Shops that will do an AFM delete in or around Colorado?

[TQUAP]

Hi all,

 

In the process of pulling the trigger on a 2018 Escalade with 73k miles. She's going into the shop tomorrow for PPI and based on how clean the vehicle is and my cursory inspection I have every expectation she'll pass. Now I'm on to all the stuff I want to take care of right off the bat. 

 

The big thing on my list is a full mechanical AFM delete. It sounds like something I could potentially do but at the same time... seems involved and kiiiiind of rather leave it to a professional. I've called around to four shops so far and the responses have ranged from "what" to "oh, no we definitely wouldn't do that". I was wondering if anyone here could either suggest a shop that would do an AFM delete or tell me what I should look for in a shop when searching for one. 

 

TIA

[KARNUT]

14 hours ago, TQUAP said:

Hi all,

 

In the process of pulling the trigger on a 2018 Escalade with 73k miles. She's going into the shop tomorrow for PPI and based on how clean the vehicle is and my cursory inspection I have every expectation she'll pass. Now I'm on to all the stuff I want to take care of right off the bat. 

 

The big thing on my list is a full mechanical AFM delete. It sounds like something I could potentially do but at the same time... seems involved and kiiiiind of rather leave it to a professional. I've called around to four shops so far and the responses have ranged from "what" to "oh, no we definitely wouldn't do that". I was wondering if anyone here could either suggest a shop that would do an AFM delete or tell me what I should look for in a shop when searching for one. 

 

TIA

I would roll the dice as long it’s had regular oil changes. I’ve seen them go awhile. My brother in law has 170K on a 2013 one of the worst years. He’s done 5K oil changes. I have 160k on a Honda. I don’t like the Frankenstein engine at all. In my younger days I would have done the job myself. If you don’t have a trusted mechanic. You’re rolling the dice either way. If with that mileage it’s performing the parts must be right. I’d leave it be.

Edited July 11, 2025 by KARNUT

[diyer2]

Switch better oil? I like Amsoil OE line. Shorter OCI's? Why fix it if it ain't broke?

[Silverado4x4]

Not as simple as just doing the mechanical delete you also have to have the computer tuned to the delete.  If it were me I would just leave it be and follow diyer comment. 

[mikeyk101]

The simplest and easiest way to do it is with something like the Range AFM disabler. That is what I use. The AFM system is still present (lifters, etc...) but they are always being used. A buddy of mine was a mechanic at a Chevy dealership and swears by the Range disabler. He has run with one since his last Silverado was new and did the same for his latest Silverado as well. Never had any AFM related issues. 

Edited July 11, 2025 by mikeyk101

[TQUAP]

Well to the "if it ain't broke" comment I'd say my rationale is that this is a known failure points on the engine and it's either this or an extended warranty (which I don't trust). I'm planning on doing a tune delete via HP tuners or a Trifecta tune immediately but my understanding is the lifters can still fail even if not cycling back and forth constantly (though less likely). I'm planning on a minimum of a five year hold, probably more with this one and want a rock solid truck I can trust to drive CO to FL, go up into the mountains and regularly 600 miles back and forth to our off grid cabin. To some extent it's piece of mind. We currently have a high mileage 06 Suburban w/ 5.3 and the idea was to get something we don't have to worry about.

 

Now I will say that if someone here had a great experience with a specific extended warranty that I could trust to replace an engine if necessary then I would certainly consider that instead. The mag ride being covered as well would be a plus 

[KARNUT]

6 hours ago, TQUAP said:

Well to the "if it ain't broke" comment I'd say my rationale is that this is a known failure points on the engine and it's either this or an extended warranty (which I don't trust). I'm planning on doing a tune delete via HP tuners or a Trifecta tune immediately but my understanding is the lifters can still fail even if not cycling back and forth constantly (though less likely). I'm planning on a minimum of a five year hold, probably more with this one and want a rock solid truck I can trust to drive CO to FL, go up into the mountains and regularly 600 miles back and forth to our off grid cabin. To some extent it's piece of mind. We currently have a high mileage 06 Suburban w/ 5.3 and the idea was to get something we don't have to worry about.

