Collapsed Lifter!

alcolee · February 25, 2011

Well, after 70,000 miles my truck crapped out on me. Long story short, they found that the AFM lifter had collapsed on cylinder #7. My dealer, other than being kind of slow, was great to work with. They replaced all 8 lifters without giving me any trouble. I talked to the mechanic about whether they replaced with lifters with the same ones type that was originally on there and he didn't know. He said they have seen four 07-08 GMC Sierra's come through their dealership with the same problem. Does anyone have any experience with these trucks after the lifters have been replaced? Are the new lifters actually going to fix the problem, or are they just going to get me by until my powertrain warranty runs out and then give up again?

I'm starting to wonder if I should unload this light duty truck and get me a diesel. I don't tow or haul anything that heavy, but I use my truck all the time as a truck. My dealer just about 10k miles ago had to replace the front driver hub assembly after the bearings went out. I love my truck, but I really need it to hold up, at least long enough to get it paid for.

Side not, the truck looks really good with my new Cooper Discoverer STT tires. 285/70/17's no leveling kit, but no rubbing either.

441G · February 25, 2011

al - we have replaced several of these collapsed lifters in our fleet of trucks. our belief is the new lifters are the same as the ones we took out therfore its a matter of time before they fail again.

pm26 · February 25, 2011

al - we have replaced several of these collapsed lifters in our fleet of trucks. our belief is the new lifters are the same as the ones we took out therfore its a matter of time before they fail again.

Somehow most of us were led to believe that GM would only be installing new redesigned lifters if the original lfiters failed. I have some info from a credible source that GM keeps on installing the old fialure prone AFM lifters even in new 2011 trucks.

Daryl LBZ · February 25, 2011

al - we have replaced several of these collapsed lifters in our fleet of trucks. our belief is the new lifters are the same as the ones we took out therfore its a matter of time before they fail again.

Somehow most of us were led to believe that GM would only be installing new redesigned lifters if the original lfiters failed. I have some info from a credible source that GM keeps on installing the old fialure prone AFM lifters even in new 2011 trucks.

If thats the case I'll just buy good lifters and put them in myself if something happens to mine.

J-man67 · February 25, 2011

I finally had mine replaced under warranty just yesterday. The lifters out now ARE re-designed. I had ticking on start-up when cold. That is when I brought it in last year. They took note and said GM was re-designing them. They called a few weeks ago saying they ordered the parts. Sounds better to me, although hasn't had a long enough cold soak yet. Also, You mentioned 8. They should of replaced ALL 16 lifters. I would call them as make sure they ordered the new lifters and didn't just use what they had laying around. Sounds to me they they used old parts and only replaced the lifters in one bank.

alcolee · February 25, 2011

They did order new lifters, because that was part of the delay...waiting on the parts to arrive. I don't know which ones they ordered though. I asked and the mechanic hadn't heard anything about GM having a redesigned lifter. He said he just put in what they sent him. They told me that only one lifter had failed, and that they replaced the 8 lifters that work with the AFM system. They did not replace the other 8 lifters. I'm not mechanically inept, but when it comes to this stuff my knowledge is limited.

pm26 · February 26, 2011

They did order new lifters, because that was part of the delay...waiting on the parts to arrive. I don't know which ones they ordered though. I asked and the mechanic hadn't heard anything about GM having a redesigned lifter. He said he just put in what they sent him. They told me that only one lifter had failed, and that they replaced the 8 lifters that work with the AFM system. They did not replace the other 8 lifters. I'm not mechanically inept, but when it comes to this stuff my knowledge is limited.

That's all that needs to be done. The other lifters are non AFM lifters and will probably last the life of the engine.

8.1HD/ALLISON · February 26, 2011

I have done numerous lifter jobs at my shop. Just thumbed through the bullitins, and can not find anywhere that it says the lifters are redesigned. I know they look exactly the same. Don't know if they are or not. Also have had a few non afm lifters spin sideways in the lifter retainers and take out the camshaft. Glad they saved that nickel and made plastic lifter retainers.

pm26 · February 26, 2011

Also have had a few non afm lifters spin sideways in the lifter retainers and take out the camshaft. Glad they saved that nickel and made plastic lifter retainers.

How long have they been using lifters with plastic retainers?

Somebody quickly suggest that GM start using plastic timing gears. That will save them a few bucks too.

nyokie · February 26, 2011

Well, after 70,000 miles my truck crapped out on me. Long story short, they found that the AFM lifter had collapsed on cylinder #7. My dealer, other than being kind of slow, was great to work with. They replaced all 8 lifters without giving me any trouble. I talked to the mechanic about whether they replaced with lifters with the same ones type that was originally on there and he didn't know. He said they have seen four 07-08 GMC Sierra's come through their dealership with the same problem. Does anyone have any experience with these trucks after the lifters have been replaced? Are the new lifters actually going to fix the problem, or are they just going to get me by until my powertrain warranty runs out and then give up again?

I'm starting to wonder if I should unload this light duty truck and get me a diesel. I don't tow or haul anything that heavy, but I use my truck all the time as a truck. My dealer just about 10k miles ago had to replace the front driver hub assembly after the bearings went out. I love my truck, but I really need it to hold up, at least long enough to get it paid for.

Side not, the truck looks really good with my new Cooper Discoverer STT tires. 285/70/17's no leveling kit, but no rubbing either.

my 07 gmt900 got all new lifter and a cam dealer told me the lobes of the camshaft pealed off layers and ate up my lifters?????????? said they had reports of quite a few doing it so if ya get a tapping be sure to bring it in under warranty guys

K1500Tech · February 26, 2011

When I was working at a Chevrolet dealer we saw a ton of trucks with lifter and cam problems.

pm26 · February 26, 2011

Yet when you ask about these things from a salesman or service rep at a dealership, not one of them has ever heard of a single problem like this.......