Jump to content

Should I buy a Sierra SLT w/5.3l AFM? Or avoid it?

Nvd

Recommended Posts

Nvd Enthusiast

Nvd

Posted
Posted

Hi I have been trying to do some home work about the sierras and the 5.3l v8 with the AFM system and having issues with the oil consumption.

 

I'm looking at a 2009 gmc Sierra slt w/5.3 it has 60,000 km I have already put a $500 deposit on it to. And now I'm seeing this issue..

 

My questions are..

 

Should I not buy the truck because of the issues with AFM system?

Would anyone here who have had the issue with there truck, buy another one?

 

I called the dealer, and by disabling it will void the warranty, so would want to if that is a for sure fix. But wouldn't want to to void the warranty..

 

I really like the sierra slt, and love how simple yet nice they are. Just I do not want to have issues with the truck. I don't want to spend 30k and then have to rebuild the motor... I called the dealer and they said after they fix it if it needed a rebuild then they don't have any more issues.. Im thinking if it happens once it can happen again and it will happen after the warranty is up...

 

Please help before I back out of the deal... Do not want a ford or dodge. Can't see my self in a truck like that...

 

Thanks in advance

Nick

 

 

  • Replies 33
  • Created
  • Last Reply
music Senior Enthusiast

music

Posted
Posted

Should I not buy the truck because of the issues with AFM system?

 

 

The afm "question/issue" has been a discussion point since 2007, yet most of us own one. Our money is where our mouth is, so to speak. I wouldn't think twice, myself, especially if it is still under the 5/100 warranty. I've had good success w/ afm on mine, but others feel differently. You can have it disabled via a tune, if you want.

Nvd Enthusiast

Nvd

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yea after reading that Im hesitant on getting it still. I'd like the 2500hd diesel but to much for me!

 

I don't want to get it and have to deal with this issue.

mc7719 Enthusiast

mc7719

Posted
Posted

I had a 08 SLT, and did also have the AFM/oil burning issue. I had a no hassle dealer, that followed the TSBs for the repair, and eventually fixed it, all under warranty and didn't cost me a penny.

 

In my eyes, they (GM) identified the the issue, and fixed it. I loved the truck, and so that was good enough for me.

 

I'd still be driving it if it wasn't written off last week when I t-boned a guy making an illegal left. :(

 

Good luck with your decision. Besides the above issue I had zero problems with it and would recommend it to anyone.

 

Nvd Enthusiast

Nvd

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks, sorry to hear about your accident, glad your ok though!

 

would you buy another sierra with the 5.3l arm v8?

mc7719 Enthusiast

mc7719

Posted
Posted

I would, but am using this opportunity to upgrade to a diesel, which suits my towing needs better.

Nvd Enthusiast

Nvd

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ok, well I backed out of the original deal. Im going to wait and look around, im going to look at the 6.2l w/o the afm.

 

Just wondering how worse the 6.2l is then the 5.3 (fuel wise)

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted

You had better start reading up on the poor mileage the 6.2 gets. If the truck was still under warranty, and had already been addressed for oil burning, it was most likely safe to get. Every engine/trans has complaints about them. Every manufacture does as well. Not sure why you would even consider the diesel. I for one do not need a 5k bill just after warranty runs out for an injector pump.

Nvd Enthusiast

Nvd

Posted
  • Author
Posted

You had better start reading up on the poor mileage the 6.2 gets. If the truck was still under warranty, and had already been addressed for oil burning, it was most likely safe to get. Every engine/trans has complaints about them. Every manufacture does as well. Not sure why you would even consider the diesel. I for one do not need a 5k bill just after warranty runs out for an injector pump.

 

 

I am looking into how the 6.2 is on fuel, and I have found it ranges from 15-21mpg, It's not much dfference between that and the 5.3. I'm not looking for a diesel, the 6.2 is a gas. I'm looking at the denalis.

music Senior Enthusiast

music

Posted
Posted

It's not much dfference between that and the 5.3.

 

 

The 6.2 requires premium fuel to get the better numbers. Identical (normal driving) tests, on the 87 octane, will put the 6.2 @ ~3 mpg less. Not a huge number, but probably 15% to 20% difference in daily driving.

