5.3 & 6.2 Lifter Failures Compilation Thread

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

BlaineBug

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2019
Posts
1,179
Reaction score
668
Location
Clown World
This thread will be a compilation of 5.3 and 6.2 liter lifter failures that I encounter in my day-to-day work as I come across them occasionally. Two weeks ago I had the idea to start saving these pictures in a separate folder and then upload them continually as they come through as I figured you all may enjoy seeing these failures, some of which are catastrophic. So, without further ado...
 
OP
OP
B

BlaineBug

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2019
Posts
1,179
Reaction score
668
Location
Clown World
2019 GMC Sierra Denali 6.2 with 67,359 miles. I seem to have lost the pictures of the offending lifter, however here is the result of the camshaft. This failure may have been actually caused by the camshaft having a metallurgy issue. Just look at the casting, it looks porous or soft?
 

Attachments

  • 20240325_134303.jpg
    20240325_134303.jpg
    420.3 KB · Views: 13
  • 20240325_134425.jpg
    20240325_134425.jpg
    176 KB · Views: 14
  • 20240325_135310.jpg
    20240325_135310.jpg
    247.5 KB · Views: 15
Last edited:
OP
OP
B

BlaineBug

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2019
Posts
1,179
Reaction score
668
Location
Clown World
2018 Chevrolet Silverado LT Z71 5.3 with 81,444 miles. The camshaft in this one was OK, as you can see the lifter came apart and "imploded" the push rod.
 

Attachments

  • 20240403_130509.jpg
    20240403_130509.jpg
    225.5 KB · Views: 11
  • 20240403_130519.jpg
    20240403_130519.jpg
    311.2 KB · Views: 11
  • 20240403_130546.jpg
    20240403_130546.jpg
    276.4 KB · Views: 9
  • 20240403_130605.jpg
    20240403_130605.jpg
    312 KB · Views: 9
Last edited:

CTown Duramax

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2021
Posts
152
Reaction score
120
This is interesting to actually see the broken parts..

Would it also be possible to show pictures of successes, like parts from a high milage engine? There are cars that get salvaged for reasons other than mechanical failure, but maybe those engines don't get broken down.
 
OP
OP
B

BlaineBug

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2019
Posts
1,179
Reaction score
668
Location
Clown World
This is interesting to actually see the broken parts..

Would it also be possible to show pictures of successes, like parts from a high milage engine? There are cars that get salvaged for reasons other than mechanical failure, but maybe those engines don't get broken down.
These repairs are all related to extended warranty claims, that is all I see. No factory warranties for the even lower mileage and newer model failures.
 

22ECO

TYF Newbie
Joined
Nov 20, 2017
Posts
11
Reaction score
3
I am pretty sure one of my lifters in cylinder 4 is stuck extended.. When the DOD engages it knocks like there’s no tomorrow. But It’s been good for about a month hasn’t engaged DOD for some “reason”. Haha..
 

Blackcar

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2018
Posts
701
Reaction score
612
Here is link to observation on lifter problem.


This link says most of time failures are do to VLOM which in TSBs repairs for valve train failure GM says to use different part number for VLOM on engine.


Here is link to TSB

 
Last edited:

Darkstar72

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 3, 2023
Posts
25
Reaction score
51
I think mine started ticking last week and I'm thinking it's lifters or cam. Oil is fresh and correct Dexos approved 0W-20, all exhaust manifold bolts intact, and tick does increase with engine speed. Sounds upper end to me. See how my extended warranty handles this. If it becomes an issue getting this covered I may not hold onto the truck much longer. Owned GM vehicles ever since I got my license too.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,371
Posts
1,866,906
Members
96,996
Latest member
Brynedic
Top