2017 Yukon 6.2L Lifter Noise

Started yesterday.
Bought this rig used In 2020 with 32xxx miles on it.
5000 mile oil changes with Mobile One 0w20.
63,6xx miles now. Trying to decide on cam and lifter swap or trade it off. I do like the rig, awd and 430 hp is nice. Thinking of taking it to a speed shop in a larger town as I live pretty rural and not much choic of mechanics. I know its hard to tell over the internet, but how long till this grenades? Will it survive a 2 to 5 hour road trip?
Any insight is appreciated.

MobileHomie said:

Started yesterday.
Bought this rig used In 2020 with 32xxx miles on it.
5000 mile oil changes with Mobile One 0w20.
63,6xx miles now. Trying to decide on cam and lifter swap or trade it off. I do like the rig, awd and 430 hp is nice. Thinking of taking it to a speed shop in a larger town as I live pretty rural and not much choic of mechanics. I know its hard to tell over the internet, but how long till this grenades? Will it survive a 2 to 5 hour road trip?
Any insight is appreciated.

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Depends on exactly what’s wrong with which lifter. If it’s one of the collapsible lifters that’s stuck, then you’ll have a misfire that’ll eventually take out a cat. If it’s a bad roller on any of the lifters then it will grind away a cam lobe and make enough metal to send shrapnel through the main bearings and oil pump in as little as 30 minutes.

In other words, the longer you run it the more expensive the remedies become.

I did this job on my 2012 6.2 and it’s a big job, but the results can be great with the right cam and tune. And you’ll never have to worry about it again if you delete the AFM system. If you love the truck, it’s worth the investment.

I wouldn't drive it until problem diagnosed. There is TSB on lifters on these vehicles and some owners have been able to ask GM to help on repair.
Here is link to TSB.

Agreed. With 63k on it, I'd be at the dealership asking about a goodwill coverage since you are basically just outside the power train warranty. They may go for it, may not, or may meet you in the middle. Start there IMO

B-train said:

Agreed. With 63k on it, I'd be at the dealership asking about a goodwill coverage since you are basically just outside the power train warranty. They may go for it, may not, or may meet you in the middle. Start there IMO

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While that sounds nice, I don't want to have the dealership preform half measures to repair. I am leaning towards a full delete.
Any recommendations for a shop in Reno?

Nope. I've only been there once.....in 2021 passing through

I found a shop in Reno that is going to do a full DOD delete with stage 1 cam, lifters, springs, and a whole laundry list of parts including a dyno tune. I am stoked, haven't driven the rig since the lifter noise started and will have to trailer it to Reno.
I WILL update this thread with the results good or bad, hoping for the best though.

Edit:
They are pulling the engine for this work, should I preemtivly replace the torque converter? I had a dealer change the fluid with the Mobil 1 product and new filter around 38,000 miles and have only experienced the 'hard 1-2 shift' a hand full of times. I also run in tow/haul mode as I feel it has better manners that way.

MobileHomie said:

I found a shop in Reno that is going to do a full DOD delete with stage 1 cam, lifters, springs, and a whole laundry list of parts including a dyno tune. I am stoked, haven't driven the rig since the lifter noise started and will have to trailer it to Reno.
I WILL update this thread with the results good or bad, hoping for the best though.

Edit:
They are pulling the engine for this work, should I preemtivly replace the torque converter? I had a dealer change the fluid with the Mobil 1 product and new filter around 38,000 miles and have only experienced the 'hard 1-2 shift' a hand full of times. I also run in tow/haul mode as I feel it has better manners that way.

Click to expand...

You better ask your rebuilder that one may need different converter with new stage one cam.

MobileHomie said:

I found a shop in Reno that is going to do a full DOD delete with stage 1 cam, lifters, springs, and a whole laundry list of parts including a dyno tune. I am stoked, haven't driven the rig since the lifter noise started and will have to trailer it to Reno.
I WILL update this thread with the results good or bad, hoping for the best though.

Edit:
They are pulling the engine for this work, should I preemptively replace the torque converter? I had a dealer change the fluid with the Mobil 1 product and new filter around 38,000 miles and have only experienced the 'hard 1-2 shift' a hand full of times. I also run in tow/haul mode as I feel it has better manners that way.

Click to expand...

So I made arrangements with the shop in Reno and was told the day before our appointment the Cam Phaser Bolt was back-ordered, apparently this is a one time use bolt and looks like it has oil passages in it.
Anyhow it is frustrating to be on hold for a $40 part.
I have looked at new rigs, the Jeep Wagoneer has my attention, but it seems this VVT DOD crap is in all new engines. **sad face**

I have decided to wait for the part to show up and do the cam swap as this seems to be the only way to have a reliable modern V-8 engine.

WTF are the manufacturers thinking? A high horsepower engine requires a solid valve train, not one with tender bits that are prone to failure. I guess Mr New Car Buyer was happy with it and traded it in for a new one, so GM does not care about the following purchaser.
*rant off*

To follow up and close out this thread, my AFM delete is complete.

The cause of my lifter 'tick' was a collapsed lifter which in turn bent a push rod. There was no cam damage as the engine was shut down in time.
The shop I chose used a Brian Tooley stage 1 cam, and sprigs, AC Delco non AFM lifters, guides and oil pump, and a smaller items. They removed the engine from my Yukon for the procedure. I had them service the transmission as well.
I picked up the Yukon on friday April 7th and flat towed my Jeep 160 miles home.
The Dyno graph shows peak rear wheel hp 353.5 at 5,460 rpm and 404.07 ft lp torque peaked at 3,900. The torque line goes almost straight up from 2,100 rpm to 2,400 to about 385 ft lb, talk about low end grunt!
Overall I am very pleased with the shop and the performance of my Yukon, the thing is a BEAST, and I am glad I went this route as opposed to trading it off.