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02' Lifter/Cam needs replaced? Info?

K

kingstonlee

New Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
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4
I have a 2002 Z-71 that I bought from the dealer with 30,000 miles.  I was the 2nd owner.  Currently I have about 56,000 miles on it.  I have changed the oil at around 3,000 miles regularly and never drove the avalanche hard.  In fact, it still has the original brakes on it. 

About a month ago I started hearing a noise from the left side of the engine, kind of like a ticking noise when accelerating.  Once up to speed, the noise went away.  At first I thought it sounded like a exhaust leak, that kind of noise.  I bought an extended warranty with the avalanche that extended it out to 75,000 miles or four years after I bought it.  The warranty is still valid.  So I decided to take it in to the Dealer that I bought it from.

First diagnosis, no exhaust leak, definately in the engine.  So they added an additive and told me to put about 250 more miles on it and see if it went away.  So I did that, but the tapping/ticking kept going.  They thought I might have a stuck lifter.

Took it back in and they called me back and said that one of the lifters was bad and needed to be replaced, so they would replace them all on that side.  They were going to have to pull the head on that side to replace them, said it would take a week or so. 

A week later, I called back and they said that the cam had a "lobe" on it and that it would need to be replaced also.  They were waiting on the adjuster from the warranty company to come by and approve the work. 

Now, here are my questions. 

1.  Has this ever happened to anyone else before with this low of miles?

2.  If they replace the lifters on the left side and put a new cam in, shouldn't they replace the lifters on the other side as well, or will those be okay?

3.  What kind of work do these service guys do, I mean, with them tearing apart my entire engine and front end, will she ever run like before or should I expect more trouble down the road?

4.  Is there anything I am overlooking or need to make sure I take care of so I do not have any problems in the future?

Thanks in advance for any advice, I would love to hear what you guys think about my situation...Thanks.
 
They will or at least should replace ALL the lifters, as the cam & lifters "wear" together.

This will "fix" the problem, and your motor should last as long as any other... it's not a total rebuild, so everything else will still have 56,000 miles of wear on it. Sounds like you take really good care of her, so I'd expect 150,000 -- 200,000 miles out of the motor?

Bad Dad
 
Is it being done at a GM dealer?. Also it's not just lifters, the head has to be removed to get the lifters out. So now its also head gasket as well. SO at that point I would make them do all the lifters if they have to replace the cam anyway. Then you'll at least get 2 new head gaskets as well.

If its not at a GM dealer maybe they will let you use an aftermarket cam and lifters to get a bit more power.

Good luck

Mark
 
Update:  I just got back from the dealership where the work is being done.  It was pretty tough to see the engine all torn apart like it was, but the manager and the guy actually working on the engine came out and gave me a quick briefing on the situation and showed me the parts. 

First off, they said that they know that there is no issue with maintenance as the inside of the engine was very clean and they could tell that I had taken care of it.  The inspector from the extended warranty company wants the cam pulled to see how much damage there is on the cam.  There are two cams in that engine and he wants the one pulled from the side that was making the noise.

After he can examine the cam, he will authorize what they need to do next.  If there is only one lobe that is bad, they will just replace the cam on that side and all the lifters, so that is good, but they will not touch the otherside. 

If there is a lot of damage to the cam, they will pull the pan and see how much of the metal or shavings have been through the engine.  If there is any sign of that in the pan, they may opt to replace the entire engine.  The service manager said this company is very thorough and would rather check all the possibilties and replace everything they need to upfront instead of missing something and having to have it back in the shop before the warranty is up.

So as of right now, I am still waiting for them to pull the cam and see what is going on.  As for the dealership, they have been very helpful and I really felt better after going there and having them show me everything.  It was also nice to see how clean the engine was on the inside after 56,000 miles.  The service manager said the inspector even commented on how well I took care of the truck, which is nice to hear as you all know we do everything we can to keep them running good.

I am still worried about if they replace the cam and lifters, having one side of the engine with brand new parts and the other side with parts that are 56,000 miles used.  The manager said this would not be an issue and that longevity of the engine will not be compromised.  I don't know???  I have never had something like this happen to a vehicle of mine before but at least I bought that extended warranty or I would really be worried.

I would still like to hear any input you have.  Thanks.
 
I'd start to be concerned if I were you. There is only 1 camshaft in these engines. I have no idea what they are trying to tell you. Something doesn't sound right. ???
 
Now you have my attention...and you are right, I will have to find out what he was trying to get at.  Maybe I misunderstood what he said, which is possible.

I will not be able to talk to them until monday, but will report back.

With that being said, am I correct in asking them to replace all the lifters on the entire engine since they have to replace the cam anyways???

Thanks for the heads up Trannyman.
 
kingstonlee said:
With that being said, am I correct in asking them to replace all the lifters on the entire engine since they have to replace the cam anyways???

Thanks for the heads up Trannyman.
Click to expand...

Yes you are correct and you're welcome. BTW welcome to the club
 
Thanks Trannyman, I have actually been reading this forum for years, never posted, but have loved reading this forum.  From a guy who loves his avalanche, it is really nice to be able to come to a place like this and get help or post useful information.

Early on, I remember buying plans for the midgate mod, the platform that my dog really loves...and the amber lights that I have had since reading this forum to several other minor mods...

Now I am utilizing the benefits of knowledge that you all bring to this forum.  What is nice is being able to come to a place and meet people that have the same interest as you and be so willing to help another out.  Thanks.

By the way, I did search on my problem and read all the posts I could find, but I felt that with so much actually being done to mine, I thought I would look for your advice and also let some others know what kind of problems I am having.

I want to fix this problem so that I can continue life with my avalanche, which by the way has been the best vehicle I have ever owned...even though I am having issues.
 
Now you have to look for some GTG's in your area to get the full AV experience. They are all lots of fun and you get to meet some really great people.
 
Hello! I am so glad that I found this article, because my AV is having the exact same problem. I took it today to a local mechanic because I was thinking I had a exhaust leak. I have to go pick it up. He told me to drive some more and bring it back when it gets louder(not good advice).  So I am going straight to the dealer A.S.A.P. Should I tell them I read on this problem and kind of lead them that way? If someone could respond I would appreciate it. Also I would like to know how the repair ended up. Thanks.
 
WOW!!!  This seems to be a common problem,  I have an 03 avalanche z71,  the sound started like a tensioner pulley, so I removed the belt and started it and had the same sound,  now it sounds like a loud lifter tapping and does it as soon as the engine is warm and doesnt go away,  I run royal purple oil 5w30 and mobil one filter  changed every three thousand miles,  truck has 84000 now.  Here is where it gets odd,  I run lucas stabilizer also but still get the noise,  after a thousand miles or so it will completely stop making noise,  then a few thousand miles later its back.  I have pulled the pas valve cover and put the noise with its lifter,  but shouldnt the noise stay there?  Im at my wits end with it,  truck is like new and runs amazing, even with the noise but not sure what to do????  Any Ideas????
 
:E: I have a 2002 with 112.375 on a 5.3 and at 2000 rpm I have a lifter sound.
My qustion is do I have to replace all lifter and the cam?
 
dakota745 said:
:E: I have a 2002 with 112.375 on a 5.3 and at 2000 rpm I have a lifter sound.
My qustion is do I have to replace all lifter and the cam?
Click to expand...

If the cam is good, run it.  If only that one lifter is bad, replace that one.  No reason to replace all the lifters if the rest are good.
 
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