How GM Dealers Handle Engine Valve Lifter Issues
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A few days ago, we published a report highlighting the valve lifter issues some General Motors customers were experiencing in certain vehicles equipped with either its 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine or 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine. In light of this article, we’ve decided to provide some insight into how GM typically handles valve lifter issues on vehicles still covered under warranty.
If a customer brings their vehicle to a GM dealership and reports a valve lifter problem, the dealership will first determine whether or not the customer has experienced a previous valve lifter issue with this particular vehicle. If they have not and the vehicle has less than 8,000 miles on the odometer, the dealer will replace the lifters on both cylinder banks. If the vehicle has more than 8,000 miles, only one bank of lifters will be replaced.
5.3L L84 V8 engine
If the customer has experienced prior valve lifter failures, dealers can choose one of three options: replace one bank of lifters and offer the customer a 60-month, 100,000-mile Powertrain Component Coverage Letter, replace the entire engine, or reach out to the District Manager of Aftersales for further guidance. The solutions are similar for a customer that has experienced valve lifter issues in the past and had one bank of lifters replaced. In this case, the dealer can replace one bank of lifters and offer a 60-month, 100,000-mile Powertrain Component Coverage Letter or reach out to the District Manager of Aftersales.
The aforementioned valve lifter problem affects 2019-and-later model-year Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, as well as 2021 model-year full-size GM SUVs, including the Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, and GMC Yukon. More information on the issue is available in our dedicated report.
GM Authority intends to follow the valve lifter story closely and report on further updates as we receive them.
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How long has GM been making valves? Because this should be perfected by now.
They’ve ruined their engines with cylinder deactivation and other gimmicks that the customers don’t want. And now this.
The problem seems to be with the lifters, not valves. Likely it’s just a manufacturing problem or material problem that slipped through QC, this happens sometimes, and GM has to first identify the scope of the problem to come up with a proper solution. Agree though, most customers do not like cylinder deactivation, and it is never completely seamless.
This is more then a GM issue. These are sub standard supplier parts that are near impossible to single out until problems arise. We pretty much know where their coming from, but no one wants to say it. CHINA.
CHINA!!
And Mexico.
You wish… not Mexico…not for many years. If anything is still coming out of Mexico be very glad. GM had perfected Mexico quality over many years of industry there… now they need to start it all over again in China.
NOT FROM MEXICO? My new 2020 Silverado came from MEXICO! Out of your mind.
The lifters didn’t!
NOT FROM MEXICO? How is it that my 2020 Silverado was made there, and is says so on the door, and you say nothing is coming from there? You are foolish.
They’re not coming from China. They get about 43% parts from Mexico. If they were coming from China it would be clearly stated on the window sticker.
Coming from China through Mexico…jk
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Just look at the PARTS.. MADE IN CHINA
You wish… not made in Mexico…not for many years. Made in C-H-I-N-A
I’m experiencing this same problem now on my 2017 Sierra… my warrent expired 8 months ago.. is there something I can do
I won’t buy gm products anymore almost every damned part is made in CHINA …. GM sell Your cars to the chinese WE DON”T BUY chinese cars! Hell a Toyota has more American parts than gm ford or dodge… BRING THE PARTS BACK HERE! Fire the Idiot woman running GM that was You first Mistake !
As I stated previously, GM still makes their lifters in America in Wyoming MI at their GMCH plant on 2100 Burlingame Ave. This factory has been making all of GM’s lifters I believe since the 1940’s. And they supply all of Toyota’s lifters to them as well. This factory use to be known as a very high quality solid/hydraulic/roller lifter producing factory. At one time it was producing millions of defective free lifters when I worked their in the 1970’s-80’s-90’s. But their has been a complete new workforce hired into their now as retirements and transfers to other GM plants happened. I have not been their since 1999 but apparently the new workforce is not getting the quality job done. It does surprise me as when I was working their, there was a whole bunch of check and balances in place to catch 99.9% of any defects. As an retiree and ex employee of this specific plant I too wonder what in the world happened in the name of quality at this valve lifter plant. I have to wonder what changed for quality control since I last worked their in 1999. Is it machining quality? Was their an engineering change to the lifters or a processing change? With so many GM owners having problems with their lifters it makes this retiree wonder what in the world happen to the quality of these lifters.
Since you have retired, I would say you don’t know Where they are getting their parts. As far as the employees, most of the machining is AUTOMATICALLY done by computers now. You guys just move the incoming material to the machine which does all the machine work itself. Then move it out. Probably one big problem is Cliton gave China most favored nation trade status letting them dump their garbage here TARIFF FREE and put nearly everyone out of making anything. The steel used in those lifters is most likely From China. And they are probably buying completed crappy lifters Straight from China even. Our demon rat politicians have sold us out and we are left with Chinese Crap.
Please stfu you moron.
