Afm And Oil Consumption

browning22 · March 3, 2011

I don't fix them. I just took it in and told them what it was doing and they told me that I needed the deflector plate. They did not start me on an oil consumption test or anything like that.

I guess I was posting for others sake as much as anything. I wouldn't let them perform an expensive TSB repair on my dime without first diagnosing/tracing the problem to that particular "fix".

That is the latest updated TSB that hopes to fix the oil consumption/blue smoke. I think the only thing you can do is replace the lifters, very costly, I would be better off replacing the engine, i guess. The problem is finding a non-oil consuming 5.3 from 07-11.

After disabling AFM, I checked the oil level today after 1,000 miles and I was 1.25 qts low of oil. So, turning afm off doesn't work either.

LCPullman · March 3, 2011

That is the latest updated TSB that hopes to fix the oil consumption/blue smoke. I think the only thing you can do is replace the lifters, very costly, I would be better off replacing the engine, i guess. The problem is finding a non-oil consuming 5.3 from 07-11.

After disabling AFM, I checked the oil level today after 1,000 miles and I was 1.25 qts low of oil. So, turning afm off doesn't work either.

Wouldn't you have to start with a good engine for disabling the AFM to work? From what I have heard it sounds like the AFM actually damages the engine, requiring repairs for it to work properly again.

Wondering · March 4, 2011

From what I have read you are doing well, my son bought his first newer truck at 18 years of age with the money he works hard to make. He is using a quart of oil for every 60 miles, they are replacing the deflector tomorrow but I think this is pathetic of GM. They need to deal with this, fess up to mistakes and correct them. Toyota did it. Considering that GM was bailed out by the US tax payers, it is time they stood up and took responsibility.

How do you in all conscience trade a vehicle that you know is defective? The dealership does not want it back.

music · March 4, 2011

From what I have read you are doing well, my son bought his first newer truck at 18 years of age with the money he works hard to make. He is using a quart of oil for every 60 miles, they are replacing the deflector tomorrow but I think this is pathetic of GM. They need to deal with this, fess up to mistakes and correct them. Toyota did it. Considering that GM was bailed out by the US tax payers, it is time they stood up and took responsibility.
How do you in all conscience trade a vehicle that you know is defective? The dealership does not want it back.

It sounds like GM is taking care of your son. If the deflector doesn't work, they continue to the next level (replace rings and/or pistons). Toyota isn't really "fixing things" any better. If you spend some time on a Tundra forum, you'll see hundred page threads about some of their problems (e.g., the AIP system). They *finally* included it in their 60k mile warranty, but were slow to do it. They *denied* the issue and blamed it on customers for a long time. On your dime, it's a $2k to $4k repair. They still haven't changed the design, so it's a roll of the dice when buying a new one. My point is that GM isn't handling this "bad" compared to others.

pm26 · March 4, 2011

I would like to weigh in just a little bit. Just for data and documentation.

2008 Suburban LTZ with LC9 engine (5.3 AFM Aluminum block), 88,000 miles now

Mobil 1 synthetic oil since very first oil change. Change oil when DIC says to (6000-8000 miles).

Paid mechanic (NOT dealer) to do oil changes (only one guy has ever changed the oil until the last one). He NEVER told me that the oil level was low going into a change so I didn't think I had an oil consumption issue. Suddenly at about 72,000 miles the ZERO OIL PRESSURE warning came on and scared me to death. I've been driving for 32 years and I have NEVER EVER had that happen before.

Since 72,000, I've been adding a qt of synthetic about every 3-4,000 miles. That, too, has never happened with ANY vehicle I have ever owned. So this really bothered me and I started keeping up with it.

I also have the lifter click at start up for about 5-10 seconds. Idles fine, smooth.

I get 15 mpg city and 18 highway.

Tailpipe has a jet-black dusty ring around it. Sounds to me like if this is an AFM issue, the oil is pushing into thsoe cylinders and slowly cooking off on its way out of the vehicle. I NEVER see smoke. Not at startup, idle or run. Someone told me that synthetic won't smoke. Not sure if that is true or not.

And since I'm just talking now, I wanted an HD pickup with the diesel to tow my boat. Wife said she didn't want to hear the diesel. Now I'm divorced and wish to heck I hadn't listened to her. I kept the boat. Gave her up.

Have read a few places on here, "I love my truck, but I wish it didn't burn oil." DITTO! I don't care what ANYONE says, a 2008 model truck that cost $55,000 should NOT burn a qt of oil ever 3,000 miles. If GM says that's normal, then that's part of why GM has been in bad trouble. My 1999 K1500 Suburban ran to 180,000 miles and never used a drop of oil. The tranny gave out after pulling that 6,000 lb boat and trailer. But never used oil. My 1994 C1500 Suburban ran to 150,000 miles and never used a drop of oil. This one disappoints me but my loyalty is to GM so I guess I'm going to stay put.

Nice boat! What model is that? Looks a bit like Baha Cruisers 277 GLE.

GPGuy · June 14, 2011

From what I have read you are doing well, my son bought his first newer truck at 18 years of age with the money he works hard to make. He is using a quart of oil for every 60 miles, they are replacing the deflector tomorrow but I think this is pathetic of GM. They need to deal with this, fess up to mistakes and correct them. Toyota did it. Considering that GM was bailed out by the US tax payers, it is time they stood up and took responsibility.
How do you in all conscience trade a vehicle that you know is defective? The dealership does not want it back.

It sounds like GM is taking care of your son. If the deflector doesn't work, they continue to the next level (replace rings and/or pistons). Toyota isn't really "fixing things" any better. If you spend some time on a Tundra forum, you'll see hundred page threads about some of their problems (e.g., the AIP system). They *finally* included it in their 60k mile warranty, but were slow to do it. They *denied* the issue and blamed it on customers for a long time. On your dime, it's a $2k to $4k repair. They still haven't changed the design, so it's a roll of the dice when buying a new one. My point is that GM isn't handling this "bad" compared to others.

