5.3 Gen IV a bad engine?

[tonyghkbve]

I work at an auto parts store and I have mechanic who said he repairs these 5.3 motors and said they are "junk". THey burn oil like crazy and they're not well built. Idk if he's honest or what. I'm sure the 5.3 is a good engine, perhaps he might be telling the truth or just a plain hater of the 5.3 vortec. On the other hand, how good is the L9H 6.2 engine?

Edited April 3, 2013 by txab

[RyanbabZ71]

 

I am one person and I have owned 2 with no issues.

 

I would take remarks like his with a grain of salt. There are thousands upon thousands of these engines in different variations with no issues out there. Are there issues out there? No question anything that is manufactured is going to have issues.

[tonyghkbve]

Only thing that bothers me about that engine is that it consumes oil. That alone scares me. I don't want to invest so much money a month on truck that burns oil. My corolla burns oil sometimes, no doubt, it's a 22 year old car with over 160K miles and also its my fault for putting 5w20 in that car. I don't why I put such thin oil in my corolla. Next time I will use 10w40. Fortunately, I got that car for free. I just use it as a work car. The 2009-13 Silverado crew cab I want will be a pleasure/dating vehicle, which I won't drive very often. I do want that 6.2 as preference, but will settle for 5.3 if the 6.2 can't be found. With that being said, I hope that 5.3 AFM engine oil consumption is just a myth.

[kstruckcountry]

He's an idiot. The Gen 4 5.3 is a great engine.

[tonyghkbve]

He sure is, he's so damn proud of his crappy '01 Tiburon. He told me he invested over $12K in that POS.

[kstruckcountry]

I agree with the issues thing too. I'd say no matter what there will always be issues with some engines out of a given design. And I think the 5.3 has very few, even compared to many other engines.

He sure is, he's so damn proud of his crappy '01 Tiburon. He told me he invested over $12K in that POS.

Fast and Furious style huh?

[tonyghkbve]

I agree with the issues thing too. I'd say no matter what there will always be issues with some engines out of a given design. And I think the 5.3 has very few, even compared to many other engines.

 

 

Fast and Furious style huh?

Perhaps. But overall, I just want to make sure. This forum here is my go-to source concerning Chevy Silverados. I'm definetly getting the 6.2.

[kstruckcountry]

If I was getting a new half ton, the 6.2 would be the only option for me

[Daryl LBZ]

If I was getting a new half ton, the 6.2 would be the only option for me

 

 

Good Man!

[kstruckcountry]

But that's kind of like saying if I was buying a 2500 it would be a Duramax. Because I'm not doing either anytime soon, lol

[Daryl LBZ]

But that's kind of like saying if I was buying a 2500 it would be a Duramax. Because I'm not doing either anytime soon, lol

 

 

I can't blame you.

[music]

If you happen to have a motor with problems, then sure... it's a bad motor. Mine has been great, as has everybody's that I personally know. A mechanic only sees a vehicle when there's a problem, and if they specialize in something, then they will see it a lot. My old '93 accord had a well known issue, where the distributor wears out prematurely, and the motor shuts down. Won't start, until you replace it and the ignition pack. If a Honda mechanic fixes this problem more than anything else on that year Honda, does it make it "junk"? The real question is much simpler: how many 5.3 motors does a general mechanic work on, out of *all* other cars/motors? Based on my own experience, I'd say it's a very low percentage, but that doesn't mean that it won't happen to me.

[nibael]

He's an idiot. The Gen 4 5.3 is a great engine.

+1

[ATMINF]

The 5.3 motor has been known to be a 200-300k mile motor. They are robust and durable.

[MaverickZ71]

The 5.3 motor has been known to be a 200-300k mile motor. They are robust and durable.

 

The original question asked about the 5.3L "Generation IV" V8, right? Which includes engines manufactured from 2007-2013? I'd sure like to hear about some 2007-2013 GM 5.3 engines with 200-300K miles without problems, because all you read about on this forum is ticking AFM lifters which self-destruct later, and owners having to add oil every 2000 miles or so to keep the d*mned things from blowing up! I'm starting to believe that some on this forum keep trying to 'sweep the problems under the rug' so as to not decrease their future trade/resale values, but for others of us, these problems are unfortunately very real. My 29k-mile ticking LC9 seems to be developing quite a thirst for 5W-30, and it's not from abuse or pulling heavy trailers. At 15-16 mpg overall even with AFM, I'd GLADLY tell GM that they can keep their AFM and give me a quiet, problem-free engine!!

Edited March 28, 2013 by Maverick Z71