Bad Lifters

[iamdub]

I just got my 09 Tahoe a few weeks ago, first thing i did was to change all of the fluids...
Had noticed a slight lifter tick, but it was pretty quiet, and disappeared pretty quick.

Shortly after i changed my engine oil i started hearing the lifter tick get a little more noticeable
One morning it got much louder...
So i turn off the truck and googled the issue.

So apparently the AFM/DOD/Cylinder deactivation feature is related.
Eventually the lifter will seize up etc.

I already had a HP Tuners programmer, and had been playing around with some transmission settings.
So I turned DOD (Displacement on Demand) from True to False and applied the new program.

Result: an Instant difference!

My truck now starts up, no ticking.
Been like that for a few weeks now, engine sounds fantastic.


Doing some researching, it seems to be an accepted method to bypass the issue before full on lifter failure.
Maybe one day if i end up rebuilding later down the road, replace the cam and fully gut the system...

Thoughts?

The system is a little sensitive to oil quality and viscosity but it's reliability is most affected by the cleanliness of the oil. Still, it's extra, small moving parts that will wear out and can do catastrophic damage. Keeping clean, QUALITY oil in it (Do NOT go by the Oil Life Monitor!) is the best you can do to prolong it's life if left functioning. Keeping it from activating in the first place, as you've done with your HPT (I'm jealous!), will buy you time.

Mine ('08) had the same symptoms and I had AFM disabled with a tune. This helped and was fine for a few years, but eventually, the ticking at startup returned and grew worse. I recently finished deleting AFM with a mild cam and new lifters. Did some other little upgrades while I was at it.

 

[RockGlock86]

I just did the same after dealing with DOD for too long and trying to limp a few thousand miles from a failing system. after buying a "kit" and learning first hand buy quality components and do it right the first time. Overall it was more time consuming than difficult, from my perspective atleast. Until then change the oil religiously, use good oil, and monitor oil levels.