Active Fuel Management or AFM is a fuel management system that regulates the power used by the engine’s cylinders leading to more efficient fuel mileage. However, this does have some drawbacks, as it can cause AFM lifter failure and lead to excessive oil consumption. We’ve had some readers ask about chevy 6.0 lifter problems, as well as 5.3 AFM failure issues. In this article, we’ll cover everything about the issue, including the causes of AFM lifter failure, how to prevent it, and how to disable AFM without a tune if it becomes necessary.
Active Fuel Management (AFM) system works by shutting off half of your engine cylinders, so your car can operate at a reduced power level and lower fuel consumption in low load and cruising driving situations. Studies show that AFM can help improve fuel mileage by 5 to 7%.
The AFM system has many internal working mechanisms required to turn on and off thousands of times. This can cause severe wear and eventually lead to AFM lifter failure.
Faulty AFM lifters can cause severe damage to your car, so it is crucial to spot the failure early. Some of the symptoms of AFM lifter failure are:
If you experience difficulty downshifting when driving, your car’s AFM lifters might be damaged. It is vital to take quick action once you notice this, as this can damage important parts of the vehicle, including the clutch, flywheel, and even the entire transmission system.
Typically, your engine should deliver optimum power when needed, but if the engine fails to provide full power, it could be a symptom of AFM lifter failure. While this problem can also indicate problems related to engine timing issues or the cylinder misfiring, you should not rule out a case of AFM lifter failure.
If your vehicle is jerking from side to side when you accelerate, without any prior warning, it can be a case of AFM lifter failure. This could be a major road hazard and can cause major damage if not rectified early enough.
If you notice your car hesitates when accelerating, it could be a sign of AFM lifter failure. It could be a symptom of other problems like too high temperatures or a mass airflow sensor failure. Whatever the cause may be, do not ignore it and get it checked out as soon as possible.
A car engine suddenly staling without warning is a common symptom of AFM lifter failure. This, coupled with engine grinding, is extremely dangerous, as the vehicle can stall at any time. This can be very dangerous in some situations, like the car suddenly stalling in the middle of the road while driving, leading to a loss of control. If you notice this symptom, get your car checked out immediately.
Apart from knowing the symptoms of AFM lifter failure and how it can pose a potential road hazard if left unfixed, you should also know the causes of this problem. Some of the problems that have been identified include:
Like every other component in your vehicle’s engine, the AFM lifter needs proper lubrication, and a lack of oil to provide the required lubrication can cause serious problems. If your car’s oil levels are low for a while, it can cause AFM lifter failure as excessive friction will be created in the engine’s moving parts, causing indents in the oil seals and eventually causing the lifters to fail.
One of the causes of AFM lifter failure is low-quality oil. If you use a bad quality oil in your vehicle for a long time, it can cause complete AFM lifter collapse and require you to replace multiple parts in the engine and possibly reroute the stock tanks.
Regular use causes the engine components to break down over time slowly, and if this wear and tear are not taken care of, there will be an eventual AFM lifter failure.
To prevent AFM lifter failure and further damage to your car’s engine, there are a few steps you can take. Some of them are:
While you don’t have to break the bank and buy the most expensive oil on the market, ensure the oil you buy is recommended by the manufacturer or very closely suited to your engine. This can help eliminate AFM lifter failure.
An excellent way to combat regular wear and tear that eventually causes AFM lifter failure is to service your vehicle regularly by taking it to the mechanic. This will nip any developing problems in the bud and can even help to prevent unknown problems.
AFM lifter failure is primarily caused by the AFM system preventing half your engine’s cylinders from working to manage fuel consumption. By disabling the AFM so that it doesn’t work as often, you can significantly reduce the risk of AFM lifter failure. Activating the AFM disabler is very easy and gives the bonus of ensuring that the lifters will last much longer.
If you want to disable AFM on your vehicle, either to avoid AFM lifter failure or for any other reason and don’t want a tune that might end up voiding your warranty, here are two ways to do it:
You can disable the AFM by removing the vacuum sensor from the brake booster assembly. However, it can cause the “Check Engine” light to come on, which can be somewhat problematic.
Another way to disable an AFM without a tune is to deactivate it with an AFM disabler. It is very easy to install, activate and uninstall. Everything should return to its previous state once you remove the AFM from the OBD2 port.
Most AFM lifter failures are caused by oil pressure issues, the use of low-quality oils, or general wear or tear.
There are several symptoms that show if an AFM lifter is about to collapse, the most common of which are: difficulty in downshifting, jerkiness when accelerating, low engine power, and sudden stalling.
Yes, you can. Either by using an AFM disabler or removing the brake booster vacuum sensor.
If you want to avoid AFM lifter failure or enjoy the full performance of your vehicle’s engine, then you should disable AFM.
Yes, disabling AFM can save lifters from failure, as the lifters will be needed less often and thus experience less wear and tear.
There are a few steps you can take to prevent AFM lifter failure from happening. They include; using the oil best suited for your engine, Disabling AFM with an AFM disabler, and servicing your vehicle regularly.
AFM lifter failure is a common problem in vehicles and can happen to any car. The issue can have many causes, which we have listed and explained in detail.
To fix this issue permanently, there are some steps you can take, such as replacing the faulty AFM lifter or even disabling AFM.
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