the pan is another AFM oil filter near the external engine oil filter. We need availability of a replacement engine without the AFM. The engine will normally operate on 8 cylinders in V8 mode during starting, idling, and medium or . . There are no changes in the valves or the springs. We were getting a code that the cam position sensor was not functioning properly. That inherently less smooth operation requires additional NVH dampening. I have 1999 5.3 Silverado that gets 19-20 miles to the gallon all the time this shit pile with dod only gets 14 miles to the gallon. With the AFM tuned off, it shouldnt be trying to switch over to four cylinder mode. She started to have the lifter problem again after 60,000 miles more. What if I was able to trick the computer into thinking it is in 5th gear when it is actually in 6th? My local mechanic suggested whatever I buy with an AFM he will send off the ECU to have the AFM flashed out. . Look for the following: TheAFMcover is called the Lifter Oil Manifold Assembly (LOMA). Seems my oil pressure sensor is bad, are showing the same oil pressure at all times, even when it dosnt run.Dont know it that fault was there before i replaced the lifters. Driving around with a bad AFM lifter is the fastest and easiest way to destroy an engine. It is usually first noticed during highway driving. A V8 firing all 8 cylinders sees 90 degrees between combustion events, while a 4 cylinder engine lengthens this to 180 degrees. If thats the case, Summit Racing has dedicated truck cams that will increase power through the rangebottom to topbut the meat of it is in the mid-range where your engine spends the most time. Thank you. If I put my truck in manual 5, it doesnt try to go into V4 mode. Also, it is the easiest way [], [] for the 2010 Chevy Camaro SSis also a Gen IV 6.2L aluminum-block V8, but with the addition of Active Fuel Management and Variable Valve Timing. Because its not just GM that have engine problems. Installed them again, all facing upwards, will know tomorrow if that was the solution.If this is the cause i cant beleve why they arnt build so that it is impossible to install them the wrong way in the plastic holder.And altso that there was no warning or installation advice With the New lifters.If these are the only lifters in the Whole world that must be in My point is that the engine likely on uses dod a small percentage of the time so can not really imagine that the delete causes any more issue than normal which may be the high oil consumption but do all of these engines with dod consume a lot of oil? Battery was unplugged for a week.. If Problems regarding Chevy 5.3L engines, if the running compression of the misfiring cylinders stays below 25 PSI. I would just have the AFM disabled (tuned out) then. Im looking at the Range Disabler but want to make sure it is required/suggested/recommended/safe? I have had some say that it is the valves and others say that it is the cats plugged. So I researched and got an AFM disabler. The car runs great apart from the shuddering at those speeds. I have 1999 Silverado with out AFM that gets 21 mpg and a 2008 with it that gets 14.6. Last GM Ill ever buy unless its got a diesel. . They took the engine down today found so much damage inside they ordered a new engine from Detroit. Now I know why there wa such a push to get older ,less efficient vehicles off the roads. He unstuck it and I took it for a drive and same thing happened. Unplugged AFM engine only runs on 4 cylinders #2,3,5 and 8. GM switched over to the 4100 v-8 in 1982. I was getting ~ 30 mpg, so I love that. Thats a tough call, if the warranty will cover itId let it run out. Open to suggestions about best course of action. The Cylinder Deactivation system, known as the Active Fuel Management system by GM, shuts off some of the cylinders when extra power is not needed which improves fuel economy. The early part of his automotive career included working for engine builders Scott Shafiroff and C.J. The lifter seems to recharge whenever the truck sits for some time. Stopped at nearest gas station and found I was a quart low on oiladded oil and lights eventually went off and luckily we made it the 5 hour drive home. The vehicles affected were 2007 to Feb. 2011 AFM equipped engines (Aluminum or Iron block-L94, LZ1, L99, LC9, LH6, L76, LFA, LMG, and LY5). Its a CA EMMISIONS TRUCK. Im praying that my RangeTech buys me a few years. The most common issue GM vehicle owners with AFM report is increased fuel consumption. In October of 2010, GM added a deflector (p/n NAL-12639759) to keep oil from being sprayed directly on the rear cylinders. The tune is the best bang for the buck outside a cam swap anyway and what Id recommend. Heres what you need to know: An AFM Delete Kit is recommended when an AFM lifter fails or when doing performance upgrades. Just one or two. So bad theyve been rated least reliable midsized truck by consumer reports for 3 years in a row. Cost about $250, but it is not fool proof. it is the regulator guy! So I did the job one more time. module (ECM) will command the cylinder deactivation system ON to deactivate engine cylinders1, 7, 6, and 4, switching to a V4mode. The engine will operate on 8cylinders, or V8mode, during engine starting, engine idling, and medium to heavy throttle applications. A problem with cylinder deactivation can be solved by tuning the intake and exhaust valves. Your email address will not be published. Its a simple and effective way to turn off the AFM system and provides the added bonus of improving exhaust sound. Brian, thank you for the quick response. NOT GOOD!! The Tundra fares better but the frame has the rigidity of wet spaghetti and the 5.7 has had problems with VVT solenoids and the plastic timing chain tensioners. Also replaced push rods rocker arms and rocker plate guide because if wore push rod and crack in rocker arm. The materials used in the engine were [], I have a 2018 GMC with the Eassist and AFM Double digit MPGs in my 98 K1500 would be a dream lmao. Toyotas 5.7 is one of the biggest gas guzzlers among half-ton trucks. The oil collapses the plunger inside the lifter. Is there any potential down-side to doing this in other words, might this do more harm than good? What would you do if you were in my situation? Power will be sent to the rear axle via a beefed-up 4L60E [], Have a problem with 09 Chevy I have ordered an ATM disabler and will be putting a can of Textron in the gas at the next fill up. When we removed the oil pan from the new block, we noticed a metal shield covering the bottom of the block. Well, they move a couple of times after startup thats all.Asume its the same on syl 7 on the other side.Disconected the Connector to the solenoids, no difference. The write up confuses me. Brian, we have a 2007 Yukon Denali in our shop with a 6.2L v-8 that has suffered a lifter failure with camshaft damage. It has has 9000 miles and no lifter or other issues or codes so far. Vehicle has been serviced more regular than the manual calls for and the AFM has caused problem after problem with fouled plugs. My daughters car had about 230,000 miles when she complained of the problem. 2011 Chevy Avalanche LTZ. Replace the cam or do the delete kit? Below youll see references to the L99 as a result. Looking to tear down myself. Would never take it on a long trip. Looking for another Toyota at this point to match my 1985 4 runner with 380.000 miles and no issues since new.