Engine Tick - 2015 GMC Sierra 5.3

Spastik Monkey · August 21, 2018

1 hour ago, jasinger said:

Absolutely not. This needs to be addressed and covered under warranty

Agreed

Jonty711 · August 23, 2018

I remember I had a similar noise in a Diesel VW I had. Turned out it was the idler was shot.

Exact same symptoms, but I could pick it out at idle.

kport08 · August 23, 2018

I've had the same noise issue since about 5,000 miles, currently at 19 and some change. Dealer visit found nothing wrong and said all noises were normal - well it's not normal otherwise people wouldn't be complaining about it! Anyways...2017 Silverado 5.3L - Faint engine "tick" or light "rattling" or "marble" noise under acceleration. The noise is most noticeable in v4 mode under acceleration and gets louder as you continue to push the pedal down further. Once it pops into v8 mode the sound either disappears or is reduced. Long turns on the highway the noise disappears. Hit a bump or pothole the noise disappears. Drive for an extended period of time (20-30 mins) the noise disappears.

My first guess was the serpentine belt but ruled that one out (I had a ticking noise in my '08 Silverado and it was the idler pulley). It either has to be the high pressure fuel pump system thats located near the firewall banging around or the exhaust system (cat converters). The noise sounds like its coming from the firewall right under the dash near the pedals - I've recorded the sound in that area a few times.

I really think its the cats - the fact that the noise disappears under long turns leads me to believe the cats are being pushed against the casing causing the cats to stop "rattling". Another note - the noise usually goes away completely when the truck has been running for a while (again leading me to believe it's the cats - expanding under heat and pushing against the casing to stop the rattling). Most importantly - where are the cats located - right under the floorboard/firewall beneath the pedals where the noise is most noticeable. Hmm.

Just some ideas here but it's definitely annoying. I'd like to tell GM this but if it is the exhaust system it's not going to be cheap to replace. The OEM Y-Pipe w/ the cats attached go for around $800. Eventually I will replace the entire exhaust system and pray that fixes it. Anyone else have any luck changing exhaust systems (not cat-back systems) please let us know! Thanks!

Edited August 23, 2018 by kport08
grammer

AdamGMC2017 · August 23, 2018

Mine is constant the past 2 weeks, and most of the summer honestly. I'm currently at 15,500 miles. Doesn't matter how long I drive, or going over bumps. I've gotten it to go away temporarily if I brake really hard, but even that isn't working lately. The only time I don't hear it is while going around left hand turns.

Mine basically did the light ticking in V4 mode since day 1. But I bought it in June in the south, so had the AC and cooled seats on full blast and covered up the noise. Now it is a full fledged rattle/marbles in a can during any application of the throttle. I can replicate the buzzing rattle in park or neutral.

I really need to take mine in again to the dealership just to complain on record, even though I know they can't/won't fix it. Waiting for boating season to be over so I don't need a tow vehicle before taking it in.

Spastik Monkey · August 23, 2018

7 hours ago, kport08 said:

I've had the same noise issue since about 5,000 miles, currently at 19 and some change. Dealer visit found nothing wrong and said all noises were normal - well it's not normal otherwise people wouldn't be complaining about it! Anyways...2017 Silverado 5.3L - Faint engine "tick" or light "rattling" or "marble" noise under acceleration. The noise is most noticeable in v4 mode under acceleration and gets louder as you continue to push the pedal down further. Once it pops into v8 mode the sound either disappears or is reduced. Long turns on the highway the noise disappears. Hit a bump or pothole the noise disappears. Drive for an extended period of time (20-30 mins) the noise disappears.

My first guess was the serpentine belt but ruled that one out (I had a ticking noise in my '08 Silverado and it was the idler pulley). It either has to be the high pressure fuel pump system thats located near the firewall banging around or the exhaust system (cat converters). The noise sounds like its coming from the firewall right under the dash near the pedals - I've recorded the sound in that area a few times.

I really think its the cats - the fact that the noise disappears under long turns leads me to believe the cats are being pushed against the casing causing the cats to stop "rattling". Another note - the noise usually goes away completely when the truck has been running for a while (again leading me to believe it's the cats - expanding under heat and pushing against the casing to stop the rattling). Most importantly - where are the cats located - right under the floorboard/firewall beneath the pedals where the noise is most noticeable. Hmm.

Just some ideas here but it's definitely annoying. I'd like to tell GM this but if it is the exhaust system it's not going to be cheap to replace. The OEM Y-Pipe w/ the cats attached go for around $800. Eventually I will replace the entire exhaust system and pray that fixes it. Anyone else have any luck changing exhaust systems (not cat-back systems) please let us know! Thanks!

I have long tube headers and an aftermarket cat back. It's still there.

