Lifter Failure on my G8 :-(

[Periodic]

Crappy day for me yesterday.

 

On the way to work, in the parking garage, maybe 100 feet from my spot, I throw a CEL.  Didn't notice anything odd about the car, and proceeded to park.  Continued on with my day..left for home, started her up and notice a loud ticking sound.  Drove home noticing it the whole way, never let up.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNMI7k5Tmgs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

This is a video i shot at home, idling.

 

After spending the night, and a better part of today searching the forums and PM'ing the tech gurus, it seems lifter failure is the concern. Although it is just starting off now, and drives fine, i am scared to drive it with such a racket and possibly do more damage.

 

My 5yr/100Kkm expired in July, will be swining by Surgeoners (Local GM dealer) to see if they will good will me some warranty since i am still under the miles and only off by a month.  Likely won't come to anything..

 

So that leaves me with a few options

 

#1: replace to stock at my expense, not sure on cost, but likely around 1000, and apparently stock cams are hard to come by.

 

#2: get a new beefier (DOD)Displacement on demand CAM, tune, and replace stock lifters, pushrods, springs, gaskets etc  Estimating around 1200-1300

 

#3: do a DOD delete kit, with normal spec'd gam and tune, along with rods, springs, gaskets etc. likely run me around 1600-1700

 

Unfortunately, money is tight right now, as i am sure it is with most, so i will be pulling this off the line of credit to cover the costs right now. 

 

I will be borrowing my grandpas buick for the next few weeks, seeing as how i am getting married on sept 7th, and really have absolutely not time to deal with this now.

 

What are your guy's thoughts, a part of me really likes the idea of keeping DOD, its unique, and is a nice discussion peice, but if its going to cause me problems with my lifters then it might be worth it to replace now, rather than later. 

 

 

EDIT: please refrain from commenting on the dirty intake manifold.  I typically keep the engine cover on and clean, and haven't cleaned under it in some time...tisk tisk.

Edited August 21, 2013 by Periodic

[LFairbanks]

If you got a 5 year 100K mile warranty, and your under the mileage, and it is a 2009, to me that is only 4 years.  Unless you bought a 2009 in July of 2008???

Edited August 21, 2013 by LFairbanks

[DonJuan692006]

Not knowing much about G8's I'll still throw in my .02 but take it with a grain of salt. I'm going on the assumption you don't get them to cover it under warranty (since that will be the obvious route to take and what I'm assuming you've already decided to go with if available). I would go with option #2. Also assuming you aren't going to do the work yourself based off the estimated expense cost. Your going to be paying for the labor of accessing and removing the cams to be replaced regardless of what you put back in so if the parts cost is rather minimal (at your quoted $200-300 difference and not knowing the interest rate of your LoC) to go aftermarket I would take that route. This is also assuming the aftermarket parts would be coming from a reputable company. This would provide better peace of mind (IMO) and open you up to future upgrades should you decide to go that route. I know what difference just a good tune can provide.

[Chewy]

Get with Patrick G on the GRRRR8 site and get one custom ground for ya!  He's got a new cam maker that makes some awesomely hard cams.  Comp has had issues flat spotting.   He's also a plethora of knowledge.

 

Rick Crawford is also amazing!  I have his intake plenum and TB and the difference it made to an otherwise stock motor was amazing! 

[egott_91]

I've always heard the DOD causes problems. I say get that tuned out.

[ksell87]

Sorry to hear about this.  I've read a lot of people having this problem so I appreciate your video.  At least I know what it sounds like but hopefully won't experience it (knock on wood).  I'm clueless when it comes to how most engine parts work, I have to agree with the logic that DonJuan has provided. 

[Stenguyen1]

same thing happen to my g8. but my trunnion failed and went through the whole engine and had to rebuild it again.

 

CHeck my thread out on g8board.com

[Periodic]

Thanks lads..made a post on grrrr8.net. have been in contact with crazy paul and rick crawford...butttt

I took a chance and stopped by the dealer. Told me the prev owner bought the extended warranty and that it is valid until feb 2014 or 160k km. So he recommended I tow it in for them to look at. He watched video and said he doesnt see why it wouldnt be covered....

 

I did the screwdriver test and it is hands down confirmed cyl#4.

[ArmyAcadia09]

Thanks lads..made a post on grrrr8.net. have been in contact with crazy paul and rick crawford...butttt

I took a chance and stopped by the dealer. Told me the prev owner bought the extended warranty and that it is valid until feb 2014 or 160k km. So he recommended I tow it in for them to look at. He watched video and said he doesnt see why it wouldnt be covered....

 

I did the screwdriver test and it is hands down confirmed cyl#4.

Glad it transferred if they do cover it

[Vink70]

I hope they cover it as well.

 

If they don't, and you decide to modify anything else that would change how it runs, as in a new cam, you also have to spend the money on a tune. Just like you would if you got rid of DOD.

 

If they don't cover it and it was me, id replace it exactly how it is, unless you can afford to tune the car for the upgrades you have planned. No use doing it and not maximizing performance.

