Afm And Oil Consumption

BCNU · January 14, 2011

I have a 07 Sierra ext. cab 5.3 with afm that just started useing oil on the last 2 oil changes. MY truck had 30000 when the oil consumption started. I asked some guys at work that have the same year models and come to find out they are dealing with the same issue. 2 of them have 07 Yukon's and the other a 08 Sierra all with 5.3's with afm. The one with the 08 has been having to go to the dealer every 1000 miles to see how much oil it is useing. they told him they were going to put something called an umbrella on it. He told me a couple of days ago after doing his last consumption test that they told him they were going to put some kind of of baffle on it. one of the guys with the Yukon traded his in a new Yukon Denali with the 6.2 with out afm. The other guy is wanting to trade his off also but he dosen't want a Denali so he dosen't know what he is going to do. I have to schedule an appoinment to have mine looked at but it dosen't sound like they have a good fix for this issue. I may have to trade myself and get an 2011 Crew Cab with a 6.2 with out afm. You would think that if it is the afm that they would use oil right from the start, not just all of the sudden at 30000 miles. I have been useing synthetic from the very first oil change and the guys I mentioned previously all ran regular oil so that dosen't seem to matter. It is also funny that several people have no oil consumption at all and others do. Anyone on here have theirs repaired and it took care of the problem ? Thanks in advance for any info!!

crew08 · January 14, 2011

I don't know why GM needs to have an AFM engine anyway. they can make it get better gas mileage running on all 8 cylinders if they wanted too. Bunch of BS. I hate this. I really worry about long term damage to this engine and where I am going to be after the warranty runs out even if they do put these so called band aid fixes on it. I just wish they would replace the engine with a NON AFM engine. These oil consumption studies are a pain in the butt. Mine also has the tick tick tick at startup, but usually goes away after the engine warms up. I really don't want to switch to another brand as I do like this truck, but I have to be able to trust it. frustrated.

chas0218 · January 15, 2011

A brand new vehicle should not burn oil for well over 100k a lot nearer 200k....

Jbo

Thats not true. Generally any vehicle uses more oil in the first 1-2k mile range until the rings are completely seated. I have seen this first hand. Remember most new vehicles should have their oil changed in the first 500-1000 miles to ensure the filter does not get clogged with debris or continue to circulate it. My father and grand father have lived by this and changed the oil on every new vehicle they have owned well before it needed it and never had any engine issues.

This includes our ford 4000 that we bought new in the mid 60's and have only replaced the water pump and cap and rotor. Engine has over 20k hours on it and still has perfect compression.

topdollr · January 17, 2011

I have an 07 Silverado 5.3L alum. block AFM and I noticed my oil starting being low around 60K. I now have 85k. I took it to the dealer today and they said they would do the oil comsumtion study so they changed my oil. When I got it back they said they could not do any warranty work becuase I have the Edge Evo installed. Said it voided the warranty. Any others have this issue with a dealer saying an Edge Evo voided their warranty? Asst service mgr said just change your oil every 3k and don't worry about it.

mtiffinal · January 18, 2011

BCNUPosted Jan 14 2011, 09:51AM

Anyone on here have theirs repaired and it took care of the problem ?

I had mine repaired ~30k(valve cover/PCV valve replacement per TSB 4492H), got better but not fixed, doing the 2nd consumption test now and just used 3qts in 3400 miles. They are contacting GM, I'll post results when I hear more, and I'm curious to see if they do the same repair.

jimbrown1 · January 18, 2011

So they saw the programmer attached to your dash I presume? I bet they'll be checking more for this sort of thing to get out of repairing the problem. IMO

I have an 07 Silverado 5.3L alum. block AFM and I noticed my oil starting being low around 60K. I now have 85k. I took it to the dealer today and they said they would do the oil comsumtion study so they changed my oil. When I got it back they said they could not do any warranty work becuase I have the Edge Evo installed. Said it voided the warranty. Any others have this issue with a dealer saying an Edge Evo voided their warranty? Asst service mgr said just change your oil every 3k and don't worry about it.

