2014–2024 Chevrolet Silverado: AFM/DFM lifter failure (ticking, misfire)
Likely causes, ranked
- Collapsed AFM/DFM lifter on a deactivating cylinder (lifters, plus camshaft if damaged)$2,800–$7,000Shop
- Full AFM/DFM delete: non-AFM lifters, cam, valley cover and tune$3,000–$3,000Shop
- Engine replacement if the cam and internals are badly damaged$11,000–$11,000Shop
- Oil-pressure or oil-feed issues that mimic lifter tickShop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
Rough cost: $2,800–$11,000DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: A loud tick at idle, rough running, a flashing check-engine light, and misfire codes, often on the cylinders that shut off to save fuel. It can get worse quickly once a lifter collapses.
Likely causes (ranked by how often they show up in owner threads)
- Collapsed AFM lifter. This is the classic failure. On SilveradoSierra, a dealer quoted one owner about $2,800 for lifters only and about $7,000 if the camshaft was damaged.
- A full delete instead of a like-for-like repair. Many owners and technicians recommend non-AFM lifters, a new camshaft, and a tune rather than reinstalling the same design. An independent builder in the Ask Scotty thread said he charges about $3,000 start to finish.
- Engine replacement. The same SilveradoSierra owner was quoted about $11,000 for a new engine.
- Look-alikes. Oil-pressure problems can make similar noises, so get a proper diagnosis.
Rough cost range
| Repair | Reported |
|---|---|
| Lifters only (dealer quote) | About $2,800 |
| Lifters + cam (dealer quote) | About $7,000 |
| Full AFM delete (independent) | About $3,000 |
| New engine | About $11,000 |
DIY or shop?
Shop for most people. It's a big job. Experienced home mechanics do deletes, but they report spending dozens of hours on it.
Useful steps
- Don't drive it hard with a heavy tick plus a misfire. A dead lifter chews up the cam lobe.
- Get a scan for misfire codes and a cylinder balance test.
- Get quotes for both repair and delete, and ask exactly what's included (all 16 lifters, cam, gaskets, tune).
- For 2021–2024 6.2L trucks, check recall 25V274. That's a separate engine-bearing problem.
Vehicle focus: 2014–2024 Chevrolet Silverado.
Safety / mechanic note
Sudden engine failure can leave you stranded in traffic. Verify with a mechanic before driving long distances with an active lifter tick or a flashing check-engine light.
Recalls & service bulletins
Recalls
- 25V274000 2021–2024 Silverado 1500 and other GM trucks/SUVs with the 6.2L V8: connecting rod and/or crankshaft defects can cause engine failure. Details
NHTSA complaints: 634 keyword-matched complaints for Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2014–2024 (of 8,928 total complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.