Poor baby can’t handle the truth. HAHAHAHAHA
Day8293A The GMCH factory is still their in the same location in Wyoming MIchigan still making lifters and driveline products. They still have the same machining process making lifters as they had in the 70-90’s for the Roller Lifters they were making back then. What more than likely has changed is since back then newly designed lifters for todays new engines are being made. Cold Former, Kingsbury, Broach, Grinder, Heat Treat, Assembly to give you an idea of some of the Machining Process. This is an example of the machining performed and not necessarily in order or all the processes performed. Load monitors were added on some machines. The above listed machines to this day still require an human operator to mantain the tolerances of the parts coming off the machine. Operator would be holding tolerances, changing tooling, making necessary adjustments on machine to keep tolerances. No “Robots” have replaced Human Machine Operators. It does seem odd that absolutely nothing has been discussed in this area from anyone or the media or even rumored to a bad lifter problem coming possibly out of this specific factory. Never the less all these owners having bad lifters in there engine is something that needs to be addressed under a warranty for the owners, and needs to be traced back to the vendor who supplied these bad lifters.
Lifters and whatever else is failing has been ‘cheaped’ up in the name of PROFIT.
They have known about this problem for YEARS. WTF. Fix the Problem and the Blame.
Guarantee the Valve train For 300,000 miles.
Not sure where you got that from I worked for Toyota. The cars are assembled here. Most of the parts are from over seas. When a part fails they blame it in American manufacturing even though they design and quality control those parts.
They have been having similar issues with the AFM/DOD going back to the 2006 model year. Thousands of videos online on how to delete them with new cam, lifters, etc, yikes
The AFM is seamless on my 2011 Silverado. I just drive in constant thought about when it is going to fail.
I installed the Range Technology AFM disabler. I bought a V8, not a sometimes V8. Hopefully that will prevent lifter failure on my 16 LTZ.
After replacing my last engine, I also installed a disabler and a catch-can.
I have had a range unit since 2010 and it makes all the difference in the world. No more poor idling,misfire and acceleration issues. If GM wants to use a sometime engine provide the customer with a optional switch.
This can be done on the DIC control selection and they are smart the service down loads will tell how useful this feature is used,
I have a range on my 2021 Trail Boss. Been on it since 200 miles. At 11,380 miles it had a lifter fail and bent a pushrod. Disabling the AFM/DFM does NOT make the parts any less likely to fail.
Apparently the 2021’s are a year to never buy as they seem to have the highest fail rate.
I am doing the same on my 2021 October build with a TB 6.2L, utilizing the Pulsar LT and JLT 3.0 catch can. Approaching 1000 and hoping the best since the bulk build between 2/21 and 7/21 were the worse.
I did exact same set-up.. direct injection needs catch can.. amazing how much oil I pour out of mine.. pulsar has worked perfectly .. no governor is really nice feature also
I would love to disable it, but if/when a lifter goes… you 100% know they’ll say it was the aftermarket controller and NOT covered now.
You can remove the range disabler and gm will never know it was there. It doesn’t rewrite anything, it just doesn’t allow the DFM to activate. But as stated earlier, this will not stop the lifter failure. I have a Range on my truck, just hope it helps. Would be interesting to the the ratio of failures with and without the Range disabler.
Would’ve thought by now the wonderful engineers at GM would’ve had this fixed by now since I have a 2011 that has had nothing but issues with the lifters. After reading this I don’t think I will ever buy another GM product again. #Crap!
My lifters failed today for the second time, same bank fist at 1890 miles second time 14410. Both times 40 mph in town driving.
And I was sad because I couldn’t afford to spend the extra money on the 5.3L V-8, and had to settle for the V-6. Turns out, it was lucky I couldn’t afford it after all. Can’t pull much with the V-6, but it still looks good. Last GM product I’ll buy! At least, the last New GM I’ll buy. So sorry to hear how they can’t fix the crappy engine lifters!
My understanding is the 6 cylinders have AFM/DFM and deactivate 3 cylinders sooo….
I have a 2019 Buick regal GS. With the 3.6 liter LGX 222 CID. It’s deactivates cylinders 2 and 5.
I don’t know if the previous 3.6 litre LFX, 217CID had cylinder deactivation.
I have a 2019 Buick regal GS. With the 3.6 liter LGX 222 CID. It’s deactivates cylinders 2 and 5. I average 30.8 miles per gallon. my commute is 71 miles. 51 miles at 75 mph, then the speed limit drops down to 65 and then 55. it only takes about an hour. Just like a 12 mile commute in Southern California.
I don’t know if the previous 3.6 litre LFX, 217CID had cylinder deactivation.
Mine doesn’t have AFM/DFM, thank goodness!
So glad mine doesn’t! Thank goodness!
It seems pretty stupid to build an engine that requires the heads to be removed to change a lifter.
I like cylinder deactivation and am getting great milage for a full sized pickup and it has been mostly reliable to 55000 miles. We have had one lifter replaced due to what they called sticking. Engine had a mild miss but no other issues and we caught it very quickly. I was not aware that they were to replace the full bank of lifters but they may have done that. The electric engine is a great way to get better fuel mileage.
Has this issue been resolved on 2023 models?
DOUBTFUL!
