I can literally feel your frustration and pain with this one Wes. Sometimes you're the top dog, sometimes you're the fire hydrant. The nightmare is over and tomorrow's a new day though!

Almost a full hour with Wes. Made my day.

Leave it to GM to take an absolutely legendary and bulletproof engine, and absolutely sabotage it up by adding AFM & DOD. Seriously what the hell.

I was a mechanic, I’m now 80, so that’s over. This video reminds me of the backbreaking drudgery involved with major engine work. This was before computers ran everything. The diagnosis was much easier, the systems were simple, basic. I could do a complete valve job on a1955 ford V-8, including grinding the valves and seats (I had a valve grinding machine on the end of my bench). Time for this project = 4 hours. Complete brake system overhaul including new shoes, brake drum machining, honing the wheel cylinders and bleeding the brake fluid= 4 hours. I worked alone and I had a NAPA parts store one block away. Simpler times, simpler systems. No waiting for parts to be shipped and I made a living. This was in Los Angles where I was raised.

7:05 I used to build vehicles for GM and during the electronics training they always STRESSED to us how important it was to use that safety clip on every connection. to the point where it was down right annoying but The main reasoning behind it was because they are pumping out as many trucks as they can as fast as they can and there are literally dozens upon dozens of connections on each vehicle that HAVE to ALL be 100% secure and connected EVERY TIME. On the assembly line you are working fast and sometimes you will think you plugged something in but these vehicles dont have power and arent functional until the end of the line so there is no way to test it early on so if you didn't hear that safety connector click into place or you cant push it in then it wasnt fully done and thats how you know. Yes, there are still times were people forget to connect that safety clip and the truck doesnt function right when it is built and they have to tear the entire truck apart trouble shooting whats wrong sometimes even taking the body off the frame to figure out the issue or dropping the headliner or removing a seat but the safety clip helps lower and minimize those issues. plus they know who is in charge of installing each connection at all times so if you mess up even one time somebody will be speaking with you about it shortly. They also put those in because not to mention 2-3 weeks, months, or years down the road you dont want customers coming back to you telling you "Hey this feature doesnt work anymore" and it was because it vibrated loose or became unplugged over time. Yes they are annoying to take out but once they are in. they are in. Fun fact, the Cadillac Escalade wiring harness for the interior weighs upwards of 150lbs of just WIRES and connections can you believe that! I usually don't leave long comments but i chime in whenever i can answer any questions hope this helped.

Loving the Mrs Wes calming conversation. Classic!!

In July of 2000, I packed up my tools and took my four ASE master certs off the wall and went home. I was fed up. I never looked back, either. Kudos to you for continuing in this venture.

Well, it has taken most of a decade, but GM has finally succeeded in removing all of the joy of working on one of their engines to accomplish anything more complicated than an oil change... And yes, that sucks... You Sir, have my utmost respect for the work you do...

Wes your customers are lucky to have you as their trusted mechanic.

On the ecodiesel, the injector fuel lines are not "reusable" because of a special coating that could break off from the inside lining of the tube during removal/installation. I reused them and have not had any problems and many others on the ecodiesel forums have done the same. No way I am spending $1000 for fuel lines for just removing them.

Drive with your 6 speed in 5th. Very little fuel mileage difference but the AFM never activates-and the transmission is much smoother shifting,especially when around town. Nice work Wes

Don't blame yourself for injectors that don't come out easily enough not to destroy themselves. I tell my customers this stuff goes together once. If they break when they are taken apart, don't blame me. I didn't build it, I didn't design it, I didn't buy it. But I have to fix it. You do a great job, keep it up. I have been working on stuff for over 45 years and still love it.

When you showed the misfire on 8 and then again on 6, that hit me straight in the feels. I've been in the same kind of despair and anger mindset too many times to count. Glad you got it sorted -- hopefully it won't haunt your dreams.

As frustrating as it was to you, the video was great and educational. Real life stuff; both what it took to fix it and the crap GM continues to sell. I just read there's class action lawsuit regarding AFM. Known issue that really needs to be addressed. Thanks for taking us along. Looking forward to your next video.

As a GM technician currently working in a Buick GMC dealer I've lost count the amount of lifters I've installed in these trucks, and the 19, 20, 21 and 22 body styles still have the same issue. We are replacing them at 5k and 6k miles. Had one about a month ago where the cam lobe was delaminated and had to be replaced. ( even worse on the new body styles than the 15 model ). Most of the new bodies are breaking the push rod on the affected cylinder or at the very least bending them. Most of us don't even bother checking the spark plug, wire or coil anymore. We just pull the valve cover first when one comes in the with a misfire. The injector rails have always been a pain to get out, we use prybars cause the special tools usually won't get them out. You can use the plastic tip of a ball point pen to help get the seals installed on the injectors without risking stretching them too far but I would invest in the resizer if you plan on doing a bunch of these in the future. Just a few tips I thought I'd share to try to help.

