Nbs 5.3 Engine Failure

artsavvyano · May 12, 2009

Hello all,

Although this in my first time posting on the forum I have tried to follow some of the threads about your trucks which by the way all look and sound great.

My my issue is with my 07 GMC serria with the 5.3 cast iron block, reg cab standard bed, I'm hoping to get some input. It just turned 22,000 miles and the engine let go on the highway this past Sunday (Big bummer). The oil is conventional and changed every 3K. I steeped up from a 88 K5 with a 350 and 213,000 miles. I guess I'm a little old school about the 3K oil changes.

I was 90% finished with a 90 mile all highway drive to my grandparents when I started to hear a loud flapping sound from the motor, I initial thought a box flew up under the front end. I slowed down to pull over and the sound became a more metal on metal sound. All the gauges were running normal, do dummy lights until I came to a stop when the check engine popped on. I let it sit for a minute, checked under the hood and it looked fine. Tried to start it again just to hear more metal on metal. Something let go internally is my thought.

Has anyone ever heard of this problem before?

Now my truck is in another state with a dealer that I've never dealt with before (Midway GMC, Somersworth NH), I have to deal with them via phone. Has anyone dealt with them or should I tow it down to my area in Mass. Unfortunately the dealer it was bought from went belly up in the fall.

Thanks for the help I really appreciate the input.

Brian

georgecdisc · May 12, 2009

Hello all,

Although this in my first time posting on the forum I have tried to follow some of the threads about your trucks which by the way all look and sound great.

My my issue is with my 07 GMC serria with the 5.3 cast iron block, reg cab standard bed, I'm hoping to get some input. It just turned 22,000 miles and the engine let go on the highway this past Sunday (Big bummer). The oil is conventional and changed every 3K. I steeped up from a 88 K5 with a 350 and 213,000 miles. I guess I'm a little old school about the 3K oil changes.

I was 90% finished with a 90 mile all highway drive to my grandparents when I started to hear a loud flapping sound from the motor, I initial thought a box flew up under the front end. I slowed down to pull over and the sound became a more metal on metal sound. All the gauges were running normal, do dummy lights until I came to a stop when the check engine popped on. I let it sit for a minute, checked under the hood and it looked fine. Tried to start it again just to hear more metal on metal. Something let go internally is my thought.

Has anyone ever heard of this problem before?

Now my truck is in another state with a dealer that I've never dealt with before (Midway GMC, Somersworth NH), I have to deal with them via phone. Has anyone dealt with them or should I tow it down to my area in Mass. Unfortunately the dealer it was bought from went belly up in the fall.

Thanks for the help I really appreciate the input.

Brian

I would probably leave it at the dealer if they are already underway taking care of the situation. It would probably take longer for them to tow it then put it in queue for service. They probably wouldn't do this for you, but towing it down to another dealer would be good AFTER it was fixed.

PS. Sorry your experience in NH was not so grand.

wlvrn1215 · May 12, 2009

hmmm...you don't here of that everyday

artsavvyano · May 12, 2009

I would probably leave it at the dealer if they are already underway taking care of the situation. It would probably take longer for them to tow it then put it in queue for service. They probably wouldn't do this for you, but towing it down to another dealer would be good AFTER it was fixed.

PS. Sorry your experience in NH was not so grand.

Thanks for the input. I'm a big fan of the 603. I graduated High School in the area and have driven by the dealer probably 1,000 times. I just never had to deal with them.

A friend of mine has the same truck but extended cab, with a body lift and 285 tires, that he drives like a truck and mine is babied. I just never heard of an issue like this with this motor.

Thanks again

Brian

georgecdisc · May 12, 2009

I certainly haven't, and probably everyone here hasn't. The dealer is most likely in for one hell of a treat. Thank goodness for warranty, huh?

artsavvyano · May 12, 2009

I certainly haven't, and probably everyone here hasn't. The dealer is most likely in for one hell of a treat. Thank goodness for warranty, huh?

That's what I said after a bunch of four letter words.

Thanks

Stevens03 · May 12, 2009

Yeah, let the dealership handle it... GM should give you a vehicle to run while it's getting fixed. Hopefully it will get resolved quickly.

wlvrn1215 · May 12, 2009

I'm Curious as to the cause. Keep us posted.

jrrod2004 · May 12, 2009

probably the crank wasnt machined right back in the supplier or the block was not cast correctly...there was someone else here that had a similar problem...I think it was a bent rod of some sort...

BuckFeverZ · May 12, 2009

Definitely not good news. Keep us updated once you figure out the problem.

Zembonez · May 13, 2009

I'm Curious as to the cause. Keep us posted.

+1

I agree. These engines don't normally just "let go". It's very rare. It does sound like a part failure. My guess from the limited description is a rod knock and subsequent thrown rod.

Let us know what happened, OP.

alaska511 · May 13, 2009

HAD TO BE THE AFM

Keep us posted

Sir Dan · May 13, 2009

HAD TO BE THE AFM

Keep us posted

No doubt about it.

artsavvyano · May 13, 2009

HAD TO BE THE AFM

Keep us posted

No doubt about it.

The dealer calls me yesterday evening and tells me it was a valve spring. They still haven't dug in to it too much because the GM rep hasn't called them back to give the ok. They still don't know if it it will be repaired or if a new motor is going in. I am pushing for a new motor. Old one out new one in. What do you guys think?

What is an AFM?

georgecdisc · May 13, 2009

The dealer calls me yesterday evening and tells me it was a valve spring. They still haven't dug in to it too much because the GM rep hasn't called them back to give the ok. They still don't know if it it will be repaired or if a new motor is going in. I am pushing for a new motor. Old one out new one in. What do you guys think?

What is an AFM?

Active Fuel Management.

Tell them to put in a 6.0!