Engine Knock 2006 5.3

TireSmoker · February 12, 2013

Hi, this is not a post about the common tick/knock that these engines have. My engine just started knocking, and it doesn't go away when the engine warms up. I have some lifter ticking, like everybody else, and the noise sounds similar to what I hear on a lot of youTube videos of other Vortecs knocking/ticking when they get really bad.

In fact, I thought it might be stuck lifter, but the noise seems to be coming from down low, and up front. I tried to stethoscope this, but I really can't pinpoint it. Underneath, I don't particulary hear anything from the tranny, or the oilpan.

If I remove the belts, the knock remains.

Sounds like a bottom end problem? I have 99,976 miles on the engine right now, and I have done light plowing on my own driveway since the truck was new.

I will add, there was a mild ticking and this sounds like that noise just got worse - so I'm concerned that it sounds like it's coming from the block, not the heads.

How can I figure out whether it's top or bottom trouble?

Thanks,

Dave

00Silverado4x4 · February 12, 2013

Have you tried to have it scanned for codes. It's a possibility that your knock sensors may need to be replaced.

Bad Bowtie2 · February 12, 2013

Did the 2006's have the 5yr/100K powertrain warranty or did that start in 2007??

How many miles? How is the oil level, has this engine ever "used" oil??

If your close to an oil change, try using 2 cans of SeaFoam brand engine crankcase & fuel induction cleaner. Add one bottle to the oil, then drive for 100 miles, then change oil using a AC Delco oil filter. Take the 2nd can & let it get sucked into the PCV hose, into the running engine. Then go & SAFELY drive the truck HARD somewhere.

Report back to us after a couple hundred miles....

00Silverado4x4 · February 12, 2013

Did the 2006's have the 10yr/100K powertrain warranty or did that start in 2007??

Started in 2007, unless I got robbed when I bought mine.

Bad Bowtie2 · February 12, 2013

Well, I'd try the Seafoam treatment- It's good stuff, not some "snake oil" product.

Good luck...

TireSmoker · February 12, 2013

Did the 2006's have the 5yr/100K powertrain warranty or did that start in 2007??

How many miles? How is the oil level, has this engine ever "used" oil??

...

Report back to us after a couple hundred miles....

I had 3/36 warranty. My truck doesn't use much oil, a quart every 5k miles. I change the oil more often than that.

I will have the codes read tonight. The light is on with a P4055, just haven't installed the solenoid yet so I wouldn't have noticed a new light.

This knock is too bad for me to drive the truck, so there's not gonna be any 200 miles of seafoam or anything. I'll drive it to the store to get the codes read and back home and then that's it. I also think it's knocking too badly for it be a knock sensor, but I'll see if there's a code - it could be. Ha, I hope it is!

TireSmoker · February 13, 2013

No knock sensor codes, just an evap code.

I seafoamed my crankcase, drove enough miles to turn 100,000 which was only about 5. It seemed like the noise reduced somewhat. I changed the oil, which came out pretty clean, btw, and the noise does seem lower. Still definitely there and sounding like a problem but it doesn't make me immediately feel like I have to park it.

I guess I'll change the lifters. Hopefully that'll fix it, cause that's all I can afford right now.

TireSmoker · February 14, 2013

Probably not a lifter issue. I picked up a stethoscope, which works great - 1000 times better than a hose or a screwdriver. Knocking like mad in the oilpan, nothing in the bellhousing, very little in either valve cover. I pulled plugs one at a time, no change.

So, now I'm wonder what my next step is gonna be. I don't see how this engine could shit the bed like this at 100k. I've taken good care of it.

gmtech4 · February 16, 2013

good luck to you ,and please dont throw parts it ........if you can take it out and apart ,do it ,if not ...well you know what has to happen ,,,,garage time