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  #1  
Old 01-28-2023, 01:42 PM
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Default Thoughts on GM 5.3 L engine. Good? Bad?

Looking at buying a 2013 GMC truck. Seems like a good deal. Just wondering what the wealth of experience here could tell me. I have heard from a couple people the 5.3 is a good motor.

Thanks for any info good , bad or other wise.
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  #2  
Old 01-28-2023, 01:50 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is offline
 
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The active fuel management is the biggest issue that exists on the 5.3 engine.
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Old 01-28-2023, 02:03 PM
yoteblaster yoteblaster is offline
 
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Excellent motor in my experience with it.
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Old 01-28-2023, 02:06 PM
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Had 3 GMC trucks with the 5.3 ranging from 2013 thru 2019 - never had an issue with any of them and drove them all well beyond 100K.

Very fuel efficient, reasonably good for towing anything you might tow with a half ton and never had to fix anything.

It's pretty much the "standard" for GMC/Chev similarly to what the 5.0 would be for the Ford. Good, Solid engines with a long track record of reliability.

Both based on older technology, proven over time.

I'd say it's a very safe choice.
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  #5  
Old 01-28-2023, 02:09 PM
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My 08 GMC only has 325000 k on it, so hard to tell if is going to be any good long term, but so far it’s been pretty reliable.
I had to replace one coil pack at around 225k and a fuel pressure sensor at around 300k
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  #6  
Old 01-28-2023, 02:22 PM
pgavey pgavey is offline
 
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I'm on my third one 2000 2014 2019 never had a single problem with all of them. I tow a 24 ft North Trail RV with the 2019 without any trouble.
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  #7  
Old 01-28-2023, 02:34 PM
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I have an 05 GMC,it' has a 5.3 ,I think it's great, and pretty good on fuel,325 k. and no issues other than changing out the oil pressure censor.
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  #8  
Old 01-28-2023, 03:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jungleboy View Post
My 08 GMC only has 325000 k on it, so hard to tell if is going to be any good long term, but so far it’s been pretty reliable.
I had to replace one coil pack at around 225k and a fuel pressure sensor at around 300k
I think this sums it up.

For any gasoline engine to give it's owner over 300K ........ you simply can't expect much more than that.

My dad ran a 79' Jimmy (old 350 which was the 5.7) and ran it 500,000 MILES before it needed any significant work.

The "modern" 5.3 (20 years or so ago) is the next generation of that old, tried, tested and reliable engine.
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  #9  
Old 01-28-2023, 03:36 PM
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I saw a 2011 gmc for sale a while back with 560 k on it. The guy wanted 14g for it 😂
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  #10  
Old 01-28-2023, 03:45 PM
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I still have 2 Sierras with the 5.3.
My 2004 has 428k km and my 2012 has 285k km.

Can’t beat the 5.3 for an everyday driver, and even small towing.

TBark
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  #11  
Old 01-28-2023, 04:15 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is offline
 
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Actually, it appears to be the 2014 and newer 5.3 that resulted in the class action lawsuit for the collapsed lifters, this is the lawsuit effecting the 2011-2014 5.3 engine. I had two GM vehicles with the 5.3, but they were pre 2011 vehicles, and didn't have either issue.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/06/gm-h...ss-action.html
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Old 01-28-2023, 05:26 PM
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The most common things I have seen in my time as an automotive tech with these 5.3's is a collapsed lifter. I have a buddy who had a lifter drop at 8600km. I have also routinely seen these engines a 350km+, would be high up on my choice of trucks if I wasn't such a stubborn Dodge guy.
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  #13  
Old 01-28-2023, 05:33 PM
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My son has a 2014 with the 5.3. 220,000 ish km's now. No complaints. Runs good, has have very little for issues other than normal stuff every vehicle deals with and good fuel economy. I'm a Ford guy and think he got a decent truck.
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  #14  
Old 01-28-2023, 05:38 PM
Tungsten, Tungsten, is offline
 
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Ya the AFM or DoD is what kills them,oil is directed to the lifters through small valleys to control the DoD.4cyl to 8 cyl.So if oil isnt changed regularly smut gets in kills a lifter and bang engine is done.
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  #15  
Old 01-28-2023, 05:43 PM
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I just sold my 2014 Silverado LT yesterday.

