25' L84 Lifter failing @ 2800 miles.

[20L8TSierra24]

Same garbage lifters. 

 

I traded in a 22 L87 that had the lifters done twice 7800/33k for a 25 and before the new car smell wore off, the engine's knocking. 

 

Dealer already acknowledged, and told me to get in in for repair. 

 

Guess I expected this to be resolved on the 6th year of the DFM L84's... Guess not. 

 

https://youtu.be/i8Wj6THFNJo?feature=shared

[newdude]

Same lifter covers all the way back to 2007 so........................................

 

There's a TSB for that noise actually too.  There's a TSB about that type of tick like that.  Assuming there's no bent pushrod or collapsed lifter, its just a lifter that's not hydraulically pumping up like it should.  19-NA-218 1..3

Edited October 13, 2025 by newdude

[PunchT37]

Newdude is correct on those lifters. They go back a long while. My brother has a 2007 Avalanche with the 5.3. It has 173,000` ish miles. A coworker of mine has a 2010 Tahoe with the same engine. It has 200,000 `ish miles. Both have never been opened up and run like swiss watches. The Avalanche did have a solid tick for a day or so, in the past. I heard it. It went away on it`s own. That was a few years ago.

 

Thing is, these things were not spec`d with a certain oil.

 

I will say though, I would be pissed if my new truck sounded like that. I do have a `25, L84 with 7800 miles. It has had, since 600 miles, 5w30 in it. Sooo...

[KARNUT]

2 minutes ago, PunchT37 said:

Newdude is correct on those lifters. They go back a long while. My brother has a 2007 Avalanche with the 5.3. It has 173,000` ish miles. A coworker of mine has a 2010 Tahoe with the same engine. It has 200,000 `ish miles. Both have never been opened up and run like swiss watches. The Avalanche did have a solid tick for a day or so, in the past. I heard it. It went away on it`s own. That was a few years ago.

 

Thing is, these things were not spec`d with a certain oil.

 

I will say though, I would be pissed if my new truck sounded like that. I do have a `25, L84 with 7800 miles. It has had, since 600 miles, 5w30 in it. Sooo...

I have an 02 Avalanche with 190K miles on it. I bought it with detailed written maintenance. The transmission and rear end got their first fluid changes at 167K. The oil got changed with regular oil every 3K, the filter every 6K miles. I’m letting my grandson drive it. I’m sure he’s not gentle on it. My brother in law visited this weekend. He drove his 06 Tahoe with 250K miles on it. All original. 

[20L8TSierra24]

On 10/13/2025 at 10:38 AM, PunchT37 said:

Newdude is correct on those lifters. They go back a long while. My brother has a 2007 Avalanche with the 5.3. It has 173,000` ish miles. A coworker of mine has a 2010 Tahoe with the same engine. It has 200,000 `ish miles. Both have never been opened up and run like swiss watches. The Avalanche did have a solid tick for a day or so, in the past. I heard it. It went away on it`s own. That was a few years ago.

 

Thing is, these things were not spec`d with a certain oil.

 

I will say though, I would be pissed if my new truck sounded like that. I do have a `25, L84 with 7800 miles. It has had, since 600 miles, 5w30 in it. Sooo...

So would I have an issue running say 5w-30 oil? 

[20L8TSierra24]

On 10/13/2025 at 9:32 AM, newdude said:

Same lifter covers all the way back to 2007 so........................................

 

There's a TSB for that noise actually too.  There's a TSB about that type of tick like that.  Assuming there's no bent pushrod or collapsed lifter, its just a lifter that's not hydraulically pumping up like it should.  19-NA-218 1..3

So what exactly is making the knocking noise? The cover, pushrod, or the cam striking the lifter as it comes around becauseits not expanding fully?. 

 

My dealer replaced all 16 of the lifters, and 2 pushrods on my 22 L87. 

 

This morning the noise wasn't as pronounced but it was like 90° already when we started it. It doesn't do this if the engine is warm at all either. It was more of a light tap.

[20L8TSierra24]

On 10/13/2025 at 9:32 AM, newdude said:

Same lifter covers all the way back to 2007 so........................................

