2007 Tahoe LT 4x4 5.3L gas 158k miles, how long do the engine's last?

[iamdub]

I too just installed the Range AFM disabler. In my head, I can come up with some reasons why it maybe not a great idea in my particular case. My biggest concern is I have to remove it about every 2 years to have my emissions test performed. I have to drive some amount of Universal Trip stuff without it, before going in to the test, so I don't fail the test. I verified with my cheapo Scan Tool dongle that after I remove the AFM disabler, the I/M section says I have trip stuff to complete before I will be ready to take the test. I am going to try and nail down if it is just one Universal Trip thing, or more cycles than that, so I can minimize how much driving I do without the Range disabler, before the test.

My fear (likely unfounded) is that by disabling the AFM with the Range device, more sludge can build up in the VLOM (due to disuse) and when I unplug the dongle for my trip stuff to clear before the emissions test, I run the risk of something sticking inside the VLOM and a collapsed AFM lifter the result. I have no idea if this concern is even close to being valid and based on so many reports of no problems, it is probably not an issue, but I always have Murphy firmly in the back of my mind.

Which is why a ~$50 tune to disable AFM is far better than a $200 plug-in module.

 

[89Suburban]

I too just installed the Range AFM disabler. In my head, I can come up with some reasons why it maybe not a great idea in my particular case. My biggest concern is I have to remove it about every 2 years to have my emissions test performed. I have to drive some amount of Universal Trip stuff without it, before going in to the test, so I don't fail the test. I verified with my cheapo Scan Tool dongle that after I remove the AFM disabler, the I/M section says I have trip stuff to complete before I will be ready to take the test. I am going to try and nail down if it is just one Universal Trip thing, or more cycles than that, so I can minimize how much driving I do without the Range disabler, before the test.

My fear (likely unfounded) is that by disabling the AFM with the Range device, more sludge can build up in the VLOM (due to disuse) and when I unplug the dongle for my trip stuff to clear before the emissions test, I run the risk of something sticking inside the VLOM and a collapsed AFM lifter the result. I have no idea if this concern is even close to being valid and based on so many reports of no problems, it is probably not an issue, but I always have Murphy firmly in the back of my mind.

I feel you. I have to do the same thing EVERY year for testing. I pull it out a week prior so it resets. I don't really stress over it though, it is what it is and I am grateful how long it has lasted so far. And she is VERY clean inside regarding sludge for this mileage:

 

[wsteele]

Which is why a ~$50 tune to disable AFM is far better than a $200 plug-in module.

I agree if the flash delete will also pass emissions. I still haven’t got any confirmation by anyone with skin in the game that it will actually do that.

I guess I could try the Diablo unit and after I drive plenty to assure the trip stuff has been completed, take a look at the I/M stuff and verify that at least my $20 scan tool thinks I will pass. If not, I could always just put it back to stock and only be $350 lighter for the education.

 

[wsteele]

I feel you. I have to do the same thing EVERY year for testing. I pull it out a week prior so it resets. I don't really stress over it though, it is what it is and I am grateful how long it has lasted so far. And she is VERY clean inside regarding sludge for this mileage:




View attachment 268733 View attachment 268734 View attachment 268735 View attachment 268736

Looking good for sure.

 

[89Suburban]

I agree if the flash delete will also pass emissions. I still haven’t got any confirmation by anyone with skin in the game that it will actually do that.

Good question

 

[Geotrash]

When I lived in CO (up until March 2020), I had to have my rigs' emissions tested every other year. On the 2012 (the one that used to have AFM), I just unplugged the Range device while I was next in line waiting to pull into the bay with the engine running. Never had an issue. Living in Richmond now, I don't miss the emissions testing process at all.

Side story: I had a friend in CO with a 2003 Pontiac Montana minivan. The CEL had been on for eons (O2 sensors), and when she finally had to have it tested after driving it to CO from Florida, she was scared to death that it wouldn't pass. I took it in for her and cleared the CEL while I was waiting in line. Not only did it pass the test, they stopped the test early on the drive cycle dyno because it was running so clean, no further testing was necessary.

With the fuel management and emissions systems in modern cars, the whole testing process is no longer necessary, IMHO. When one with sensors weak enough to trip the CEL still runs so clean, what's the point?

 

[89Suburban]

When I lived in CO (up until March 2020), I had to have my rigs' emissions tested every other year. On the 2012 (the one that used to have AFM), I just unplugged the Range device while I was next in line waiting to pull into the bay with the engine running. Never had an issue. Living in Richmond now, I don't miss the emissions testing process at all.

