WHAT'S THE DAMAGE? - 5.3L LS - LOW OIL PRESSURE - DOD DELETE - PART 1 - UTX

Today at Ugly Truck, we're tearing down a 5.3L LC9 from a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for new bearings and a DOD delete. This truck came to us with less than 10 PSI oil pressure when warm. If you're not familiar with the LC9, it's aluminum block 5.3 LS with the dreaded GM DOD (Displacement On Demand) system. If you're not familiar with DOD, consider yourself lucky! And that's the nicest thing we have to say. Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil for GM to meet emissions standards and give us LS motors to play with. You never want to have to tear an engine apart with only 130k miles, but that aluminum block sure is pretty!
In this video, we tear the LC9 down to check for damage from the lack of oil, and to decide if it can be saved. Fortunately, it looks like we're just in time and there's just some wear on the cam bearings. We dropped the engine block and crankshaft off at the machine shop, and hopefully we can install some new bearings and piston rings, and this Chevy will be back on the road. Stay tuned for PART 2, where we'll reassemble the motor and delete the DOD for good!
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[@scottwithoutadoubt1405]

It was definitely hard to see, at least for me, the wiping of the cam bearings, thanks for slowing down and cleaning it up and using the different lighting. ☺️

[@UglyTruckExperience]

It's kind of hard to see, more like just an extra shiny spot on the bearings. We try to show as much detail as we can! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@TwistedAngleGarage]

I have had to replace so many of those damn dod lifters. I usually just convince the customer to let me turn it off with hp tuners. Then if they sell the truck or something else it can be turned back on if needed. Good video.

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Thanks for watching! They should have turned the DOD off on all these engines the minute they rolled off the lot!

[@sledfreakluke]

Vlom is what they called the afm valley plate, variable lifter oil manifold. I think you mispoke a few times in the video, the lifter cant of course lift up off the cam, theres a locking mechanism in the lifter so when unlocked the spring absorbs the lifting action from the lobe and the valve on the dod cylinders stays closed, so the lifter still moves, when they fail the ussually collapse further than designed and get stuck, easy to check by removing valve cover and checking for floppy rocker arms. Great tear down video and good explanations other wise

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Great explanation, Luke! Thanks for tuning in! --Emily and Jerry

[@eddiepatterson5025]

This was very informative video on the DOD delete looking forward to seeing the next video on this.

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Thanks for watching! We'll have the next video up as soon as we get all the pieces back from the machine shop!

[@rvgog247]

I have the same engine in my 2011 avalanche and I dread the day this occurs. Only has 69k right now and I've disabled the AFM/DOD with my handheld tuner but I've read/heard that the lifters/cam will eventually fail anyways since they're junk. My 08 avalanche got to 190k with no issues before I traded it in so we'll see

[@UglyTruckExperience]

If you have disabled the afm you should be fine. As long as the dod manifold on the top of the motor between heads stays tight. They have a tendency to have the bolts come loose.

[@wyattjohansen]

Just had my 2015 5.3L rebuilt… 129,000 miles. I wish I would’ve bought an AFM/DOD tuner and disabled it before all hell broke loose.

[@user-pq7jy4xp1g]

Great information. You could put that DOD cam on your wall with the word "NO".

[@UglyTruckExperience]

🤣🤣 I like that idea! Thanks for watching! Emily and Jerry

[@snivesz32]

I don’t think it was the cam bearing. All the bearings looked fine. Why would you lose 20 psi from having a couple thousandths more clearance, especially with a high volume oil pump? The fine glitter in the pan plus low pressure leads me to believe a failed oil pump.

[@UglyTruckExperience]

The amount of wear in the cam bearings didn't come across very well visually in the video. We dissected the oil pump and didn't really find any wear in it so it very well could have been a pressure release problem. But I really couldn't find another explanation for the aluminum in the pan. Either way I am always trying to convince people to change those bearings when they are that close. Thanks for watching and commenting. Jerry

[@jacobmartin1951]

Usually it’s the oring at the oil pick up tube. I caught mine when the oil pressure when cold was starting to be low. Definitely saved my engine. This one was most likely just the oring as well.