2016LTCC · August 23, 2018

8 hours ago, kport08 said:

I've had the same noise issue since about 5,000 miles, currently at 19 and some change. Dealer visit found nothing wrong and said all noises were normal - well it's not normal otherwise people wouldn't be complaining about it! Anyways...2017 Silverado 5.3L - Faint engine "tick" or light "rattling" or "marble" noise under acceleration. The noise is most noticeable in v4 mode under acceleration and gets louder as you continue to push the pedal down further. Once it pops into v8 mode the sound either disappears or is reduced. Long turns on the highway the noise disappears. Hit a bump or pothole the noise disappears. Drive for an extended period of time (20-30 mins) the noise disappears.

My first guess was the serpentine belt but ruled that one out (I had a ticking noise in my '08 Silverado and it was the idler pulley). It either has to be the high pressure fuel pump system thats located near the firewall banging around or the exhaust system (cat converters). The noise sounds like its coming from the firewall right under the dash near the pedals - I've recorded the sound in that area a few times.

I really think its the cats - the fact that the noise disappears under long turns leads me to believe the cats are being pushed against the casing causing the cats to stop "rattling". Another note - the noise usually goes away completely when the truck has been running for a while (again leading me to believe it's the cats - expanding under heat and pushing against the casing to stop the rattling). Most importantly - where are the cats located - right under the floorboard/firewall beneath the pedals where the noise is most noticeable. Hmm.

Just some ideas here but it's definitely annoying. I'd like to tell GM this but if it is the exhaust system it's not going to be cheap to replace. The OEM Y-Pipe w/ the cats attached go for around $800. Eventually I will replace the entire exhaust system and pray that fixes it. Anyone else have any luck changing exhaust systems (not cat-back systems) please let us know! Thanks!

I agree it must be the cats. I am hoping someone will chime it who has had theirs replaced with luck.

Spastik Monkey · August 23, 2018

Just now, 2016LTCC said:

I agree it must be the cats. I am hoping someone will chime it who has had theirs replaced with luck.

I can confirm it's not the cats. I'm Long Tube headers to aftermarket cat back. Entire stock exhaust removed and it's still there.

2016LTCC · August 23, 2018

2 minutes ago, Spastik Monkey said:

I can confirm it's not the cats. I'm Long Tube headers to aftermarket cat back. Entire stock exhaust removed and it's still there.

Has anyone tried a heavier weight oil? I noticed you can barely hear the ticking and rattle in the winter time.

looksstock · August 23, 2018

1 hour ago, Spastik Monkey said:

I can confirm it's not the cats. I'm Long Tube headers to aftermarket cat back. Entire stock exhaust removed and it's still there.

Agreed - it's been to the dealer 4x for this issue. 1st time they replaced fuel feed line, 2nd time they replaced fuel feed pump, 3rd time they replaced the entire exhaust, 4th time they said "it's working normal". I finally fixed it by trading it in for a F150 :-/

2016LTCC · August 23, 2018

4 minutes ago, looksstock said:

Agreed - it's been to the dealer 4x for this issue. 1st time they replaced fuel feed line, 2nd time they replaced fuel feed pump, 3rd time they replaced the entire exhaust, 4th time they said "it's working normal". I finally fixed it by trading it in for a F150 :-/

This will be my next step. 2018 F150s look good but that 10 speed has me skeptical.

AdamGMC2017 · August 23, 2018

19 minutes ago, 2016LTCC said:

This will be my next step. 2018 F150s look good but that 10 speed has me skeptical.

Fords seem so expensive to get a comparable trim package, at least where I live. Plus I hate the interiors. I was ready to pull the trigger on trading in my GMC for a 2018 RAM earlier this summer, but it was built so poorly I couldn't do it. Inside and outside was chintzy. Although the engine sounded nice...

2016LTCC · August 23, 2018

6 minutes ago, AdamGMC2017 said:

Fords seem so expensive to get a comparable trim package, at least where I live. Plus I hate the interiors. I was ready to pull the trigger on trading in my GMC for a 2018 RAM earlier this summer, but it was built so poorly I couldn't do it. Inside and outside was chintzy. Although the engine sounded nice...

I agree. To get little things like 4-auto and auto HVAC you really have to pay. And I really dig the new 2019 rams as well.

15 Z71 · August 23, 2018

My 15 Sierra has a tick to it almost sounds like a old model A running. I'm at 38,000 no problems. My buddy has a 14 Silverado sounds the same he has 95,000 on his no issues. I do think that's just how they sound.

looksstock · August 23, 2018

3 minutes ago, 15 Z71 said:

My 15 Sierra has a tick to it almost sounds like a old model A running. I'm at 38,000 no problems. My buddy has a 14 Silverado sounds the same he has 95,000 on his no issues. I do think that's just how they sound.

I can't agree. The loaner Sierra's I got (similar trims) didn't make that noise. Test drove another Sierra denali, no ticking noise. That speaks to quality in my book... The fact that there is a PID to resolve this issue (even if it doesn't) tells me there is problem. One of the reasons I got the truck was for the quiet cabin... maybe if it wasn't so quiet. :-)