SD 6.4 · January 18, 2011

I have an 07 Silverado 5.3L alum. block AFM and I noticed my oil starting being low around 60K. I now have 85k. I took it to the dealer today and they said they would do the oil comsumtion study so they changed my oil. When I got it back they said they could not do any warranty work becuase I have the Edge Evo installed. Said it voided the warranty. Any others have this issue with a dealer saying an Edge Evo voided their warranty? Asst service mgr said just change your oil every 3k and don't worry about it.

Ford does the same thing. If they find any evidence of a tuner installed on the truck, they will void the warranty on the spot.

Did you leave your Edge installed when you took it in?

music · January 18, 2011

I don't know why GM needs to have an AFM engine anyway. they can make it get better gas mileage running on all 8 cylinders if they wanted too. Bunch of BS. I hate this. I really worry about long term damage to this engine and where I am going to be after the warranty runs out even if they do put these so called band aid fixes on it. I just wish they would replace the engine with a NON AFM engine. These oil consumption studies are a pain in the butt. Mine also has the tick tick tick at startup, but usually goes away after the engine warms up. I really don't want to switch to another brand as I do like this truck, but I have to be able to trust it. frustrated.

Have it turned off after the warranty. Pretty simple fix for the long haul, if you're worried. The lifters work exactly the same as non-afm lifters when the system is disabled.

topdollr · January 18, 2011

So they saw the programmer attached to your dash I presume? I bet they'll be checking more for this sort of thing to get out of repairing the problem. IMO
I have an 07 Silverado 5.3L alum. block AFM and I noticed my oil starting being low around 60K. I now have 85k. I took it to the dealer today and they said they would do the oil comsumtion study so they changed my oil. When I got it back they said they could not do any warranty work becuase I have the Edge Evo installed. Said it voided the warranty. Any others have this issue with a dealer saying an Edge Evo voided their warranty? Asst service mgr said just change your oil every 3k and don't worry about it.

Yeah, it was on the dash, totally forgot about it. Guess I'll just keep an eye on the oil level and change more often.

Rons05z71 · January 18, 2011

So could this be a problem with the 5.3 and not the afm? My 2005 loses 1 to 1.5 qts per 3000 miles? I have always wondered where it went?

4wd · January 18, 2011

Guys, take this:

I will be replacing AFM Lifters soon, have also been reading and dsicussing the tick issue and lifetrs issue since 2008, BUT BE CAREFUL when it comes to oil consumption, I think it is NOT RELATED to lifters...it has to do with pistons...can't say more!! because I am not a mechanic, just want to give you the HINT!, also when you do the lifters make sure to ask your dealer to replace the solenoid... it's called LOMA , the part that control AFM lifters, it's an electronic part which contain solenoids to open and shutdown AFM lifters, it's mentioned here in forum, also see this link

http://www.gmpowertrain.ca/Product/5.3%20L...6%20Summary.pdf

music, If AFM lifters work exactly like non-AFM when it's disabled, then if it becoms a problem after warranty expires, the fix is easy!, replace AFM lifters with non-AFM lifters and disable AFM, may also remove the LOMA part all together but need to trick ECM to think LOMA is there and running fine. Is this possible?!

mtiffinal · January 18, 2011

4wdPosted Today, 10:12 PM Guys, take this:

I will be replacing AFM Lifters soon, have also been reading and dsicussing the tick issue and lifetrs issue since 2008, BUT BE CAREFUL when it comes to oil consumption, I think it is NOT RELATED to lifters...it has to do with pistons...can't say more!! because I am not a mechanic, just want to give you the HINT!, also when you do the lifters make sure to ask your dealer to replace the solenoid... it's called LOMA , the part that control AFM lifters, it's an electronic part which contain solenoids to open and shutdown AFM lifters, it's mentioned here in forum, also see this link

http://www.gmpowertrain.ca/Product/5.3%20L...6%20Summary.pdf

+1, I agree, but there are other components that possibly contribute to this problem as well. I have a copy of TSB #PIP4574G that clearly states in step 7, 7a, and 7b possibilities of replacing lifters and/or removing pistons for inspection, and then replacing pistons and/or rings as necessary.

