The Powertrain Blog
Research-driven articles on why engines fail, what repairs actually cost, and how to buy a replacement without getting burned. New articles 2–3 times a week.
GM 5.3 AFM Lifter Failure: The Full Story and Your Fix Options in 2026
June 10, 2026 · Engine Failures
The cylinder-deactivation lifters in millions of GM 5.3 V8s fail often enough to spawn a class action — and four very different fixes, from a $230 plug-in to a full reman engine.
The Hemi Tick, Explained: What the Noise Means and What It Costs to Ignore
June 10, 2026 · Engine Failures
That ticking from your 5.7 isn't always fatal — but the version that is gets more expensive every week you drive on it. How to tell them apart.
Breaking In a Remanufactured Engine: The First 500 Miles That Decide the Next 100,000
June 10, 2026 · Ownership
Most reman warranty claims trace back to the first month of ownership. The break-in procedure, the oil-change schedule, and the paperwork that keeps your warranty alive.