2000 5.3l Engine Ticking And Leaking

smitty1 · December 18, 2009

I have a couple issues.

First, on cold start up there is a ticking sound coming from the engine that goes away after 30 to 60 sec. It has done this since it was new.

Second, I changed the coolant at 100K miles per service manual proceedure. Sometime after this, about a year, I began losing engine coolant somewhere low on the front of the engine but can't pin point the location.

I bought the truck new, it is a 2000 Chevy Silverado LS, regular cab, short bed, 5.3L engine. I have been using 10W30 Mobil1 Syn oil since about 50K miles. The truck has about 150K miles on it and runs great. 100K of these miles are highway. All maintenance has been kept up.

txab · December 20, 2009

Thanks. I have been using AC oil filters. As far as the leak, I'm pretty sure it's not coming from the water pump.

Don't be too quick to rule out the WP. Check all your hoses/connections. What coolant did you put back in?

C6Racer · December 24, 2009

The thing about just letting it go is that it can cause corrosion. The water pump gaskets on my truck went, and I let it be for about four months. When I finally got around to changing the gaskets, the block had corroded significantly (rusted and pitted) where the coolant had been seeping past the gaskets.

I'll be honest with you, some pitting doesn't really bother me. I've worked on cars in the shop that actually have metal flaking off of the block(not that I would let mine get like that) and they're being used as daily drivers. However, I've looked closely at my block and the paint is holding up very well. If I saw the paint flaking off then I would try and change the pump as soon as I could. But, of course, that's just me.

I guess I'm just getting lucky. Not to mention I live only about a mile away from the ocean, and where I work is even closer.

Ape0r · December 23, 2009

As far as the coolant leak, it is definitely coming from your water pump. Mine has been leaking since about 115K. I add half a gallon of coolant every two months or so, but I actually like it that way because, since I always add new Prestone GM Dex-Cool approved 50/50 mix, it keeps my coolant nice and clean and thus no need for a complete coolant change, ever. I've driven it to Vegas like that in 116 degree heat, A/C blasting, and the temp doesn't budge. So, it the leaking really bothers you, it's the water pump. Unless you have a small hole in the lower radiator hose. My coolant leaks off of the front of the engine oil pan.

The thing about just letting it go is that it can cause corrosion. The water pump gaskets on my truck went, and I let it be for about four months. When I finally got around to changing the gaskets, the block had corroded significantly (rusted and pitted) where the coolant had been seeping past the gaskets.

smitty1 · December 31, 2009

First of all, welcome to the site

The ticking on cold start-up is very normal and it has happened to just about every GM truck every built after 1999 when the 5.3L was introduced. Adding Lucas Oil Treatment will make it virtually disappear, but I must warn you that it will make your fuel mileage suffer. The brand of oil filter had no effect on it as I tried just about all of them. I actually use AC-Delco filters that I get at Wal-Mart. I change my filter every 2.5K miles and the oil at 5K since I use synthetic. I was using Lucas for several years and wondered why the mileage was so dismal. The ticking will not hurt your engine at all. I use Quaker State Q-Horsepower Synthetic 5W-30(recommended grade) engine oil and have had up to 24 highway mpg(see my sig below for my truck info) and absolutely no oil consumption. Not to mention great power.

As far as the coolant leak, it is definitely coming from your water pump. Mine has been leaking since about 115K. I add half a gallon of coolant every two months or so, but I actually like it that way because, since I always add new Prestone GM Dex-Cool approved 50/50 mix, it keeps my coolant nice and clean and thus no need for a complete coolant change, ever. I've driven it to Vegas like that in 116 degree heat, A/C blasting, and the temp doesn't budge. So, it the leaking really bothers you, it's the water pump. Unless you have a small hole in the lower radiator hose. My coolant leaks off of the front of the engine oil pan.

I hope this info helps and didn't type your eyeballs out!

Thanks, hope you have a great New Year!

Stevens03 · December 18, 2009

Have you been using the correct oil filter that has the check valve in it? The tick is pretty normal, but I've seen it worse when using the wrong oil filter.

As far as the coolant, I'd suspect the water pump. Fairly common place to loose coolant.

Welcome to the site!

C6Racer · December 20, 2009

First of all, welcome to the site

The ticking on cold start-up is very normal and it has happened to just about every GM truck every built after 1999 when the 5.3L was introduced. Adding Lucas Oil Treatment will make it virtually disappear, but I must warn you that it will make your fuel mileage suffer. The brand of oil filter had no effect on it as I tried just about all of them. I actually use AC-Delco filters that I get at Wal-Mart. I change my filter every 2.5K miles and the oil at 5K since I use synthetic. I was using Lucas for several years and wondered why the mileage was so dismal. The ticking will not hurt your engine at all. I use Quaker State Q-Horsepower Synthetic 5W-30(recommended grade) engine oil and have had up to 24 highway mpg(see my sig below for my truck info) and absolutely no oil consumption. Not to mention great power.

As far as the coolant leak, it is definitely coming from your water pump. Mine has been leaking since about 115K. I add half a gallon of coolant every two months or so, but I actually like it that way because, since I always add new Prestone GM Dex-Cool approved 50/50 mix, it keeps my coolant nice and clean and thus no need for a complete coolant change, ever. I've driven it to Vegas like that in 116 degree heat, A/C blasting, and the temp doesn't budge. So, it the leaking really bothers you, it's the water pump. Unless you have a small hole in the lower radiator hose. My coolant leaks off of the front of the engine oil pan.

I hope this info helps and didn't type your eyeballs out!