Passenger lifter failure 79k 10/22, now Driver 107k.

Seems like the lifter business has been good for many mechanics since 2014. My driver-side failed 10/22 at 79k and I took my truck to Cadillac because I just moved to Houston and did not know a mechanic here yet. I was quoted $7000 to change the passenger lifters and fix a seepage oil pan seal. I was able to get GM to pay for 1/2 because I was just out of my powertrain. The last gen. did come with 100k. The dealer told me my camshaft wasn’t damaged but I did not see for myself. I wish I did for peace of mind. Last month in the morning before my 70 mile day I heard a noise but it sounded like a belt because I thought I knew what a failed lifter sounded like. I picked up a belt on the way home and installed it. I started the truck and it still made the sound. I removed the belt and started the truck and the sound was still present. I eventually found where the sound was coming from. I removed the valve cover and the lifters was working like they should. I decided to have my truck towed after I seen a YouTube video with someone with the same sound saying that the lifter guide failed and the lifter twisted. I am the second owner after buying the truck with 48k miles. The previous owner did change the oil but when the OLM said too. My first oil change was at Jiffy Lube then 2x Christian Brothers which sent me a coupon for $35. The third was as the dealer because I was getting my struts and windshield replaced. Shortly after is when the lifters failed at 79k. After paying $3500 I was being very careful and was only using Mobil 1 extended protection 10,000k truck Dexos 1 gen. 3 and a OEM filter every 4-5k miles. I also noticed after getting my truck back my oil psi was a little less then it was at 48k. When I bought the truck the oil psi was 30-31 psi hot idle. After the dealer fixed it at 79k my hot oil psi dropped to 22-25 psi. Now after changing all the lifters, camshaft I am getting 30-32 hot idle. I am not trying to say that if your oil psi drops that you are going to have lifter failure. I did read a technical sheet from melling that the lifters locking pins required 22 psi. If you don’t have a warranty you should buy one and ask your local Cadillac service adviser for his recommendation because they deal with different companies everyday. I would pay it in payments just incase something happens and they say no that I can cancel. Cadillac did update the VLOM part number and required dealers to install the updated part when doing the lifter work. These engines are sensitive. I am now going to change my oil every 3500-4000 miles because the mechanic told me that my engine looked like I didn’t do my oil changes. The mechanic charged me $4500 and did not break anything, kept truck clean and put everything back perfect. The truck is more responsive now and drives like new. My wife and son told me that too.

Man.

SpyShops212 said:

Seems like the lifter business has been good for many mechanics since 2014. My driver-side failed 10/22 at 79k and I took my truck to Cadillac because I just moved to Houston and did not know a mechanic here yet. I was quoted $7000 to change the passenger lifters and fix a seepage oil pan seal. I was able to get GM to pay for 1/2 because I was just out of my powertrain. The last gen. did come with 100k. The dealer told me my camshaft wasn’t damaged but I did not see for myself... Now after changing all the lifters, camshaft... The mechanic charged me $4500 and did not break anything, kept truck clean and put everything back perfect. The truck is more responsive now and drives like new. My wife and son told me that too.

Click to expand...

Just so I'm understanding your lifter experience and repair(s) timeline...

You had a lifter on your passenger side fail at 79K miles; Repair done at Cadillac Dealership they replaced the passenger side lifters only, Cadillac dealer mechanic said your cam was not damaged (but you were not able to see for yourself to make sure), so reused original cam, and installed the updated VLOM part # and GM split the cost with you you paid $3,500.

Now here at 107K miles you had a lifter fail on the drivers side; This time you had the work done at a local mechanic. You had all new lifters; Both driver side and passenger side lifters replaced? Replaced with the OEM AFM style lifters? You had the camshaft replaced this time also? Replaced with an OEM AFM camshaft? And you paid $4,500 this time?

Yep and it sucks. I am hoping it doesn’t happen for at least another 200k miles. This happened all in 18 months. I don’t know if it was my fault since I am not the original owner.

If you are serious about your hopes, VERY SERIOUSLY CONSIDER Engine Half@$$ delete.

Marky Dissod said:

If you are serious about your hopes, VERY SERIOUSLY CONSIDER Engine Half@$$ delete.

Click to expand...

Marky, that is that?

The Auto Fuel Management (AFM). You can disable it electronically (AFM disable) and, if desired, also replace the AFM hardware (AFM delete). You can see more at my post #11 at https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/hp-tuner-for-2016-tahoe-l83-6l80.148349/page-2

Common issue and more common on the new ones.