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Gen IV Vortec 5300 engines Oil Consumption

BroncoMD

New Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2020
Messages
6
Hi All -- I'm very interested in purchasing a later model Avalanche. I've done quite a bit or research and found for the most part the later models to quite reliable. However, I have found that the Gen IV Vortec 5300 engines are consuming oil -- or at least certain models of the engine. Here are a couple links I've come across:

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Anyhow, I would like to get the take from the forum on the issue. Thanks for any insight!
 
First welcome to the website!
You should take some time to search this site for older threads about this issue. Much info on these threads discussing the issue involving mainly 2007 AVs with AFM also referred to as DOD setup. Later years don't seem to have as big a problem. You also have to understand that not all owners are members on this site and not all members post actively so many issues seem worse then they are because those who do have a problem do tend to post a lot about the issue they are having and in some case repetitively so it seems worse then it is......
To gain some confidence look at the threads about owners with high mileage AVs and those who own multiple AVs as well as those members who keep posting almost yearly with the hopes of the AV returning into production.
 
Thanks Vaeagleav. I actually did a few searches yesterday and I didn't find too many people with issues so I thought I would post here. I did some searching on the Chevy truck forums as well. It sounds like many people are turning off AFM and it's fixing the issue. So, I am a little more confident but I will do some more research!
 
You may want to look more into "AFM lifter failure" than "oil consumption".
 
OK. Thanks for the info. Sometimes it's what you search for not how you search for it.
 
It's a hit or miss situation. Some do it, some don't. The later model years became less and less likely to have the issue as GM kept chasing their tail to resolve the problem. My '07 burns 1qt every ~3000 miles. Have AFM disabled and the newer designed valve cover with the relocated PCV opening installed. Other than that, I have never had any issues with the engine. Still runs like new. No burning oil smell, no clouds of smoke out the exhaust, no leaking oil... nothing like the horror stories. Oil consumption has never gotten worse with age. No change over the last ~150,000 miles.
 
Thanks ca2kjet. TBH, I'm accustom to adding oil to these GM engines. I currently own a 2009 GMC Acadia where I'm adding a half quart of oil every other week. I believe this was due to bad ignition coils when I purchased the vehicle used with around 70K miles. There is no AFM in these engines but I believe this is due to blow by caused by bad ignition coils. I don't see any smoke nor leakage from under the car -- it's simply burning it. The engine still has plenty of power and no signs of dying. However, I'm doing my research and trying to avoid this issue again. The Acadia now has around 213K and I'm trying to get another year or two out of it. So, I'm starting to research my next vehicle which I believe an urban truck would fit the bill nicely.

BTW, my wife is currently running a 2014 Dodge Durango -- yes a GM guy purchased a Dodge. TBH, this is one of the best vehicles we've purchased. We've experienced very few issues with the vehicle running a V-6 Pentastar 8 speed transmission. KNOCK ON WOOD!
 
Thanks ca2kjet. TBH, I'm accustom to adding oil to these GM engines. I currently own a 2009 GMC Acadia where I'm adding a half quart of oil every other week. I believe this was due to bad ignition coils when I purchased the vehicle used with around 70K miles. There is no AFM in these engines but I believe this is due to blow by caused by bad ignition coils. I don't see any smoke nor leakage from under the car -- it's simply burning it. The engine still has plenty of power and no signs of dying. However, I'm doing my research and trying to avoid this issue again. The Acadia now has around 213K and I'm trying to get another year or two out of it. So, I'm starting to research my next vehicle which I believe an urban truck would fit the bill nicely.

BTW, my wife is currently running a 2014 Dodge Durango -- yes a GM guy purchased a Dodge. TBH, this is one of the best vehicles we've purchased. We've experienced very few issues with the vehicle running a V-6 Pentastar 8 speed transmission. KNOCK ON WOOD!

We also have a GMC Acadia.

There are well known problems with the GDI engines used in a lot of GM vehicles concerning excessive oil being drawn into the intake manifold due to a defective PVC system.

Some claim that modifying the opening in the PCV valve helps.

Others install oil catch cans.

At the very least, you should have a professional upper intake cleaning service done on your GDI engine every 50,000 miles, or so.

Cleaners dumped into the fuel tank will do nothing to address this issue since the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber that is downstream from the problem area.

You will not see oil smoke coming from the tail pipe.

What is not often discussed it the excessive carbon that builds up on the upstream side of the intake valves.

You can pull your intake manifold and use a bore camera to see this build up for yourself on your GDI engine.

Trust me, it's there.

This build up caused a burnt valve on the GDI engine in our former 2006 Cadillac CTS, resulting in a complete rebuild of the heads.

Search for oil consumption and carbon build up in GDI engines to learn more.
 
Thanks EXT4ME. I had the PVC modification done. Unfortunately, it's still using a lot of oil. I don't believe I have had the upper intake cleaning done. Maybe I will try that next!
 
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