Valves, bearings, pistons, rings, gaskets, are made by vendors for gm and everybody else. The vendor had a bad run on valves. gm’s quality control receiving unit which takes samples of vendor sourced parts to check for specs and quality did not catch the bad batch of valves.
This is a relatively uncommon occurrence with manufacturers but does occasionally occur.
It’s amazing how many parts on vehicles and equipment are vendor sourced these days. Caterpillar in fact sources their smaller diesel engines in their entirety from Kubota and wholly owned Perkins. They
paint these engines yellow and put a Cat decal on them.
Caterpillar had a run of bad engine crankshaft bearings from Clevite about 40 years ago. Cat’s quality control receiving did not catch and it was a warranty nightmare. Also created extreme replacement part shortage.
It’s not a bad run of valves, it’s the lifter. You either can’t read or you know nothing about engines.
It appears that you are really a smart person, however try to be nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s not a matter of being “nice”. He was just stating the misinformed ignorance of the person. He clearly doesn’t understand whether difference between a valve and a lifter. Two of which are totally opposite. I also think he needs a better understanding of the topic before he decides to give his two cents.
I’ll go right to you for this question. Is there a different failure rate for those engines that have the de-activation disabled vs not?. If joe Blow has a chip to disable and then trades it in, suddenly all those stationary parts start moving? Ok that’s two questions.
GM doesn’t make any parts they buy them from vendors. For many years they did make their own parts and their quality control was impeccable. In the interest of downsizing the number of hourly union employees they slowly started “spinning off” their parts manufacturers and bought their parts. Now the manufacturers don’t have corporate looking over their shoulder so short cuts to improve their profit result in poor quality control and the customer pays for it in the end with warranty work like this where their truck is out of service at least a day.
You’re right that GM (and all the other car companies) get a lot of their parts from suppliers, they are made to the specifications of GM. Seems like a lot of the problems originate with the cylinder deactivation system. So if there is a way to disable that without affecting the warranty I would do that immediately. The money that you save in gas can’t possibly compare with the money you possibly will have to spend later.
With all this voodoo technology trying to get more mpg is killing many manufacturers. All my Chevrolet 5.7’s have been bullet proof for decades long before variable timing, active fuel management, and displacement on demand. Now add the offshore savings of unknown vendors and we have a disaster. A group recently started a class action lawsuit against GM over this lifter issue and it’s going to be interesting on how it turns out.
Not entirely accurate. GM still has 5 GMCH (General Motors Components Holding) factories that make parts. I only know what they make at one of them. Wyoming Michgan. Lifters and Driveline componets.
Wait until you get the back up camera Fish Eye problem with the low option models. They want to tell you ”it’s supposed to be that way”. I only have 2,600 miles on my 2020 Silverado crew cab Custom and it had a normal square display when I got it, and now it has a fish eye look. GM IS TRYING TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM!
I just experienced this on my 21 Sierra, @ 4300 kms
Symptoms: truck had a few backfire’s (in catalytic converter)
Warning light: service ESC, service parking brake, service engine blinking, then went solid then went out.
Took the vehicle to dealership, and was told it was a bent pushrod and they would fix it under warranty, it was this article that made me insist on both banks being serviced, they only wanted to do one side at first, after a call to gm care, I thought my concerns where going nowhere they said they would only replace the defective part and not both banks, I mentioned the article to gm care! There response was it only applies in the USA ( I’m in Canada) I told them well you just lost a customer, dealership called next day, and the are doing both banks!
Today the dealer replaced one bank of lifters on my 2021 Yukon AT4 with the 5.3 L. Over the weekend the lifter on the no. 4 cylinder failed and bent one push rod.Truck runs fine but Im very disappointed this can happen to a $77k truck with only 10,000 miles.
Instead of replacing Both sides, that great GM warranty hopes it will last until out of warranty so you will pay for the other side! LOOKING AT TOYOTA FOR NEXT NEW CAR!
I replaced the engine on my 2015 Sierra at 101,000 miles after the cam was scored. I installed a catch-can and an AFM disabler. No noticeable difference in mileage best mileage so far 22.4 and 13.0 mpg towing a travel trailer. At the current prices of trucks, replacing the engine was the cheaper alternative. More power and no more trans shift going from 4 to 8-cylinder mode, With the disabler, remove it several days before going through inspection as their equipment won’t read anything and it will fail, then plug it back in after.
All newer engines are GDI. Not like the old port injection engines where fuel would wash over the valves, The GDI engine fuel is injected under the valves, so you wind up with carbon buildup over time. Valve cleaning additives won’t work, if the fuel doesn’t reach the top of the valves, how would the additive get there?
Because of that, the induction system, especially the intake valves, are more susceptible to deposits that can rob the engine of power, waste fuel, and cause oil burning,
To keep your car’s engine running smoothly, GDI systems should receive a Major Fuel Service every 31,000 miles.
