Finally happened: '19 Escalade lifter failure

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
472
Reaction score
297
Well, after 180K miles (yep, that's no typo) on my 2019 L86 Cadillac Escalade ESV, my lifters finally failed. Or, what I'm sure is the lifter/s failed. This is after religious maintenance every 5K miles, the best quality oil/filters you can throw at it, having a catch can, etc.

Yesterday afternoon, I remote started my truck while I was standing right by it. When the engine turned over, there was a loud bang, and now, my vehicle is suffering from what sounds like lifter failure. Banging noise on the right (passenger) side, at the top of the engine, that increases/decreases in rhythm based on engine speed. I idled the engine for a very short while after, revved it a tiny bit (NOT A LOT) because I thought it was something else, then when it didn't change, immediately recognized what it was, and then simply had the engine on shortly to move it to a parking position easily out of the way on the driveway.

I do ALL my own work on my truck...but this is one that I do not think I will be able to tackle myself, as I don't have the garage space or time to do it, as I need my truck. What am I looking at, a full DOD delete, new cam, new lifters, pushrods? I have a place that I'm going to call on Friday morning to make the inquiry.
 
Last edited:

fasteddy

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2015
Posts
392
Reaction score
563
They make a kit. Cam, Lifters, gaskets, oil plugs, etc. No pushrods needed unless yours are bad.
I did a BTR Kit.

 
OP
OP
J

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
472
Reaction score
297
So far, called a bunch of shops. One shop had a very knowledgeable guy, but he refused to do it because he said he had too many cars to do in his shop. The other two were just as knowledgeable, and will send me quotes. Both of them said it's going to be $9k to $12k to start.
 

ReaperHWK

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Posts
990
Reaction score
1,229
With 180k miles if you are going to spend 12k I’d think about getting a new truck.

If you do it yourself keep it.
 
OP
OP
J

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
472
Reaction score
297
With 180k miles of you are going to spend 12k I’d think about getting a new truck.

If you do it yourself keep it.
New truck as in another monthly payment? Any new truck I get, I'm going to have these same issues.
 

SpareParts

Elite Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2023
Posts
2,112
Reaction score
4,802
Location
North Idaho
9 to 12k is ridicules!
If i was in this position, i would start with this. Paying a shop to swap it should be under 2K


Also have this one.

 

ReaperHWK

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Posts
990
Reaction score
1,229
New truck as in another monthly payment? Any new truck I get, I'm going to have these same issues.
Just the facts. Here is your round about book value. You will be spending the same as the truck is worth if you’re going to spend 12k. Def not worth it if it were me. That’s all I’m saying.

IMG_3870.png
 
OP
OP
J

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
472
Reaction score
297
9 to 12k is ridicules!
If i was in this position, i would start with this. Paying a shop to swap it should be under 2K

Ok, let's say I go this route.


Did that one, since mine is an L86. You figure that, plus shipping, plus doing the AFM/DOD delete, plus the install. That puts it right at the $12k mark.
 

Bigburb3500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2024
Posts
854
Reaction score
1,340
Ok, let's say I go this route.


Did that one, since mine is an L86. You figure that, plus shipping, plus doing the AFM/DOD delete, plus the install. That puts it right at the $12k mark.
Why not look at a L8T swap? Several guys on here have done it and would be a huge improvement on the platform. I think one guy said it was right at this price point. But would eliminate the AFM issues.
 
OP
OP
J

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
472
Reaction score
297
Yeah, it's just about the same.

 

SpareParts

Elite Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2023
Posts
2,112
Reaction score
4,802
Location
North Idaho
Ok, let's say I go this route.


Did that one, since mine is an L86. You figure that, plus shipping, plus doing the AFM/DOD delete, plus the install. That puts it right at the $12k mark.
I would not swap anything out. I would just disable AFM for now. In a few years maybe delete AFM.
Maybe it's just me but if it were mine i would fix it.
In my experience, if a vehicle had major mechanical problems it is only a parts vehicle in price when selling.
It can be done under 12K but even if it is 12K you end up with a paid off vehicle with a new engine.
But ultimately it is your choice.
Do you wanna keep it or dump it?

One other point. There is a guy running around my area that will do an AFM delete for $500 and you supply parts. I'm told by a few people he did a great job. Maybe ask around.
 
OP
OP
J

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
472
Reaction score
297
I would not swap anything out. I would just disable AFM for now. In a few years maybe delete AFM.
Maybe it's just me but if it were mine i would fix it.
In my experience, if a vehicle had major mechanical problems it is only a parts vehicle in price when selling.
It can be done under 12K but even if it is 12K you end up with a paid off vehicle with a new engine.
But ultimately it is your choice.
Do you wanna keep it or dump it?

One other point. There is a guy running around my area that will do an AFM delete for $500 and you supply parts. I'm told by a few people he did a great job. Maybe ask around.
Yeah, this is what I want to do. I'm thinking that fixing it is the cheapest route. I'm trying and trying to look around and not having much luck finding people/shops that will do this for a low price. I do think $12k is freaking insane. It's still better than all the other options. Like picking which poison I want.
 

Bigburb3500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2024
Posts
854
Reaction score
1,340
For what you're asking, I would pay for your hotel lodging to come over here, buy all the parts, and still double your asking price.
Just curious, have you been working with major name shops or local shops?
 

ReaperHWK

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Posts
990
Reaction score
1,229
I would not swap anything out. I would just disable AFM for now. In a few years maybe delete AFM.
Maybe it's just me but if it were mine i would fix it.
In my experience, if a vehicle had major mechanical problems it is only a parts vehicle in price when selling.
It can be done under 12K but even if it is 12K you end up with a paid off vehicle with a new engine.
But ultimately it is your choice.
Do you wanna keep it or dump it?

One other point. There is a guy running around my area that will do an AFM delete for $500 and you supply parts. I'm told by a few people he did a great job. Maybe ask around.

Agree if the truck doesn’t run. But you could just trade it in at the dealer they don’t really care for any vehicles over 150k as long as they run and move. They just wholesale them.
 
OP
OP
J

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
472
Reaction score
297
Just curious, have you been working with major name shops or local shops?
No major names. Local shops. Ones that specialize in performance who know our engines. LSx, LTx, L8x, etc.
 
OP
OP
J

jyi786

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Posts
472
Reaction score
297
Do a L8T swap for the subscribers please…
Well that's the cam that was suggested by the first shop I called. Originally I asked for BTR/TSP Stage 1, but he said that I would need new headers to the tune of around $3k. The second shop I called said that was a lot of BS and that you can have the L8T, BTR, or TSP Stage 1 cam if you pair it with a good tune.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
138,037
Posts
1,997,574
Members
102,974
Latest member
kikeap
Back
Top