Bad lifter knock on cold start 2000 Sierra

white1500 · January 14, 2014

My truck only had the ticking noise very rarely but since I changed the oil this weekend it has done it 2 or 3 times out of 4 starts so far. Mileage is about 216,060.

The first start up with the new oil was bad but that was understandable since the engine was completely dry.

The rest have been on a cold morning and have only lasted a few seconds but considering the fact that it happened very rarely before doesn't feel good.

I'm not too worried but I'm definitely knocking in wood!

19000mike · January 14, 2014

watch the oil pressure at startup. If it rises as the engine warms up and noise goes away then suspect the oil pump pressure relief. I run a fleet of trucks and have seen several 5.3 and 6.0 with stuck relief valves. Most get over 150000 miles before it gets severe, many get called "piston slap" since it goes away when warm. The thicker the oil the more pronounced the problem and it is always cold weather related. Don't assume lifters are the problem, most likely the result of the low oil pressure. Good news is many of our repaired trucks go on to run 250,000 or more and are running fine when we replace them.

white1500 · January 15, 2014

I'll focus more on the oil pressure but I think its fine since I usually do a scan all of the guages on a regular basis and on start up.

gmcpoolman · January 15, 2014

I had a noise that sounded like a lifter tick but it turned out to be an exhaust manifold leak. It seems that many of the 5.3's I've seen, the rear exhaust manifold bolts break off and cause leaks over time. Just something to check???

wbnev7 · January 15, 2014

The gentlemen from AZ, GMC Poolman and 19000m___.

Appreciate the heads up on the oil pressure and awareness of "Piston Slap" vs. a "Lifter noise". I owned a 99 Sierra before the current 06 I have now and it had the piston slap. The 99 I sold to a friend and I took great care of it with Synthetic oil only and it is still on the road. My 06 does it at start from 1 to 2 seconds and goes away with the oil pressure at 35psi. After that my oil pressure is very consistent.

The piston slap noise (in my 99) sounds different than the lifter noise. The frequency is also different. The lifter noise is a bit more defined. The oil pressure monitoring is a most helpful tip (thanks I watch it like a hawk). My 06 runs 35psi at idle and goes up to 50 when I step on it, and runs about 40 to 45 on the freeway 1600 to 1900 RPM. Glad to hear these engines can run another 100,000 miles after repairs. That is allot of monthly car payments saved.

With 224,000 I recently put 10w 30 Synthetic (mfg recommends 5w 30) so I am not making a recommendation here. The 10w 30 has increased the oil pressure slightly and I have not had the lifter noise occur while driving when the engine is warm. So maybe the 10w 30 has temporarily helped. 10w 30 is not recommended but with 224,000 miles I am betting the tolerences in the engine will work great with the 10w 30. I will update as I put more miles on this oil change interval in hoping it slows and or stops the intermittent lifter noise that occurs when driving (about once a week or less). I know this is may be a temporary fix or "band aid".

I replaced both of my exhaust gaskets ($5 and $7 at Autozone) and that was not the problem. If anyone replaces these gaskets be sure to let the exhaust flange bolts soak. (3 of them a the base of each exhaust manifold) I used P-B Breaker and let them soak for a long time with frequent applications. I had to soak mine over night to get them lose and had to use a leverage bar on my wrench. Be careful with this one as there is a risk of breakage. I was lucky and did not have to drill out bolts.

As I previously stated I am ready to replace lifters via pulling heads if the lifter noise problem gets worse. Seems the "band aids" I have applied are sustaining my engine. Hope the same for all of you. Appreciate all the feedback.

W