I had a 2016 Yukon denali I had issues with a collapsed lifter at 32000 Km’s it’s was fixed under warranty now at 62000 Km’s the dealer has to put new cam shaft lifters and General Motors won’t cover it because my warranty is up and it has hardly any Km’s on it so I won’t buy another Gm product anymore I was treated like sh!t from General Motors first there were going to fix after the work was done General Motors called and said they won’t cover it so beware of buying a General Motors product.
Just fixed my 2019 Silverado crew Lt w/ 5.3lt. 1st- 8 speed tranny issue in October – $750.00 + tax, then the lifter went in the beginning of December, which damaged the camshaft -$7,950.00 repair (in B.C. Canada). As I was out of town I had to rent a truck – $986.00. So at 3 years old the truck repairs cost $9,700.
I always Dealer maintain the vehicles and was out of warranty by 25,000kms, GM said too bad.
These items should not be a problem in a 3 years old vehicle,
I will not buy a GM vehicle again.
I would advise not buying GM anything until they address the issue.
Not sure how many miles you have but GM should, at a minimum, warranty for 100, 000 miles against this type of defect.
Who said “no help”? If it was the dealer, call GM direct, as per your owner’s manual. If GM said no, the contact your government for assistance. In the U.S. it would be NHTSA or similar. Or Better Business Bureau. Not sure what the Canadian equivalent would be but there must be one. Last resort is an attorney but they are more trouble and expense than they are worth.
I just had my lifters go bad on my ’21 6.2L AT4. The GM dealer replaced the 16 lifters, camshaft, AFM valve body and supporting parts without issue. The article above states that they should issue a 5yr 100,000 mi warranty. Dealer claims they no nothing about that and offered a 2 yr unlimited mile warranty. Is there a GM bulletin that references this 5 yr warranty?
in one sentence above, you typed “filters”, when you meant “lifters”
No where is the root cause ever identified. This engine design is the same as the 1955 265 V8. It seems that GM has some type of major issue with one of their engines each year and then back peddles or runs away completely.
Ummm, the current LS/LT has nothing in common with the earlier small block, no shared parts, or interchangeability.
Today’s small block LT4 engines are not based on 1955 265 V-8 other than number of cylinders and perhaps bore spacing.
Hmmm. V8, 90 degree, overhead valves, lifters and push rods.
Nope, they do not share the same lifters or pushrods with the earlier SBC… NO parts are interchangeable.
This engine design from 1955 is probably the most successful design to ever come from Detroit, ever , with MILLIONS sold worldwide, and used in everything, including small aircraft, boats ,and automobiles of all manufacturers, hot rods in most classes, it is the iconic American V8, Its status in the minds of those interested in automobiles is the envy of most other manufacturers in the industry! To dis this engine because of a perceived lifter problem is just short sighted and stupid, period!
The classic SBC – correct, I’ve had 14 chevy vehicles of various models and NEVER had one sbc come apart. I’m on pickup #5 2003 silverado , which runs superbly. Not sure I’m ready to move into one of the latest models though.
Retired from GM a few years ago. And at that time I owned a old 2005 Ford F-150 with 300,000 mile on it and NEVER had major engine or transmission work done on it. Found that the frame started to have rust issues and I decided to Retire it. At the time GM ordering a new truck or finding one on the lot was hard to do. So found a one owner 2017 GMC Sierra with 128,000 miles on it. Very clean truck. Only to drive it about 800 miles and started having lifter trouble. Took it to a GM dealership to have it repaired at $1600.00. 600 miles later I’m back at the dealership with the same problem. Only to have GMC corporate office tell there nothing they can do for me. Had more help from the dealership than my so called GM family on being an GM employee. Don’t waste your time on calling GM, took 2 weeks for them to call back, only to say we’re sorry can’t & won’t help you
That’s the problem with GM. They no longer want to support their warranty program.
The engines being discussed are NOT the same as the 265. If you don’t know what you are talking about do not comment.
My 2021 Yukon is in a service department for a week and 3 days now waiting for the parts to repair the lifters etc…my Yukon has 5,000 miles on it. We went up north in Michigan for our 30th wedding anniversary and had to leave my car at a gmc service department and have our son drive 4 hours to pick us up because there aren’t any rental cars available!!
My service tech is still waiting to see a routing number which will tell us the parts have been shipped, did I mention I’m a Realtor and use my car for work!!!
My first week of buying my Yukon I noticed the second row bucket seats both rattled really bad. Took it in, 1 week later I received it back to have the driver side seat still rattle after 2 days of driving it. The service department said they used shimms on that seat and they must not held…so after a week of the service department convincing gmc the 2nd seat needed a new frame like the first one they fixed. Found out gmc didn’t approve for the 2nd seat ti receive a new bracket. They finally did, waited 3 weeks for that to come in and the lifters failed and is 4 hours away. When I get it back I have to send it back to have the seat bracket/frame replaced!!! That is a 3 day event!!!!
Do I have any recourse for having so many issues!!!
We buy new cars rather than a used car to avoid problems. WTH!!!
Wait until they tell you they will only do one side which means the other will most likely fail. When mine failed, they at least gave me a loaner and it took about two weeks. Mine is a 5.3 GMC AT4 2021
Why only one bank of valve lifters? Not a good way to handle a problem created by them or their supplier.
