Awesome How-to!


I have a 2007 Suburban LTZ with the 5.3L. I've been running Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic since new and have 205,000 miles on it now. I've been noticing increased oil consumption since around 150,000 miles. It's not much but my wife resets the oil change message and doesn't tell me so sometimes it goes a little longer than it should.


I've been wanting to install the AFM relief deflector but was hesitant to do so as everything says you need to properly align the oil pan.


Did you use the alignment tool or is it really unnecessary when the transmission is already installed? I read some info about using a certain size feeler gauge as well.


Thanks again for the great write-up!

 

my 07 Tahoe was using oil, they replaced the oil pan gasket and that solved my problem.

 

No need for special tools. Tranny helps with alignment. Just be sure the pan gasket stays aligne and you are good!

 

Thank you. I may give it a try next weekend.

 

I'm definitely leaking oil around the pan as well. There is fresh oil around the back of the oil pan and the front of the trans pan was coated with old engine oil. Hopefully the new pan gasket also helps with the oil usage/loss.

 

Attached How to remove oil pan

 

An update on my original post. After chevy soaked the cylinders, back to normal oil consumption, about a qt between oil changes. No more blue smoke upon start up. Did have low oil pressure come on a couple months after. Changed the oil pressure switch and cleaned the clogged screen. Oil pressure back to normal. So far so good!

 

Read a lot on the AFM issue and my 2007 LTzero 5.3 is a prime candidate for the problem now or in the future. I've read do the PVC Deflector, do the valve cover, do the tune to keep all 8 cylinders going, do the catch can, do the oil pan seal, do the............Oh my gosh! I know every engine is different and if I did just 1 or 2 of the thing to prevent failure cost $$$. It will be the one I don't do that gets me. Someone out there KNOWS the one that will do it. Since I'm on a fixed income going down the line will drain me dry (THANKS CHEVY). Uses no oil whatsoever. Drove thousands of miles straight with no problems. One thing have noticed is a very slight rough idle while in park and at stop lights. So, what do I do? It's starting to get to me. Can't sell it, I'd lose thousands and I won't find a better ride with any other vehicle. It a tough spot to be in. Was going to do a tune first. Very reasonable for what it could prevent??
Thanks Forum for the advise up to now. Any thoughts anybody?

 

You might also do an oil analysis to see how much metal is showing up in your oil and that will give you a base line...
I have had my AFM disable in since my last oil change and am waiting to reach my 6k mile point to have it evaluated again to see if the Range AFM tune really helped reduce any engine wear due to the AFM degrading....

 

GunnyV, if you have not had any oil consumption issues up to this point and the engine is running reasonably well with your given mileage, then you likely do not have any excessive camshaft or piston ring/cylinder wear.
Go ahead and do the tune-up. The plugs need to be replaced anyway if it is 90K or more miles.

Based on my experience with the 5.3L AFM (Active Fuel Management) engines - I own a repair shop in TN - this is what I recommend you do, as I consider these to be top priority although not necessarily in this order:
1: Spark Plugs
2. PCV rubber hose/elbow extension to the driver side valve cover - INSPECT THE PCV SYSTEM FOR SPLITS OR DETERIORATED RUBBER COMPONENTS AND REPLACE!!
3. Replace the driver side valve cover with the new updated GM valve cover. I believe I have the part# in a previous post on this thread.
4. MOST IMPORTANTLY - Remove oil pan and install the AFM Oil Deflector onto the relief valve. Clean out and reinstall oil pan using a new oil pan gasket as shown in my previous "How To" in this thread.
5. Change oil every 3K to 4K miles REGARDLESS.

I hope this gives you some direction.