It was denying issues that brought them into court and cost them millions of dollars in fines by the US government.

4wd · June 14, 2011

They put the deflector first which is related to AFM!!!!, if it does not stop the oil, then it means the damage is already done!, therefore I think if GM put the deflector from day one and AFM is disabled, the oil consumption would have been prevented.

If you have the rings and/or pistons replaced without disabling AFM and installing delector, oil consumptions will return...

Also, I think future GM redesign may consider removing AFM ...

pm26 · June 14, 2011

If everybody was like me and refused to even look at anything equipped with the AFM system, the problem would have been solved a long time ago. The system would have been scrapped.

fbachman · June 14, 2011

5.3 Iron Block / 2007 / about 50k on clock

Last oil change: (about 4000 mi since previous change) dipstick was still slightly over full mark just prior to taking it in and changing oil.

I am assuming from this that my oil consumption is slight, at best (a little is normal for any engine....not a quart per 60miles, but a little is always expected)

Will check again next time around.

AFM was disabled via custom tune probably 8000-9000 miles ago.

jeg1 · July 13, 2011

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/ls4-performa...onsumption.html

ezundel · July 15, 2011

Hello, I'm new to the board but wanted to share. Just took in my 07 Sub for oil consumption issue, used 2.5Qts in 2k. They are starting with PCV valve cover replacement, then more oil consumption tests, then see what happens i.e. pistons/rings etc. I guess you have to go thru GM protocol of fixes before they will replace pistons. Started having issues around 60k, now at 85k - most consumption occurs during highway road trips, oil has been changed every 3k. This is my ninth GM truck, I have had multiple 72' Blazers/trucks, 77K5, 79 K1500, 1989K5, 1995 Z-71 X-Cab, 1999 Z-71 X-Cab and now the 07 Sub - the only truck out of this bunch that used any oil was the 1977 K5 with a ton of miles driven hard during college and it only burned a Qt every 2-3k. I bought the Suburban with the intention of driving to 200k and we do love the truck, my concern is the long term effects. What are your thoughts on turning AFM off at 100,001 assuming pistons/rings are good?

P.S. A buddy of mine has a 2000 non-AFM 5.3 K1500 with 264k - original engine only water pump replaced and it burns no oil !!

jkealey · August 9, 2011

Just got my 2009 Sierra back from my dealer. Since February we were monitoring the oil consumption and it ranged between 1.5 to 2 quarts low in 2000 miles. I had the cold startup tap soon after purchasing the truck. Finally at 46k I had a consistent lifter tap @ 2300-2600 rpm.

GM agreed to inspect top half of engine. Found sever lifterr wear on cylinder 4 and 7 that I was informed were 2 cyclinders that drop off on this engine and wear on the cam also.They also found the rings on 4 &7 to be faulty also. They decided to replace all lifters, replace the cam, send the heads out for a valve job and to check the tolerance on the machining of the heads. They also decided to replace the all the pistons and rings. I had all my oil changes done at the dealer which uses Castrol 5w30.

As I read some of the threads here I see some who have had problems so I thought I would add my experience.

I am pleased with the response and service from both the dealer and GM but makes me wonder. Am I only good for another 47K.

Service1956 · October 20, 2011

Hello to all. I am new here and have been following this topic for some time now. Not only here, but on other websites as well. My take on this subject is that out of the hundreds of thousands of these 5.3 AFM engines that were made, only a few had the oil consumption problem.

One must also consider how well was the vehicle maintained? I have even heard people say that GM put into effect that ALL GM vehicles must use the Dexos1 oil or equivalent for 2011 thinking that would eliminate the problem. I don't think so because most major manufacturers now say this also.

My wife drives a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8. I went to a website that handles peoples complaints on the many makes and models out there. On my wifes car, we had three problems. 1. Whenever it rained hard, it would leak water into the drivers side floor pan. 2. The backlit display on the radio went out. 3. The passenger side front power window motor went out. All of these problems were confirmed on this site.

So take it as you will. This site confirmed that most of the problems reported on the 5.3 AFM engines were confined to the 2007 model year!!

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Avalanche/

ifshinxs · October 20, 2011

Just got my 2009 Sierra back from my dealer. Since February we were monitoring the oil consumption and it ranged between 1.5 to 2 quarts low in 2000 miles. I had the cold startup tap soon after purchasing the truck. Finally at 46k I had a consistent lifter tap @ 2300-2600 rpm.
GM agreed to inspect top half of engine. Found sever lifterr wear on cylinder 4 and 7 that I was informed were 2 cyclinders that drop off on this engine and wear on the cam also.They also found the rings on 4 &7 to be faulty also. They decided to replace all lifters, replace the cam, send the heads out for a valve job and to check the tolerance on the machining of the heads. They also decided to replace the all the pistons and rings. I had all my oil changes done at the dealer which uses Castrol 5w30.

As I read some of the threads here I see some who have had problems so I thought I would add my experience.

I am pleased with the response and service from both the dealer and GM but makes me wonder. Am I only good for another 47K.

My dealer just replaced my pistons and rings in my 07 with 47,000 as well...The service manage stated that once the deflector is installed along with the new pistons and rings the problem has been solved in his experince so far..crossing my fingers.

Bill in Niantic · July 31, 2012

I have 6" red letters on the back of my truck for a political statement. Had them made on a web site. They look great.

BUT, If I end up having the AFM OIL consumption problem, I would get THAT stated on my back window instead, then send a picture to GM letting them know I want to inform people of the problem.