Looking at 2022.5+ Silverado/Sierra 1500 (5.3L) - Lifter/DFM Question

forgetaboudit · June 17

Hey gang,

I’m in the market for a 2022.5-and-up 1500. My budget is $48k–$50k max.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading on the 5.3L DFM issues, and I want to make sure I don't buy a truck with pre-existing lifter damage. My plan is to plug in a DFM disabler the day I bring it home to help mitigate future issues. I know a plug-in disabler doesn't change the physical lifters, but I'm just looking for maximum preventative insurance.

Besides the obvious lifter ticking on a cold start, what other warning signs should I be looking or listening for during a test drive?

Are extended warranties worth it for an issue like this? This will be the most I've spent on a vehicle, so I want it to be worth it!

I appreciate any advice or insight!

TrueBlue · June 17

I would take it to a very able mechanic/technician that you trust and have them plug a good reader into it, as well as evaluate it front to back, top to bottom. Check Carfax. Neither is a guarantee but it would be good to learn everything you can about its prior life.

Also, for that amount of money you can probably buy new, and if possible pick up an extended warranty. Then you'll be warranteed for several years and/or many miles.

Edited June 17 by TrueBlue

newdude · June 17

1 hour ago, forgetaboudit said:

Hey gang,

I’m in the market for a 2022.5-and-up 1500. My budget is $48k–$50k max.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading on the 5.3L DFM issues, and I want to make sure I don't buy a truck with pre-existing lifter damage. My plan is to plug in a DFM disabler the day I bring it home to help mitigate future issues. I know a plug-in disabler doesn't change the physical lifters, but I'm just looking for maximum preventative insurance.

Besides the obvious lifter ticking on a cold start, what other warning signs should I be looking or listening for during a test drive?

Are extended warranties worth it for an issue like this? This will be the most I've spent on a vehicle, so I want it to be worth it!

I appreciate any advice or insight!

"Pre existing lifter damage"

What exactly do you mean by that?

You should be asking for service records. Any warranty work performed as odds are if a truck has had a lifter or lifters and camshaft replaced that is a 2022.5+up, it was likely done under warranty.

These DI engines have normal ticking noises such as the fuel injectors and high pressure fuel pump, so some noises will definitely be normal.

A lifter that isn't pumping hydraulically all the way will stand out as it will be an intermittent tick, not a steady one. So like "tick_______tick tick_____tick_________tick tick tick___tick____tick_" It will most likely go away too about 5-7 minutes of run time. That truck would need a lifter or lifters but not because of the deactivation lock pin failing, but because its not building oil pressure to it right away.

A collapsed lifter will be very obvious. It will be snapping or popping out the intake.

asilverblazer · June 17

You should be evaluating enough comparable trucks to know if one sounds different than the others - if you can't tell something is amiss by ear, it's probably fine.

Further evaluate enough trucks so that you can determine what 'normal' looks, sounds and feels like. Even if this is the first truck you're looking at and want to buy, go look at several more (regardless of whether you intend to buy them).

Insist on taking the vehicle to be evaluated, spend some time looking ALL OVER IT, look for overspray where it shouldn't be, paint damaged on bolt heads that are not normally removed. Check for rust, missing fasteners, non-factory style fasteners, suspiciously new parts especially on non-wear items. Check for leaks, check fluid conditions and level (dirty isn't the worst thing in the world but exceptionally low is).

Ignore tire shine and plastic dressing that makes an engine 'shiny'.

Beware of heavily fragranced interiors to mask odd odors that could hide potential mold from a leaky rear window.

Carfax is barely worth the paper it printed on. DO NOT trust it, a vehicle can be wrecked, fixed by a bunch of drunk hillbillies in their cousin's backyard and still have a clean Carfax. I can meticulously maintain my vehicle at home with top quality parts, materials and methods, the Carfax won't show a thing.

Taking it to a shop to have a teenager working afterschool (an inexperienced mechanic) evaluate it is a waste of time.

Lastly, a good, well taken care of truck will present itself as such, it would be generally comparable to a new truck. An uncared-for truck will show it, dents, scratches, seat stains, paint swirls, tears, scuffs, marks, rattles, vibrations, clunks, miss matched tires, etc...