Active Fuel Management Delete is the most significant modification that you can make to your vehicle. It is an easy process, but it requires certain knowledge and previous experience of working with cars before attempting this job.
You need to be very careful because if something goes wrong, you may end up with financial losses or even physical injuries and many problems after AFM delete.
That said, this task should be performed by a professional in order to save both time and money, so if your car is not equipped with any aftermarket parts, you should take it to the shop.
Table of Contents
What Happens When You Remove the AFM System?
AFM deletes have gained popularity in recent years as more and more people are coming to realize the scarcity of benefits provided by AFM, especially the older systems.
It is a bit more of a pain to delete AFM in a 4.0 block because it requires replacing all of the AFM components and replacing the intake manifold to get rid of the vacuum ports for the lifters.
We generally only recommend deleting the system if you have failed lifters and are doing other engine work anyway or to fit a turbocharger into an engine bay that doesn’t quite have enough room for it.
What Are the Disadvantages of AFM Lifters?
Active Fuel Management (or A.F.M.) is a cylinder deactivation technology used by General Motors’ LS engines that allow the engine to run on four of its eight cylinders under light loads and at lower speeds, such as when driving in heavy traffic or around town.
By shutting down four cylinders, the engine boosts fuel economy. Active Fuel Management lifters can cause sudden stalling, difficulty in downshifting, engine hesitation and vehicle jerking when accelerating.
These symptoms are caused by valves in the lifters being unable to completely close due to the low clearance between the lifter and cam lobe.
When debris enters your valvetrain system, it is possible for it to lodge between the lifter and cam lobe rendering your Active Fuel Management lifters useless.
This means your valves will not be able to stay closed when you’re idling and can lead to major engine failure.
What Happens If You Put Oil in A DOD/AFM Delete?
When you install a DoD AFM delete kit, the oil is no longer allowed to flow through the solenoids. This can cause excess pressure in the oil pump and rear main seal area, which will result in severe engine leaks.
Some racers use stock internal bypass valves, but most use external bypass/pressure controllers.
Both scenarios could damage your engine, so you must verify there is no excess pressure before racing.
Most clubs test for this during tech, using a gauge and a hose from their pressure controller to measure the oil pressure of one or more engines. Every engine should come with a data plate stating if it uses an internally or externally bypassed oiling system.
What Is An AFM Delete Kit-AFM Delete Programmer
While AFM lifter malfunctions, or when doing performance enhancements on your engine, an AFM deletion kit might be a handy method to update.
It swaps out the AFM components for regular parts. When installing an AFM deletion kit, you must either switch to a non-AFM camshaft or use a computer programmer to turn off the AFM system.
AFM Disable Good and Bad
Active fuel management is a deactivation technology to save gas mileage. When your car is in 8-cylinder mode, it reduces the risk of spending money on AFM related issues.
This also makes for a better exhaust sound and keeps your car in V8 mode at all times. Shutting down the AFM can help you gain better MPG while driving.
Its goal is to reduce fuel consumption through the deactivation of half of the cylinders. But it ultimately causes you to waste fuel instead of saving it when its effects are detrimental.
Is AFM Delete Worth It?
If you are looking to save money on the cost of repairs, then it may be worth considering deleting the AFM system on your vehicle.
By doing this, you will be able to cut down on the noise and exhaust emissions that the system produces. Additionally, the system can still be used in V8 mode all season long, providing you with the maximum performance possible.
The deletion of the AFM system is a relatively simple process that can be done in a few hours by a qualified technician.
Make sure to schedule a consultation with a technician before starting any work, as incorrect removal could result in costly repairs.
5.3 AFM Recall
The 5.3 Active Fuel Management recall involves a potentially dangerous fuel injection system that could cause engines to fail.
Ford has issued a recall for certain model years, 2015-2017 Ford F150 trucks, Mustang cars, and Lincoln Navigators.
If you own one of these vehicles, you should contact your dealer immediately to have the system replaced. Ford is also urging owners of these vehicles to stay alert for any signs of trouble, including engine stalls, stalling at low speeds, or a loss of power.
If you experience any of these problems, you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as possible. If you can’t stop the vehicle, turn off the ignition and wait for help.
Ford is working to fix the issue as quickly as possible and is providing owners with a free loaner car while their vehicle is in the shop.
Active Fuel Management Problems
A few things can go wrong with an active fuel management system, and timing chain failure is one of the more common issues.
When the timing chain fails, the engine will not be able to function properly due to the loss of oil pressure. This can lead to excessive oil consumption, as the engine will need to work harder to get the same amount of power.
In addition, the engine will also experience a drop in pressure, which can cause damage to other parts of the engine. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to get your vehicle inspected as soon as possible.
This will allow the mechanic to identify and fix the issue as quickly as possible. If the problem is not fixed, it could lead to more serious issues down the road.
How To Disable AFM For Free?
If you don’t like the way your Active Fuel Management system is working and want to disable it, installing an Active Fuel Management deactivator works in most cases.
