Jul 24, 2015, 5:34 PM
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2008 5.3l AFM "Blown" Lifters & Camshaft $$$$
CF Beginner
Joined: Aug 2021
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2009 GMC Sierra 5.3l collapsed lifter and camshaft
Driving down the road and all the sudden “service stabilitrak” “service traction control” lights come on and engine power reduces I take it to the closest part store to see the codes I was getting and it says misfire on cylinder 4 so I replace all my spark plugs, spark plug wires and the coil pack on cylinder 4 it does nothing…. I start doing some reading online and think it may be the throttle body or the throttle body sensor so I replace both of those as well and still does nothing. I decide to take it to the dealership and pay the $160 for them to determine issue they call snd tell me the lifter collapsed and it may have damaged the cam shaft too they won’t know until they inspect the cam if it needs replacing but since the trucks right at 150,000 miles they suggests replacing all the lifters and quote $5,000 for lifters $6100 if cam also needs replacing. I’ve always kept up with the maintenance on this truck and never had any serious problems until now and since I can’t afford to pay that much I’m stuck not being able to provide for the family and commute to work until I can figure something out. This really blows!
CF Beginner
Joined: Sep 2021
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Agreed,
The new AFM system can be problematic on the LS series engines.
The key to long engine life beyond the 100K warranty divorce by GM is frequent Oil changes and not relying on the oil life monitor.So important with the AFM lifters in particular.
Unfortunately most people do rely on it and even go beyond along with buying the cheapest oil they can find
Keep in mind though,even with maintenance negligence,out of the 100's of 1000's of these engines produced the percentage of failure is very,very small.
The new AFM system can be problematic on the LS series engines.
The key to long engine life beyond the 100K warranty divorce by GM is frequent Oil changes and not relying on the oil life monitor.So important with the AFM lifters in particular.
Unfortunately most people do rely on it and even go beyond along with buying the cheapest oil they can find
Keep in mind though,even with maintenance negligence,out of the 100's of 1000's of these engines produced the percentage of failure is very,very small.
it is a very small dealership with maybe 40 cars Max that's including trade ins. And they have a cam lifters and the tray that carry the lifters in stock and they don't stock Parts but filters.
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
Joined: Oct 2012
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There's now a class action lawsuit! Too bad the earliest year is 2014, or else I would gladly join. I'd like to think this thread, which I started about a decade ago, led to this outcome that will hopefully help others with this expensive problem. I'm now a proud RAM & Toyota owner with fantastic vehicle experiences & much better customer service!
GM Lifter Failure Lawsuits | AFM Problems | ClassAction.org
GM Lifter Failure Lawsuits | AFM Problems | ClassAction.org
CF Beginner
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 2
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After market kit
I am having the same issue on my 2008 Chevy Tahoe with 116k miles. The dealership just dropped a bomb on me telling me it will cost 6400. I am floored that an 8 year vehicle that is hardly driven but on weekends would bomb out in the manner it did. I have been loyal to chevy trucks and I am really baffled at this one. Stablitrack Control Service control engine light flashing to find out I need the new stuff.
Does GM care that it seems its a flaw with their product??
Does GM care that it seems its a flaw with their product??
CF Beginner
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 8
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From: North Idaho
Dod
Have been a GM owner for three decades. Follow proper maintenance schedules and have had great luck with truck engines, normally get over 300,000 miles before selling or gifting away.
At 145,000 miles(primarily highway and weekend hunting trips), the check engine comes on, truck runs rough, acts like it has a serious miss and receive the messages: Service Stabilitrac & Traction Control. Thought maybe a plug or two had fouled out or some other minor issue. Wishful thinking... need new lifters and camshaft. Sound familiar? I've now read several examples of this exact issue. Evidently, when some of the cylinders shut down, the lifters don't get adequately lubricated, causing failure/collapse, also damaging the camshaft. This results in a several thousand dollar repair bill that GM will not cost share due to expired warranty. I think it's a design flaw they should assist with. Maybe with all the financial troubles GM has experienced, their vehicle quality has suffered. Did I mention both front power locks failed at about 120,000 miles?
