5.3 & 6.2 Lifter Failures Compilation Thread

[BlaineBug]

This thread will be a compilation of 5.3 and 6.2 liter lifter failures that I encounter in my day-to-day work as I come across them occasionally. Two weeks ago I had the idea to start saving these pictures in a separate folder and then upload them continually as they come through as I figured you all may enjoy seeing these failures, some of which are catastrophic. So, without further ado...

 

[BlaineBug]

2019 GMC Sierra Denali 6.2 with 67,359 miles. I seem to have lost the pictures of the offending lifter, however here is the result of the camshaft. This failure may have been actually caused by the camshaft having a metallurgy issue. Just look at the casting, it looks porous or soft?

 

[BlaineBug]

2018 Chevrolet Silverado LT Z71 5.3 with 81,444 miles. The camshaft in this one was OK, as you can see the lifter came apart and "imploded" the push rod.

 

[CTown Duramax]

This is interesting to actually see the broken parts..

Would it also be possible to show pictures of successes, like parts from a high milage engine? There are cars that get salvaged for reasons other than mechanical failure, but maybe those engines don't get broken down.

 

[BlaineBug]

This is interesting to actually see the broken parts..

Would it also be possible to show pictures of successes, like parts from a high milage engine? There are cars that get salvaged for reasons other than mechanical failure, but maybe those engines don't get broken down.

These repairs are all related to extended warranty claims, that is all I see. No factory warranties for the even lower mileage and newer model failures.

 

[22ECO]

I am pretty sure one of my lifters in cylinder 4 is stuck extended.. When the DOD engages it knocks like there’s no tomorrow. But It’s been good for about a month hasn’t engaged DOD for some “reason”. Haha..

 

[Blackcar]

Here is link to observation on lifter problem.

This link says most of time failures are do to VLOM which in TSBs repairs for valve train failure GM says to use different part number for VLOM on engine.

Tech Tips: Replacing LS Active Fuel Management Lifters With Melling

Replacing a failed AFMt lifter is more involved than just swapping out a bad lifter for a good one - the root cause of the failure needs to be addressed.

www.enginelabs.com

Here is link to TSB

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10209953-0001.pdf

 

[89Suburban]

Dang.

 

[BlaineBug]

Got a 2019 Escalade on the schedule for tomorrow.

 

[Darkstar72]

I think mine started ticking last week and I'm thinking it's lifters or cam. Oil is fresh and correct Dexos approved 0W-20, all exhaust manifold bolts intact, and tick does increase with engine speed. Sounds upper end to me. See how my extended warranty handles this. If it becomes an issue getting this covered I may not hold onto the truck much longer. Owned GM vehicles ever since I got my license too.

 

[BlaineBug]

Got a 2019 Escalade on the schedule for tomorrow.

Well there is nothing to really see at this time as no teardown was conducted, however it is obvious - the #1 cylinder exhaust push rod is not moving, so the AFM lifter is permanently collapsed.

 

[BlaineBug]

Here's a 2020 GMC Yukon with a 5.3 liter and 83,000 miles that experienced both camshaft wear and lifter wear simultaneously, not really sure which one happened first. Additionally, just about all of the cylinder walls experienced scoring. The engine was sent out to a local machine shop but didn't come back much better so now the call is for a new engine.

 

[BlaineBug]

And here's yet another, a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban with a 5.3 liter and 137,016 miles which featured a fractured lifter (roller broke off of the lifter) which subsequently damaged the camshaft as well.

 

[89Suburban]

Makes me glad my 355K sh*t pile is still running dang.