Afm And Oil Consumption

[pm26]

This has been a really interesting thread so far. It really helps those who have oil consumption issues take the right steps to correct the problem (hopefully).

 

Please enlighten us! ..... Just how do you correct this problem ????? GM does not seem to know!

 

It seems that GM is just throwing parts at these AFM engines hoping to keep the owners happy (ie., partially satisfied....) until they finally decide to sell them or trade them in ....

 

 

Trade the truck in for one with a 4.8 or 6.2 non AFM engine?

[autobob01]

That's what I did, traded in my 07 Avalanche 5.3 AFM for an 09 Silverado 6.2 non AFM and my oil consumption dropped by a quart every 1500 miles to nothing! Downside is that out there somewhere lurks a black Avalanche LTZ that is thirsty, very thirsty!

[jimbrown1]

It seems like the 2007/2008 models are the ones with the issues so if GM corrected the issue with the 2010/2011 models hopefully they'll provide those fixes to those older models even if they are out of warranty.

[mtiffinal]

Blue_Silvy_11Posted Yesterday, 03:15 PM It seems like the 2007/2008 models are the ones with the issues so if GM corrected the issue with the 2010/2011 models hopefully they'll provide those fixes to those older models even if they are out of warranty.

 

When I get around 90k, I'm going to contact GM about this very concern. I would just like for them to come clean on what the exact problem was, and then fix it for good. It's just too wierd that some have problems and some don't. I wonder if the 2010/2011 models have enough miles yet for the problems to surface. What are the differences with the AFM components from '07/'08's to the '10/'11's? Is there any way this could be a computer issue? Lots of mechanical stuff going on, but computers are controlling everything.

[pm26]

Is there any way this could be a computer issue?

 

Not likely. No computer in the world can fully compensate for defective hardware.

[jimbrown1]

My next statement was going to be the concern with the newer models approaching 30K on the odometer and if they will see these same issues, and GM never really corrected it or knew what to do other than troubleshoot those that showed the problem. I certainly hope that's not the case but only time will tell.

[Z45]

My next statement was going to be the concern with the newer models approaching 30K on the odometer and if they will see these same issues, and GM never really corrected it or knew what to do other than troubleshoot those that showed the problem. I certainly hope that's not the case but only time will tell.

GM's solution? Dexos1

[pm26]

My next statement was going to be the concern with the newer models approaching 30K on the odometer and if they will see these same issues, and GM never really corrected it or knew what to do other than troubleshoot those that showed the problem. I certainly hope that's not the case but only time will tell.

GM's solution? Dexos1

 

 

21st century snake oil. It will cure coughs, allergies, colds, arthritis, and mend defective AFM lifters.

[4wd]

GM put cheap parts in the in the drive train....that's why you don't see real fix, they have lots of them...

[Z45]

mend defective AFM lifters

 

Its not the lifers but poor quality oils that cannot hold up in these engines.

[pm26]

mend defective AFM lifters

 

Its not the lifers but poor quality oils that cannot hold up in these engines.

 

 

Poor quality oils?

 

My '99 Mazda original engine with no repairs to speak of to date is close to 300k miles running on dino Castrol GTX.

[4wd]

mend defective AFM lifters

 

Its not the lifers but poor quality oils that cannot hold up in these engines.

 

 

Poor quality oils?

 

My '99 Mazda original engine with no repairs to speak of to date is close to 300k miles running on dino Castrol GTX.

 

 

Bad oil was the first thing I was told when I first complained!, then bad fuel, then NORMAL!, we tried the best oil in the world and nothing changed...if it's oiling problem, then why some are ok? still if it's really oiling problem then they have a chance to try to redesign the oil pump, may work and may not!

[98 Z71 SLT]

Picked up the truck today after being in the shop for a week. Got 8 new lifters on the drivers side per PIP4492S. Also got the AFM Pressure Relief Valve cover intalled and piston cleaning procedure per TSB 10-06-01-008A. According to the bulletins, if the problem continues......complete new pistons and rings. Only time will tell.

 

Couple more side notes;

 

1) second time in shop for warranty work on excessive oil consumption(1st time was PCV valve cover replacement PIP4492H)

 

2) no lifter ticking involved

 

3) they furnished rental car at no cost

 

4) service writer said he thought GM would continue to fix/repair this problem once outside the warranty period due to all the documentaion, we'll see

 

5) I had to pay $25 for an oil change

 

6) currently at 54k

 

 

Just wanted to post this up to share and for others who are having the same problem. I will continue to monitor and post as more developes.

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news,,,but you WILL be back in the shop for pistons and rings in the future. Your oil consumption will "seem" better ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME and will return to your normal heavy oil usage.

 

Talking from experience guys...not trying to sell anything here. Somebody asked how many piston and ring jobs have we done???? A dozen easily. The engine guy loves doing them too...he gets them done fairly quick...

 

My concern is this---at 40k miles (as an example) you get new pistons and rings. What happens at 80k miles??? Do you need pistons again?? 120k miles??? I have NEVER seen anything from GM stating ther new pistons and rings are "updated" etc... So, they are direct replacements.

 

So what's really getting updated/changed within these engines???? Nothing?? Maybe Rich could chime in and see if these are updated pistons and ring sets.......

 

The way things are going...seems like these 5.3 AFM engines will be heavy oil drinkers for a long time to come...

 

 

edit...I really screwed up this reply !!!

[Z45]

............................................................................

“The benefits of using Dexos include improved fuel economy, better engine protection and reduced emissions,” said Eric Johnson, senior project manager for GM Powertrain. “Dexos allows GM to ensure the same high quality oil is available worldwide and, in doing so, realizes the economic benefits of consolidating the numerous GM engine oil specifications down to two.”

 

According to GM, the new specifications provide enhanced performance in the areas needed by GM engine technology. For example, the company pointed out that nearly all current GM engines use cam phasing. “A key criteria of the oil is sufficient engine oil aeration control so that the hydraulic valve actuation used in these systems functions optimally. In this area, the Dexos specification contains a used oil aeration test.” According to GM, no such test exists with GF-5.

 

GM also cites multi-fueled vehicles as another factor. Approximately 50 percent of General Motors engines will be fuel flexible by 2011. “In addition to a number of other areas, Dexos 1 also exceeds GF-5 in corrosion protection, important for multi-fueled vehicles, and piston cleanliness, important for engine operation and durability.”

[BCNU]

I posted earlier in this thread that my 07 had this problem. After reading about this issue I traded for a 2011 Seirra Denali with a 6.2 non AFM engine. I have been wondering how many that have this issue have run E85 ethanol and could that contribute to the problem. I ran E85 some in my truck the first year I owned it.