Occasional ticking at start

dannyboy20 · January 22, 2015

08 Silverado with 103k

Every few days when I start my truck there is a ticking sound. It seams to have started when the temps dropped in the past month. Im guessing starter. Could this be an indication that it's on its way out ?

00Silverado4x4 · January 22, 2015

How is your oil level? It may just need to be topped off. You also may have a broken exhaust manifold bolt causing a slight exhaust leak.

Doug_Scott · January 22, 2015

The way your post is worded, and with your question about it may be a starter is ambiguous.

If by ticking you mean that when the engine starts running you get a 'rattle; from the engine that lasts maybe a second or two, then as above suggestion, verify oil level. When was last oil change, and what weight oil did you use?

I have had the little rattle everyone once in a while, like maybe twice in one winter season each year. Depending on what type of winter you get, you may want to put a lighter weight oil in for the winter.

If you mean ticking before the engine starts, like a low or dead battery, then you need to clean all connections at battery and engine ends of battery cables, and get the battery tested properly.

dannyboy20 · January 23, 2015

Oil is good. Definitely a ticking before the engine starts. Battery is original from 08.

LaserBlueZ71 · January 23, 2015

Honestly, it might just be a little bit of valve or lifter ticking. The few second delay is the result of how long it takes for the oil to make it up to the cylinder heads from the sump. I wouldn't be concerned about it to be honest. 103K is nothing for a small block GM. You could get another 200K out of it with proper treatment.