Engine ticking with cold start

GMGuy84 · July 9, 2014

I have an 05 Silverado 5.3L with 120,000 miles and I've noticed that there is a ticking noise when starting it cold. It goes away after letting it sit at idle for a few minutes. I'm guessing something to do with valves/lifters? Time to take it to the dealer? Help

white1500 · July 9, 2014

Maybe time to search the forum?

There are plenty of topics about this. It could be the lifters, oil pump, oil pump gasket, etc. Or your engine is about to implode at any given moment.

Take it to a honest shop if you're still not sure.

02suburbanZ71 · July 9, 2014

Its piston slap. Just ignore it almost all of us get it. Or its a broken exhaust manifold bolt.

Edited July 9, 2014 by 02suburbanZ71

GMGuy84 · July 10, 2014

Thanks guys. I'll do some searching and probably schedule it to be looked at. Maybe it's time for a new truck!

rmkleman · July 10, 2014

My 2010 5.3 does this and has for the last 35k miles that i've owned it. It goes away after about 5 seconds maybe

galliher_nc · July 10, 2014

My 2010 5.3 does this and has for the last 35k miles that i've owned it. It goes away after about 5 seconds maybe

Same here. My '09 5.3 did it. Started at around 60,000 miles, I got rid of the truck at 95,000 miles and it didn't cause any problems other than annoyance. Mine only did it in the morning when the motor was cold.

smith462 · July 11, 2014

Mine 07 5.3 started around 65,000 miles. I just got rid of mine at 153,000 miles. It would do it for just a few seconds when started up in the morning. At first, it was just when it was colder, then as time went on, it was each morning. I also started using oil. Periodically, it would give me a puff of smoke out the exhaust like the old diesels when I fist started it up also. Hated to get rid of it, loved that truck, but it was time. Could not see putting the money into it. She was a very reliable truck for seven years.

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Gurrzt · July 11, 2014

Its piston slap. Just ignore it almost all of us get it. Or its a broken exhaust manifold bolt.

+1 on this, the engine block is aluminum, the piston sleeve is steel. When the dis similar metals are cold, there is a "gap" in the tolerances, causing the noise @ startup.

GMCustomerService · July 13, 2014

My 2010 5.3 does this and has for the last 35k miles that i've owned it. It goes away after about 5 seconds maybe

Hello rmkleman,

I am sorry to hear you are having concerns with a ticking noise upon cold start. Have you been to the dealership for this concern? Please send me a private message with your full contact information and VIN if you'd like to discuss this further.

Thank you,

Andraya

GM Customer Care

BlackZ71Silverado · July 13, 2014

Hello rmkleman,

I am sorry to hear you are having concerns with a ticking noise upon cold start. Have you been to the dealership for this concern? Please send me a private message with your full contact information and VIN if you'd like to discuss this further.

Thank you,

Andraya

GM Customer Care

The cold start "tick" (piston slap) has been the norm with these engines forever. There is nothing unusual about it and it will not hurt anything. Any dealership will tell you the same after charging a crazy amount of money.

OP, everything is fine, you have nothing to worry about.

patriot · July 13, 2014

120K? Not an issue. My '02 did this for years. It was over 280K when I sold it and still running fine. Normal sound for a pushrod engine.

Gurrzt · July 13, 2014

Hello rmkleman,

I am sorry to hear you are having concerns with a ticking noise upon cold start. Have you been to the dealership for this concern? Please send me a private message with your full contact information and VIN if you'd like to discuss this further.

Thank you,

Andraya

GM Customer Care

PLEASE do not take your vehicle to the "stealership" for this problem, as said above, they will take your money, and then tell you it is "normal" for the LS engines.

I have piston slap in Sara (2001 Z28 40k original miles), and I have had it in my 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe (4.8L 107K original miles), and I have it in my 2013 Yukon Denali (23k original miles).

The "ticking" goes away in the first few minuets, and also keep in mind that the fuel injectors will tick when the engine is operating.

Hell, Sara sounds like a sewing machine when I first start her up.

bbwb · July 14, 2014

I would also check you exhaust manifold gasket...my '06 aluminum block 5.3 does the same thing when cold. Ticks away until it warms up enough to close the gap.

I have learned to live with it as the truck has taken enough of my money in its 65,000 miles with me.

bbwb

GMGuy84 · July 14, 2014

Thanks for all the advice guys. After some research on here and your comments I'm in agreement to not take it in. Thanks again! Hoping to put another 100,000 on it!!

mymaggiebell · July 17, 2014

The cold start "tick" (piston slap) has been the norm with these engines forever. There is nothing unusual about it and it will not hurt anything. Any dealership will tell you the same after charging a crazy amount of money.

OP, everything is fine, you have nothing to worry about.

Edited July 17, 2014 by txab