Is Your Gmt-900 Truck Or Suv Using Oil

[MaverickZ71]

Has anybody tried Auto-Rx (oil additive) to clean their AFM-caused stuck-piston-ring-packs? Did it work or is it just 'snake oil'?

 

Specifically I'm wondering if installing the revised valve cover and running an AutoRx treatment along with having the AFM turned off by a Range V8 module would fix the oil usage problem?

 

Seems like most everyone is saying that installing the AFM oil deflector in the oil pan along with the top-cylinder cleaning [removing spark plugs and filling cylinders with fuel injector cleaner for 3 hours, but NO LONGER than 3 hours (?)] does not work on many vehicles. Hate to have my vehicle 'torn into', especially if it accomplishes nothing! Honestly, if my dealer did the valve cover and oil pan deflector and THEN said that didn't work and it still needed new pistons/rings, I'd just trade it in at that point, even though I can't afford to . . . and even then GOOD LUCK finding something on the lot with a V6 or V8 that doesn't have AFM!

Edited January 31, 2014 by Maverick Z71

[Folically Challengjed]

I wasn't thrilled about them going into my engine so many times, but I felt better with the extra 30K warranty they gave me on it. I figure if it was gonna explode due to their negligence in tearing it down & rebuilding it, it would have done so by now.

 

Just like an open heart surgery comes down to the guy holding the scalpel, an engine rebuild comes down to the mechanic. Maybe demand that the Svc Mgr puts his most senior guy (or most trusted guy) on your engine.

 

FC

[j-ten-ner]

...but they finally came to their senses and agreed to do it the correct way...

 

I quoted you because I want the GM Costumer Service to read your sentence again.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[dsmmace]

Seafoam or a decent flush with oil changes wouldn't hurt.

[Wolfmanjohn]

Seafoam or a decent flush with oil changes wouldn't hurt.

 

 

Might not help, either. If put in through the spark plug holes and soaked, where does all that crap that busted loose go? If not out the exhaust, then maybe between the rings and cylinder walls? Bad scene, baby! This is a concern I've read some folks have with soaking oil coked intake valves on DI motors.

[HateCarpetGuy]

^ how much oil is it using?

 

I have read the thread. Any one have the fix and have put enough miles on the truck to know if it is working???

STex,

I think I may qualify to answer your question.

My 2008 5.3 daily driver was using 2-3 qts/oil change with mileage out of wty. I researched oil consumption and frankly had a hard time believing that a modern GM V8 with all of its engineered glory could burn oil at that rate. I first went "old school" and had mechanic do a compression check. All cylinders looked great on bottom end rings/compression. So I went with the AFM / Valve Cover route. Apparently, the valve cover has the PCV valve built in, not the old plug-in the rubber-grommet type in the engines of old. This design allows oil to blow into top of intake manifold and then spill into cylinders when crevices fill up.

 

I had dealer change the valve cover to upgraded cover (TSB), and took truck to a local speed shop and had AFM turned off, and motor tuned for everyday driving. After > 100K miles since work completed, I do NOT burn any oil. Repeat. Oil Consumption has STOPPED since upgrading valve cover and turning off AFM. Truck runs better today than it did 4 yrs ago while under warranty.

 

Trust me, no oil loss at 5k oil change intervals.

As of 2/1/14 my daily driver has 322,230 miles. No issues, other than I would not buy another GM.

[HateCarpetGuy]

 

 

HCGuy, did you also get the "AFM shield" installed in the oil pan, or just replace the valve cover with the one with the "AFM baffle" in it?

I did not do the shield in the oil pan, nobody can clearly explain what or how that will help oil consumption.. My truck runs great at 322K with AFM turned off and valve cover upgraded. No oil loss, no issues, driving it till she quits. It is really pissing off the local dealer that services the truck. They were fully expecting to sell another new one by now. I think high mileage vehicles well maintained is the only way to get your $ back from the high initial cost and the poor resale $,

[dsmmace]

The AFM shield deflects and helps stop oil mist/vaporization which has a greater chance of getting sucked out by the pcv system.