I watched this and concluded I'd never want to be a modern day mechanic. You're a rock star, dude!

Cylinder deactivation in any form has been a huge repair tax for drivers from the EPA.

Wow! The farther we advance with new technology, the more reliability and money go out the window. Wow! Hang in there Wes!

Two things I really like about you Wes, you never use profanity and you know how to hold a camera. Some people let the camera shake until your dizzy, not you. You also know what your doing and explain very well. You should have been a teacher, your patience is beyond belief.

I know it was stressful, but take some comfort in knowing literally thousands of people wish we knew a good honest mechanic like you!

Glad you shared the Silverado debacle with us; not all KZfaqrs would do that. But hey, it happens to all of us: just that we're not recording our issues. 👍

I think every mechanic knows that feeling - when you realise there's no option but to redo the last several hours of work... I felt your pain

Late model GM trucks are off my list of what I will own. You showed us exactly why.

As a heavy equipment mechanic who does work on anything I own usually (luckily mostly all old), I know the struggles. I have watched a lot of your videos and have never commented to my recollection. I know you seem to enjoy the bigger dumber stuff like me and for you to get into this absolute poop show for someone shows loyalty to your customers. Keep up the good work Wes.

After particularly difficult days at work, my father would always say “It’s not too late for Dental School”….I’ve never left my job for dental school. Not a knock against dentists, but I imagine working on a live person who feels pain is more difficult than working on most cars…but some days it’s a toss up. Thanks for inviting us along on your frustrating journey with this truck.

Next level genius on those injector seals....saves having to buy tools. these are the tricks that other mechanics take years to learn

Wes, as a (now former) owner of a new '15 Silverado, I have felt the sting of defeat that was written all over your face at the conclusion of this video. Vibrations with a seemingly endless list of possible causes and plausible fixes (from new to present day). Radios that fail with casading electical consequences, and no available repair parts anywhere at any price. The rice Krispies hidden by the factory in the dashboard (snap crackle pop). Best of all, the 6L80 torque converter, bellhousing, pump doomed to failure (after 49K) if you tow anything of consquential weight over anything resembling a hill. Damn shame GM forgot how to build a reliable truck that not even a qualified mechanic can repair. You are probably better off wrenching on anything else, or at least charging your customers generously to even attempt repairs on these POS. Thanks for another excellent video and tell the Mrs. she needs OSHA approved footwear before moving any more tool boxes.

Wes as a GM mechanic I really like your ingenuity of how to put the seals on the injectors and size them you rocked there boy all them special tools cost of fortune if you can get away without them it's good you did it boy good job

Man, I could feel your anger and frustration coming through on this one. Totally justified, and totally relatable. I used to be an industrial mechanic and I experienced my share of moments like this. Watching this really brought me back.

Per the GM engineering coloring book: 10 hours to remove electrical connections. 2 hours for lifter replacement.

Hi Wes ! Don't give up, keep it up, that's why that your channel is appreciated! For your insight, your knowledge and your and especially your immense patience! Your videos are a pure delight! Thank you for all the work you put into the quality of your videos. Hats off to you Wes ! JC 🔧

You are an amazing man Wes! (I'm in my '70s and refuse to drive anything made after about 1990.) I have a 1965 mustang GT and there's nothing I can't change or repair myself on that.

MANY years ago I worked in a Texaco service station with a mechanic who complained just like you do about Detroit engineering. After a tirade of words he would chuck a wrench or two. By that time his sense of direction and his throwing arm were unconnected. I was never hit but there were some close calls and some expensive windows. His wish was that the engineers would have to work on the vehicles they had designed.

This is such a pervasive problem, it really should be a recall.

I hate working on new engines. Happy there are people like you who do that work. If it does not have a carb, I don't touch it. I'm an old dog and I ain't learning no new tricks. But I do like watching others who do. Great Video.

The more it hurts the longer you'll remember it! Sorry you had to go through it but its nice to know I'm not alone in learning things this way! Thanks for the great content Wes.

Yes the old carbureted engines were hard to start and so on. I long for the simplicity.

I'm glad it was you and not me this happened to. I probably would have had to retrieve my tools from the walls and door of my garage. I detest doing things twice, let alone 3 damn times. 😡. You got er done though👍👍 Wes.