What a cheap remark
Was talking to our family mechanic and seen I purchased a 2021 GMC 5.3 he said that around 5000 miles or between 1st and 2nd oil change that number 7 cylinder lifters is going bad on these vehicles and I said they would be under warranty and then he said GM has a special tool to only change the one side lifters (1,3,5,7) cylinders. Well if anyone knows if you have a lifter go bad it usually damages the camshaft, but GM is only replacing lifters and sending customers on there way. What gets me is GM has been dealing with this issue since around 2008 or 2009 and they cannot find out the problem. May have to trade for Ford or Ram.
My 2021 GMC had 7,800 miles and had bent pushrod in March. At that time they had 3 others with same problems between 4,000 and 7,000 miles on them in 2 weeks in March. Traded for a Ford 3 weeks ago because l was having more probloms.😡 Now GM can’t get the lifer or pushrod parts.
At this point is there any data on the number of vehicles affected or failure rates? I dropped 85k for a new Denali XL in October and would hate to think I may be looking at an issue later on.
Thanks
Jokes on you for dropping 85k on a vehicle.
Beautiful Vehicle. Sorry you cant afford one!! LOL
You didn’t spend enough, if you would have spent 90k you would have been safe and had no issues. Not sure why people think they are entitled to something because they spend X amount of money on something. So you think because you spent 85k the person who spent 50k or 35k shouldn’t have the same trouble free experience and yours should be superior? Come one man, grow up a little. Anytime someone says how much they spend I laugh when they throw in their level of deserved entitlement…
I am glad I could make you throw up a little. Quality follows money. Were you born stupid or did you learn it from your parents?
Scott, so what you are saying is the 6.2 in your Denali won’t have issues because is cost 25k more than the exact same engine in a Tahoe? Maybe your parents should have gotten a better education.
It would be interesting to send a batch of bad lifters to an independent shop for analysis after the failure. lubrication failure? Metal fatigue? Lifter assembly failure. GM will never say. Independent lab look could be telling.
The way I understand it Mopar has had lifter failure problems with the Hemi engine for years .
Could they be purchasing lifters from the same manufacturer?
One bank of lifters is plain stupid…they have the intake off replace them all. a half ass job will bring half asses results and upset customers. Recently I took my Ford Taurus for air conditioner check and oil change to the Ford dealer. The service advisor came back with suggestions for $9000 dollars worth of “requiered repairs”…I reminded him that it was there for air conditioner check and oil change. Anyway it cost 250 basiclly for an oil change. I got the air conditioner fixed for 250 bucks at another garage. I have put on 5000 klics since tyhe “9000 dollar diagnosis” and the car is running great. the question is “why arey they so thorough on someone elses’ dime yet overlooking factory defects?’…hmm kind of makes you think…maintain
Proofread before sending or learn to spell.
I think you need to get a life!
Speaking of ”other warranty issues”, my 2020 Silverado Custom has 2,600 miles on it, and the back up camera has gone from a nice full screen camera view, to a ”fish eye” look. Have taken it to two dealers, and both are trying to tell me it is ”normal”. When I made my appointment at the second dealer to look at it, the advisor said, ”no problem, we just need to recalibrate the camera, easy to fix”. When I got there the following week, the ”advisor” had been fired, and the New advisor acted like she didn’t even know I had an appointment and said the Old Adviser had been fired for making ”false” claims of being able to fix things. Funny how after I had filed a claim with Chevy/GM the service center went from ”no problem” to CANNOT DUPLICATE the problem. Let’s see, the problem is a Fish Eye camera view THAT THEY CLAIM IS NORMAL, BUT CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ”NORMAL” LOOK? I’ve read a LOT of complaints on line about this issue, but GM is trying to sweep it under the rug! GM WARANTY SUCKS AND IS USELESS!
Contact the Consumer Complaint intake office of the Attorney General’s Department in the state where you live, if you are getting a run around and no resolution from either the dealer or factory zone office. BBB is worthless on complaint solutions.
Best wishes and good luck on this.
Save your breath, Murray. All this guy wants to do is bellyache.
I tried the woman with marbles in her mouth said no assistance. Then hung up.
It is a new design camera. The tailgates with built in step have the flat camera.
It worked fine when I got it. Had a nice full square screen display until 2500 miles, and suddenly gets distorted with a fish eye look. It is something to do with the computer programming. Not the camera design. When I called GM, they claimed they knew about it and were working on a fix,, and I heard nothing more. They told the dealer to tell me it was ”normal” so I filed a NTSB safety complaint since it makes it hard to see if a child might be behind the vehicle, the main reason they all have back up cameras now. Still waiting for a response on that too.
call 1-800-chev-usa the customer hot line. they will start a case file. refer to engineering and then they will contact you and your dealer to get it resolved. It works, trust me.
Bull Crap, what they will tell you is that your grossly slipping 8 speed automatic is “normal”. You tell a life long gear head that a slipping clutch or clutch pack is normal and they won’t be happy because it
“IS NOT NORMAL.
