My 5.3 Sounds Like A Diesel

[Buddy67Lincoln]

I am sure many have asked so maybe someone can aim me to the right post or thread...

 

I have a 2006 GMC Sierra 4x4 with the L33 H.O. 5.3 all aluminum block. Its been doing this for some time but every now and again it seems worse than other times. I have a tapping noise coming from the engine you can hear from outside and even in the cab when I pull out when the engine is still cold. Could this be a bad lifter? The truck has been making noise since right after the warranty was up...figures! It has 60,000 miles on it now and I even run 89 octane to help and it seemed to help some but its still there. Any suggestions or things to look out for?...additives I can use? Thanks

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If it sounds like something is tapping and pinging around in there then that's alright(normal), as that's just the lifters tapping. But if it sounds like a knock it's piston slap which is fine also, just noises these engines make. But it doesn't effect longevity that "we" know of.

[Buddy67Lincoln]

Thanks for the reply. I know the truck runs just as good as the day I bought it and nothing feels any different so I hope what you said is true..so far it seems to be. I tried locating the noise with a stethascope and it seemed to be rear passenger side under or behind the exhause manifold in block. Thanks again

 

If it sounds like something is tapping and pinging around in there then that's alright(normal), as that's just the lifters tapping. But if it sounds like a knock it's piston slap which is fine also, just noises these engines make. But it doesn't effect longevity that "we" know of.

[cghbuilder86]

It sounds like it could be a lifter. In my old '94 silverado with 200,000 miles it just started a loud lifter tapping at startup. Very loud and annoying but goes after within 5-10 min. I switched to Mobil 1 high mileage 10w-40 and haven't heard it since. I used castrol 10-30 in it all these years but somebody told be a thicker oil would probably stop it and it has so far. On your truck though, only 60,000 miles, I'm not sure I would switch to a thicker oil. Can't hurt for an older high mileage engine though.

[Buddy67Lincoln]

We have a 2001 2500 here are the shop beat to heck and back..it makes that very loud lifter noise..this is not that loud and its a light tapping noise. It makes the noise any time but its somewhat louder when I pull out at first...then is quiets to a light tap and its always there. Yeah its too early for thicker oil. I might try treatment but I think the 89 octane helps. I am not even trying high test at these gas prices plus its really not supposed to run on high test...thanks again for the help, keep it comin!

 

It sounds like it could be a lifter. In my old '94 silverado with 200,000 miles it just started a loud lifter tapping at startup. Very loud and annoying but goes after within 5-10 min. I switched to Mobil 1 high mileage 10w-40 and haven't heard it since. I used castrol 10-30 in it all these years but somebody told be a thicker oil would probably stop it and it has so far. On your truck though, only 60,000 miles, I'm not sure I would switch to a thicker oil. Can't hurt for an older high mileage engine though.