5.3 Gen IV a bad engine?

[5th red truck]

Hi Guys, new to this forum so be gentle,

I have a 2009 siverado 1500 crew cab, 5.3 6 speed auto.

Have had it since dec2009 put about 60,000 miles per year pulling jet ski trailers. for work.

It now has 209k and is on its second transmission and needs another camshaft and lifters.

gm helped me on the first camshaft and i did not ask them for aid on the transmission.

they have declined to help me on the second camshaft .

Am i just being a cry baby or should i just gladly hand them 6.5 grand for a new motor.

my last 5.3 without AFM went 290k on the same engine and transmission.

I have always used synthetic oils.

Maybe the problem ?

Edited May 8, 2013 by 5th red truck

[aalbanezjr]

One of my best friends has 360,000 miles on his 2001 1500 5.3. He might have to put a quart of oil in once a month if that. Its been a great truck. In fact it still has the original fan belt and radiator/heater hoses. He won't get rid of it, it just won't die.

[giovplumber]

I own a 09 Chevy 1500 crew cab with the 5.3 with in 60000 miles 4 cam shafts they changed one valve cover with new egr valve now im at 75342 now the motor is using about 2qt every 1000 mile brought it to the dealer now there telling me I need a new motor 8000$ gm is will to offer some assistants but u would think after the 3 cam shaft while it was in warranty gm would of been like there is something wrong with this motor I do tow a jeep a couple times a year a few hours from and home and the rest of it is city driving I was just about to give up on gm now the are buying my truck back and giving me a very nice down payment towards a new truck a dealers cost

[giovplumber]

If u are having the same problems with burning oil u need to stay on them calling email gm coustomer complaint line

Edited May 1, 2015 by giovplumber

[CapitalTruck]

Try Castrol Edge 5w30 with a Mobil 1 filter. It got rid of my ticking by about 95%. Don't go for the extended performance, just the regular full syn 5w30

 

My oil level hasn't dropped at all from 90 miles when I bought it new a few months ago to about 4000 miles, when I dumped the factory oil. This also included an 1800 mile round trip at interstate speeds. Of course, it only has 4000 miles but there was literally no noticeable drop in oil level on the dipstick.

 

I do notice a metallic "tink, tink, tink" echoing off the building when I'm sitting in a fast food drive-thru, for example. My 2000 never did that. Perhaps its just the nature of the AFM lifters? I remember reading about "The Hemi Tick" when I looked something up a couple years ago for a friend with a 5.7 Hemi with DOD and that it was normal....

[Conky Conky]

Well I got 5.3 In my 13 it doesn't burn oil yet I'm sure it will I use and abuse my 5.3 it hasn't had a oil change in about 25 000km. I pull a 13 000lb 5th wheel I could care less about my truck and I treat it as such. The 5.3 takes my abuse so you should be fine with one well taken care of. But Id never buy another 5.3 it'll be 6.0 - 6.2s or 6.6 Duramax's from now on. The 5.3 is terrible on fuel and are kinda gutless I'd stay away if I was you but each to there own.

[Harbinger]

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

 

Well I wouldn't say that. GM had to replace all my lifters on warranty already because of problems that alot of people have with these engines.

 

I had about 95,000 KM on it at the time.

[Linize Jo Womack Berg]

I’ve had a bad experience with Chevy I’ve always loved Chevy but my truck at 114k miles has to have a new engine that’s kinda bull crap to me I’m still paying on my truck and now can’t even trust it  I’m very disappointed I was it was my lifters  and was told by many to fix the root of the problem I’d need to replace the hole motor.. I’ve contacted Chevy and apparently my  warranty went out a little over a year ago  And there’s nothing they can do ITS BULL CRAP  right around Christmas time sounds about right thanks Chevy 

[Richard Daugherty]

I have a 2013 5.3 L silverado. I have previously only owned Fords. The truck has 68k on it. I have replaced the battery and the wipers so far. The computer tells me it gets 19.5 miles per gallon. It is 4 wheel drive. Have hauled my tractor and implements all over the country with it. I now have a dump trailer I pull with it. The electric seat will no longer work. I put a new switch in the seat and it still won't work. I understand it has plastic gears to operate the seat. Why would they use plastic gears?I will be dealing with this issue. It is an LT model. So far I do like the truck.

[swathdiver]

On 5/20/2021 at 10:18 AM, Richard Daugherty said:

 The electric seat will no longer work. I put a new switch in the seat and it still won't work. I understand it has plastic gears to operate the seat. Why would they use plastic gears?I will be dealing with this issue. It is an LT model. So far I do like the truck.

 

See if these guys are making brass gears for what you need:  https://www.gruvenparts.com/shop-by-car/gm-truck