 

Now I will say that if someone here had a great experience with a specific extended warranty that I could trust to replace an engine if necessary then I would certainly consider that instead. The mag ride being covered as well would be a plus 

The sad truth is you probably have more to worry about with the new one than the old one. It’s not so much the cylinder deactivation, it’s the addition parts that make it work. Yours has been tested with the miles on it, the parts should be good. Then it comes down to oil changes. But that’s true with any engine. Honda has been using cylinder deactivation since 2010. I have a 2016. The only way you can tell is with a light. On the highway it’s on more than off. I’m on the Honda enthusiast website. There’s a thread about deleting. But not much talk about failure. I deleted on my GMC it wasn’t doing much and I had exhaust. I know a few people with cylinder deactivation engines. No failures. Other than a plug in to turn it off. Any not knowing a qualified mechanic I’m in the leave it alone camp. Now if the question was should I buy it? I wouldn’t buy any GM truck after 2006 unless I got a smoking deal. I’d look for another one like you have. That’s the route I’m going. 

[diyer2]

OK

Range AFM disabler, Amsoil OE oil and a good oil filter. 5K OCI's.

But hey take it apart if that makes you happy.

 

[TQUAP]

I've just read too much about the AFM being a failure points and potentially a big one. From all the research I've done this vehicle is pretty solid other than that (and the magnaride but that's straightforward). It's just too big of an issue to go into it unprotected. Without doing something to address the AFM issue as you're saying I'd be better off with a low mileage gmt800.

 

The other option (which I'm warming to somewhat) is an extended warranty through a highly rated provider like Fidelity or Zurich. But that would only cover me to five years and there's always the possibility they decide not to cover it for some reason.

[KARNUT]

1 minute ago, TQUAP said:

I've just read too much about the AFM being a failure points and potentially a big one. From all the research I've done this vehicle is pretty solid other than that (and the magnaride but that's straightforward). It's just too big of an issue to go into it unprotected. Without doing something to address the AFM issue as you're saying I'd be better off with a low mileage gmt800.

 

The other option (which I'm warming to somewhat) is an extended warranty through a highly rated provider like Fidelity or Zurich. But that would only cover me to five years and there's always the possibility they decide not to cover it for some reason.

When I was working I bought a new truck every two years. I’m old enough to experience near perfect GM vehicles. My last new one with the exception of cylinder deactivation engines was a joy. If you can find a reputable warranty company that’s probably the way to go. 

[TQUAP]

After doing some more research on them I'm coming around to the idea of a warranty. Apparently with Fidelity you can extend your warranty up to eight years so we could plan on owning the truck for five but then decide to keep it and extend the warranty. GPT is saying Fidelity may even cover Magneride (most exclude suspension components).

 

If that's the case then the only concern is if they decide to find some reason to deny my claim. Because that would be, you know, pretty much a worst case scenario. But I'm reading that Fidelity has a pretty good track record when it comes to claims fulfillment. It's a big company, not some fly by night operation.

[mikeyk101]

One thing to keep in mind is that warranty companies will expect you to provide documentation that regular maintenance has been done or they are quick to deny a claim. An example that is big on the list is regular oil changes. Although for many years I would do my own, I now take my Silverado to the dealer to have mine done. It ends up being not much more expensive than doing it myself, there is a record of the service being performed that is even accessible on the Chevrolet owners website, and I don't have to get dirty doing it. They even rotate the tires for me as well as inspect other components. I still do many of the repairs myself but stuff like oil changes, I leave to the dealer. 

[TQUAP]

Yeah, I've come to terms with the idea of having my mechanic do my oil changes instead of myself. As gross as that sounds to me.

 

One thing I'm worried about is if they want to know about maintenance before I owned the truck. PO did his own work and Carfax shows nothing during his ownership.

[KARNUT]

I go to the dealership every other oil change because they do a check list. I watch so they really do it. They next I go to a valvoline quick lube. Both I’ve used many years. No problems. My two Hondas the transmission is easier to service than oil changes so I do those. My wife’s Hyundai Genesis has no dipstick it goes to the dealership. The Acura only Honda. The avalanche my grandson uses, he wants to do it himself. I’m so proud. 

[asilverblazer]

If you read on the internet about ALL the AFM lifter issues, you're only going to see the relatively few failures reported without seeing the literally millions of problem free vehicles. 

 

You'll end up with a distorted perception of how likely a failure is. 

 

Now, all the anecdotal reports will come in... I know a guy that has had 3 trucks all fail... My service advisor says they're all junk (same thing... a service advisor only sees the failures).

 

Plenty of Karen's running around in their Tahoe with 200K miles that might see a Jiffy Lube every once in a while. Plus all the fleet trucks, etc...