This is my grandparents car and they need help. The lifters went bad, very bad, loud knocking noise. Put Lucas oil in it to lower the noise and it did, but it's coming back after 4k miles. They absolutely love the truck and everything else on it still works, the tranny still shifts like a dream. Doesn't burn any oil.
They want to fix the problem, a couple ideas were to replace the engine with a crate motor (do they still make them?) or fix whatever is broken (mechanic says likely lifters). I was quoted ~$3.5k for fixing all the lifters and rocker arms, but would it be worth it on a high mileage engine like this?
What should my grandparents do? They don't want to spend more than 5k fixing it. Should I try to convince them to get rid of it? Thanks!
before we have a 2002 chevy suburban 5.3l with 230K miles and we sold it cause we have too many cars (not rich though were all the same) but the suv ran like a dream, but we never have the ticking or knocking sound, it could possibly have too much trash inside of it or have put different oil (or yall use the same oil) and for a heads up, the transmission will wear out soon when you reach 30K more, BUT if you can find a junkyard parts near where you live, you can save 1k grand (theres 4l60E but there could be one for the 4wd)
You could use this link below and see if you want to just replace the motor for a used or rebuilt motor with a warranty. It's a judgment call as to whether the AT will be next or not.
https://carpartplanet.com/2004-gmc-yukon-5-3l-vin-t.html?CampaignType=BingShopping&utm_source=bing
at 200k miles, it's going to need more than just lifters.
The cost of engine replacement will easily exceed the value of the vehicle.
Luckily you can get a newer Yukon for not that much money.
lifters go bad from poor lubrication. So if you don't rebuild the engine, then new lifters could just fail again soon.