Nvd Enthusiast

Nvd

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah, I seen that. I would get the Sierra slt, just worried about the afm system and issues. I know i can get it deactivated and get it tuned, or just get the 6.2 and be done with it...Yes, ill pay more in fuel but by deactivating the afm, that voids the warrenty. I was thinking of deactivating it after around 120-140km range (assuming i had a issue with the afm,,)

music Senior Enthusiast

music

Posted
Posted

Understood. I wouldn't try to steer anyone either way. Heck, I wouldn't try to stop anyone from buying a Ford, Dodge or Toyota. It's not my money. That said, I personally don't ever think about AFM, and only realize it exists when I look at the DIC. I also wouldn't know that there "could" be an issue if I didn't follow this forum, but at 45k miles and *lots* of heavy towing, it doesn't use a drop. Maybe I've been lucky, but I routinely get ~20 mpg on long trips, and 17+ around town. If I were buying today, I may lean towards the 6.2, but only w/ the NHT pkg (3.73 gears & 7300 GVWR). I tow a heavy camper, and could see trading mpg for torque and payload. If I didn't tow, I'd go w/ the 5.3 again (without hesitation). It's a great motor, but I'm sure the 6.2 is as well.

Nvd Enthusiast

Nvd

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ok. thanks! thats good to hear. the more i talk with ppl withthe 5.3 i head mainly good things. My issue is after the warrenty if things happen im SOL (if i have a issue). I can see towing alot and driving city a lot it lasting longer as your maily in v8 mode which is good as the afm is not doing its thing, therefore you shouldnt have a issue. At this point in my life i do not need a 6.2 the 5.3 is more then enough. Just trying to weigh the pros and cons,

 

I found a 08 denali with 6.2 - 50,000km for $27,000 (very little warrenty left)

or

A 2010 Sierra SLT all terrian w/5.3 - 55,000km for $31,000 (3+yrs of pwr tran warrenty)

 

I did the math, and I would save 3-4k in purchase by gettin that denali but spend $7-800 more on fuel each yr. so there basically the same cost until 4 years from now. the denali would then be more money each yr on fuel, and the sierra wouldnt. thats my dilema lol

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • newdude
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By newdude · Posted

      Follows the motif on the Sierra EV.  Satin finsh to the lower bumper area, painted above:   Elevation       Denali      
    • taze
      I love my truck but

      By taze · Posted

      Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I do like it. I wonder if they'll bring back Smokey Quartz Metallic? 🤔 https://gmauthority.com/blog/2026/06/here-is-the-all-new-2027-gmc-sierra-1500/
    • tjonesdfw
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By tjonesdfw · Posted

      Whoever greenlighted the work truck matte black front bumpers on every trim but the AT4X should be fired!  I was hoping that was an AI mistake, but just realized they were on every model of the 2027 Silverado too.     Some parts of the interior do look premium, but the Denali Ultimate dashboard looks like an afterthought.  At least they appear to have lost the microfiber the high end Silverado models showed, but the '27 High Country dash looks better than the Denali.  
    • bluev8
      Intermittent no-code issues on 2022.5+ V8 trucks — what did the shop fail to capture?

      By bluev8 · Posted

      New member here. I am researching a read-first event-recorder concept for late-model GM V8 trucks. This is not a sales post. There is no product link, price, preorder, or mailing list. I am trying to determine whether the underlying problem is real before building anything.   Has your truck ever had a brief problem such as: - rough running or a momentary misfire - an oil-pressure warning or unusual pressure event - reduced power or a brief stall - a U-code or lost-communication problem - a symptom that disappeared before the dealer or independent shop could reproduce it   If so, I would appreciate the following details: - year, model, engine, and mileage - what happened and under what conditions - whether a DTC and useful freeze-frame data were stored - whether the shop was able to reproduce it - what the eventual confirmed repair was, if known - what additional information would have helped the diagnosis   The concept being evaluated is a removable leave-in recorder that continuously retains a rolling window from before and after an event. It would not tune, reflash, clear codes, or change the vehicle calibration.   I am also not claiming that it could predict lifter failure or see every internal ECM variable.   The real question is whether continuous event history would add enough useful evidence beyond freeze frame, GDS2, and existing scan tools — or whether it would simply be another unnecessary gadget.   For owners and technicians, which problem would make something like this genuinely useful: 1. intermittent misfire or AFM/DFM-related behavior 2. oil-pressure events 3. lost communication or electrical faults 4. none of the above Please be blunt. Negative feedback is just as useful as positive feedback.
    • Atlas
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By Atlas · Posted

      No tears over the SLE and SLT trim levels disappearing but I kind of loathe the "Elevation" name. It's a truck--skip the elegance.   The slab-dashboard design is decidedly different. Almost has a Hummer flavor to it. "Professional Grade" seems to be leaning very white-collar, tech-driven these days moreso than blue-collar, functional design.   The Silverado would be my choice between the two new trucks. Pleased with the engine lineup in both. The GMC is a little "too much" for a truck, IMO, and the Denali borders on ridiculous - but I do know there are buyers for luxury trucks out there. It's just not my speed.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...