[@alanjohnson8318]

I guarantee you it was the o ring on the oil pump pick up tube. I’ve work on enough of the to know.

[@UglyTruckExperience]

That is very possible. Thanks Alan. We appreciate you watching. Jerry and Emily

[@stevehovey70]

Valley Lifter Oil Manifold VLOM

[@UglyTruckExperience]

VLOM... It even sounds terrible. 🤣 Thanks for tuning in!

[@nevets11231984]

My 2011 Yukon had metal flakes in the oil when I changed it Saturday morning this one hits home a little too much 🙃

[@UglyTruckExperience]

😬😬 If it was just tiny glittery pieces, you might be able to save it! We'll have part 2 of this as soon as we get the parts back from the machine shop, so if there's any questions you have about your Yukon, let us know and we'll do our best to help you out!

[@nevets11231984]

@@UglyTruckExperience so far tiny glittery and good oil pressure but a lot of it and it has developed a lot of lifter noise during warmup

[@UglyTruckExperience]

That's good news! Cross your fingers that it might just be the cam bearings! 🤞

[@flux_core_fx]

Hoping to scoop up one of these in a 6.0 variety (low oil pressure), thanks for posting!

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Can't go wrong with a 6.0! Best of luck and thanks for watching!

[@pmotorsports8276]

Bad thing 6.0 and 4.8 don't have this system

[@oneday9283]

Nice job

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Thanks for watching!

[@iaintnofortunatesonkc807]

Thanks for sharing this teardown. There's a sort of satisfying feeling when you find something broken. A force that can't be stopped.(Juggernaut) Humm. I guess 🤔 I did once get a free snap on sticker. Enjoyed the video and the game of fetch. Stay well friends.

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Thanks for watching, and thanks for your comments. We really enjoy them! Hope you're staying well too! 👋👋

[@warguild1]

How much does a job like that run

[@richodd2292]

thanks for the video Jerry

[@robertoudokrapf453]

OLÁ. Quando a língua falada não for em português do Brasil em desligo o som. Para meu próprio desenvolvimento técnico observo atentamente a área em que sou especializado. Confesso que muito pouco aproveitei de seu trabalho pois se algo vistes não mostrastes. Ficou a dúvida, pouco sabes ou muito escondes? ABRAÇOS... Roberto Udo Krapf

[@frumpyamerican9236]

Great video! I've watched a lot of these LC9 videos as I am dealing with one right now. In your humble opinion, what is the best route rebuild or replace? This is for a 2008 Chevy Avalanche that has been very well cared for. Body is in great shape and interior is nearly flawless as it has had seat covers and dash pad on since it was new. I just cant stomach the $8500 quote to replace the engine. The only problem I have really found is that almost no one advertises that they will rebuild. Everyone, at least around here, now just wants to be a parts changer ie. Full crate swap. Any advise will be greatly appreciated!

[@UglyTruckExperience]

I would lean towards rebuilding your well kept lc9. It is getting hard to find people willing to rebuild a motor though. We are a dying breed. With that motor you at least know what your starting with. Machine shops are backed up and the turn around time is a huge issue for shops. If I had to buy a crate motor for it I would pay a little extra for a gm crate motor. Thanks and let us know what you end up doing.

[@frumpyamerican9236]

@@UglyTruckExperience thank you. That does help to push me in a certain direction. I’m probably going to go the 6.0 L96 route and delete the VVT. I can buy that motor complete for $5200 and make a straight swap I believe. Obviously update the tune, but I think you are right on getting a rebuild done just based on not being able to find anyone so far. Thanks again. I’ll keep you posted.

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Where are you located? Just curious.

[@frumpyamerican9236]

@@UglyTruckExperience Rapid City South Dakota.