Damn, kudos for sticking with it and not giving up! Your struggles were...palpable, for lack of a better word. THIS is exactly why I subscribe to your channel and find you inspiring🤘 Love the wife helping out by telling you to watch your language - bet that helps on the mood in the heat of the moment 🤣

I find your videos to be both entertaining and educational. I have learned much about certain vehicles that I will never own and never work on. This is one of them.

Wes, I have been breaking off and throwing unnecessary factory clips and dodads across the shop for more years than you have been alive. Thanks for posting.

GM had to mess with the only product they could make properly. Modern engines are a nightmare to diagnose and fix. Disposable society at it's finest.

I have watched a few of your videos and really enjoy them. but on this one I liked commented and subscribed. I worked on cars for a Ford dealership from age 22 till age 52 and hung it up. From oil changer thru technician, service writer and was service manager the day I quit. There is great days and bad days. You show great patience, knowledge and determination to get it done that's hard to find in people now days. Keep your head up young man and keep on digging. If it was easy, everyone would be doing what you're doing.

The trial and tribulations of being a mechanic. Great vid Wes. I understand your frustration especially having to do the job multiple times. Maybe some folks will watch this and get and idea what a mechanic goes through sometimes. Thanks for sharing. I love mrs wes’ safety shoes. 😂

Man that was a hard ride on the struggle bus. Had a good laugh at "They also tell you to jnstall the fuel line in the right direction". Dry Wes humor at its best. Thanks for taking us along, that was a nice prime time watch at Sunday evening.

The locks on the connectors and the non-reusability of the fuel lines is almost certainly an edict from the legal department, not engineering.

Hello wes, I take my hat off to you. Your assumptions about where and, above all, how errors occur, followed by an explanation, put a smile on my face. I would have wished for a teacher like that during my apprenticeship as a car mechanic. Please share your experiences with us. No matter how long you've been in the business, you never stop learning.

Wes , my buddy and I were just talking about your videos a couple of days ago. We both said "there's some jobs he does that just wear me out watching. " This is one of them. Great videos. Thanks .

At 65 sorry bro. Hard and unfortunately lesson learned. After I lost my butt on a few jobs my dad told me EVERY time engineers call for a specific tool, buy the tool. It sucks but it’s cheaper to buy the tool then it is to loose your butt on the job then still haft to buy the tool. Try not to let it get to you. You are one of the best mechanics I’ve seen. Your ethics are better than I’ve seen in years. Keep your head up and say hi to the “white knuckle” towing service from Texas.

You are 100% correct about the left/right reference. It was that way 45 years ago when I started wrenching on stuff and it’s the same today.

I really appreciate videos where the whole story and failures in repairs are told. Nicely executed.

This hits home so hard. You have the patience of a saint Wes, more power to you.

Wess what ever you do don't stop talking, it is the best part and shows you personality. Great show, I spent 50 years working on locomotives and rolling stock but could not tolerate some of the rotten vehicles you do! Keep it up, and talk away. Franz

Wow, that sucks on a Titanic scale. Makes a guy long for a simpler time when things weren't so easy to screw up (unless your asleep or stupid). I look at the "new stuff" coming out on the market and really start to shy away from it due to the service issues down the road. It's past the point where a guy or gal can go out and wrench on their own car or truck with simple tools to keep things affordable. Now your almost stuck dealing with a stealership or authorized screw you center to get things done. Guess it's time to walk the wrecking yards and rebuild something older and naturally aspirated to get through the next 20 years. Hats off to you Wes for not backing down in a fight, well done. Sadly there just are not enough "Wes's" out there to look after all of us who need your skill set and more over patience to address the "new needs"... Cheers Thanks for the Share P.S. still curious about the bike in the background, it's got a story no doubt. Love to hear about it..

Love watching you battle the rust belt from San Diego California. The amount of rust on cars out there blows my mind they’re still rolling down the road you fix some amazing stuff give me many good ideas keep it up thank you Wes

Can't believe your viewers give you crap about "left and right" left/driver right/passenger it sucks when trying to find customer complaints. Your videos have made me a better mechanic and I've been doing it for 20 years. I'm more thorough because of you, thank you!

i felt your pain at the end. I think it is because you work hard to do the job right and control cost and this one didnt go that way. You feel responsible for the extra parts cost, but having watched you for years, I know how careful you are. Hoping you can let it go, wasnt your fault

For what it’s worth, I like these slightly longer videos.

Watching this video I felt bad for you Wes. You are one of the best technicians/mechanics I've seen. I am glad for you that you were able to fix it and get it out of the shop. Kee up the good work. Wishing you the best.

