2003 GMC sierra 6.0 Loud ticking noise

JCaudle86 · May 25, 2014

i recently purchased a 2003 gmc sierra around 3 months ago and within the past few weeks has seemed to develop a loud ticking noise. it usually takes a few seconds for the ticking to start mainly when the oil is warmed up. when driving or accelerating the ticking noise is not as loud (i'm assuming because the oil is rising). i have ran sea foam in the motor and changed the oil. could this be an oil pump issue? has anyone else seemed to have this issue and been able to fix it?

02suburbanZ71 · May 25, 2014

Broken exhaust manifold bolts.

chupe442 · May 26, 2014

Broken exhaust manifold bolts.

What he said... I had three on each side of mine that were still there, and a broken manifold as well...

02suburbanZ71 · May 26, 2014

What he said... I had three on each side of mine that were still there, and a broken manifold as well...

Be prepaired to pull out the pocketbook. It cost me 800 just to replace the broken driver side bolts.

JCaudle86 · May 26, 2014

Thanks for your input but You guys don't think it had anything to do with the lifters?

02suburbanZ71 · May 26, 2014

Thanks for your input but You guys don't think it had anything to do with the lifters?

No.

JCaudle86 · May 26, 2014

Looks like one is missing or broken off. Some seemed to have been replaced before

02suburbanZ71 · May 26, 2014

Yep. Thats it all right. Good luck

Silverado4x4 · May 26, 2014

On the first pic it looks like someone did a hack job with some RTV which most likely means the stud is broke off inside the head and he tried to stop the leak without replacing the broken stud.

But just from the sound on the video it doesn't sound like its all just a exhaust gasket leak.

JCaudle86 · May 27, 2014

On the first pic it looks like someone did a hack job with some RTV which most likely means the stud is broke off inside the head and he tried to stop the leak without replacing the broken stud.

But just from the sound on the video it doesn't sound like its all just a exhaust gasket leak.

Oil pump issues like the o ring problem?

efritz · May 27, 2014

The video sounds like a lifter being starved of oil or collapsing. What you have pictured is what happens to every LS motor's exhaust bolts. To get the broken stud out, disconnect the battery, weld a nut on the broken stud and back it out once it cools. Easy, no 800 dollar bill. GM has updated bolts that don't break as easily. Do them all and new gaskets.

JCaudle86 · May 27, 2014

The video sounds like a lifter being starved of oil or collapsing. What you have pictured is what happens to every LS motor's exhaust bolts. To get the broken stud out, disconnect the battery, weld a nut on the broken stud and back it out once it cools. Easy, no 800 dollar bill. GM has updated bolts that don't break as easily. Do them all and new gaskets.

Pretty sure my oil has gas in it and I need one of the oxygen sensors. Would this contribute to the knock?

efritz · June 2, 2014

I don't think your oil has gas in it unless someone put it there. There is no way for it to get there like a diesel. This may be something you should take to a reputable shop...

JCaudle86 · June 3, 2014

I don't think your oil has gas in it unless someone put it there. There is no way for it to get there like a diesel. This may be something you should take to a reputable shop...

No gas in the oil. Let a shop listen to it, he didn't seem to think the sound was from a broken manifold bolt. I think I'm gonna try there first anyway before I take it back to the shop to let him break it down and look at it.