New Here; Looking At DOD Delete

[Anders2011]

Hi all,

New member here and have recently been diagnosed with worn lifters after hearing the ticking noise and an oil leak on my 2011 GMC Yukon Denali. The shop I brought it to suggests replacing the engine & replacement cost is much higher than desired, and I don't really want to look at getting a new car. Borrowing an in-law's truck for now but would like to get the Yukon back up and running sooner than later. Coming back from vacation this Spring I had the oil pressure sensor go bad and had it replaced - from what I've seen online, pressure is in the normal range of about 25 -40 while driving, maybe dropping to 20 when hot and idling.

Yukon is a 2011 Denali model with the L94 engine with about 187,000 miles and I'd like to keep driving it for the next several years (kids, dogs, occasional towing). I have not personally looked under the valve covers but there is some ticking that started about a week ago and have made an effort to not drive far once I noticed it. I understand the cam is likely to be damaged when a lifter fails.

After reading several posts about the issue it seems the best option is to do a DOD delete. Looking at the GM AFM lifters, it seems the cost of replacing to OEM is not really cost effective over a delete. Browsing some kits, I'd like to get some assurance that I'm not missing the mark in terms of compatibility.

Looking at the following kit: https://www.amsracing.net/products/...gm-chevrolet-6-2l-l94-engines-8th-digit-vin-f

Looking to possibly put in a new oil pump and o-ring at the same time, along with replacing the oil cooler line. For the oil pump I've read Melling is a good option.

Anything I should look at before purchasing? Plan of attack is 1) drain oil and check the pan for metal; 2) replace oil cooler line; 3) DOD delete/lifter replacement; 4) front main seal (shop noted a leak).

I don't have a good set up at home but have a large shop and lift available at an in-law's place and will be hauling the Yukon over there this weekend.

 

[thefrey]

This might be a late reply, but I am also looking at doing a DOD delete. I have 213k. I still have a lot to learn before I order a kit, but there is a ton of information on this forum and lots of knowledgeable folks who have done just about everything on these trucks.

I've had a slight tick for probably 20,000 miles. Not to say that you would be fine to keep driving it, but I just haven't been able to do a DOD delete yet.

Something I just thought about, which might be worth a shot... the o-ring on the pickup tube will flatten and crack and let air leak by and sometimes cause lifters to be noisy. But it seems like your oil pressure is decent, so not sure if that would be the case.

I made a post a week or so ago and it's basically this exact question of while you're in there... basically just comes down to how much you're willing to spend. I'll be doing a new timing chain and new seals and a bunch of other things.

 

[Anders2011]

This might be a late reply, but I am also looking at doing a DOD delete. I have 213k. I still have a lot to learn before I order a kit, but there is a ton of information on this forum and lots of knowledgeable folks who have done just about everything on these trucks.

I've had a slight tick for probably 20,000 miles. Not to say that you would be fine to keep driving it, but I just haven't been able to do a DOD delete yet.

Something I just thought about, which might be worth a shot... the o-ring on the pickup tube will flatten and crack and let air leak by and sometimes cause lifters to be noisy. But it seems like your oil pressure is decent, so not sure if that would be the case.

I made a post a week or so ago and it's basically this exact question of while you're in there... basically just comes down to how much you're willing to spend. I'll be doing a new timing chain and new seals and a bunch of other things.

When you drove it with the ticking were you able to hear a light tapping noise with the radio off?

Still need to look at the engine myself. Had a family matter that popped up last weekend and the trailer I was going to use was a tad too small.

 

[thefrey]

When you drove it with the ticking were you able to hear a light tapping noise with the radio off?

Still need to look at the engine myself. Had a family matter that popped up last weekend and the trailer I was going to use was a tad too small.

Yeah, I still have the tick. I can hear it with the radio off but I don’t hear it when I’m actually driving.

There’s a test for a bad o-ring. Other people will be able to chime in for specifics. But I think you add an extra 3 qts to the crankcase and jack up the rear of the car. If your ticking goes away, then it’s most likely an o-ring issue.

It’s like a $4 part but can be 4-6 hours of labor to drop the pan if you are 4x4 or AWD

This is what my tick sounds like.

 

[SpareParts]

@thefrey
Man im probably wrong but that sounds heavier than an lifter tic.
Here is what a lifter tic sound like.

 

[thefrey]

@thefrey
Man im probably wrong but that sounds heavier than an lifter tic.
Here is what a lifter tic sound like.

I don’t know. I can only assume it’s a lifter tick since it’s in line with cam speed.

I think the camera makes it sound slightly more pronounced.

But it seems like the tick mine is making sounds like how other AFM engines sound when they get a tick, I don’t know if that makes a difference since the video you sent isn’t AFM