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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With all the mechanical knowledge both here and at GM Engineering has anyone pin pointed the CAUSE.
NO Guessing, Suppositions, Made in China BS. THE FACTS? Seems to me the valves are somehow staying open and lifters are bending pushrods. That is likely not the case however.
The cause was explained in another thread on this problem. There is a check ball in the bottom of a hydraulic valve lifter. Behind that check ball there is a little spring and together they regulate the amount of oil flow that makes the lifter adjust. According to that thread, the vendor that supplied those springs did not heat treat them properly causing the the lifter to collapse under load. The lifter components are all made in the US. Go look it up.
It’s not just 2019-2021. My 2016 Yukon Denali now has a failed lifter, and GM dealership says to buy a new engine, $14,000! I’ve owned many vehicles and have never had an engine problem. This sucks. Do not recommend GM product.
I have to ask, why would you want to replace the complete engine for a valve lifter problem? Why not just fix the problem?
I am hearing locally here where I live, that the problem is not bad Lifters causing the problems, but its a internal engine design problem causing the lifter(s) to fail. I have not heard or read anything “official” from the General, just unofficial statements.
That’s just stupid.
That unofficial statement is coming out of the Valve Lifter Manufacturing Plant itself from individuals at this Plant. I don’t know where it rates on the “Just stupid” scale. There have been zero recalls publicly announced on any of this manufacturing Plants Lifters they produce. As far as I know this still is the only GMCH Plant that produces GM Lifters. This whole situation is a disgusting situation for all you truck owners with bad lifters/engines.
So am I reading this right that the dealer should warranty up to 100,000 miles if I had to have a bank of lifters replaced in my 2021 Suburban at around 20,000 miles?? The head mech. said its likely the other bank will fail at some point.
What’s GM’s deal… should have just did both sides when they were fixing the one.. This was an $80,000 vehicle..
Doo what’s right GM…
So am I reading this right that the dealer should warranty up to 100,000 miles if I had to have a bank of lifters replaced in my 2021 Suburban at around 20,000 miles?? The head mech. said its likely the other bank will fail at some point.
What’s GM’s deal… should have just did both sides when they were fixing the one.. This was an $80,000 vehicle..
Do what’s right GM…
My 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 6.2L lifter failed it separated from the spring on cylinder 1. 70,000 miles and my warranty expired at 60,000. I am over 7k in parts and labor, DOD delete, new stage 1 cam, lifters machine shop, hp tuners ecm unlock & credits to tune the truck + the tuning cost. It ended up being more than I thought it was going to be. This is my last GM purchase.
Same here – My last GM purchase.
2020 1500 RST – lifter and cam bearing fail @72K ($4.8K) repair – Thumbs down
It appears to me that since the problem often concerns #7 Lifter that perhaps there is an anomaly in the block Casting or Machining process. This coupled with the rumour of improperly treated check ball springs may be the root cause.
Lifter Sticking in its’ bore comes to mind.
This situation should have been properly handled YEARS ago with Engineering, Dealerships and satisfying customers.
Not that it matters, but I’m still bothered. I bought a 04 Silverado HD2500 with the 6.0 litre v8 used 2018 with 90,000 miles. It was a plow truck. No expectations for it lasting anywhere near 5 years. Well that’s exactly how long it lasted. Rust and the 6 litre killing itself with a cracked head. I took great care of the truck oil changed every season and also coolant flush with the GM coolant. To no avail. Junked at 120,000 miles. Felt bad as it went off in the back of the junkyard truck.
Question: the post stated “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” I had my second lifter replacement and the dealership stated they have not heard of these options. Is there a bulletin from GM stating this? Thanks.
There are many things about GM quality which have changed. Check out their made offshore electronics.
While at a large retail store in SoCal I noticed the parking lot was filled with mostly Japanese cars. It brought a sense of sadness to this older American. Only thing constant in the USA anymore isw Globalism and homeless Americans.
There are many things about GM quality which have changed. Check out their made offshore electronics.
While at a large retail store in SoCal I noticed the parking lot was filled with mostly Japanese cars. It brought a sense of sadness to this older American. Only thing constant in the USA anymore is Globalism and homeless Americans.