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5.3 Gen IV a bad engine?

tonyghkbve
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tonyghkbve Enthusiast

tonyghkbve

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Posted (edited)

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 by txab
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MaverickZ71
MaverickZ71

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 mile

ATMINF
ATMINF

The current motor is all based around the LS1 that came out in 1997 in the corvette. Of these motors I have had one in my 2001 suburban and my current 2006 Silverado. Both of these trucks have been gr

MikeNH
MikeNH

The 5.3 is by far the most common of the engines. For the Gen III motors it was produced at a 2:1 ratio compared to the 4.8 or even the LS1. So to say dealers only have a few is absurd.

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

Posted
Posted

:nonod:

 

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.

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tonyghkbve Enthusiast

tonyghkbve

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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 Senior Enthusiast

kstruckcountry

Posted
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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 Enthusiast

tonyghkbve

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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.

Daryl LBZ Senior Enthusiast

Daryl LBZ

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

 

 

Good Man! :thumbs:

Daryl LBZ Senior Enthusiast

Daryl LBZ

Posted
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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 Senior Enthusiast

music

Posted
Posted

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.

ATMINF Enthusiast

ATMINF

Posted
Posted

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

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MaverickZ71 Senior Enthusiast

MaverickZ71

Posted
Posted (edited)

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 by Maverick Z71
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