Jworks

Jkspell14, I'm thinking about the Range AFM disabler on my 2011 GMC, 163k miles. I assume you used a disabler on yours too? Or did you go in to the motor and change all that? If you used a disabler, what brand did you get? I'm hearing a "ticking" sound at startup sometimes after the truck has set overnight or for a few days. But it goes away after driving a couple miles.

vandedm, did you ever put the disabler on your AFM? I'm considering that now on my 2011. Sometimes at startup, I'm hearing a "ticking" sound, but goes away after a couple miles..

HateCarpetGuy, I see you turned off AFM. I'm guessing you bought an AFM disabler to do that. If so, was it the "Range" brand? I'm considering buying one for my 2011 GMC, 5.3, 163k miles. I'm considering it because sometimes I hear a "ticking" sound at startup after the truck has set up overnight or for a few days; but goes away after a couple of miles. But I'm not sure if its a good idea with 163k miles.

That is strange for sure. I made a comment earlier but after watching the video again I deleted what I wrote. You have running lights, but no brake light. Weird. The only thing I can think of is get a new harness and try it. Surely, someone more knowledgeable than me can help.

The "can of worms" and "too busy" sounds to me like he just doesn't want to do it. I have a family owned, as-honest-as-they-come body shop that does my work. They would never tell me that; they'd just quote the price and do it, and the color matches every time I've had to use them. I hope someone can tell you how seal it off.

2011 GMC Sierra, 5.3, heated seats loaded elec seats. The issue is driver side heated seat. Passenger side heated works fine. When I turn on the Driver side it will turn off by itself within a minute or two. I never use it but I'd like to fix this if it isn't real expensive.

To log out you should click your name in the upper right corner and click Sign Out. As for why other forums are showing up in "Notifications (the bell)" I have no idea. All mine are strictly in this forum, 99-2013

Well I have this to say, and I'll probably get some rebuttals and thats ok. I had sometimes noticed the engine "tick, tick" for a few minutes after I started it from cold. Then it'd go away as the engine warmed. I'd had all my oil changes at the dealer using the synthetic dexos1 oil they furnish which was I assume was ACdelco dexos1 and their basic filter they furnish. The last change I went to an independent and told him to put in Castrol s synthetic dexos1 and I wanted synthetic designed filter even if it costs more. The tick is gone -- even if it sits there a few days.

Thank you for that link. Wow, it seems virtually everything out there any of us would use is licensed . Looking through that list it looks like everything is certified. I'm perplexed though on why some oils (lets say Mobil 1 for example) have the Dexos1 on the can and others don't. Thats what I don't get.

diyer 2, I change the oil when the computer gets down to 20-25% remaining. Thats around 5-6000 miles.

Pokismoki, engine temp was warmed up...210 degrees. The oil I was using was dealer furnished GM Dexos (Dexos1 I think). Engine was at idle.

GrumpyBear, earlier today I posted a question earlier about Dexos and I had forgotten I posted this post a year ago. So.....got a question for you. You mentioned M1 makes the dexos oil for GM. I didn't know that. But you also said " that doesn't mean its equal to M1 oil. Understand that. Since I'm letting an independent mechanic do my next oil change I'm considering going with M1.....or Castrol synthetic. Two questions: (1) With 157k miles on a 2011 5.3 would you stick with Dexos, or would one of those two full synthetic oils be fine if they are not Dexos1? (2) How do you feel about Castrol synthetic?.

I ran 20w50 in a '94 4.3 engine for years. Previously used 10w40 and stp in every oil change till it started using a quart between changes. Then changed to 20w50 Castrol and stp. I finally sold it after 19 yeas with 484k miles on it. Yes, believe it or not someone bought it.

I have 2011 Sierra, 5.3, 4x4. 157k miles. Oil changes have been done by the dealer using Dexos oil since I bought the truck used in 2019. Runs fine, uses no oil. I'm wondering if its necessary to use only Dexos oil with 157k miles on it. I did one oil change myself some time back and put in Mobil 1. I'm not sure but it was either "extended mileage" or "high mileage" that I used. I don't think it was Dexos. It did fine; in fact the oil pressure seemed if I remember correctly to run a little higher than it had been, which always had been around 38-40 hwy speed and 22-25 idle. I'm due to change oil and thinking about going to Mobil 1 full synthetic or Castrol synthetic. Does it hurt to not use a Dexos oil at this mileage ? I need some knowledgeable input,

I have a 2011 Sierra, 5.3, I know I can turn the daytime running lights off by turning the knob to the left but thats only temporarily. Can I do something to turn them off permanently?

On my GMC Sierra the engine size is shown on a label on the air intake box where the air filter is. If the label is not there on your truck maybe this will help: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Vehicle_Identification_Numbers_(VIN_codes)/GM/VIN_Codes#American_engine_codes_1981- But, according to this its a 4.3 V6 engine. According to this, its a V6, which is a 4.3 engine. https://www.youcanic.com/chevrolet-vin-decoder/

See if this helps. Start with page 9-68 thru 9-72 https://www.manualslib.com/manual/552368/Gmc-2012-Gmc-Sierra.html?page=352#manual

UPDATE: The dealer guys drove it and said they couldn't find any noise. I'd told them previously it was when the truck rocked going over uneven ground and they said they drove it over uneven ground and on the road and found nothing. So, they did nothing....which would make sense if they don't hear anything. Admittedly, when I left it with them it was not making the noise so I can't really blame them. Anyway, I got the truck back, drove it about 50 miles today with very little noise. A small amount but nothing really noticeable enough as before. Whatever......for the most part I don't hear it now and I don't see any signs they greased anything under there. If it comes back, which I assume it will at some point, I'll try some DIY recommendations I've received.

xranger90, I hope you are right and just some greasing will solve it. Others on here have said that doesn't last long; has to be re-done. Whatever, when I get it back from the dealer we'll see. They say they've been really backed up, but 2 weeks???...geesh. When I get it back I'll reply here to everyone that was kind enough to respond to this.

Swathdiver, he means Exxon-Mobil. XOM is the stock symbol .

OK, much of this is beyond my understanding. But it seems to me you are saying, especially in the lower graph, that my thinking (on the old '94 GMC, 4.3) by adding the STP and going to 20w40 then later 20w50 was reducing my engine wear. If thats what you're saying, that was my goal in the first place. And, I'm assuming the top chart means I was way out of bounds as for gas mileage. I honestly didn't care about that. Longevity of the engine was my goal. I got 19mpg on that engine.

So, GrumpyBear what do you recommend or better, what do you use in your truck? I've stated above what service I got out of Castrol oil and STP. 484K miles. But that was on a '94, 4.3 engine. Now I have a 2011, 5.3, 155k miles. With this truck I've been getting oil changed at the dealer with 5w30 Dexos and no additive. I'm "thinking" about changing oil myself and going with Mobil 1. But I'd like to hear what you do.

"Manufactures don't recommend it's my understanding that it would open up all kinds of warranty claims if for some reason something happened". Yes, that makes sense.

I think all owners manuals say that. I had a 94 GMC 4.3 I bought used in '96, 55k miles. I used Castrol 20w40 and a can of STP forever it seemed. Later went to 20w50 and STP. Some will say it sounds crazy but I swore by the STP. Finally sold it with 484k miles. yes, someone bought it. Now, with the newer engines I just don't know if thats a good thing or not, so I haven't done it on my 2011 5.3.