Engine Tick - 2015 GMC Sierra 5.3

MOhunter92 · April 4, 2018

Just another person chiming in.
No audible ticking at idle outside of normal valve sounds. When cruising around 45-50 MPH and above, what sounds like an exhaust leak is heard from driver's footwell. Seems louder in 4cyl operation than 8cyl. Seems to be either more quiet or plain non-existent when ambient temp is cold. I noticed it when on a road trip with three people in the cab, and the truck had 750 miles on it.
I haven't tested it with a trailer yet, but now have 2300 miles on the truck and it persists. No unusual transmission behavior, just the usual hesitation when reactivating the other 4cyl and dropping gears during acceleration (seems like a 185 operating temp is norm).
Oil pressure ranges between 38-42 regardless of situation.
Nothing like the loud clacking at idle as seen on youtube videos. I swear I heard it get louder when driving in inside lane next to barriers, but traffic was heavy and can't confirm.

I'm going to haul a little trailer around with some extra folks in the car to prove it's load-dependent. Either way, truck runs fine. I know it's not a helpful post...sorry.

This is the same sound we are all discussing. It’s not a loud clacking, it’s that exhaust leak sound from the driver side footwell. It’s definitely load dependent and also is affected by bumps, and I’ve noticed more prevalent in the summer vs winter.

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Spastik Monkey · April 4, 2018

I've also noticed it's louder in higher temps. Thanks to the wild temperature swings here in OK, I've been able to prove this theory over the last few days.

Spastik Monkey · April 7, 2018

I dropped mine off at the dealer today. I did notice the headers seemed to make the noise louder. I'm wondering if it's something in the VVT or lifters. The 5.3 in the loaner Tahoe I have is dead silent. I've tried to correlate it, and can't find anything. It seems.to come and go at will.

MOhunter92 · April 7, 2018

I dropped mine off at the dealer today. I did notice the headers seemed to make the noise louder. I'm wondering if it's something in the VVT or lifters. The 5.3 in the loaner Tahoe I have is dead silent. I've tried to correlate it, and can't find anything. It seems.to come and go at will.

I think it’s the transmission, somebody already has had their lifters replaced and it did nothing

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Spastik Monkey · April 7, 2018

Just now, MOhunter92 said:

I think it’s the transmission, somebody already has had their lifters replaced and it did nothing

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I guess it's a possibility. I was thinking a cam phaser or push rods that are a hair too short and there's some play.

Spastik Monkey · April 10, 2018

According to the GM field tech, this is normal. He said the valves become louder as the vehicle gains mileage and it's completely normal. I'm not sure if I buy that.

jasinger · April 12, 2018

I was trying to figure out if this transmission theory is correct, because i think it makes sense. Yesterday I was driving and had the tick as clear as its ever been so i pulled over and put the truck in neutral. I revved it lightly from idle and the same sound was coming from the same spot. I would think that means its not transmission related, if anyone else can try this out? and of course i couldn't get it to tick on the way to work this morning to try it again

tobinstetson · April 12, 2018

I can't see it being transmission related because of the audible change that occurs in V8 versus V4 mode. My tick is 10 times worse and more noticeable in V4 mode.

Its almost like the some of the valves are of activating when they should be shut down? I also get the noise when pulling hard with a trailer sometimes in V8.

i might try a heavier weight oil next oil change.

PackerChev · April 12, 2018

Ok so this is weird...I’ve ran my heat in my truck for the past 6 months because i live in Minnesota and it’s be winter that never ends. Well today it was nice enough to have the climate control system off and the truck didn’t make the noise!?! Could it be that it has something to do with running the interior fan???

jasinger · April 13, 2018

13 hours ago, PackerChev said:

Ok so this is weird...I’ve ran my heat in my truck for the past 6 months because i live in Minnesota and it’s be winter that never ends. Well today it was nice enough to have the climate control system off and the truck didn’t make the noise!?! Could it be that it has something to do with running the interior fan???

I drove to work this morning with the climate system off and i heard it on the highway, same as always :/

ChristopherDB · April 14, 2018

I have the same ticking in my 6.2L and the truck only has 300 miles on it. I only started to notice it after the spark plug wire came off on cylinder 5 and it was misfiring. The dealer said it's normal and it was the fuel injectors! I asked to drive another truck on the lot to compare and they said they all do it an that they didn't have any 6.2L on the lot.

I hear it at idle after it warms up and when accelerating. It sounds like it comes from the driver's foot area but when ideling I can hear it on both side of the front wheel well.

Edited April 14, 2018 by ChristopherDB