[Stex]

thanks, HCG

[dpmcclary]

I have 2007 5.3 Aluminum block AFM engine. Had oil consumption problem with mine from about 30k to 70k and getting worse. Took it to the dealer and they did a consumption study and they performed the first "fix"---the oil pan and valve cover thing. Didn't help at all. They then recommended the full job--new pistons and rings. Hasn't burned a drop of oil in 6k miles. Runs great. It was out of warranty of course. I tried to get GMC to pay for all of it but we agreed on 50/50. Figured it was worth it. Feel like I have a new lease on life for my motor now.

[ArtU]

 

Thanks for the reply strike 1st. I hear you. GM had better have the '14s fixed as to eating oil. My '09 is at 60,000 miles and will be out of wty in 3 months. Using 1 1/2 -2 qts per 5,000 mile oil change. So, wty goes away and oil consumption jumps to the GM oh we would fix that level of burn but sorry Charlie out of wty. .

 

Heck my '90 GMC sub only burns 1/2 qt on a 4,000 mile oil change and it has 356,000 miles on an original 350 ci engine. Most of that is valve stem seals.

 

I was looking at Blue oval but now they have the aluminum thing going. Having worked in metallurgy, I am going to let that work out before going there. Well the 2015 Stang looks good and I hear you can see out of it, unlike the Camaro. So maybe keep the 09 oil well and get a stang for kicks.

 

So hope the '14 works and like you say surely (don't call me Shirley) GM has the oil thing fixed now. If not, I would return it like the old lady returns tires on the discount commercial.

 

I have a 2008 5.3 K1500 oil well, and a 2013 'Stang. Just as you say I got the 'Stang because I can see out of it. The Challenger is a heavy boat, and the 'slowmaro you can't see out of . Yes the Camaro in black looks like a bat type car, problem is driving you cant see out of it cause its a bat like car ;)

 

Art

[Cowpie]

I have 2007 5.3 Aluminum block AFM engine. Had oil consumption problem with mine from about 30k to 70k and getting worse. Took it to the dealer and they did a consumption study and they performed the first "fix"---the oil pan and valve cover thing. Didn't help at all. They then recommended the full job--new pistons and rings. Hasn't burned a drop of oil in 6k miles. Runs great. It was out of warranty of course. I tried to get GMC to pay for all of it but we agreed on 50/50. Figured it was worth it. Feel like I have a new lease on life for my motor now.

 

Now do it right... disable the AFM and put on a PCV oil catch can. That will go a long ways to preventing this ever happening again.

[ArtU]

 

Now do it right... disable the AFM and put on a PCV oil catch can. That will go a long ways to preventing this ever happening again.

 

DO you know who makes a catch can for this model 5.3 truck engine? I have on on my Mustang.

[Cowpie]

I use the one from Conceptual Poymer on mine.

 

http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/High%20Efficiency%20Air.htm

 

But there are good ones from RevXtreme and others as well.

 

http://www.revxtreme.com/rx-catch-can-single-check-valve

 

Any number catch cans will work. Just need 3/8 in fuel quality hose to connect it up. Just make sure the brand of CC you get has good filtration media in it. Those cheapie catch cans on Ebay and such are not worth the trouble and don't do much of anything. A lot will still get past them.

[ArtU]

I use the one from Conceptual Poymer on mine.

 

http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/High%20Efficiency%20Air.htm

 

But there are good ones from RevXtreme and others as well.

 

http://www.revxtreme.com/rx-catch-can-single-check-valve

 

Any number catch cans will work. Just need 3/8 in fuel quality hose to connect it up. Just make sure the brand of CC you get has good filtration media in it. Those cheapie catch cans on Ebay and such are not worth the trouble and don't do much of anything. A lot will still get past them.

 

Thanks CowPie, I guess I was hoping there was a custom one that replaces the factory hose(s). The JLT can on my Ford uses custom hoses with end connectors that just snap in place where the original hoses did. Oh well, it will give me something to do to rig it up ;)