[@brianhaw9398]

I've heard there are issues with the oil pump pickup tube o-ring on some ls engines. Keep up the great videos

[@UglyTruckExperience]

We pulled the oil pan and one main cap off while the engine was still in the truck, so we didn't show it in the video. But the o-ring on the pickup tube wasn't too bad. Definitely not as bad as our 4.8 we just tore down! But yes, that silly little o-ring can cause a serious loss of oil pressure! It's like trying to drink through a straw with a hole in it. Thanks for watching! 👋

[@joeestes9172]

Great video!,thanks for sharing!

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Thank you! We appreciate you watching!

[@tedcorrea8281]

so , the cam bearings were the cause of the low oil pressure

[@UglyTruckExperience]

I think it was a combination of the cam bearings, and the oil pickup o-ring. We took the oil pan off and pulled one main cap while the engine was still in the truck, so we didn't show the pickup tube in this video. The o-ring was a little flat, but not as bad as some that we've seen. The cam bearings were the worst of it, and the pickup tube didn't help. Thanks for watching!

[@kurtismonasterski6278]

Where is part 2 ? So I have a question… I have a 2010 gmc sierra 5.3 it has 300k on it but has been maintained since I bought it new, my oil pressure drops to 5 psi up top and 30 psi on the bottom, had oil sensor/filter/oil pump/relief valve in oil pan/pickup tube o ring/ all replaced and still low oil pressure took it to the dealer they said it’s the main bearings and cam bearings after replacing the pressure valve in the oil pan, it seems like I’m just getting guesses at my expense What should I do ?

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Hi Kurtis! Here is a link to part 2 of this DOD delete/rebuild. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ7LqKCrpd-fic0 Most likely the cam bearings are shot in your motor. At 300 thousand miles I personally would have just pulled it out and rebuilt it. Sounds like you have taken good care of it so maybe just new rings, bearings and cam. Thanks for watching and let us know what happens on this one. Thanks

[@stoneyseahorse]

Is there anyone in central / Southern California that can help me with my Yukon lifter issue. First it was oil pressure sensor gauge . Now lifter with misfire on 7 now Stabiltrak coming on now too I love this car and it ran so strong .. new wheels and tires… last oil change and I’m looking at in my driveway everyday now. Dealer says 10k for a new motor.

[@UglyTruckExperience]

We hope there is somebody out west that could point you in a good direction. I would think there has to be a number of shops out there dealing with this that could save you some headache and money. Thanks. Jerry and Emily

[@stoneyseahorse]

Praying I can find somebody

[@billhackley3540]

ordered a vvt timing chain 'kit' from summit yesterday in a hurry (melling) and realized this morning no bolt included. what did you do for the timing chain replacement

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Hello Bill. Why do they call it a kit when it is missing a piece? If your just asking about the bolt, I have reused that bolt many times with no issues. But would replace it if you have the ability to get one. On the engine in this video I reused the cam gear and the bolt. Replaced the chain and, guides and the lower gear. All of it's original cam related parts were in great shape and we were sticking to a budget. Jerry

[@billhackley3540]

thank you for the response. summit responded via a phone call from my wife that they were puzzled as well but happily would order one direct from melling for $70.00 and extra shipping she went with it. i'm currently not very happy with summit we've already sent $700 their way trying to get my daughters vehicle going@@UglyTruckExperience i read so much indecision in regards to reuse of that bolt, wish i'd got your response sooner i trust strongly in your judgement

[@donherrington4381]

I'm at the shop right now. New cam, New roler lifters, New oil pressure sensor, New oil pump, still looses oil pressure. Fml

[@Mr.t7O7]

👍

[@gerardolopez5875]

After all modifications,, it will be like a regular gen3 Engine?? It will need the pcm desable dod????

[@UglyTruckExperience]

It will still have variable valve timing, but it won't be able to shut down cylinders like the DOD. We'll have to have the PCM programmed so we don't have any check engine lights.

