Jump to content

Anyone using ACDelco additives to avoid DFM issues?

Jimbeau
 Share

Recommended Posts

Jimbeau Enthusiast

Jimbeau

Posted
Posted

I have a 2023 Sierra 4x4 with the 5.3 DFM engine. Purchased new 13 months ago. 

After voicing my DFM concerns to my trusted independent mechanic he made a few suggestions: 
-Always run Top Tier fuel. I’m using Costco gas.

-Frequent oil changes. I’m only at 3,000 miles but the truck is a year old now. Guessing it’s about time for my first oil change… 
-Use ACDelco 10-3012 fuel treatment every 5,000 miles. 
He’s equally adamant about all 3 suggestions. 
 

Has anyone been using this 10-3012 fuel treatment in the new 5.3 engines? If so I’d appreciate feedback. 
 

Thanks. 
 

Bikerjon Enthusiast

Bikerjon

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Jimbeau said:

I have a 2023 Sierra 4x4 with the 5.3 DFM engine. Purchased new 13 months ago. 

After voicing my DFM concerns to my trusted independent mechanic he made a few suggestions: 
-Always run Top Tier fuel. I’m using Costco gas.

-Frequent oil changes. I’m only at 3,000 miles but the truck is a year old now. Guessing it’s about time for my first oil change… 
-Use ACDelco 10-3012 fuel treatment every 5,000 miles. 
He’s equally adamant about all 3 suggestions. 
 

Has anyone been using this 10-3012 fuel treatment in the new 5.3 engines? If so I’d appreciate feedback. 
 

Thanks. 
 

No I don't use the fuel additive. I do change oil between 2500 and 3000 miles. Oil is cheap insurance. Top Tier fuel is good but I just use 87 octane pump gas. I really wanted a 6.2 but they require premium fuel. My Trail Boss is almost identical mechanically to your Sierra 5.3 DFM, 10 speed trans, 4X4 of course and purchased new 13 months ago. That's how I run mine.

  • 3 weeks later...
repairman54 Enthusiast

repairman54

Posted
Posted

3k miles in a year, change it at least yearly. In fact a lot of the GM oil life monitors will go to zero life after a year. 

Only fuel additive I use is one with PEA in it to keep injectors clean. 

Real life story, my DIL '16 3.6 Equinox had erratic engine stuttering at highway speeds, nothing around town. About 110k miles on it. I told her to run 2 tanks of gas with Gumout all in one in it and the stuttering went away. No CEL or codes either. I've got her on the every oil change to toss a bottle in now. Who knows what brands of regular she is running in it. 

I only use fuel additives with PEA in my fleet, not sure if the GM one has it. Techron is good and the Gumout all in one is readily available and it does say PEA on the label. 

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)

Fuel treatments wouldn't have an affect on AFM/DFM that I can think of whatsoever.

 

Its the maintenance which is key.  A good oil and changed frequently.  Mind you, I only put about 50k on each of the two 5.3s I owned, but my 2012 I would change every 3000mi, no AFM lifters failed, and my 2019 LD (the old body like a 2018), same thing, changed every 3000mi, still ran 0w20 even and never had a lifter failure or camshaft failure.  

 

There could be arguments made on that change interval, sure.  The big thing I come back to is relying on the oil life monitor but using the bare minimum of oils on that.  You can see the internals of some of these engines and you can tell its from pushing the oils too far on drain (OLM to 0%) and using the bulk dealer oils (AC Delco Dexos 5w30 or 0w20).  

Edited by newdude
  • Like 1
customboss Senior Enthusiast

customboss

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, newdude said:

Fuel treatments wouldn't have an affect on AFM/DFM that I can think of whatsoever.

 

Its the maintenance which is key.  A good oil and changed frequently.  Mind you, I only put about 50k on each of the two 5.3s I owned, but my 2012 I would change every 3000mi, no AFM lifters failed, and my 2019 LD (the old body like a 2018), same thing, changed every 3000mi, still ran 0w20 even and never had a lifter failure or camshaft failure.  

 

There could be arguments made on that change interval, sure.  The big thing I come back to is relying on the oil life monitor but using the bare minimum of oils on that.  You can see the internals of some of these engines and you can tell its from pushing the oils too far on drain (OLM to 0%) and using the bulk dealer oils (AC Delco Dexos 5w30 or 0w20).  