 

There's a TSB for that noise actually too.  There's a TSB about that type of tick like that.  Assuming there's no bent pushrod or collapsed lifter, its just a lifter that's not hydraulically pumping up like it should.  19-NA-218 1..3

It appears that TSB only goes to MY 22. Does it apply to newer vehicles?

[PunchT37]

2 hours ago, 20L8TSierra24 said:

So would I have an issue running say 5w-30 oil? 

I would keep my mouth shut at the dealer but, I have been running that oil in mine since 600 miles. No problems. Engine is more quiet than 0w20. Got 7800 miles now. If that oil was too thick, I would have damaged that new engine already.

[Bikerjon]

9 hours ago, PunchT37 said:

I would keep my mouth shut at the dealer but, I have been running that oil in mine since 600 miles. No problems. Engine is more quiet than 0w20. Got 7800 miles now. If that oil was too thick, I would have damaged that new engine already.

Keep us up to date on your choice of oil. Is it Mobile 1 Dexos? I would run 5w30 in a heartbeat if it didn't void my warranty.

(I got a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty from my Dealer). I have to do my servicing-oil changes with them unless I'm traveling. I don't rack up many miles because i ride my Harley every day when its not snowing. The Warranty was free with the purchase of the truck (believe it or not) Being a Mechanic (retired after 40 years) I think you are absolutely right running the thicker oil. Best of luck man.

[PunchT37]

1 hour ago, Bikerjon said:

Keep us up to date on your choice of oil. Is it Mobile 1 Dexos? I would run 5w30 in a heartbeat if it didn't void my warranty.

(I got a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty from my Dealer). I have to do my servicing-oil changes with them unless I'm traveling. I don't rack up many miles because i ride my Harley every day when its not snowing. The Warranty was free with the purchase of the truck (believe it or not) Being a Mechanic (retired after 40 years) I think you are absolutely right running the thicker oil. Best of luck man.

I’m running a thin 5w30. Valvoline Advanced. Dexos 1 gen 3 rating. 

[PunchT37]

I used to be a mechanic at the dealer I bought from. Wonder if they would go soft on me?

[BIGDOGx]

On 10/13/2025 at 10:46 AM, KARNUT said:

I have an 02 Avalanche with 190K miles on it. I bought it with detailed written maintenance. The transmission and rear end got their first fluid changes at 167K. The oil got changed with regular oil every 3K, the filter every 6K miles. I’m letting my grandson drive it. I’m sure he’s not gentle on it. My brother in law visited this weekend. He drove his 06 Tahoe with 250K miles on it. All original. 

Wow you let a 4l60e go 167,000 miles before changing out it's original oil? You need to go buy a Powerball ticket because no chance in hell should that thing still be working imo.  Most dont make 100k before needing a rebuild, and that is on a well maintained transmission too.

[silveradosid]

the 4.3 v6 uses 5-30 and has the same lifters

[KARNUT]

30 minutes ago, BIGDOGx said:

Wow you let a 4l60e go 167,000 miles before changing out it's original oil? You need to go buy a Powerball ticket because no chance in hell should that thing still be working imo.  Most dont make 100k before needing a rebuild, and that is on a well maintained transmission too.

I bought it with 167K miles. But it wasn’t uncommon because the owner manual stated 150K fluid changes and antifreeze changes. I had several in that time period that had the same service schedule. The first truck I had with 100K tune up, spooked me. I asked my mechanic I used after the warranties were over about it. This was on a 2004 Z-71. At 100K miles I asked about the plugs. He said wait for the check engine light. I was in the process of giving it to my son. At 150K miles with did the transmission, brake fluid, front brakes, transfer case and rear fluids. He traded it in at 185K. Same plugs and rear brakes. The good old days. The was at least 5 trucks in that period. Not going to work today. 

Edited October 16, 2025 by KARNUT

[Bikerjon]

12 hours ago, PunchT37 said:

I used to be a mechanic at the dealer I bought from. Wonder if they would go soft on me?

Probably. I doubt like hell any dealership is going to be doing oil analysis. You know they're losing money on most any warranty repair.