Yes, they(GM) got my problem solved. Their supervisor told me, we can do nothing to help you. But I told them they were wrong. They Did help me make a decision to never again own another GM vehicle.
Agree! One bank of lifters???? What happens if there are bad lifters on the other bank — or the ones soon to go bad?
And, guess what, not only the intake, you have to pull the head(s) to remove the lifters……………….. What about the cam? When these lifters go bad they usually take the cam with them!
Maybe the new four-banger ain’t so bad after all?
Do you understand anything? This is a roller cam, not a flat tappet.
what you do not understand is what actually happens is the lifters actually turn sideways when the retainer brakes from the failed collapsed lifters. a turned roller lifter will damage a cam unlike a flat lifter
Wrong. The never ones are separating into two pieces and bending push rods. The turning in the bore you are referring to in in previous generations.
Also every single manufacturer has issues… this is not a GM only thing. You try designing something as complex as a modern automobile.
FYI I’m a GM tech.
So you are saying this is not a new problem for gm
But not a gm Engineer where their problems come from. I know because I used to have to clean up their messes too.
Or maybe just maybe stop building such complex overdesigned cars.
I think is more to just lifters this has been going on since 2009, I really think it is a oiling issue. Why does it start on the left side and on number 7 cylinder first. When they install them they are not numbered for each cylinder. Also when they go bad they are only replacing lifters and if a push rod if is bad, if a lifter goes bad it’s usually damaged and when this happens it also damages the Camshaft. To replace the camshaft they have to pull the engine out or pull radiator,AC condesor and front grille and all the accessories that attached. They are only fixing the problem to get it thru till the warranty expires. It’s like politics don’t care about the people just make money for themselves
You’ve got it exactly right! GM doesn’t care about their customers anymore.
since they made a woman the ceo they have gone to HELL…90% of the parts for Garbage Motors are MADE IN CHINA…. FU GM
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT RIGHT, DON’T MAKE IT AND MAKE THE CONSUMER SUFFER AND PAY FOR YOUR MISCALCULATIONS.
It is after everything fails lol.
They just hope those don’t go bad before the so called warranty expires!
Why $250 for an oil change ? My Fusion oil change and tire rotation only cost $45 and is done once a year because my Fusion is hybrid.
Diagnostic fee I’m assuming.
Very likely, no one in the repair industry does an hours worth of diagnosis for free. Usually, it’s applicable towards the repair if you decide to have it done.
Valves, bearings, pistons, rings, gaskets, are made by vendors for gm and everybody else. The vendor had a bad run on valves. gm’s quality control receiving unit which takes samples of vendor sourced parts to check for specs and quality did not catch the bad batch of valves.
This is a relatively uncommon occurrence with manufacturers but does occasionally occur.
It’s amazing how many parts on vehicles and equipment are vendor sourced these days. Caterpillar in fact sources their smaller diesel engines in their entirety from Kubota and wholly owned Perkins. They
paint these engines yellow and put a Cat decal on them.
Caterpillar had a run of bad engine crankshaft bearings from Clevite about 40 years ago. Cat’s quality control receiving did not catch and it was a warranty nightmare. Also created extreme replacement part shortage.
The problems all stem from the fuel management systems they use on these engines that shut down cylinders to save you one MPG. I put in a unit that disabled AFM on my last Silverado. 150k miles no issue, no oil consumption no failures. Damned frame rotted out though so had to trade it in. Overall GM quality is definitely slipping badly. It’s inexcusable given the price of these vehicles.
I agree frame rot in ALL the truck makers not just GM is inexcusable.That is why you have to clean the frame and use fluid film or something similar every year or two before the frame can start to rust .I would spray the frame as soon as I got the truck home from the dealership. And if you keep it up the frame should last as long as you own it. Shouldn’t have to but that’s reality.
The reality is that it is up to you to maintain your own vehicle. Frames do not rot in the majority of the country. But, is you live in the rust belt, or at the ocean side, EXPECT it. Canada can be even worse with the stuff they dump on their roads in the Winter. If you want to bellyache at someone about it, gripe at your elected officials that decide what to use to melt ice and snow in the Winter. There are chemicals less damaging than salt that can be used but they cost more. If it is more expensive that never bodes well when running for re-election.
My 2002 GMC Sierra still has a strong frame with only surface rust at 257,000 miles.
That shows the decline of quality at GM.
My 2003 as well. Frame very clean, engine, drive train solid also. Looks to me that quality
etc went down during the economic downturn of 2007-2008.
my 2003 Silversdo the same. Frame is fine, I have underside cleaned often, wish they offered a preventive coating to assist with rust prevention. My boat trailer is 100 percent galvanized, dunked often and is still spotless. Quality suffers when profits are the only objective.
Some auto dealerships pay their service writers, mechanics, and service managers a base wage and commission / bonus on the service work. A lot of the service work is ” padded ” with extras to generate commissions and bonuses. It’s a common occurrence in this type of service department compensation system.