4wd · January 18, 2011

4wdPosted Today, 10:12 PM Guys, take this:

I will be replacing AFM Lifters soon, have also been reading and dsicussing the tick issue and lifetrs issue since 2008, BUT BE CAREFUL when it comes to oil consumption, I think it is NOT RELATED to lifters...it has to do with pistons...can't say more!! because I am not a mechanic, just want to give you the HINT!, also when you do the lifters make sure to ask your dealer to replace the solenoid... it's called LOMA , the part that control AFM lifters, it's an electronic part which contain solenoids to open and shutdown AFM lifters, it's mentioned here in forum, also see this link

http://www.gmpowertrain.ca/Product/5.3%20L...6%20Summary.pdf

+1, I agree, but there are other components that possibly contribute to this problem as well. I have a copy of TSB #PIP4574G that clearly states in step 7, 7a, and 7b possibilities of replacing lifters and/or removing pistons for inspection, and then replacing pistons and/or rings as necessary.

Thanks for the info, so it looks like we are talking about a chronic problem!, better replace engine!!!!?

ghommel · January 22, 2011

I have a 2007 Silverado Z71 with non flex fuel 5.3L AFM V8. I use it as a daily driver and don't do much towing. About 3 months ago I started noticing a tick, tick , tick on cold start up that disappeared once the engine warmed up. Also, around this time noticed mpg's were in the dirt. One day my CPU tells me the engine oil is low. It was about 6000 since last change and in fact was low 4 qts. Took it to dealer and they installed a deflector shield and decarboned the pistons. 2000 miles after said fix, checked oil again and 3 qts low. Problem started at 51K, now have 53K on truck. Have to take it back in to dealer again. This issue is real

mdavidthomas · January 25, 2011

FYI, For you guys that aren't having oil consumption and lifter related problems, give it time and cross your fingers. My 2007 Suburban made it to around ~60,000 miles before I noticed the oil level light coming on. After replacing the engine oil, and engine oil level sensor I continued to add 2 quarts of oil during the engine oil change. Finally just before christmas 2010, I was in a parking deck when I cranked my Sub up and was enveloped in blueish gray smoke for what seemed 30 seconds (looked like a 90's model chrysler product). Over the next couple of weeks more of the same. Finally took it to the dealer on Dec. 23, 2010 after reading up on the internet. Dealer says it needs the baffle and cylinders (i.e. pistons and rings) need to be soaked with top engine cleaner to remove the carbon that has built up on the rings letting oil by into the combustion chamber. At this point the engine oil light was on, I added one quart of oil and noted the level. I drove it ~700 miles when the low level oil light came back on and less than 1000 miles to reach the same spot on the dipstick before I added the quart. Took it in on Jan. 17, 2011 to have the upgrade, that afternoon I was informed that they were going to change the pistons and rings. Four days later I picked up the vehicle. Seemed to run smooth and that annoying lifter tick I had since new seemed to be gone. Today the saga continues, 250 miles later as I merged off an interstate on ramp, I try to accelerate to merge into traffic when all of a sudden the power level went and way and a puffing vibration sound came from the engine. I let it idle, it ran but the check engine light came on, and the Service Stablitrak warning came on in the DIC. I'll bet they find a crunched up lifter like those shown earlier in the post. My guess is the locking pin inside the lifter failed and the valve is unable to open and close. After the noise, the valve train tick was back.

Now the other bad decision. I had the vehicle on a 39 month lease and loved the vehicle so much that in September 2010 before these issues started, I decided to purchase the vehicle. I could have turned the vehicle in on the lease in December and paid just a few dollars for going over the mileage. Man am I starting to regret that decision. What's going to happen when I hit 100,001 miles and the power train warranty is gone.

Again, Good luck to you guys.

mdavidthomas

Matthews, NC