[Periodic]

I hope they cover it as well.

 

If they don't, and you decide to modify anything else that would change how it runs, as in a new cam, you also have to spend the money on a tune. Just like you would if you got rid of DOD.

 

If they don't cover it and it was me, id replace it exactly how it is, unless you can afford to tune the car for the upgrades you have planned. No use doing it and not maximizing performance.

Agreed. If new cam was being going in I think it would have to be a performance one. Id likely just delete the dod and go from there. But right now, if dealer pulls through for me I should be good. Maybe just diagnostic fees.

Edited August 22, 2013 by Periodic

[MAYBEN]

good luck!

 

my warranty is about to run out in March..

[Chewy]

same thing happen to my g8. but my trunnion failed and went through the whole engine and had to rebuild it again.

 

CHeck my thread out on g8board.com

 

Livernois won't even do the trunnion upgrade.  They had a couple fail and have never had the "stock" setup fail.  

 

I saw the other day that one of the standard lifters failed on a members G8.  The standard lifter is the "LS7" style.  Just tuning DOD out isn't the fix.  It's getting the lifters out that fixes it.   Mine ticks like mad when I first start it, but is quiet after.  I hope mine goes, it'll give me a better reason to pull the motor and replace it with a bored LS3.  I'd like 475 N/A at the wheels.

[Periodic]

Chris, is the ls3 a direct swap? Other than tune (should be able to flash a A6 GXP tune to the E38 PCM right?)  Aside from DOD, i don't see why it would bolt right up to the trans etc...

[matts88yj]

Even after the dealer takes care of the issue, I'd look at getting the DOD crap out sooner rather than later.  Go big or go home.

[Stenguyen1]

while the dealer got it apart, you could tell them to install the dod kit and cam lol

 

they have to put it together anyways so mine as well use some performance parts, plus it be under warranty since they installed it.

[Periodic]

while the dealer got it apart, you could tell them to install the dod kit and cam lol

 

they have to put it together anyways so mine as well use some performance parts, plus it be under warranty since they installed it.

Good idea, but in that case i would have to get a GM approved cam, and then what about tune, wouldn't the tune void warranty anyways?

[Chewy]

Chris, is the ls3 a direct swap? Other than tune (should be able to flash a A6 GXP tune to the E38 PCM right?)  Aside from DOD, i don't see why it would bolt right up to the trans etc...

Direct swap!  Just swap your heads and intake over and tune...  

[2008fx4]

suck.  congrats on the wedding though - thats our anniversary!

[DonJuan692006]

Good idea, but in that case i would have to get a GM approved cam, and then what about tune, wouldn't the tune void warranty anyways?

Honestly that would be up to the dealer but I will tell you that switching to performance and not OEM parts will void it from the car manufacturer. You'd only still have one if the parts manufacturer provides one. You can always fight a warranty claim if you think your mods are not the cause of a failure depending on how much money you want to throw at a court battle.

[02Xtreme07ss]

I've always heard the DOD causes problems. I say get that tuned out.

DOD is notorious for failure. As the OP said, nice conversation piece, but they have never worked out the bugs. I say option #3 and save yourself some coin and headaches in the longrun.

Edited August 23, 2013 by 02Xtreme07ss

[Periodic]

Hey guys, little update.

 

Had the car towed to the dealership yesterday morning.  They confirmed it is still under powertrain warranty.  They said they would get back to me on what they found.

 

All bets confirmed, 16 lifters and camshaft are being replaced under warranty.  No performance upgrades for me now, which is fine by me since i didn't really have the money for it anyways and hadn't planned on breaking into the engine anytime soon.  Maybe headers and a tune next spring.  Car should be ready on Saturday, in the mean time I am driving my grandpas buick Allure, I think i may Adamize it tonight (just a wheel/tire treatment, wash, dry, glaze, wax and clean windows). 

[JJ Stin]

Thats good to hear man!
How many miles is on yours?
I have about 105 on mine, the engine did have a ticking sound only when its real cold.

[DonJuan692006]

Hey guys, little update.

 

Had the car towed to the dealership yesterday morning. They confirmed it is still under powertrain warranty. They said they would get back to me on what they found.

 

All bets confirmed, 16 lifters and camshaft are being replaced under warranty. No performance upgrades for me now, which is fine by me since i didn't really have the money for it anyways and hadn't planned on breaking into the engine anytime soon. Maybe headers and a tune next spring. Car should be ready on Saturday, in the mean time I am driving my grandpas buick Allure, I think i may Adamize it tonight (just a wheel/tire treatment, wash, dry, glaze, wax and clean windows).

Good to hear that it worked out for ya.

[Periodic]

Thats good to hear man!

How many miles is on yours?

I have about 105 on mine, the engine did have a ticking sound only when its real cold.

Right at 60K miles (98K km).  Really glad to have the warranty, especially when i thought it had expired.  I must say that dealing with the dealership has been a good experience so far, Surgenor's in Ottawa.  They seem to have always had a good name for customer service, and that seems to be holding true!