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Truck going in for new rings and pistons.....


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I have an appointment for October 1 to take my truck in. Last December, I had the check engine light come on after noticing a rough idle about the week before. The dealer diagnosed as a fouled #7 spark plug. They updated the valve cover at that time as well as replacing all of the plugs. This was at about 47,000 miles.

 

I had the dealer change oil in April and at that time it had about 48,300 miles. Fast forward to August, about 51,500 miles, and I happened to check the oil one day and it was about 1-1/2 quarts low. Needless to say, I was pretty bummed to find out it had used that much oil. Took it to the dealer and they checked and verified the level. Told me to add a quart and bring it back in 1000 miles and they would recheck it.

 

So I took it back last week and it had used a little over 1/2 quart again in the last 1000 miles. So they made an appointment to get it in and replace the rings and pistons. The mechanic I talked to said that GM was allowing them to turn off the AFM if the owner requested it. This was the first that I have heard of this.

 

So I guess my question or comment is, would you have them turn the AFM off after getting the engine fixed up? Has anyone else had the dealer tell them this after they had the rings replaced? Keep in mind, it would probably affect my mileage some, but not to the point that I am worried about it. I want a truck and motor that will last me another 100K miles.

 

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

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I had my pistons and rings replaced after failing the oil consumption test at 96,000 miles. No one said anything to me about turning off the AFM. I'm at 150,000 miles now and my engine doesn't use oil with the AFM still on.

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Thanks for the input everyone. I am going to see what they recommend when I take it in next week. The tech sounded like this was something recent that GM was letting them do, so it does not surprise me if they did not say anything about it a while ago.

 

Just hoping it takes care of the issue and I do not have anymore problems.

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He did not elaborate. Only said they could turn it off now. I assume there is a setting for it in the computer. I don't really have any other info...

 

Once you get everything done and talk tot eh tech again, can you find out how exactly they do it? If it is just a computer setting that is turned off by the Tech II I might look into have them turn it off vs a tuner.

 

Not sure if there s a TSB or anything that might confirm this?

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Hmmm.... I just just picked up my 2012 GMC Sierra last week for the new pistons/rings bulletin.

 

They never said anything to me about turning off the AFM system. :nonod:

 

Now you all have got me really curious about this whole AFM-oil-usage situation. We have all heard about this problem with the 2007-08-09-10 models. We had been led to believe that the 2011s and 2012s had the new AFM modifications (the 'shield' in the oilpan and the new valve cover with the oil deflector built-in) installed at the factory when they were built new, so they wouldn't have any oil usage problems. Guess not, if 2011s and 2012s are still having the infamous GM AFM oil usage problem. Or if the 2011-2012-2013 trucks have these improvements 'built-in' and are still using oil, then it would appear that turning AFM off as soon as possible is the most important piece of this puzzle. If the General is now giving that option to their dealers, it sounds like they are FINALLY admitting what the main problem is!!! (After 8 years of them denying it!) They should just do a nationwide recall to turn off the AFM function and re-piston all of the vehicles using oil!

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Now you all have got me really curious about this whole AFM-oil-usage situation. We have all heard about this problem with the 2007-08-09-10 models. We had been led to believe that the 2011s and 2012s had the new AFM modifications (the 'shield' in the oilpan and the new valve cover with the oil deflector built-in) installed at the factory when they were built new, so they wouldn't have any oil usage problems. Guess not, if 2011s and 2012s are still having the infamous GM AFM oil usage problem. Or if the 2011-2012-2013 trucks have these improvements 'built-in' and are still using oil, then it would appear that turning AFM off as soon as possible is the most important piece of this puzzle. If the General is now giving that option to their dealers, it sounds like they are FINALLY admitting what the main problem is!!! (After 8 years of them denying it!) They should just do a nationwide recall to turn off the AFM function and re-piston all of the vehicles using oil!

 

My 2009 GMC Sierra never used a drop of oil.

 

I ran the same oil & filter combo & changed oil at the same 6K interval. I haven't moved- All of my driving is the same. Exact same trucks too, 3.42 gears, 6-spd, 5.3L, etc. Can't be that my 2012 has leather seat covers!!! LOL!! :happysad:

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I used the Range OBD plug in module to turn AFM off the day after I bought my new 2013. It has since gotten a ECM tune, and the AFM is turned off that way now. I wasn't going to wait and see if they had "cured" the AFM problems with mine. Figured best course of action was to disable the AFM right out of the gate. I paid for 8 cylinders and I want them all to work all the time anyway. What GM wants to do when they run their 5.3L is their business.

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