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'06 Monte SS DOD/AFM problem

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Old Jun 29, 2013 | 09:43 PM
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Question '06 Monte SS DOD/AFM problem

Hi folks, about 3 weeks ago I bought a mint '06 SS with the 5.3 LS4 and 87k miles. The only mod so far is Hooker Aero Chamber mufflers. Since day one the engine has made a noticeable clicking sound when in 4 cylinder mode (only at low speed...can't hear it on the freeway). Then today on the freeway I noticed a large puff of blue smoke coming out of the exhaust when the engine switches from 4 cyl to 8 cyl mode. This only happens when on the gas a little, not while coasting. The blue smoke goes away after a second or two. Are the noise and smoke related and what exactly is the problem here? I'd like some input before I take it back to the dealer.
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Old Jun 30, 2013 | 10:54 AM
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The ticking is usuallu the timing chain. It doesn't mean there s a problen its just audible. Blue smoke is usually burnt oil. Could be a bad valve or lifter. Are you burning oil?
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Old Jun 30, 2013 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by baltsk8er69
The ticking is usuallu the timing chain. It doesn't mean there s a problen its just audible. Blue smoke is usually burnt oil. Could be a bad valve or lifter. Are you burning oil?
To be honest, I don't know. Only had the car 3 weeks. The blue smoke doesn't appear during 99% of driving. It ONLY appears when the engine has been in 4 cyl mode for several minutes and then switches back to 8 cyl mode under throttle, otherwise there's no smoke and I don't smell burning oil.

It's like the engine has to be in 4 cyl mode for a while for the smoke to appear. If it's only been in 4 cyl mode for ~30 seconds on the freeway, the smoke does NOT appear when switching back to 8.

There's also that loud clicking sound that I hear in 4 cylinder mode, but I only hear it at low speeds with the windows down. I'm sure the smoke and clicking/ticking sound from the valve train are related, but not sure how.
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Old Jun 30, 2013 | 09:40 PM
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That's normal its a nuance of the dod.
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Old Jul 1, 2013 | 05:24 PM
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I disabled DOD with my handheld tuner and haven't had any problems in the 5 years since i did it.
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Old Jul 1, 2013 | 07:00 PM
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I had been complaining abt an audible "chatter" at low speeds when driving through the city in 4-cyl mode. The noise would stop as soon as I slowed to <25mph, the threahold at which DoD would kick it back into 8-cyl mode. Never figured out what it was, but was told it was possibly bad DoD lifters. I know that when I selected a non-DoD tune w the Diablo, there was no more noise.

I have a Diablo for sale, cheap, lol.
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Old Jul 1, 2013 | 07:23 PM
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I noticed the same thing which is why i disabled it. If I did a lot of highway driving I would keep it enabled, but since I don't I have no desire for it.
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Old Jul 1, 2013 | 09:13 PM
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The chatter is the timing chain.
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Old Jul 2, 2013 | 03:02 PM
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Forgive my ignorance, but how does the timing chain relate to DoD? ...JW, b/c I'd like to notify the guy I sold my totaled SS to so that he can factor that into the rebuild.
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Old Jul 2, 2013 | 03:34 PM
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Hey Chris, glad nobody was hurt and you are probably correct about time to move on.

You asked, "How does the timing chain relate to the DoD". Well it is not really the timing chain as much as it is the timing chain deflectors (guides), they are made of plastic/nylon and when your car is new the chain actually rubs against them. They have been documented as breaking and/or falling off into the oil pan in as early as 10.000 miles. Once this happens you get the famous DoD timing chain chatter as there is nothing to take up the slack which is created during DoD mode (not enough constant pressure on all the lifters)

Any way good luck in the hunt for new wheels!
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Old Jul 3, 2013 | 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Ill_Born_ss
You asked, "How does the timing chain relate to the DoD". Well it is not really the timing chain as much as it is the timing chain deflectors (guides), they are made of plastic/nylon and when your car is new the chain actually rubs against them. They have been documented as breaking and/or falling off into the oil pan in as early as 10.000 miles. Once this happens you get the famous DoD timing chain chatter as there is nothing to take up the slack which is created during DoD mode (not enough constant pressure on all the lifters)
Just to clarify, the engine makes two different sounds. The first is a slight "tick" at idle. I hear it whether the engine is cold or warm. It's not a huge deal but definitely annoying.

The other sound is a very loud clicking sound that I hear when in 4 cylinder mode at low speeds. I don't hear it in 4 cylinder mode on the freeway, probably because of all the other noise.

The loud clicking in 4 cylinder mode is probably the DoD lifters from what I'm told. The softer ticking while at idle is what I'm confused about.
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Old Jul 3, 2013 | 06:32 AM
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The ticking at idle is probably normal lifter, pushrod and cam lobe wear.
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Old Jul 3, 2013 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by TeeJay3800
Just to clarify, the engine makes two different sounds. The first is a slight "tick" at idle. I hear it whether the engine is cold or warm. It's not a huge deal but definitely annoying.
Your car is an 06 so you probably have the EATON lifters and yes the Delphi`s are somewhat better, there has been a few updates to the Delphi`s. There is one thing you can check for the idle (cold/warm tick) http://www.gmls4.com/index.php/topic,2098.0.html

The other sound is a very loud clicking sound that I hear when in 4 cylinder mode at low speeds. Keep your shift lever in the 3 position at any speeds below 50 mph, this way your Chev 5.3 will not go into DoD mode. I don't hear it in 4 cylinder mode on the freeway, probably because of all the other noise.

The loud clicking in 4 cylinder mode is probably the DoD lifters from what I'm told.This is a possibility but you can eliminate the chatter if you simply put the gear selector in 3rd under 50 mph and if your chatter is no longer there it is the timing chain chatter you were hearing. The softer ticking while at idle is what I'm confused about.
There is lots of information all over the place to do with this symptom.
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Old Jul 11, 2013 | 09:53 PM
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Mine has always puffed blue smoke in DoD mode.
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 05:55 PM
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DOD 4 cyl. mode? what's that??

hahaha... disabled that **** 1 month after I bought my car new in 2005... no issues at all here, no burning oil, etc etc....
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 08:26 PM
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Drive in 3rd...brilliant!
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