2015 5.3L Bent Pushrod

Mathew Kirsch · February 25, 2020

Hi, new member here.

Just got word from the dealer that my 2015 Silverado 5.3L has a bent pushrod on the #1 cylinder. That's what they've found so far. They're going to dig further tomorrow and give me the bad news.

It ran fine all day Saturday up until I got to the restaurant to pick up my dinner. When I came out and hit the starter, it didn't sound right starting up and I could definitely tell something was wrong.

107K miles on it. Oil changed every 6K at the dealer. Did all the recommended maintenance. Spent a ton of money treating this truck "right" and it's looking like the engine is pooched.

Slvijoe · February 25, 2020

2 hours ago, Mathew Kirsch said:

Hi, new member here.

Just got word from the dealer that my 2015 Silverado 5.3L has a bent pushrod on the #1 cylinder. That's what they've found so far. They're going to dig further tomorrow and give me the bad news.

It ran fine all day Saturday up until I got to the restaurant to pick up my dinner. When I came out and hit the starter, it didn't sound right starting up and I could definitely tell something was wrong.

107K miles on it. Oil changed every 6K at the dealer. Did all the recommended maintenance. Spent a ton of money treating this truck "right" and it's looking like the engine is pooched.

Matt, please let us know the extent and reason for the damage.

mookdoc6 · February 25, 2020

Isolated to only #1 cylinder? We must wait for more data............

Mathew Kirsch · February 25, 2020

Just got an update from the service manager. Turns out the pushrod BROKE. They're looking for the missing piece to get a better idea of what happened.

Still don't know whether it was an intake or exhaust. The service manager didn't have that information.

No sign of a lifter seizing. No sign of valve contact on the piston. They're thinking the valve seized in its guide, but they haven't looked at the head yet.

The main concern right now is the cam. As long as it's not damaged they figure they can fix it with just top end work.

Mathew Kirsch · February 25, 2020

2nd update, they found the remnants of the pushrod. Cam looks good.

They're pulling the pan to flush everything out, and sending the head off to be checked.

They're replacing 4 lifters, but the sticker there is that there are none to be had, probably fallout from the GM strike last year. So it may be a few days.

newdude · February 25, 2020

1 hour ago, Mathew Kirsch said:

2nd update, they found the remnants of the pushrod. Cam looks good.

They're pulling the pan to flush everything out, and sending the head off to be checked.

They're replacing 4 lifters, but the sticker there is that there are none to be had, probably fallout from the GM strike last year. So it may be a few days.

Ya lifters are tight right now. Good on them for changing out the 4 AFM lifters.

Mathew Kirsch · February 28, 2020

Went up to the dealer to pick up the loaner yesterday, and the service manager took me out to the shop to show me the carnage.

The only visible damage is the pushrod. No marks on the pistons or the lifters. About 1" was broken off the pushrod and it's bent roughly in the middle.

The head is out to a local machine shop to be checked.

If the head checks out, they should be able to fix it with new lifters, pushrods, gaskets, and an oil pan. Why an oil pan? They claim that the pans are thin sheet metal and are difficult to get resealed after taking them off, so they recommend a new pan. I figured that'll get me 5 more years down the road before the oil pan rusts out, so what the heck.

mookdoc6 · February 28, 2020

2 hours ago, Mathew Kirsch said:

Went up to the dealer to pick up the loaner yesterday, and the service manager took me out to the shop to show me the carnage.

The only visible damage is the pushrod. No marks on the pistons or the lifters. About 1" was broken off the pushrod and it's bent roughly in the middle.

The head is out to a local machine shop to be checked.

If the head checks out, they should be able to fix it with new lifters, pushrods, gaskets, and an oil pan. Why an oil pan? They claim that the pans are thin sheet metal and are difficult to get resealed after taking them off, so they recommend a new pan. I figured that'll get me 5 more years down the road before the oil pan rusts out, so what the heck.

You got lucky and a good Dealer! Seems 1qty cylinder hydro-locked to me. Yes, the pan should be replaced no question about that. Very fluke type incident or more to be expected? Could end up being even same cylinder with injector problems....ikes! I hope not though......

Snowcamo · February 28, 2020

Id go new intake/exhaust guides and valves. And lifters while i was there. Something isnt up to par.

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Mathew Kirsch · February 28, 2020

They're replacing the four AFS lifters on the left side.

Still waiting on news from the machine shop on the condition of the head.

JimCost2014 · February 28, 2020

Looks like a lucky "break", when a push rod broke on the #4 cylinder in my 16, it managed to end up inside with the piston.

It caused enough scratching and scouring that GM said the engine had to be replaced.

Mathew Kirsch · February 28, 2020

Yeah, the broken piece ended up down in the crankcase and thankfully missed everything.

I just can't think of too many ways for the pushrod to get bent and broke with no other signs of damage. Only thing that makes sense is a simple pushrod failure.

Mathew Kirsch · February 29, 2020

More positive news from the dealer. Head came back from the machine shop, everything is in spec. Total machine shop bill: $75

Overall it looks like they're going to be able to get me back up and running for a lot less than originally quoted, which is good news. Mostly it's going to be the new AFS lifters, new pushrods, oil pan, gaskets, and labor.