Anyone who has owned a GM with the infamous “AFM” or “active fuel management engine” knows how big of a fumble the government bailed out automaker made coming up with this mess. From lifters that break to cams that get wiped out to the 5qts of oil they will burn between changes, there is no end to the list of problems these engine have. Here in the PRNY (Peoples Republic Of NY) or anywhere in the rust belt the only thing that wears out faster than the AFM engines in these GMT900 series trucks is the frame. On a quiet night around here you can listen to the frame rotting away. So with that being said customers in these parts rarely want to fix these oil guzzlers when they come in with one of the AFM cylinders sucking so much oil it fouls out a spark plug and causes a misfire with a flashing engine light. So in this video I show you a common practice around our shop to keep these junkers going while they are waiting for the frame to rot away. Oh and don’t take my word for it that the AFM engines are a disaster, just Google “Problems with AFM engines” and pull up a chair.
-Enjoy!
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Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
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Blame the government and the liberal politicians a lot of you’all voted for. They mandated these vehicles to get much higher mpg’s and AFM is one of the ways GM was able to get these big arse heavy trucks and SUV’s to get higher mpg’s. You want your giant SUV’s well it takes a lot of magic to get these things to those high mpg #’s. It’s all good until the warranty runs out and these things enter the used car market so people like me can afford them then get fk’d when the lifter rollers seize and grind a deep groove into the camshaft.
I delete mine and make it normal again. The engines themselves our phenomenally reliable and powerful. It’s the AFM that makes them a gamble. But again, goes back to the government and you the people- that vote for liberals.
Theres no such thing as a free lunch
2008 Avalanche with 167000 miles on it.. drop the lifter blew up the engine ripped out the 5.3 put in a Chevy 6.0 runs like a champ no more AFM🤠
I have got a 2007 Suburban. I have done mainly regular maintenance, save for a water pump, 2 fuel filters (going AC Delco if this one fails), oil pressure switch, and oil pickup o-ring. When the lifters started making noise, i took apart the valvetrain and cleaned them with Berrymans. I disabled AFM electronically after that. That was at 215k, and at about 292k, i havent heard any lifter noise except at startup after sitting for a few days or cold mornings. I do use Amsoil and Hot Shot's Secret oil treatments in every oil change. Engine runs smooth, at my 5,000 mile oil change interval, burns less than a quart. Just figured id throw it out there, i am also on the original, factory transmission.
Your right Eric, I bought a brand new '21 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3ltr and my lifter broke on cyl 6, at 20,000 miles, the mechanic at the dealership told me that they were overwhelmed with broken engines, truly a poor design with the DOD, AFM systems, they only replaced that one lifter, I was P.O'd, I bought a LS Pulsar Module that bypasses the DOD, but I can't trust it until I replace it with a DOD delete Cam Kit,…Chevy 🤦🏾♂️
50000 DOLLAR VEHICLE and they still cant build a better engine than teh 350cc all could work on them and they were affordabe.. and my 6.0 srtill gets teh same mileage 50 years later…
I am a Chevy..I drive an 02 van ls.. 1… 200k runs great..I am scared to death of getting a newer van…any newer truck….junk give me a cast iron engine again.
Trade it in for a Toyota Tundra…problem solved…🙄🤷♂️
Tacoma me. hahahaha
2013 was the first year for the 5.3 L GEN V engine, I was part of a team who started production in 2012 for the piston's. It was a whole new design much more complicated than the previous generation which was a flat top with cast valve pockets. When I purchased my new Silverado near the end of 2012 I had the option of getting the 2013 with the GEN V. I told the salesman no way in hell, I'm working on that project and were still learning how to produce a good part. They've moved all that piston production now to Mexico and the quality standards are even more open. Just for your information!!!