L-99 lifter bleed down tbi gm issued

[Lawdog]

Its official, my Baby is in surgery getting a new set of newly designed lifters by GM to cure a problem they apparently have known about for awhile now, called Lifter Bleed down on the L-99 engines (Automatics)

When you shut your car off the oil may bleeed out of the lifter after 2-3 hours. This causes a ticking sound when you go to restart for the first 10-20 seconds. It does not happen on every restart just every once in awhile.

This problem started at 5000 miles with my car, and we waited until GM was done designing and shipping the new lifter that is suppose to cure the problem before we decided to open up the engine. The lifters came in and my babys in surgery today. I stopped by on the way home and it appears I should have her back tomorrow or wed.

[DarkSS]

My car goes in for the front end clunk on Wednesday.

[Lawdog]

What clunk?

[TonyNo]

There has been mention of a front-end clunk on other forums for a while now. I have heard it on occasion, but, was not able to reproduce it for the dealer.

[Lawdog]

HMMM havent heard it, On bumps?

[DarkSS]

When turning left and accelerating it clunks

[parnelli]

Its official, my Baby is in surgery getting a new set of newly designed lifters by GM to cure a problem they apparently have known about for awhile now, called Lifter Bleed down on the L-99 engines (Automatics)

When you shut your car off the oil may bleeed out of the lifter after 2-3 hours. This causes a ticking sound when you go to restart for the first 10-20 seconds. It does not happen on every restart just every once in awhile.

This problem started at 5000 miles with my car, and we waited until GM was done designing and shipping the new lifter that is suppose to cure the problem before we decided to open up the engine. The lifters came in and my babys in surgery today. I stopped by on the way home and it appears I should have her back tomorrow or wed.

Do you know What Vin #'s this has been fixed at?

[Camaro Lover]

I have a L-99 and have just had an oil change and have not had this issue. (7,000 miles) Lawdog, any details on the magnitude of the issue? Does it affect every L-99. I would like you to listen to my car. I don't hear the clicking sound.

[gorgeous-ss]

hmmm now ill have to listen closer to mine

[Lawdog]

This occurs after the car is turned off for 2-3 hours and restarted, the initial ten-20 seconds you will hear the lifter ticking. It does not happen every time but every once in awhile about two-three times a week. GM has designed some new lifters to remedy the bleed down so the oil does not bleed out of the lifter after shut off. These new lifters have just been produced in the last 30 days, thats why I waited to fix it.

They finished the car in one day, heads taken off and put back on, 8 new lifters in. The guy does good work, could never tell my engine was touched. !!

I do think I have to wake the engine up though again like I did when the car was new, I will talk to him about that tomorrow.

The L-99 engine has Automatic Fuel management "AFM" and my understanding is that with the AFM the oil pressure to the lifters not being used when the car shuts down to 4 cylinders stops which creates a bigger necessity to design the lifter to stay compacted with its oil while not being used. Theres a Utube video with sound for you guys to listen to. MY BABYS BACK HOME, YEAH!!

[KATHY63]

I hope that they fixed your problem. They don't know what to do with ours.

[Octane]

Hmm, my car does that clicking thing at start-up, too.

I've never thought much of it though, but maybe I should?

[gorgeous-ss]

is it covered under warrenty?

[Lawdog]

Yes its covered under the warranty, totally,

[BearDownSS]

I had a similar issue with my lifters when I first got the car, but I was getting white smoke coming out of the exhaust. They ended up changing my lifters too, and I haven't had any issues since. So I wouldn't worry too much