I know this sounds odd but if the tune and fuel delivery is sub optimum fuel’s dilution will

make deposits on AFM components over time making a sticky translucent deposit that’s varnish or shellac like that IS impacted by polymeric fuel additives after they are EGR’d especially. 

  • Thanks 1
Jimbeau Enthusiast

Jimbeau

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for sharing your info. I recently noticed the Owner’s Manual recommends using only Top Tier fuels, which I always comply with. It also says that if not used Top Tier fuels a GM fuel additive should be used at certain intervals. Hmm…Seems to reason. 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Grumpy Bear
      Valvoline R&P Fuel System Cleaner

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Okay boys and girls I put a bottle of this in Dizzy the oil burning guineapig after a tank between the coil and plug service of the #3 hole and near the end of the first R&P 5W30 attempt. As a note I did a two R&P oil changes back in October of 2025 with little effect. Granted they were 1K mile a shot oil changes so.... Then followed by fourteen  1K mile changes of Mobil 1 Euro 5W30 FS. Also ineffective.    Anyone who has followed the adventures of Dizzy may remember that to put the oil on the full mark of the published nominal 5 quart change I withhold about a cup of oil. That over the last 50K miles the P0420 light has been a frequent flyer, sometimes three of four a day. And that even on 93 octane fuel she registers some KR even in moderate conditions on favorable days on slight inclines. Lastly when giving her a kick in the pants, something done about once a week, she looks like a diesel with the pump turned up. 😬   After one bottle and over the last 500 miles of a 3K mile OCI, of the first oil change I dropped the nastiest looking oil ever in her history. That's saying something as  you will recall I have used AutoRx, HP EC30/40 and a few other harsh solvents in her before including the GM top soak twice. This was syrup. Black stinky, inky syrup but the filter wasn't all that bad.    On the second fill I had to use the entire 5 quarts to reach the full mark. That was unexpected! The ignition KR is completely gone! Even at 99% engine load. MAP is much lower. Level road is now 9.8 instead of 12.5. Fuel economy is remarkably higher and for the first time since her earliest days she will spin to 6500, more than a thousand higher with out laying down dead. Yes, the coil and plug had something to do with that but remember the first 2500 miles after that repair on the first change it was same ole same ole Dizzy. Seems we have top rings that are somewhat functional again. P0420 code only comes on now if run in town for more than an hour of stop and go. On the open road it goes weeks without a incident. Perhaps it is cleaning the cat on the pass through?  Fuel Trims have improved as well. Nothing not to like.    To early to say about oil economy but the changes to date in the operational aspect is remarkable. I can't think of a worse case than Dizzy.... It's already paid for itself in a few tanks of fuel with the mpg improvement.    @OnTheReel, I'd say if the Jeep didn't respond perhaps there wasn't an issue to respond to.    I've run the Red Line SI-1, AMSOIL fuel cleaner, GUMOUT and Techron all in this SUV without any such results. Color me impressed. I'll be running out my supplies of the list mentioned and moving on to the Valvoline R&P Fuel System Cleaner.     
    • Homer1959
      first oil change - 2026 2500HD gas

      By Homer1959 · Posted

      Hey Chuck !!Thanks for the all the info I'm an old fart and I have everything I need for the oil change at home,minus flexibility .... and I’ve been doing my own oil changes for 40 years. I just didn’t want to end up without a crush washer or with the wrong one in my stash and have to walk to the auto parts store, lol. I climbed under the truck to check the location, and man, it’s going to be the easiest oil change and filter swap in the last 40 years—right up there with my 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4. No mess, nothing to drip on—just perfect. I’ve got one more free oil change to use, and then that’s it with the dealership!
    • Atlas
      2027 3.0l - ordered

      By Atlas · Posted

      I think this subforum was created for the new generation pickup trucks (2027-) with the 3.0 but I don't think it's a big deal either way. There are probably 2027 model-year specific changes for the SUV's too.   I was just curious if you had issues with your 2025 3.0. I'm still under 10k miles on mine and fingers crossed I don't have thrust bearing issues. I'm guessing not, since you're willing to buy another one! It's a good engine minus one or two manufacturing whoopsies.
    • Grumpy Bear
      Navigating senior years.

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Wife has enough metal in her she hides from the scrapper. 
    • Jus Cruisin
      Audio Dampening and quiet

      By Jus Cruisin · Posted

      Djannoyed was a one hit wonder. Posted and disappeared. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...