If you own an AFM equipped vehicle, be sure to swap it off before the warranty period expires. My chevy experience has come to an end. It's unfortunate, as I really like the style, handling and performance other than the faulty engine.
At 145,000 miles(primarily highway and weekend hunting trips), the check engine comes on, truck runs rough, acts like it has a serious miss and receive the messages: Service Stabilitrac & Traction Control. Thought maybe a plug or two had fouled out or some other minor issue. Wishful thinking... need new lifters and camshaft. Sound familiar? I've now read several examples of this exact issue. Evidently, when some of the cylinders shut down, the lifters don't get adequately lubricated, causing failure/collapse, also damaging the camshaft. This results in a several thousand dollar repair bill that GM will not cost share due to expired warranty. I think it's a design flaw they should assist with. Maybe with all the financial troubles GM has experienced, their vehicle quality has suffered. Did I mention both front power locks failed at about 120,000 miles?
If you own an AFM equipped vehicle, be sure to swap it off before the warranty period expires. My chevy experience has come to an end. It's unfortunate, as I really like the style, handling and performance other than the faulty engine.
I experienced the same issue.
Results of DOD complete failure.
Did a DOD delete and ordered the kit and completely improved the trucks performance. It required a tuner to disable the engine light for DOD. I’m running premium now and haven’t had any issues.
CF Beginner
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 8
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From: North Idaho
Been there done that.
Have been a GM owner for three decades. Follow proper maintenance schedules and have had great luck with truck engines, normally get over 300,000 miles before selling or gifting away.
At 145,000 miles(primarily highway and weekend hunting trips), the check engine comes on, truck runs rough, acts like it has a serious miss and receive the messages: Service Stabilitrac & Traction Control. Thought maybe a plug or two had fouled out or some other minor issue. Wishful thinking... need new lifters and camshaft. Sound familiar? I've now read several examples of this exact issue. Evidently, when some of the cylinders shut down, the lifters don't get adequately lubricated, causing failure/collapse, also damaging the camshaft. This results in a several thousand dollar repair bill that GM will not cost share due to expired warranty. I think it's a design flaw they should assist with. Maybe with all the financial troubles GM has experienced, their vehicle quality has suffered. Did I mention both front power locks failed at about 120,000 miles?
If you own an AFM equipped vehicle, be sure to swap it off before the warranty period expires. My chevy experience has come to an end. It's unfortunate, as I really like the style, handling and performance other than the faulty engine.
At 145,000 miles(primarily highway and weekend hunting trips), the check engine comes on, truck runs rough, acts like it has a serious miss and receive the messages: Service Stabilitrac & Traction Control. Thought maybe a plug or two had fouled out or some other minor issue. Wishful thinking... need new lifters and camshaft. Sound familiar? I've now read several examples of this exact issue. Evidently, when some of the cylinders shut down, the lifters don't get adequately lubricated, causing failure/collapse, also damaging the camshaft. This results in a several thousand dollar repair bill that GM will not cost share due to expired warranty. I think it's a design flaw they should assist with. Maybe with all the financial troubles GM has experienced, their vehicle quality has suffered. Did I mention both front power locks failed at about 120,000 miles?
If you own an AFM equipped vehicle, be sure to swap it off before the warranty period expires. My chevy experience has come to an end. It's unfortunate, as I really like the style, handling and performance other than the faulty engine.
Don’t give up so quickly, I had same DOD failure, did my search and began my DOD delete. Got all the information and parts ready to go the broke the engine down too a short block, replaced, cam,lifters,head gaskets,timing chain, sprockets, oil pump, oil pick up tube, upgraded trunnion bearings and anything else that looked like it needed replaced.
Am very happy with how it turned out. I now run it on premium fuel and get between 14/15 MPG.
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