Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Opinions on 5.3l

There is a fix for the oil consumption problem. There is a new valve cover that keeps the oil from dripping on the pcv valve. I have an 07 that doesn't use much oil yet. I think there is a TSB on it.

My 03 5.3 has 221k on it and doesn't use oil. Still running very strong.

My wife’s Yukon has the 5.3 with the AFM. She has a little over 150,000 Miles and no problems so far. Her’s doesn’t burn oil at all. But, with the mileage, I have started paying attention to that now to make sure it doesn’t happen.

The 05 Z-71 I had was around 275,000 when I got rid of it. I never had to add oil between changes. The dang transmissions were the problem I had.

From what I have read is that even the ones that do consume oil, there really isn't any known problems that are caused by it. There is no doubt that oil does go through the intake on some models which is why some people use catch cans and catch oil, but no one that I have seen has actually had any problems caused by the small amount of oil getting through. It certainly doesn't sound like a good thing to happen but I haven't seen any go in and get major work done that is linked to that problem. I am no expert by the way.

What most guys who have had the oil consumption issue report is between 1/2 and 1 quart loss between changes. That really isn't that bad. If you are worried then there are lots of aftermarket catch can systems that you can put on yourself.

I wouldn't stay away from the Chevy because of that worry. Really all of the trucks that are using that style injection are seeing the same thing which is why you see people putting catch cans on their trucks in all makes and models.

I have a 2015 1500 z71 with 86,000 and I love it. It is newer to me but I wish I would have switched over to the Chevy along time ago. I had a 2017 tacoma trd and I couldn't trade that thing in fast enough to get into this z71. Wish I would have skipped the whole toyota thing and went straight to this truck.

Also, if you are looking at Ford's they have some issues too. The ecoboost have carbon problems and the 5.0l has a problem losing coolant at the y pipe. Every engine had some that leave the factory less than perfect.

had a 2011 for 5 years. traded it with 90,000 miles, would burn about 2 quarts between oil changes. never once had a problem with it other than that. i have a 2017 1500 with 5.3 w/ 22,000 miles on it and just changed oil last week before beach trip. hadnt consumed any oil on that change. Im biased bc i have owned chevy trucks only, and my dad has been chevy or gmc trucks most of his life. I wouldnt purchase anything else.

I have a 2005 avalanche z71 with 198k miles and a 07 Yukon 212k miles.

The avalanche we believe has worn value guides and it drips some oil on piston while sitting for a while and burns off on initial crank for the day, but doesn't do it all the time. It will use between 1 and 2 quarts of oil between changes.

The Yukon might use 1/2 quart between changes.

I would drive either of them anywhere.

My '08 5.3 would go through 1 quart every 1000 miles until I turned off the AFM. No it uses about 1/2 qt between oil changes. It stared burning oil at around 50,000 miles. Other than that, it's been a great motor. I didn't loose any MPG after turning the AFM off either.

I had a 2007 Tahoe with the AFM. At about 70,000 miles it started going a quart low anywhere from 1500 - 3000 miles after a change. I traded it this summer and it had 122,000 miles on it. I now have a 2017 Silverado and I asked the question about oil consumption and the AFM on the newer vehicles. The response was that no nothing had been fixed, but they had increased the oil capacity so that it shouldn't be a problem between changes.

Ive heard and read abot this problem i think it was 07 or 08 to 13 or 14. My brother in law had an 09 crew 4x4 and he had to litterally carry oil with him everywhere he went. Had another buddy with a 10 and his was the same way, they just used a ton of oil. Now id say pretty much anything before that would probly run forever...im a super fan of a 99-02 5.3...dang moters are indestructible if maintained well.

Low tension rings to extend engine life are the general cause of this oil consumption issues in the 5.3. all of the 5.3s Ive owned have used some oil (02-08) but none were what I would consider excessive. never had one more than 1 quart low at oil changes @ 5000 miles. All had miles ranging from bought new to 226K. I would not hesitate to purchase any of the Non AFM 5.3

From my experience the oil consumption started in the 06 ish era when they start doing the active fuel management crap where it shuts cylinders down. And I've noticed no one is getting the mileage out of them during that era. Now the 99-02 trucks I've seen with 400k+ and still kicking with plenty of life left in them and was mostly problem free engine now the transmission, transfer case and rear end was another story

I work with my father-in-law so when the company gets HIM a new truck I get his old one.
In 2007 I took over a 2001 Silverado with the 5.3 and that engine was purring like a kitten at 300K miles. Great truck.
In 2013 I took over my current ride, a 2007 GMC Sierra with the 5.3 AFM. Stated consuming oil at 50K miles. GMC dealership did all sorts of tests and tracking on it but could not pinpoint the problem...this was right when all the issues first came out. The TSB came out with a fix but GMC would not cover this truck because of the mileage on it. I've heard form different people who got the new valve cover that it doesn't always fix the issue. I always keep 3-4 quarts of oil in my toolbox. Depending on my driving if I have lot of interstate time where the 4 cyl will kick in often, I'll have to add 3-4 quarts every 5,000 miles. Engine has 216,000 on it and this began at 50K. Otherwise I love the truck.

I've got an 06 with 5.3. Just replaced motor last summer. No issues out of this motor, but I'll never own a Chevrolet again when it comes time for me to buy a vehicle

I have a 03 Yukon with 350k and still going strong. Uses a quart of oil between oil changes

Pretty hard to beat the 5.3. Adding a quart of oil, just annoyed folks more than anything. I believe its still the better of the engine platforms out there today across all makes and models.

I deleted the EFM, after replacing the top end and cam, and it's been a fine engine since then.
Almost 300,000 miles now.
If I wanted a phucking 4 cylinder I would have bought a phucking 4 cylinder.
I paid for 8 cylinders, by God, and I want the MF running on all 8 cylinders, all the time!

Pretty strong closing argument. Case closed.

Mines got 289181 on it right now and I've never had an issue. Best motor there is imo. Only thing that runs good on a Ford is the owners mouth.

I said this right after the bailout. I don’t remember anyone in my family ever owning anything but a Chevrolet but I was so pissed I’d never own another one. I bought me an F150 and my wife a KR Expedition. I soon decided I just wasn’t that mad about the bailout, I really needed vehicles that I could depend on.