[@yesode4201]

Do you think the 10,000 mile oil change had anything to do with it?😊

[@UglyTruckExperience]

It's not the best design to begin with, and poor maintenance certainly doesn't help! Thanks for tuning in!

[@JavierHerrera-xu7ie]

hey man, so i just did the dod/afm delete on my 2008 5.3 silverado replaced cam,lifters, head gaskets(i bought the kit), but i just got the computer tuned so i can run just 8 cyl, but the truck is having rlly low oil pressure on the cluster, do you know what can it posible be?, pd: didint change the oil pump

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Hello Javier. I am assuming that it had good oil pressure before the DOD delete. What method did your kit use to block off the oil passages that led to the lifters?

[@JavierHerrera-xu7ie]

@@UglyTruckExperienceyes it was working perfectly fine, and i used a kit from amazon, the only thing i didint change was the oil pump and the valve seal's, thanks for the responde, do you know what can it be?

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Hey Jacier. What did you use for the valley cover. Was it part of the kit that you bought?

[@JavierHerrera-xu7ie]

@@UglyTruckExperienceI used a non afm valley plate that blocks afm towers, the oil pressure doesn't go to all the way to 0, but u can hear the tick of the lifters

[@JavierHerrera-xu7ie]

like its good for like 5 min, but it goes down not till 0 but a the point were you can hear the lifters tick

[@noeperez9774]

So why didn’t U suspect the oil pump was bad?

[@UglyTruckExperience]

This engine had aluminum particles in the bottom of the oil pan. I do take the oil pump apart to inspect them but very rarely are they visibly worn. They are the first part in motor to get oiled and unless the motor is run without oil, they just don't wear out. Thanks for watching

[@noeperez9774]

@@UglyTruckExperience just yesterday my truck started to drop oil pressure. Starts at 40 and gradually drops to about 10psi when driving. I changed oil and did not notice any metal or discoloration (flakes) in the oil. After it drops oil pressure it starts to make valve train noise which only happen when this first happen yesterday then I had it towed home. I’m suspecting oil pump? What do u think from this explanation?

[@UglyTruckExperience]

What is make and model of truck and how many miles? Unfortunately when what your describing happens, I would suspect that you have some worn bearings. You won't really be able to see material in the oil without taking the oil pan down. The heavy metal particles, even though they are tiny, fall to the bottom and just lingers around in the bottom of pan. The engine in this video did basically the same thing. Let us know what it turns out to be. Thanks Jerry

[@noeperez9774]

@@UglyTruckExperience well yesterday I replaced the oil pump and to my surprise the timing chain guides were broken which was weird because the truck made no noise slapped everything back together and she has oil pressure again doc

[@UglyTruckExperience]

That's great news! Thanks for letting us know. 👍

[@matthewheld1292]

To gm’s credit they at least decided to give the 6.0l vortec in the 3/4 ton and heavier trucks a pass and not use dod on them, fucking chrysler on the other hand decided that their MDS garbage (same tech as DOD by Chrysler) also needed to be on the ram’s 6.4l hemi 3/4 to and heavier trucks for some reason despite it not being required by the government at all 🤨😒

[@UglyTruckExperience]

Another reason to love GM! We appreciate you tuning in! --Emily and Jerry

[@ed631941]

Is there anyway that we could find out the name of the ACTUAL ONE PERSON that is responsible for this engineering CRIME? How many THOUSANDS OF truck OWNERS have been driven into bankruptsy and divorce because of this stupid idea?

[@UglyTruckExperience]

My thoughts exactly. We talk all time about how there must be a guy in the engineering office at GM that was stamped with this giant failure. Has to park way out in the back lot and eat lunch in his car. It really has cost more money than it ever saved in fuel. Great comment. Thanks. Jerry and Emily

[@dreece2000]

They are still using it

[@jasonjennings5833]

If you wouldn’t of molly whooped the head gaskets when you took them off you could of reused them.

[@UglyTruckExperience]

We don't like to reuse head gaskets. It was only $8.