2017 Silverado 1500 5.3L AFM issues.

[Geist auto service]

2017 chevy 1500 z71 5.3L LT AFM...

if you own one or considered owning one youll want to know common issues ive experienced.

if you service these vehicles or are a GM fantic keep reading. 

1) first issue at 3,000 ish miles: wet skid olate drivers side lower engine and or noise. This is a faulty air pump. Had to have mine replaced.

2) second issue around 10k miles. Rattle in exhaust on vehicle cold start. This is poor quality cat coverters. The cat back exhaust needs replaced. 

3) third issue and very frustrating issue at 41k miles.. failed hydraulic lifters on AFM cylinders. Rattle tapping squeal dry bearing noise mainly on start up and under load. My engine has developed failed lifters and oil starving cam bearings on bank 2. I use mobil1 and change my oil every 5k miles. I used high flow mobile 1 oil filter and recently chaged to the stock delco filter and after running stock oem filter 3k miles after using this oem filter i now have a minimal of 2 failed lifters and cam bearings that are squealing for lack of lubrication. I have now found this is a common issue on the 2017 5.3L AFM vehicles. Im a long time ASE tech that owns 3 repair shops and a towing company. I have never misused my vehicle and never even exceeded 4k rpm. I bought truck brand new and have done all the services personally and ahead of maintenance schedule. I never tow haul or the like ect. This is a huge concern as this is my first new vehicle purchase ever. I jist want everyone considering this yr model to strongly reconsider until GM steps up ad fixes or recalls this issue. This is a 50000 dollar truck new paid cash and now without my beloved truck over poor quality design of AFM. i am a wholehearted GM fanatic and i own over 12 gm vehicles.  Never had a serious issue as described here.

SO IF YOU hear a light tap tick knock or squeal noise coming from your heads THIS is also your issue as well. COME ON GM I URGE A REDESIGN OF YOUR AFM ON THE 5.3L . the truck has always had hesitation lack of power and VERY rough idle since brand new. This is a TRUCK not a toyta prius. We want power and reliability not sacrifice this for 2 mpg fuel economy! Do away with AFM as this ruins an engine in no time flat. What were they thinking when they decided an engine that randomly switches from v8 to v4 mode would be in ANY WAY good for a combustion engine. 4 cylinders work continuously and 4 work only intermittently this throws off engine balance and destroys internal components! I would NOT have bought a new truck from chevy had i known it had the AFM and i hope this is a lesson for all who consider it. Im not saying to run out and buy a Ford because hell those are just piles of scrap metal im jist saying stay away from 2017 AFM 5.3L v8.

 

[CamGTP]

The engine in your 2017 is the same engine in the 2015, 2016 and 2018/2019's, so it's not just that year. They all can have AFM/DoD problems. There are minor changes to injectors and the high pressure fuel system but the internal parts are of the same design.

 

I'm at 108k miles with no problems like this. Also shutting off the 4 cylinder doesn't throw the engine out of balance because it's shutting off cylinders 1, 4 ,6 and 7. That leaves two inside and two outside cylinders still firing which equals out the balance.

[diyer2]

While I feel your pain and disapointment............

From what you say about it not running right from the start I belive you got a bad one. 

 

Unfortunately GM makes some bad ones.

[IndyRob K.]

I only drive in Tow/HaulAss mode. So this is not in use then correct?

[martin460]

I totally agree its the stupidest thing to do to a V8 engine. Its another thing nobody wants, or needs, like an electric car. these manufactures need to stop the ******. And the government need to get the hell out of our business. 

I have a fu**en 5.3 in my truck and I'm pissed. I need to spend well over 1,500K to install the AFM delete kit. to make my truck run the way it should have out of the factory. Basically rebuild the whole motor and then reprogram the computer.   

I didn't buy a truck for it to be gay. 

[steelerdude15]

14 hours ago, martin460 said:

I totally agree its the stupidest thing to do to a V8 engine. Its another thing nobody wants, or needs, like an electric car. these manufactures need to stop the ******. And the government need to get the hell out of our business. 

I have a fu**en 5.3 in my truck and I'm pissed. I need to spend well over 1,500K to install the AFM delete kit. to make my truck run the way it should have out of the factory. Basically rebuild the whole motor and then reprogram the computer.   

I didn't buy a truck for it to be gay. 

Why not just have it turned off by a tuner? Have you had a lifter fail?