Side story: I had a friend in CO with a 2003 Pontiac Montana minivan. The CEL had been on for eons (O2 sensors), and when she finally had to have it tested after driving it to CO from Florida, she was scared to death that it wouldn't pass. I took it in for her and cleared the CEL while I was waiting in line. Not only did it pass the test, they stopped the test early on the drive cycle dyno because it was running so clean, no further testing was necessary.

With the fuel management and emissions systems in modern cars, the whole testing process is no longer necessary, IMHO. When one with sensors weak enough to trip the CEL still runs so clean, what's the point?

PA testing is brutal here. Now way one day with the device unplugged would fly here. Glad for you. Sucks for me.

 

[wsteele]

When I lived in CO (up until March 2020), I had to have my rigs' emissions tested every other year. On the 2012 (the one that used to have AFM), I just unplugged the Range device while I was next in line waiting to pull into the bay with the engine running. Never had an issue. Living in Richmond now, I don't miss the emissions testing process at all.

Side story: I had a friend in CO with a 2003 Pontiac Montana minivan. The CEL had been on for eons (O2 sensors), and when she finally had to have it tested after driving it to CO from Florida, she was scared to death that it wouldn't pass. I took it in for her and cleared the CEL while I was waiting in line. Not only did it pass the test, they stopped the test early on the drive cycle dyno because it was running so clean, no further testing was necessary.

With the fuel management and emissions systems in modern cars, the whole testing process is no longer necessary, IMHO. When one with sensors weak enough to trip the CEL still runs so clean, what's the point?

When I take my Range dongle out of the ODBII port, and put my cheapie scanner in, the I/M stuff tells me I have a few things pending, before it says my car will pass (thinks I have some trip criteria that needs doing before everything will be clear).

I have no way of knowing if that actually means I don’t pass.

Given down the road, if I have to go reman, I will probably want to also do the mechanical delete, so I guess at some point it makes sense for me to know if a flash delete will pass as well.

 

[Fless]

When I lived in CO (up until March 2020), I had to have my rigs' emissions tested every other year. On the 2012 (the one that used to have AFM), I just unplugged the Range device while I was next in line waiting to pull into the bay with the engine running. Never had an issue. Living in Richmond now, I don't miss the emissions testing process at all.

Side story: I had a friend in CO with a 2003 Pontiac Montana minivan. The CEL had been on for eons (O2 sensors), and when she finally had to have it tested after driving it to CO from Florida, she was scared to death that it wouldn't pass. I took it in for her and cleared the CEL while I was waiting in line. Not only did it pass the test, they stopped the test early on the drive cycle dyno because it was running so clean, no further testing was necessary.

With the fuel management and emissions systems in modern cars, the whole testing process is no longer necessary, IMHO. When one with sensors weak enough to trip the CEL still runs so clean, what's the point?

Colorado has Rapid Screen locations that are drive-bys, at various places like highway on-ramps and busy streets. If I drive past two of these within a certain window of time prior to renewal, and they log my vehicle as passing the test, I don't have to go to the test site. Some locations are semi-permanent and others are moved around, but we can go online to find out where they are and make an intentional pass. Convenient, but one must still pay the $25 fee when an emissions test is required for that year's renewal.

RapidScreen roadside data collection units (either housed in white vans or small green boxes) collect emissions-related data as vehicles are driven by them. This data is used to identify exceptionally-clean vehicles. It is matched to vehicle registration records maintained by the home county and enables tens of thousands of motorists to skip their regular inspection at an Air Care Colorado facility. The units are set up most days at pre-determined, state-approved sites throughout the Denver-metropolitan area and North Front Range area. They are rotated regularly to collect data from as many vehicles as possible. Select the links below to find out where units will be located in the current and upcoming weeks.

To qualify for RapidScreen, a vehicle must record two clean readings within the 14 months and at least 60 days prior to the vehicle's registration renewal month. For example, if your vehicle's registration month is July, the two clean readings must occur between May 1 of the previous year and May 1 of the renewal year. ​

 

[iamdub]

I agree if the flash delete will also pass emissions. I still haven’t got any confirmation by anyone with skin in the game that it will actually do that.

I guess I could try the Diablo unit and after I drive plenty to assure the trip stuff has been completed, take a look at the I/M stuff and verify that at least my $20 scan tool thinks I will pass. If not, I could always just put it back to stock and only be $350 lighter for the education.

$50 plus whatever it costs to send him your PCM (he's in Missouri) :

https://www.lt1swap.com/afm_delete.htm

Having it turned off in the tune doesn't affect emissions or the readiness monitors. It's like it doesn't exist. If you were to do a mechanical delete, you'd have to have it turned off in the tune, anyway. I had mine disabled in a tune back in 2017 and never had a problem passing emissions since. All readiness monitors were always good to go.