Lifter Problem
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 2
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Lifter Problem
I have a 2016 LT3 Stingray with 19,000 miles. While one vacation I started run rough and then stop and wouldn’t start back up. After I got it back to my dealer, they determined that I had a broken lifter spring. They are pretty certain I don’t have any metal in the engine. My question to the group is what do I do to ensure my other lifter springs are ok. Does this particular spring breaking cause any damage to anything else related to that lifter or any other lifters?
Moderator
Joined: May 2010
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From: Northern Illinois
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
Welcome to the Forum, moving you to C7 Tech for further discussions... good luck
Stick Shift Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,113
Likes: 2,390
From: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
I mean I'd have them look at the whole upper valve train basically take the top end apart (I assume they did to replace the spring). If they said everything else looks good after that, I'd be satisfied. Parts fail, and just because one part failed doesn't mean the others are bad. But visual inspection is always good anyway.
As a precaution while you are in there you can just replace everything, really its about cost, parts are usually cheap, labor isn't. If you're inside an engine, and you have the cash, just replace everything.
As a precaution while you are in there you can just replace everything, really its about cost, parts are usually cheap, labor isn't. If you're inside an engine, and you have the cash, just replace everything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,223
Likes: 2,017
From: Loveland
Welcome to the forum. Sorry for the issue you are having. Have you heard about disabling the 4 cylinder mode. It is supposed to prevent the issue. There are a few ways people do this. Google it. Most people use the AFM disabler, that plugs into the OBD plug. One is the Range device. There are two ways to do it mechanically. Replace all the top end stuff, kind of expensive, or do the VLOM mod by CrazedPerformanceRepair, not that expensive. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 633
Is your Stingray an A8 or manual transmission?
Only a small fraction of C7 Corvette Stingrays equipped with manual transmissions experience AFM-related engine problems. The majority of documented Active Fuel Management (AFM) failures—particularly lifter collapse, valve spring breakage, and oil consumption—occur in automatic models rather than manuals.
Only a small fraction of C7 Corvette Stingrays equipped with manual transmissions experience AFM-related engine problems. The majority of documented Active Fuel Management (AFM) failures—particularly lifter collapse, valve spring breakage, and oil consumption—occur in automatic models rather than manuals.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 949
From: North Texas
I believe that the A8's have more issues than a M7 is due to the fact that an A8 is always going from V8 to V4 and back constantly. Every time it switches there is a chance it will fail due to a mis-timing event with the AFM lifters locking pins. (per GM video).
This is why you should tune out the AFM using a Diablo I3 or Range to keep it from switching from V8 to V4 and back. Fewer times it switches, less times it can fail.
Not a cure all, for you still have the not so good AFM lifters in the engine.
Replacing the AFM lifters and cam = $$$
Tuning it out not so mush $.
This is why you should tune out the AFM using a Diablo I3 or Range to keep it from switching from V8 to V4 and back. Fewer times it switches, less times it can fail.
Not a cure all, for you still have the not so good AFM lifters in the engine.
Replacing the AFM lifters and cam = $$$
Tuning it out not so mush $.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 973
Likes: 268
From: Oro Valley Arizona
I have a 2007 5.3L with automatic in an Avalanche. Even if you use an disabler the lifters can still collapse causing the same issue. What I found if I start it up and the lifter is “ticking” I turn it off and start it again. Usually the noise goes away. If you use the AFM as designed the lifters expand and collapse as intended. I find this is actually better than the disabler. Most importantly change your oil and filter with good quality oil like Mobile 1 and oil filter with anti drain back valve. Wix 57060XP
yes the XP filter as they have synthetic media inside to work best with synthetic oil.
yes the XP filter as they have synthetic media inside to work best with synthetic oil.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,181
Likes: 3,173
From: Hartford WI
I mean I'd have them look at the whole upper valve train basically take the top end apart (I assume they did to replace the spring). If they said everything else looks good after that, I'd be satisfied. Parts fail, and just because one part failed doesn't mean the others are bad. But visual inspection is always good anyway.
As a precaution while you are in there you can just replace everything, really its about cost, parts are usually cheap, labor isn't. If you're inside an engine, and you have the cash, just replace everything.
As a precaution while you are in there you can just replace everything, really its about cost, parts are usually cheap, labor isn't. If you're inside an engine, and you have the cash, just replace everything.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 641
From: Pingree Grove IL
Drop it off at Late model racecraft. Get a mild cam, standard lifters, have them tune out all that tech savy stuff. And yes it’s going to cost some dollars. Probably well worth it. Get a 3200 stall converter while you’re there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,642
Likes: 838
From: New Jersey
GM has had an occasional bad batch of valve springs.........probably should replace them all to be safe.
Failures of the DOD system are an unrelated problem. The fix is to not use/disable DOD.......
Failures of the DOD system are an unrelated problem. The fix is to not use/disable DOD.......
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,181
Likes: 3,173
From: Hartford WI
TBH, if I was seeing a long term future with the C7, I'd have already done it. That said, if my lifter fails tomorrow, one of 2 things will happen. Either I fix that lifter and sell it or I replace the cam.
Stick Shift Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,113
Likes: 2,390
From: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
I think the fix is to remove the weak link. The DOD cam and lifters. Since I am replacing the lifter, how much more work is involved with doing a cam swap?
TBH, if I was seeing a long term future with the C7, I'd have already done it. That said, if my lifter fails tomorrow, one of 2 things will happen. Either I fix that lifter and sell it or I replace the cam.
TBH, if I was seeing a long term future with the C7, I'd have already done it. That said, if my lifter fails tomorrow, one of 2 things will happen. Either I fix that lifter and sell it or I replace the cam.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,181
Likes: 3,173
From: Hartford WI
It's old so get something newer is my philosophy. Unless you can't financially justify it, might as well upgrade. Assuming I can afford to upgrade it, if I drive it 100 miles a year, it won't make sense to upgrade so I will have to tough it out. OTOH, if I out say 10k a year, it is more justifiable to upgrade.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,903
Likes: 2,618
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
It's old so get something newer is my philosophy. Unless you can't financially justify it, might as well upgrade. Assuming I can afford to upgrade it, if I drive it 100 miles a year, it won't make sense to upgrade so I will have to tough it out. OTOH, if I out say 10k a year, it is more justifiable to upgrade.
We are now at 8 years/65k miles, no major problems yet but they will appear some time.
If I want to stay with a C7, my choices will be to keep fixing this one or try to find a low miles 2019.
Or get a lobotomy so I don't mind the ugliness/cramped interior/etc of the C8.
I'm getting too old to switch to another type.
Stick Shift Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,113
Likes: 2,390
From: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Oh if my C7 is ever destroyed beyond repair or I decide it isn't worth the money to fix it, I'll sell it. And sadly at that point I'll have to buy a Mustang GT Manual. Cause I'm not getting a C8 without a stick shift, unless I magically can afford a C8 Z06 (I'll deal with the flappy paddles in that case), and that is unlikely as the way I want it configured its $175k.