5.3l Engine Noise

Deichler · November 9, 2009

Hi all. I have a 08 Silverado reg cab long box with the 5.3L V-8 Flex Fuel AFM and 4L60E 3.73 gears. OK, I get a what sounds to me like lifter noise when going up decent size hills and starting out from a dead stop. It is like a rattiling noise and sounds definately from the engine area, I have been driving with the radio off, and even with it on I can still hear it. I have been running 93 octane premium at the lowest octane and I even ran a complete 34 gallon tank of E-85 coming from a good fuel source and no luck, thinking I had bad fuel. I have used Amsoil 5W30 religously except the last time, it was unavailable locally, they were all sold out, so I used Valvoline 5w30, I highly doubt that has anything to do with it. I have set up an appointment with my local dealer for Friday to see if they can confirm it. I have not used any fuel additives due to this being the Flex Fuel iron block, and it says to just run a full tank of E-85 for the "additive". So I did that and still no luck on this issue. It has a wisker less than 25,000 on it and have heard it for the last few thousand miles.

Now that I have given as much info on this, has anyone else had any lifter type noises? I just don't want them to tell me it is "normal" cuz I know damn well it isn't and don't want them to tell me to run E-85 cuz I have done that twice and ran 68 gallons through it. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks all!

fbachman · November 9, 2009

Hi all. I have a 08 Silverado reg cab long box with the 5.3L V-8 Flex Fuel AFM and 4L60E 3.73 gears. OK, I get a what sounds to me like lifter noise when going up decent size hills and starting out from a dead stop. It is like a rattiling noise and sounds definately from the engine area, I have been driving with the radio off, and even with it on I can still hear it. I have been running 93 octane premium at the lowest octane and I even ran a complete 34 gallon tank of E-85 coming from a good fuel source and no luck, thinking I had bad fuel. I have used Amsoil 5W30 religously except the last time, it was unavailable locally, they were all sold out, so I used Valvoline 5w30, I highly doubt that has anything to do with it. I have set up an appointment with my local dealer for Friday to see if they can confirm it. I have not used any fuel additives due to this being the Flex Fuel iron block, and it says to just run a full tank of E-85 for the "additive". So I did that and still no luck on this issue. It has a wisker less than 25,000 on it and have heard it for the last few thousand miles.

Now that I have given as much info on this, has anyone else had any lifter type noises? I just don't want them to tell me it is "normal" cuz I know damn well it isn't and don't want them to tell me to run E-85 cuz I have done that twice and ran 68 gallons through it. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks all!

do a search in the forum...tons of posts on this. Also, there is a TSB regarding lifter noise vs. AFM...talk to your dealer.

pm26 · November 9, 2009

Ah, the sounds of built-in quality...........

music · November 9, 2009

I just don't want them to tell me it is "normal" cuz I know damn well it isn't and don't want them to tell me to run E-85 cuz I have done that twice and ran 68 gallons through it. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks all!

It's not normal. Zero noise here... regardless of octane.

music · November 9, 2009

*double post* . Delete.

What is up with this server?!

kchasse · November 9, 2009

It almost sounds like he is describing pinging. Does it sound almost like marbles knocking into each other?

Deichler · November 10, 2009

It almost sounds like he is describing pinging. Does it sound almost like marbles knocking into each other?

Well, it sounds like the old carburated motors of the day when you use low grade gas and they get the valve/lifter rattle. However since I have changed to Amsoil on Friday it is not noticeable. I know some may say BS, but I haven't heard it today. But I will still take it to the dealer. I ran Valvoline Synpower previous, but has been run on Amsoil since first oil change. It was full and had @ 4500-5000 on the oil previous to changing it Friday. I had the dealer change it primarily because I can't fit under it, I am a slim 6'1 and 160 lbs and can't fit under it. It has 265's on from the factory and can't fit under it. Anyway, I checked the oil and it seemed within the dots prior to first start in the morning, but maybe it was low?? I don't know, but I have heard of a few 5.3L's getting new lifters. We will see I guess. Anyone else have to get the lifters replaced on an AFM FF 5.3L?

dzj · November 10, 2009

I agree that it sounds like pinging. My truck has started pinging as well. I found that it seems to ping "worse" when using Shell gasoline. When running Mobile, it doesn't seem to do it as well. My 07 has 52K on it now. Thoughts?

ShoddyHog · November 10, 2009

If I were you, I'd try to find someone locally with HP Tuners, a DiabloSport Preadator, Dashhawk, or other scanner that you can hook to your truck and check for knock retard. It sure sounds like knock to me, but diagnosing sounds like this over the internet are a SWAG at best.

Good luck!

Gerry

fbachman · November 10, 2009

I agree that it sounds like pinging. My truck has started pinging as well. I found that it seems to ping "worse" when using Shell gasoline. When running Mobile, it doesn't seem to do it as well. My 07 has 52K on it now. Thoughts?

Shell gasoline have always had strange side-effects along for the ride..... I agree. I also stick with Mobil/Texaco/Sunoco or BP. Never had good luck with Shell.

csheatz · November 10, 2009

hey my 5.3 makes noise, when I shut it off the noise stops. Been trying to figure it out since I got the truck

Maybe the 93oct is to high? try reg grade? these are not high compression engines, the engine is made to run on a certain octane level because of the pressure it takes to get the most efficient combustion and power from the gas. at least thats what i have been told, if you are supose to run 87 and you run 93 you are doing nothing except not getting a full burn, or premature combustion. some cars are made to run on 93, and its very well noted if you have been in one.

Once again i am not claiming to be the fuel expert but this is how it was explained to me, maybe somoene in the field can set the record for us?

ken1mod · November 10, 2009

Gentlemen,

My 5.3 has 150,000 miles on it. I use good quality dino oils changed between 7 and 10 thousand miles, burn the cheapest gas I can find. I think this motor would burn lamp oil.

After the 30 second piston warm up ticking, absolute silence, glorious power and 17 to 18 mpg in Prescott Az.

Sounds like spark knock to me. Experimentally, I would try a tank of premium. If the noise goes away, I would look at the knock sensor.

ken

ocean4200 · November 10, 2009

huh... the guy didn't write a single word about shell gazoline. How can you affirm that shell gas is the problem? I'm putting shell in my truck since day 1 and never got any problem at all. Shell is the best gas never ever made.

ShoddyHog · November 11, 2009

huh... the guy didn't write a single word about shell gazoline. How can you affirm that shell gas is the problem? I'm putting shell in my truck since day 1 and never got any problem at all. Shell is the best gas never ever made.

Read post #8. They were replying to him.

My goat doesn't like Shell. I stick with Mobil or Phillips 66.

Gerry