VLOM (valley cover)

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.

BG1988

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Posts
3,004
Reaction score
1,371
is it possible to retorque the VLOM (valley cover) bolts ? with out taking the engine apart?


i can literally see the VLOM (valley cover) poking out from under(two front bolts are visable) intake manifold..

I heard about the 07,08,09 having loose bolts causing AFM catastrophic failure in 2007 and early 2008 and 2009 years..


mine is a Jan 2008 build date

maybe this should be in the Engine discussion area? :)
 
Last edited:

wjburken

Elite Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2017
Posts
10,314
Reaction score
29,540
Location
Eastern Iowa
is it possible to retorque the VLOM (valley cover) bolts ? with out taking the engine apart?


i can literally see the VLOM (valley cover) poking out from under(two front bolts are visable) intake manifold..

I heard about the 07,08,09 having loose bolts causing AFM catastrophic failure in 2007 and early 2008 and 2009 years..


mine is a Jan 2008 build date

maybe this should be in the Engine discussion area? :)


The intake manifold needs to come off, but that should be about it.
 

89Suburban

Bull in the china shop
Space X Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2013
Posts
17,843
Reaction score
50,846
Location
SE PA
is it possible to retorque the VLOM (valley cover) bolts ? with out taking the engine apart?


i can literally see the VLOM (valley cover) poking out from under(two front bolts are visable) intake manifold..

I heard about the 07,08,09 having loose bolts causing AFM catastrophic failure in 2007 and early 2008 and 2009 years..


mine is a Jan 2008 build date

maybe this should be in the Engine discussion area? :)


I just went through this ******** on my '07. And keep in mind I have 323K on mine so it is a bit exasperated of a situation. IMO I would absolutely snug them up if you could, but you do have to remove the intake to do it. They come loose, and IMO vibration wears out the gasket surfaces. Then oil starts spewing out the backside. And the gaskets on the VLOM oil ports to the lifter bores also start bleeding pressure off, again IMHO. When I went to replace that VLOM gasket and took the intake off, about 7 out of the 11 bolts holding the cover down were FINGER LOOSE. The other 3 I had to crack open with a socket like they all SHOULD have been.

I also recommend replacing the entire VLOM/solenoid/gasket assembly as a complete part. It's about $220 plus the core charge compared to just $100 for a gasket that is really held in place by ******* RIVETS. And the gasket is non-returnable so I got ******. BUT, what a huge difference with the new assembly. Ran SO much better.

Link to part: (It even comes with the bolts!)


https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...dYtN0smTKFj1tRCfU-4aAnuXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds




Also replaced the oil pressure sensor and screen while it was apart. And intake gaskets of course. I also recommend, if you have the time and feel like ******* around with engine coolant during this whole process, to replace the steam port gaskets on the top of the heads. There are 2 in the back under block off caps and 2 on the steam pipe crossover on the front, they take 10mm sockets. (you'll see those in the pics as well. They take a shit too and start weeping coolant.) OR at least snug them up while you are in there. Which was all I ha time for at that point. But I do have those gaskets for another project day.




Link to my posts and pics going through this mess which spans a dozen pages or so, but pic links are here, hope it is enlightening. And I COULD NOT have done it without the support of the good people on this forum:




https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2242

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2236

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2237

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2240

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nnbs-gmt900-tahoe-yukon-today.44151/page-2235




For my reference for searching later: valley pan gasket VLOM intake
 
OP
OP
B

BG1988

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Posts
3,004
Reaction score
1,371
The intake manifold needs to come off, but that should be about it.
i'll check the front bolts to see if they are ok

the vlom is clean
no oil on it
 
Last edited:

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
21,297
Reaction score
30,248
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
The new design VLOM works much better than the earlier one and is far more reliable, something to consider. This reminds me of the intake bolts on the 3400 engines from the 1990s to the early 2000s; finger tight from the factory!
 
