Oil consumption 5.3L Chevy

[SteveBrown]

I have a 2011 Silverado. Purchased it used with 22,000 miles and have had it a year. It now has 54,000 miles. Since I have owned it, it has had two issues with the number one cylinder misfire code and excessive oil consumption. I have tried (synthetic) Valvoline,and Schaeffer oil. By the time (5000 miles) the next oil change comes around I will have added 2-3 additional quarts of oil.
Help, what is happening with my truck? It goes back to the dealership in the morning.
Thanks,
Steve.

 

[addyguy]

The AFM system causes oil consumption problems on these engines, a well-known problem.

You'l find lots of answers about how to fix it, I think it starts with having it deactivated....

 

[edwardh1]

sounds like the afm system was not tested , but maybe thats what we consumers are doing now.

 

[clinebarger]

Pull both heads & remove the 8 AFM lifters, Replace them with standard Lifters, Replace all 4 Lifter trays with LS3 versions.
Replace the Valley Cover with the LS3 version (Built in PCV), Plug the PCV in the Left Valve Cover, Route the PCV Vacuum Hose too the LS3 Vally Cover.

Soak all 8 pistons with GM Upper Engine Cleaner, Or At least the 4 AFM Cylinders overnight before reassembly.

You will need all the AFM related DTC's turned off with tuning software.



Or take it too the dealer & let them....
1. Blow you off
2. Replace Pistons & Rings
3. Tell you that 1 quart per 1000 miles is "Normal"

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Pull both heads & remove the 8 AFM lifters, Replace them with standard Lifters, Replace all 4 Lifter trays with LS3 versions.
Replace the Valley Cover with the LS3 version (Built in PCV), Plug the PCV in the Left Valve Cover, Route the PCV Vacuum Hose too the LS3 Vally Cover.

Soak all 8 pistons with GM Upper Engine Cleaner, Or At least the 4 AFM Cylinders overnight before reassembly.

You will need all the AFM related DTC's turned off with tuning software.



Or take it too the dealer & let them....
1. Blow you off
2. Replace Pistons & Rings
3. Tell you that 1 quart per 1000 miles is "Normal"


Fricken awesome post right there.

AFM = Active Fuel Management ?

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
AFM = Active Fuel Management ?


Yes.

 

[dan_erickson]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Pull both heads & remove the 8 AFM lifters, Replace them with standard Lifters, Replace all 4 Lifter trays with LS3 versions.
Replace the Valley Cover with the LS3 version (Built in PCV), Plug the PCV in the Left Valve Cover, Route the PCV Vacuum Hose too the LS3 Vally Cover.

Soak all 8 pistons with GM Upper Engine Cleaner, Or At least the 4 AFM Cylinders overnight before reassembly.

You will need all the AFM related DTC's turned off with tuning software.



Or take it too the dealer & let them....
1. Blow you off
2. Replace Pistons & Rings
3. Tell you that 1 quart per 1000 miles is "Normal"


Been there and done that with AFM 5.3 engine.

 

[splinter]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Pull both heads & remove the 8 AFM lifters...

Yeah lots of Gen-IV enthusiasts like to do just that.
otoh my '11 LMG 5.3 consumes almost none (>pint) between 0% OLM OCIs with dexos 5w30. Probably random dumb luck.

OP ought to review this GM TSB before visiting service advisor:

Quote:
Document ID: #100601008G:
Engine Oil Consumption on Aluminum
Block/Iron Block Engines with Active Fuel Management
(AFM) (Install AFM Oil Deflector and Clean Carbon from
Cylinder and/or Install Updated Valve Cover) (Jan 3,2013)

 

[Merkava_4]

Just a bunch of unnecessary technology is what it is.

The last real simple and sensible engine was the GM 3800 and whatever the V8 equivalent was.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Just a bunch of unnecessary technology is what it is.

The last real simple and sensible engine was the GM 3800 and whatever the V8 equivalent was.



That would be the Gen 1/2 Small Block Chevys. The 3800 Buick has its roots going back to the early 1960's Buick architecture.

The reason these LS engines are drinking oil is that GM was trying very hard to meet the fuel efficiency standards imposed by government officials, most of whom do not know their rear end from an exhaust manifold. The LS motor without the added tech is a dynomite engine really, actually much stronger than the 50's vintage Chevy V8 that it replaced.

 

[AZjeff]

Will turning off the AFM with a tuner help or is the damage done?