I'm very impressed at your work ethics. You're very good at what you do, Wes

Happened to my brother last year. He was pretty down about it but he repaired it himself. We grew up as backyard mechanics, something I appreciate now. I love doing most of my own work. I trust one guy, though, for the tough parts like my air conditioning. Plus having a little knowledge when something I can’t fix I feel is helpful when describing an issue.

Chin up and hang in there Wes! I work on the farm and repairs are done by us with no scope and no fancy computer it's still satisfying to see your repairs and watch my favorite KZfaq channel.

As a mechanic for over 30 years, I really feel your pain but couldn't stop laughing when at the end you show all of those injectors you finally replaced. But look at the bright side, now you can do this job again with your eyes closed. We don't get paid enough for what we do. Thanks for sharing :)

One of your best and most interesting videos! Sorry for your pain, but it was interesting to watch. We need more great mechanics like you.

I feel your pain Wes. At my job, if it takes me a day to figure out / repair something that I have never seen before. And it was 8 years ago. You bet your ass I will remember it and when it does show up again, I am a freaking hero because I can fix the machine in record time. My boss know this, which is why they keep me around and pay me well :) Also, thank you for sharing / creating videos. I know it is a pain, after you spend all that time setting up shots, and then editing. Let along doing the actual repairs. Thanks.

Wes my friend, this video proves your metal. I've been there too and it's a tough spot to be in! It takes true grit to fight through it and it takes even more to be humble enough to share it on KZfaq for the benefit of your viewers. Thank you my friend for the awesome videos! Keep up the great work! I look forward to every new video! Take care buddy!

The old car always hides the comings. I salute you for your patience. I got stuck in a Ford F350 diesel truck because of the old injectors and the bad fuel. I follow you from Iraq and now I am in Turkey.

This video is the best way to explain to customers why something takes so many hours or why it is so expencive. Also i'm not a mechanic still work alot on my own cars...my 2007 avalanche has a misfire on cylinder 5 and more then one mechanic told me it is a lifter or the camshaft...and you know how it is...if you complete more and more complicated things on your cars you feel like you could do that yourself too....now i know i CANNOT do this job myself. I don't have the tools and i'm not sure i can get all the information that you need on how to screw the stuff back together like it has to be... so this is a very good way to show to us normal ppl that this is a job for an experienced mechanic with ALOT of patience. Thanks alot for this video was fun to watch. To GM...plse make cars like in the 60's again...i repair everything myself on them except for the tranny:)

For years i am enjoying your vids Wes, thank you man for taking me on this trip and let me watch you work! 🛠

Great video, as always. Also, as always, you took us with you on the good and the bad of the job. My first video I saw of yours was the DT466E timing cover video from way back. And you hooked me with your frank honesty and thoroughness. I am sorry this happened, it sucks, but thanks for sharing even though it was clearly frustrating (and boy have I been right there before after a big job). Keep up the great work!

Wes, a triple thumbs up on this video. I felt so bad watching you go through this knowing you had to disassemble it so many times. I can tell you this, I will keep my 2001 with the 7.3 Diesel running as long as possible. It's been repainted in sections over the last 10 years, It looks like new. I have fixed and replaced what ever fails. New steering and such. SSBC brakes. I feel like I can pour money into it as needed and still be well under the cost of a newer truck. It pulled my 10,000 pound Toy Hauler with 800 pound motorcycle to Sturgis and back like a triple stack of locomotives in 100+ degree summer heat over 2,400 miles without skipping a beat. Yes it has the re-engineered 4R100 trans (OEM 2nd gear failed at 47,000). It also has some other minor performance mods. The newer trucks are nice to look at but watching this video... I thank God I didn't go with GM. What miserable piece of crap this truck is. The owner should sell it and buy an older truck and restore it like I did. My Superduty has 155,000 original miles (It had 37,000 on it when I found it in 2012) and it runs and drives like a top. No DPF, no DEF and no stupid plastic engine covers except the little cover over the HPOP held on with 2 nuts. You are a great mechanic Wes, and I really enjoy your videos. Please keep taking us along.

I liked that use of the hose and hose clamp for shrinking the teflon seals on the top of the fuel injectors.

GDI and AFM are a curse. I'm grateful to own a vehicle with MPFI and no fuel saving wizardry.

From one Wes to another, thanks as always for the content. You win some you lose some. Like you said at the end we never stop learning, each mistake is a lesson for the future. Cheers

You make me very happy that I no longer deal with these insanely designed vehicles.. I love watching Wes work You actually are amazing

perseverance paid off ! this is why i continue to tune in everytime i see a video drop. you and eric from SMA channel are the best damn mechanics on youtube.