Commission is the standard in the industry for compensation. A service advisor’s job is to sell service, not to be just an order taker. The term “advisor” means just that. They are there to advise on maintenance and repair needed. They are also not to be padding a work order. You are the one that decides what you want done. If you feel mistreated, talk to the Service Director or the dealer principal. His name and reputation are on the sign in front of dealership.
This guy is a Troll for GM. Everything he tells you is to benefit GM.
And you’re the troll that denies everything. Grow a pair!
This troll is probably the salesman that sold me the crappy Silverado, and was fired and is now working at Toyota! It sure sounds like one of the butt hurt folks at the dealer. He’s still butt hurt because I won on getting the Railroad dust removed from my paint. Nearly Every vehicle shipped from the Plant in Mexico has Rail Dust in the paint. They tried to deny that one too. It has to be clay barred out of the paint. Just google Rail Dust to see what it is.
I believe you have to remove cylinder head to replace lifters on these engines. Doing both would almost double labor and parts. If vehicle was out of warranty what choice would you make ?
Nope not on a GM pushrod engine.
You’re wrong. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
The rate for warranty work is much less than customer pay, that’s why they are more concerned about your car when you bring it in, how do I know this? My son worked for several different manufacturers dealerships when he first started his mechanical career.
So you’re going on what he told you. Did he also tell you why he didn’t stay working for the same dealer? The really good technicians are highly valued by a dealer and they try to keep them.
Bitch, bitch, bitch. How old is that p.o.s. Taurus? Don’t worry about the a/c. Put it in the scrap yard where it belongs.
Typical of all Dealers I think. The service department is the big money maker for all dealers.
Wrong for the most part. Ideally, the Service department is supposed to cover the operating expenses of the dealership. Heat, lights, and other operational expenses including equipment, building maintenance, etc. Most dealerships are lucky to get about 65% of that accomplished.
Not wrong. Service depart keeps dealerships open amd bills paid. Gone are the days of dealerships making thousands off new cars. Most make less than a 1000 of new car sale. They make more of from selling used cars. Of course their a exception as there is for everything. Some models they make alot on some they will lose on. I know this for a fact as my fired owns dealership and made a wise crack about how much dealerships customers off on new cars. He showed me what he’s paying and profit made from. Sales for the month. He said its his service department is where the money is at. He also said he makes thre to four times the profit off from selling used cars. Why not just sell used cars I asked him. It wouldn’t be as profitable and couldn’t get nowhere near the amount of service work he gets.
And they Don’t like to Fix your car properly under warranty, as they hope it will keep having the same problem after the warranty runs out, and then Maybe they will fix it at YOUR expense. GM doesn’t pay them as much as they can squeeze out of Your pocket! That’s why they only fix one bank at a time with these things and hope it lasts long enough until the warranty runs out and then they can really fix it and Stick it to you!
Dealers love taking runs at consumers regardless what wrong with vehicle gm has this engine lifter problem fix it no questions ask people are spending huge money on the vehicles and they always want to do half the fix and yet give u some xtra warranty nosense some mileage and time to repair another half repair do it once and correct regardless the mileage Keep customers happy and they will come back that’s not so difficult but for gm it’s to easy what a joke
Someone else that can’t find his butt with both hands. You fix what’s broken, not what isn’t.
Preventive maintenance usually prevents thing from being broken!!!!!
They don’t make $$$ selling vehicles…it’s parts and service.
Dealers here have markups in the 1,000’s, not sure how they don’t make money on sales…just sayin’.
AMEN! And absolutely.
85+ % of total dealer profit revenue is from parts and service. Pay the mechanic $25.00 per hour and bill the customer $140.00+ per hour. Service departments are where the $$$ is. Parts is where the money is for the fa tory.
Another couple of idiots. What are you? Plumbers?
Doctor is having some plumbing problems at his house. So he call a plumber. Plumber comes over the next day look at the problem knows what it is right away. Gets his tools out and has it fixed in 15 minutes.
Doctor says that’s great how much do I owe you. The plumber says it’s $349.97. The doctor says I’m a doctor and I don’t make that much money.
The plumber says yeah when I was a doctor I didn’t make this much money either.
Good one.
I purchased the 2021 GMC Yukon with the 6.2L engine. Sure enough, at 7,000 miles on the odometer, the engine began backfiring out of the intake, there was a horrible knock, and total loss of power. Had the SUV towed 200 miles away to the nearest dealership and they said a lifter collapsed. They promised to replace all the lifters, but was going to take 3-4 weeks for parts to come in.
I agree that if this has been a known problem, why hasn’t it been dealt with sooner?
Nearest Chevy dealership 200 miles away?
Could have broke down on either Highway 93, Highway 50, or Highway 95 in Nevada.
Truly pathetic of GM to treat Customers in this manner.
A public apology must be issued, detailing the problem and full repairs warranted for 200,000 miles.
Replacing only one bank of lifters/springs is simply stupid.
This mickey mouse messing with the 4-8 cyl operation must be eliminated. Apparently it can be shut off.