It had 216,000km. Engine never gave me a single issue. It had the 4 cylinder disconnect, which saved fuel. Was getting 14.0L/100 on highway. My Tundra and Ram buddies were always surprised by how it sipped fuel for a truck

This year had issues with AC condensers, which I had to replace. Other than that only regular wear and tear.

It was a great truck. I miss it already.

But my 3.0L duramax…helps with the pain of the loss 😉
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Old 01-28-2023, 07:19 PM
amosfella amosfella is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zabbo View Post
Looking at buying a 2013 GMC truck. Seems like a good deal. Just wondering what the wealth of experience here could tell me. I have heard from a couple people the 5.3 is a good motor.

Thanks for any info good , bad or other wise.
It might be like a honda. Engine pretty good, but the body will rot away around it.
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  #17  
Old 01-28-2023, 07:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amosfella View Post
It might be like a honda. Engine pretty good, but the body will rot away around it.
I think the major rust issues were from 2008-2012 but subsided since then? Could be wrong.
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  #18  
Old 01-28-2023, 07:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbuck View Post
I think the major rust issues were from 2008-2012 but subsided since then? Could be wrong.
Seems that way. I haven't seen much for rust on the newer Chevy/GM trucks. I know the rear fenders used to go badly on them.
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  #19  
Old 01-28-2023, 08:02 PM
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My 08 is substantially lighter than it was when it came from the dealer. I don’t worry about scratching it anymore.
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  #20  
Old 01-28-2023, 08:27 PM
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Had an 01 that had head gaskets done at 140k. No repairs after that and sold it at 330k. My 05 did 2 water pumps. Hydraulically locked it at 220k and scrapped the engine. Put in a used one from a wrecker with 125k, put about 60k on it and had to do knock sensors and intake gaskets. Than a water pump. Have put a 100k on this second engine now and am expecting to do some sort of repair. It’s been a couple months now with no repairs. Learn to love you your check engine light as it will be on quite a bit.
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  #21  
Old 01-28-2023, 08:33 PM
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I've got 300,000 on my 2011 suburban, and it is using some oil now.
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  #22  
Old 01-28-2023, 09:02 PM
sako1 sako1 is offline
 
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Im replacing one right now. Original engine shows 800 thousand kms.
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  #23  
Old 01-28-2023, 10:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sako1 View Post
Im replacing one right now. Original engine shows 800 thousand kms.
Wow. What year?
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  #24  
Old 01-28-2023, 10:39 PM
sako1 sako1 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbuck View Post
Wow. What year?
Its a 2009
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  #25  
Old 01-28-2023, 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by sako1 View Post
Im replacing one right now. Original engine shows 800 thousand kms.
Wow. What year?

Geez, every day driver and work truck maybe?

TBark
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  #26  
Old 01-28-2023, 11:19 PM
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230000 km on my 2000 silverado and passed to both boys when i bought low mileage 2014 silverado. Replaced engine at 59000 km 10 months over warranty. Search google results on how many fail under 100,000 km due to lifters failing to engage on one side with fuel management system.
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  #27  
Old 01-29-2023, 12:21 AM
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The 5.3L is one of the most reliable engines ever built. As long as normal maintenance has been done the engine and tranny should work for a long time.
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  #28  
Old 01-29-2023, 12:34 AM
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Best engine to have in your truck.
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  #29  
Old 01-29-2023, 01:32 AM
Vingiu Vingiu is offline
 
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Default Thoughts on GM 5.3 L engine. Good? Bad?

May very well be the best domestic engine produced, prior to active fuel management.

Post-AFM, I’d be cautious but it’s still one of the best choices.
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  #30  
Old 01-29-2023, 08:46 AM
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Buddy has an 2004 5.3. 565,000 KM, rusty old bucket, for the last 100,000 or so he didn't change oil, just added a quart every few months. Engine still runs great, tranny went out on it, probably never changed the fluid in that either.
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