These never end. I've done 3 sets of lifters this week on 2 2019 trucks and a 2020. Got 2 more trucks outside waiting for parts on. They still haven't figured it out on the brand new trucks either

Great effort, Wes! I am so gratified that you allow yourself to be stymied, puzzled or just plain goose-screwed once in a while; if for no other reason (beside your own honesty) than to give hope to proverbial shade-tree knuckle busters like me. Did we hear the motor pool princess actually announce she was getting a car off the rack and changing oil on the next in line???? Now if you can get little Spud to start detailing and Max can certify vehicles as rodent-free you guys are set for the future!!!

My 2015 is doing the same thing right now with the misfire. I have all 8 injectors on order. Thankfully I don't have a stuck lifter like the truck you worked on. I just went through all 8 coils, wires and Spark plugs to make sure they had spark and they do. But when I start driving it all of the sudden it falls on its face just like the truck you worked on. Awesome video. Thank you!

I feel the struggel.. I dont know what it is but i find these kind of films calming.. must be something wierd about watching other struggle.. keep up the good work Wes. Greetings from Norway

I was about to fix my lawnmower, but now have something much better to do. Great timing sir.

Canadian mechanic here, I've done a few sets of these lifters. I dunno if it's a local/dealership thing, but when I did the last one, they happily sold my shop the lifters without the AFM manifold; every single time the lifter roller is fine as is the camshaft, but the lifter is collapsed. I've also reused the fuel hard lines without issues, and I've always left the injectors and rails in the head. I noticed that on the non-direct injected engines (07-13), they usually had 300,000+ km on them before the lifters go, whereas the direct injection engines will have as low as 100,000 km (~65,000 miles!) on them when this happens. No wonder OEMs are kinda bailing on direct injection now.

This was an extremely helpful video. Wes you are awesome for sticking with that tedious, extremely difficult repair.

OMG! What a freaking nightmare! That is the reason I got out of the Auto Repair trade 30 years ago! I still repair my own vehicles with in reason. Anyting major repairs go to a guy like Wes. This is what I like about your Channel, it's real life in the automotive repair business. Most of the time things go smooth, but then a vehicle comes along that you just want to light on fire!😂

After seeing that fiasco I’ll work on 5.4 /3 -valves any day!

Always a pleasure to watch Wes work! Thanks for another great video

Awesome video one of the best I’ve ever seen on KZfaq and I watch a lot of KZfaq. I don’t know how you kept your sanity. I had a broken valve spring in a 2014, Silverado 6.2 on the number three cylinder

The Bmw gdi engines I've worked on at main dealer, we had the special puller like you described to remove Injectors. It specified a max torque to turn the threaded puller if that number is exceeded to extract the injector to then scrap that injector and replace with a new one, And the torque was low like 10nm! Feel your pain, well done for persevering 👏P.s proper Teflon gap and shrink tools are 👌

Thanks for bringing us along again. My Sunday morning is complete.

Is always good to see you work! The editing is really good too 👍

Fantastic KZfaq ..... thanks for taking the time to record the entire journey. I guess it looks like "for now" I will continue to operate my 1993 Cheyenne chevrolet truck. These new trucks.... seem to be a maintenance nightmare. Also convinced me to not even consider a second hand GM product, as long as my old truck keeps on trucking. You might have mentioned at the end.... what was the total cost of parts. What a sad example for a low mileage V8. Seems like these new engines were not designed to be repaired.

I'm in the middle of the same repair. It's a ton of work. I prefer the old LS design. So much easier. Thanks for the comprehensive video. Really helped me to do it at home.

A co-worker bought a new $50k 2021 Silverado less than a year ago. He has 5,000 miles in the truck. He just had to have the valves replaced in the engine due to GM’s shitty active fuel management system. I use to be a GM guy but, I’m to the point I have no use for ANY modern vehicle from the sorry three!

Wes, you have a terrific talent to make the incredibly difficult look straightforward and easy. After watching your videos, I feel like “I shore could do a job like that…NOT!” Thank you for great communication.

Mad respect. Thanks for being honest about your struggles.

I just finished replacing the cam and lifters on my LV3 in my silverado. Thanks for this video. It really helped.

Those hard knock lessons truly suck!! You are top notch Wes for getting things right even though it's not cost effective on your end. God Bless!

Hi Wes, I learned from an old mechanic over 50 years ago when I worked on school busses to use rubbing alcohol on rubber bushings and anything like those injector seals that are not to be lubricated. Works fantastic but you need to be quick. The alcohol evaporated very quickly. I still use it today. Keep a bottle of it by my tool box.

Good stuff mate. I learned something new once again watching you work.

A true quality mechanic at work... Not so many of you around these days Wes!