There is more to life than MPG.
This partial repair is to get you past the warranty period so they can tell you to go pound tar. Not a good way to retain customers.
Another class action in the making.
That will get dismissed for whatever reason in Kansas or Oklahoma Supreme Courts…. Like the last dozen filed. United States problem, those Courts dismiss the cases and they get dropped nationwide,
That’s why the term Corrupt Courts is being used to describe our joke of a *justice system* in the United States.
My friend just had an issue with his engine, right after the Dealer Changed the oil! He said it sounded like the lifters making noise, and now they dealership is going to put in a new motor with no explanation of exactly what is wrong. He bought a used 2019 from the dealer, and also paid an extra 3 grand for an extended warranty. You can BET they are going to charge the Extended Warranty to fix it, as there is NO WAY GM warranty would have just up and changed the engine! GM warranty Sucks.
Perhaps they forgot to put in new oil!
My 2021 GMC Sierra at4 was just towed into the dealer with 7300 miles and was told that the lifters need to be replaced. Does anyone know how long it takes to replace all the lifters?
Jim, I had left bank replaced. Got the truck back on a Thursday evening. By Wednesday had the same issue with the right side, but even worse sounding and acting.
As far as time to replace, from what I am hearing they are having trouble getting them. The first ones for my Sierra took a little over a week to get to local dealership.
The first set sent with only partial lifters, told shop not to install, they had a set that had been re-engineered and were on backorder, they and a new head showed up next day, but it still showed backordered, so new redesigned lifters, rods , and new head showed up.
Jim, I have the same truck that just got towed in, same issue. Mine has 15000 on it. As many previous comments, I cannot understand why GM does not replace both sides, they most likely pulled them out of the same batch of bad ones when they built the engine. The engine is already 3/4 torn down. My only saving grace is mine is a lease which I will let run out. I’ve been buying GM products for 50 years but I think its time to move to another manufacture.
KEEP TRYING TO SIGN UP FOR AN ACCOUNT, AND IT KEEPS TELLING ME AN ACCOUNT EXISTS FOR MY EMAIL. ASK FOR NEW PASSWORD AND IT SAYS CHECK EMAI, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN SENT. GM IS BLOCKING ME! NEXT VEHICLE WILL BE A FORD!
You’re an idiot! And take your caps lock off.
AND YOU ARE AN Actual Clown Zoo escapee! HAHAHAHAHA
Are GM 6.6L motors experiencing these same valve train issues. I think not. AFM,DFM not present in this model. If buying a Silverado I would opt for a 2500 or 3500 series vehicle.
Right now my very low mileage 2003 Silverado continues to run perfectly.
Are you referring to the 6.6 diesel? If so, that’s a different animal.
Mo 6.6L gas motor
Very Smart move buying a low mileage GMT 800 vehicle 🙂
I think with these gm problems regarding lifters issues in these expensive vehicles It safe to say best is get into drive and dump leases for the term and covered through warranty because u really don’t want to be $$$$$ out of pocket due to a gm flaw shouldn’t be the consumer problem Put some quality in the vehicle built and u would nt have so many issues!!
Same problem on my 2021 trailboss with 6.2L just last week. No power , knocking sounds, ECA code , emmisions code, brake light on ect ect. Took in last week, bent push rod and lifters they told me. Took a week to get parts, they changed and now say engine is still having misfire and need to keep truck for gm engineers to come have a look may just be software issue according to service guy. Only 21,000km on truck. I’m thinking of asking for refund , don’t want driving around in a truck wondering when engine will give out. For all I know it’s damaged already.
Dealer replaced all lifters last week, 3,500km 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 5.3L, truck back at dealer this week experiencing same symptoms again, will see what they find this time.
To top it off, these vehicles are priced at unbelievable numbers. Not a good deal. Where do you go?
Last I knew all G.M. Lifters are still being made at the GMCH factory in Wyoming MI at 2100 Burlingame Ave. This plant has been making Lifters for decades. It originally was known as Diesel Equipment from the 1940’s until it’s first name change around 1980.
Don’t understand GM’s thinking!! They used to be the Mark of Excellence. The small block has been virtually bullet proof. Now it’s one thing after another. I believe, they are cutting costs, cheap parts make a bad product. Cylinder deactivation which most of us do not want hurts the engine. GM listen to your customer base. Take out cylinder deactivation, stop/start. Give us a real engine that does not burn oil and fires on all cylinders everytime. Thank you!!
In a few years your new vehicles will not have cylinders. That includes GM and Ford and others. Glad my 2019 V6 Colorado does not have start/stop. Oh and the 6 to 4 cylinder deactivation was taken care of with a plug-in module. It now always runs full 6 cylinders. May not be available on the newer ECU computers that have encryption.
Gm has top many problems with all of their vehicles. I had a 2016 Corvette, the rear differential and torque converter were changed
at different times, the radio scrambled once and had to be reprogrammed . Gm doesn’t have any quality control anymore. I got rid.of the vette two days before the warranty was up. Will never buy another gm product.