OP
OP
B

BG1988

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Posts
3,004
Reaction score
1,371
BAD news I checked my bolts and they are loose
:( both front bolts were loose : there goes another 500-700$ FACTORY ERROR = you pay DEALER total scam :mad: I'll call up GM see if they will warranty it. they will need to replace the rods I'm sure they wore out unevenly :( :( ( and prematurely)

AFM works fine but still..
taking off the intake is above my skill level. also the risk of damaging other crap or fire :flamingdevil: hence above my skill level
 
Last edited:

taxman

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Posts
8
Reaction score
1
The new design VLOM works much better than the earlier one and is far more reliable, something to consider. This reminds me of the intake bolts on the 3400 engines from the 1990s to the early 2000s; finger tight from the factory!
What is the part number for the new design VLOM?
 

lt1gmc

Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Posts
97
Reaction score
41
Dorman has a replacement Improved design VLOM PN # 917162XD at Rockauto for $167, includes gaskets and bolts. Just used on on our "09 Hybrid, nice quality piece.
 

dnt1010

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Posts
416
Reaction score
260
Location
Tennessee
I have a strong oil leak and will be digging into it tomorrow to see if i can pinpoint it. Been waiting for it to get bad enough thta I can find it LOL. Appreciate the VLOM info could be there /could be the oil sending unit / could be the cam sensor gasket / could be the rear main seal (that would be a bummer) / could be valve cover gaskets / could be something else.
 

MHiniker

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 30, 2021
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
VLOM Question is the final parts question I have for my '12 Chevy Tahoe LT lifter replacement. I have all parts, but VLOM, found at the best places.


In reference to the VLOM,
there is the Dorman one linked above for $214, RockAuto has the same for $169. RockAuto has a Standard Motor Products for $186. I've seen GM Genuine for $330. Just looking for general opinion or reference on different brands/vendors.

Bicos 12571609 Valve Lifter Oil Manifold Compatible with Cadillac Escalade Chevy Avalanche Express Silverado Suburban Tahoe Trailblazer GMC Envoy Savana Sierra Yukon Hummer H3 Replacement# 917-162 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FSTTXN...abc_JJVT54QB8SPT0Z7BG3DA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 

Indy1K

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 30, 2018
Posts
9
Reaction score
2
Location
Cape Coral Florida
2007 Tahoe, 5.3 with 238k on it. Here is an interesting issue. I had an oil pressure sensor fail completely. Tried changing the sensor but no luck. Plus VLOM was weeping in the back.
Ordered a new Dorman VLOM #917162XD and a Dorman sensor and screen on Amazon. Pulled the intake to replace the VLOM and sensor. No problems, replaced intake gaskets, VLOM and sensor. VLOM had new scree in it. Now 2 new issues. oil pressure at running temp idle is about 15psi and driving is 20-25psi depending on rpms 1500 to 2000. running Castrol High mileage synthetic 5W-30 per spec. Also, the Tahoe wont go into 4 cyl mode as it did before. Truck seems to run fine. no error codes, temp is normal, no ticking in engine. I am thinking I have some bad parts here.
 

j91z28d1

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2022
Posts
4,606
Reaction score
5,863
2007 Tahoe, 5.3 with 238k on it. Here is an interesting issue. I had an oil pressure sensor fail completely. Tried changing the sensor but no luck. Plus VLOM was weeping in the back.
Ordered a new Dorman VLOM #917162XD and a Dorman sensor and screen on Amazon. Pulled the intake to replace the VLOM and sensor. No problems, replaced intake gaskets, VLOM and sensor. VLOM had new scree in it. Now 2 new issues. oil pressure at running temp idle is about 15psi and driving is 20-25psi depending on rpms 1500 to 2000. running Castrol High mileage synthetic 5W-30 per spec. Also, the Tahoe wont go into 4 cyl mode as it did before. Truck seems to run fine. no error codes, temp is normal, no ticking in engine. I am thinking I have some bad parts here.


might wanna ask under the engine section of this forum. a lot more people will see it. this is for the hybrid version. not a lot of them left around, so not much traffic.

you'll some replies there. just start a fresh thread if you haven't already
 

Forum statistics

Threads
137,766
Posts
1,991,589
Members
102,756
Latest member
dizhai

Latest posts

Back
Top