I've heard to stay far far away from '07 5.3s..

 

[Ethan1]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Pull both heads & remove the 8 AFM lifters, Replace them with standard Lifters, Replace all 4 Lifter trays with LS3 versions.
Replace the Valley Cover with the LS3 version (Built in PCV), Plug the PCV in the Left Valve Cover, Route the PCV Vacuum Hose too the LS3 Vally Cover.

Soak all 8 pistons with GM Upper Engine Cleaner, Or At least the 4 AFM Cylinders overnight before reassembly.

You will need all the AFM related DTC's turned off with tuning software.



Or take it too the dealer & let them....
1. Blow you off
2. Replace Pistons & Rings
3. Tell you that 1 quart per 1000 miles is "Normal"


^ Uhh this guy knows what he's talking about

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Just a bunch of unnecessary technology is what it is.

The last real simple and sensible engine was the GM 3800 and whatever the V8 equivalent was.



That would be the Gen 1/2 Small Block Chevys. The 3800 Buick has its roots going back to the early 1960's Buick architecture.

The reason these LS engines are drinking oil is that GM was trying very hard to meet the fuel efficiency standards imposed by government officials, most of whom do not know their rear end from an exhaust manifold. The LS motor without the added tech is a dynomite engine really, actually much stronger than the 50's vintage Chevy V8 that it replaced.


The best probably were the Gen 3 Small Block GMs or the first-generation of the LS designs. The 4.8, 5.3, 5.7 and 6.0. No AFM, no DoD, some FlexFuel. LS1, LS6, etc.

Really good designs that don't leak as bad as the Gen 1 and 2 SBCs thanks to the decent gaskets they used.

OP may want to look into the AFM/DoD fixes to make their Gen 4 motor more like a Gen 3. Sucks but it is the way to go. LS7 lifters.

 

[SteveBrown]

Where is all the oil going with these AFM equipped engines? The number 1 cylinder? It has a #1 cylinder malfunction twice now.

 

[SteveBrown]

Dealership is asking me to bring it back every 2000 miles to do an oil consumption test now. Ugh!
You guys nailed it.......

 

[CKN]

In late 2011 an update was done to prevent the oil consumption problem on AFM motors. I have a 2011 manufactured after the update was included and at 54,000 miles have no issues.

GM sells 40,000 units a month Silverado/Sierra combined. While the early units do have issues it's not as wide spread as the Internet rumors.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: CKN
In late 2011 an update was done to prevent the oil consumption problem on AFM motors. I have a 2011 manufactured after the update was included and at 54,000 miles have no issues.

GM sells 40,000 units a month Silverado/Sierra combined. While the early units do have issues it's not as wide spread as the Internet rumors.


So true. We have 2014 and 2013 model 6.0 gas engines in our fleet trucks and they don't use any visible oil, changed by OLM.

And "Mr. Knowledge" forgot the well known AFM oil pump pickup problem which causes lifter clatter at idle and low speeds. All you need is a seal and everything is fine.

 

[BobsArmory]

I can't believe that no one remembered ....

Keep us up to date on what you find out.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: CKN
In late 2011 an update was done to prevent the oil consumption problem on AFM motors. I have a 2011 manufactured after the update was included and at 54,000 miles have no issues.

GM sells 40,000 units a month Silverado/Sierra combined. While the early units do have issues it's not as wide spread as the Internet rumors.


So true. We have 2014 and 2013 model 6.0 gas engines in our fleet trucks and they don't use any visible oil, changed by OLM.

And "Mr. Knowledge" forgot the well known AFM oil pump pickup problem which causes lifter clatter at idle and low speeds. All you need is a seal and everything is fine.


OP wasn't complaining about lifter clatter though.

Just because a 2013 or 14 6.0 isn't having a problem doesn't mean that clinebarger's advice isn't spot on for the OP. AFM did have issues, and for trucks where it does present problems, that's how you get rid of it. It's not an attack on GM or the reliability of their trucks.

Yes, yes, I know, internet amplification. When you're talking about millions of vehicles, that's still a whole lot of people that the information may apply to.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Pull both heads & remove the 8 AFM lifters, Replace them with standard Lifters, Replace all 4 Lifter trays with LS3 versions.
Replace the Valley Cover with the LS3 version (Built in PCV), Plug the PCV in the Left Valve Cover, Route the PCV Vacuum Hose too the LS3 Vally Cover.


^ Uhh this guy knows what he's talking about


Here's a great thread he started.