Engine Clicking and Oil

[MswpJ]

How is everyone? I own a 2000 GMC sierra with the 5.3. I am experiencing an engine knock when I first start the truck and a constant clicking or valve noise when the motor is up to operating temp. I realize that there are many other people with this particular problem, but what type of oil are the other 5.3 owners using and does it seem to make the click noise go away and limit the cold start knock? I am currently using Mobil 1 5w30. Has anyone had any luck with other viscosities or brands of oil? Thanks.

[Professor]

I changed to Delvac 1 and it reduced the noise to about half of what it originally was. I was running 5-30 Mobil 1. Delvac 1 is Mobil's HD synthetic diesel oil. 5-40 and has very good track record.

[MswpJ]

Thanks for replying to my post. Where can you find that that type of oil? Auto retailers?

Thanks, Matt

[dukbludvl]

Matt -- I have the constant "clicking" noise when the engine is warm. It just started about 5K miles ago, and I'm at 50K miles now. This is the first I've really heard of anyone else having the constant clicking noise, and I read this forum all the time. I didn't realize it might be due to the oil. Since new, I've run Quaker State 10W-30 in the summer and 5W-30 in the winter. I live in North Carolina, so I probably don't need to change it, but whatever. I actually noticed that my clicking started around the time that I replaced the spark plugs -- do you think it could be something with that? I put in copper plus and plan to change them every 30K from here. Could it be due to the plugs? Have you put in new plugs?

 

Anyone else with any ideas/info please chime in.

[bigtruck21]

I use amsoil 5w30 and mine doesn't make any sound.

[Lance Link]

I use Castrol 10w/30 (non-synthetic).

[Black02Silverado]

I use amsoil 5w30 and mine doesn't make any sound.

Same here but I use the Series 2000 Amsoil 0w-30. Going to switch to the 5w-30 next oil change due to financial reasons.

 

Darn Swimming pool is milking me dry. Chemicals chemicals chemicals.

[MswpJ]

Jon- I have about 53000 miles on my truck. I changed the plugs awhile ago like at 37000 and I didn't notice a change back then. I put the recommended platinum plug in. I think this problem is associated with the "piston slap" that GM is claiming is "ok" and will not decrease the life of your engine. Most people think that it is a valve noise when they hear it for the first time. But I have also heard people say that the noise could be loose top end bearings. I am certainly not sure and neither is the dealer. I was just hoping that a particular oil would reduce the looseness of whatever components that are "rattling or clicking." My friend drives a 2000, 2500 with the 6.0 and I notice that his truck does the same thing. Seems to be when 50 or more thousand miles are put on the motor. It is frusterating to have GM tell you that it is fine because any mechanic would agree that loud knocks and clicks generally mean there is metal to metal contact, and sooner or later, something is going to wear out. I stand strong with the rest of my brothers and sisters with this terrible disease.

Thanks, Matt

[Professor]

MswpJ,

 

I just re-read your original post. I missed the clicking noise when warm. You may have a problem. The engine know when cold is usually a piston slap issue. Some truck have it some don’t. It is not the fault of the oil but some oils will mask the noise. Some trucks have it when new; mine had it when I bought it @ 36K. I have seen it appear anywhere from new to 75K. I have seen trucks with 125K on it that did not. I have only seen it in 5.3 and 6.0 engines but it may be common in other LS1 based engines.

 

If you are having a CONSTANT noise while warm, you might want to look a bit deeper.

 

Delvac 1 is targeted to diesel fleets so it is usually not available in the most common places. IMO it is one of the finest API certified full synthetic Diesel oils on the market. Most larger truck stops that change oil will have it but you usually can find it cheaper. You may have to buy a case, but you can usually find distributors that will sell it near $20 a gallon. It is available from avlube.com for 24.64 or 83.89. Mobil.com has a how to buy to locate a distributor. I buy it from mine @ $75

 

I just sent off for an analysis of my oil @ 3500 miles. I pulled a sample last week before I went on a trip. We’ll see what it looks like in a few days. I now have 5K on the oil with 1500 miles towing. Depend on the previous sample, I’ll see when the second one sample comes. I’m shooting for 9-10k miles per change with filter changes @ 2500 to 3500. I’m going to watch it closely with analysis.

 

I ran two 5K tests on my older truck and it was still fantastic. Going to test it a 10K next but I rarely drive it now.

[jhm]

I have the ping type noise when accelerating. I have never had the cold start knock widely known as piston slap. The pinging noise is ALSO piston slap, at least that is what my freindly dealer told me. No oil will fix this. The movement of the piston skirt against the cylinder wall is much too large to be taken up by oil. By the way, the 03's did not FIX the problem, just buried it by coating the pistons with teflon which will wear off by the time the truck is out of warranty! My freindly dealer already showed me a piston he took out of a '03 and the teflon was worn off all around the skirt, the top was still covered. I think this proves the skirts are slapping against the cylinder walls. If you are still under basic warranty, demand the extended 6 yr/100k!

[MswpJ]

Thanks for all of the input. I figured GM would have fixed the slap problem by the 03 models. The major issue I have with all of this is, what will happen in time. Will the slapping some day create a cracked piston skirt or even a broken one? That will be a costly repair. I planned on keeping this truck for a long time. Now I want to go out and trade my truck in. This was an expensive truck, Iwas hoping I would get reliability not a noise maker. Matt

[WEFs99]

I have the ping type noise when accelerating. I have never had the cold start knock widely known as piston slap. The pinging noise is ALSO piston slap, at least that is what my freindly dealer told me. No oil will fix this. The movement of the piston skirt against the cylinder wall is much too large to be taken up by oil. By the way, the 03's did not FIX the problem, just buried it by coating the pistons with teflon which will wear off by the time the truck is out of warranty! My freindly dealer already showed me a piston he took out of a '03 and the teflon was worn off all around the skirt, the top was still covered. I think this proves the skirts are slapping against the cylinder walls. If you are still under basic warranty, demand the extended 6 yr/100k!

Pinging on acceleration is preignition and that is bad. My 5.3 has 50k and has what they call 'piston slap' but it sure sounds like lifter noise to me. When I had 10-30 mobil 1 in it the noise was considerably less.

[jhm]

I know pinging on acceleration is preignition. My engine makes a noise I can best "describe" as pinging. It has been diagnostically checked twice and the computer reports every engine function as normal, no timing problem, no mixture problem, etc. GM knows it is piston slap since the dealer ruled out everything else including replacing the knock sensors. They "gave" me the 6 yr/100k transferrable warranty on the ENTIRE engine, which I don't think they would do if it could be fixed with an hours labor adjusting something. The cold start knock I hear about is not present on my engine. Yesterday I was getting the windows tinted and the owner of the shop asked about how I liked the truck. I told him great except for the engine noise. He told me that his Explorer has cold start knock which goes away as soon as the oil starts pumping, a couple of seconds. I have also heard of Subaru having the problem. I guess it's a crap shoot whatever you buy!

[hcvone]

I use amsoil 5w30 and mine doesn't make any sound.

Same here but I use the Series 2000 Amsoil 0w-30. Going to switch to the 5w-30 next oil change due to financial reasons.

 

Darn Swimming pool is milking me dry. Chemicals chemicals chemicals.

Amsoil 0-30 series 2000 here as well.

[chvythndr]

Pennzoil 5W-30 and no CSK (knock on wood!)