These devices are hard-wired into the car’s computer and will help you achieve a smooth-running powertrain. This Instruct able will show you how to disable a technology that your car manufacturer is forcing you to pay for.
The manufacturers call it Active Fuel Management and they made it mandatory without ever asking the customer.
It saves a tiny amount of gas and makes your car less responsive. So, no matter how much you love your vehicle, when the gas price goes up again (and it surely will), this deactivation will give you peace of mind, extend your gas mileage (who knows), and increase your car’s performance.
Range Technology AFM Disabler Problems
There are times when the Active Fuel Management (AFM) disabler on your vehicle can cause problems. These problems can include a strain on the exhaust system, loud noises, and even a loss of power.
When this happens, it is important to take action and address the issue as soon as possible. The AFM disabler is a system that helps to improve fuel efficiency by disabling the engine during certain parts of the driving cycle.
This can include periods of low speed or idle time. The purpose of the AFM disabler is to save fuel, and if it is not working properly, it can cause problems.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to take action and have the AFM disabler checked out. This can be done by a mechanic or by a certified technician from your vehicle’s manufacturer.
How To Disable AFM Without A Tune?
Active Fuel Management helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions in the Ford 6.2L and 6.7L Power stroke, but there are drawbacks to this technology.
Aftermarket programmers from companies like Banks or SCT cannot reprogram the ECM to disable AFM because a unique coded key protects the system’s electronics.
To work around this proprietary system, many industry professionals suggest using a passive AFM Disabler that uses a port injection to fool the computer into thinking all cylinders are firing correctly, so it will disable AFM and run full power at all times.
5.3 Cylinder Deactivation Problems
There are 5.3 cylinder deactivation problems that can occur. The most common are fuel pump failure, transfer case sensor failure, fuel injector failure, and carbon build-up.
Fuel pump failure is the most common problem and can occur due to a number of reasons, such as a clogged filter or a faulty pump.
If the pump fails, the fuel cannot be delivered to the engine, and the engine will eventually shut down.
Transfer case sensor failure is another common issue and can occur due to debris or frost build-up on the sensor.
If the sensor fails, the transfer case will not engage properly, and the engine will eventually shut down.
Fuel injector failure is rare but can occur for many reasons, such as a clogged injector or a faulty camshaft. If the injector fails, the engine will not be able to receive the necessary fuel and will eventually shut down.
AFM Delete Programmer
The Active Fuel Management system deactivates half of the cylinders in an effort to save fuel and improve efficiency.
The problem is that cylinder deactivation often creates a harsh, uneven idle, and at higher RPMs, it tends to cause the engine to shudder during acceleration. O’Reilly Auto Parts recommends turning off or disabling this feature if you don’t need it.
AFM Delete Cost
Active Fuel Management is a system that helps deliver better fuel economy and power in certain GM vehicles. AFM works by momentarily deactivating the exhaust valves on all cylinders that are not being used under certain driving conditions, resulting in more efficient use of fuel and power throughout the engine rev range.
With a little know-how and a few extra parts, you can add this same technology to your current GM vehicle for around 110$to 250$ depending on how many cylinders you need to be active (or deleted).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does AFM disabler hurt the engine?
There is some debate as to whether or not AFM disabler actually hurts the engine. While there may be an increase in wear on both rings and cylinders, excessive wear of either can lead to engine damage.
In some cases, this can result in decreased fuel efficiency, decreased engine performance, and even engine failure. As such, it is important to take care when using AFM disabler and only use it as prescribed by your mechanic.
2. Is AFM delete worth it?
Active Fuel Management delete is a great tool that can help to improve fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact. However, it can be expensive if you are not careful.
3. Will disabling AFM stop oil consumption?
Disabling Active Fuel Management (AFM) on a truck may stop oil consumption, but it won’t eliminate that problem.
AFM is a system that monitors the amount of fuel being used and makes adjustments to the engine’s operating parameters in order to reduce fuel consumption.
4. Is DFM better than AFM?
Yes, DFM is a smarter version of AFM. DFM uses real-time data to optimize the fuel mixture and air/fuel ratio for maximum efficiency and power. This allows drivers to improve fuel economy and performance while maintaining control.
5. Why will my recently deleted not delete?
It is possible that the deletion process does not remove all remnants of the AFM software. If you experience trouble starting your engine after deleting AFM, it may be beneficial to have a mechanic check for any remaining traces of the software.
6. What happens when you delete an update?
If you delete an update of Active Fuel Management, it will stop using the latest version of the software. You will still be able to use the old version of the software, but it will not be updated.
Conclusion
If you’re like most drivers, you’re familiar with the problems that can occur after you’ve applied active fuel management (AFM) to your vehicle.
There might be many problems after AFM delete. In this post, we have explained the consequences of not following AFM guidelines and provided tips on how to avoid them. We have also discussed how to restore your vehicle’s performance after AFM has been disabled.
