6.2 Engine Tick - Help Identify

[jrobie79]

Never owned a GM vehicle, so I'm new to these engines and such.

 

Recently purchased a 2011 Cadillac Escalade, and a few weeks into driving it, noticed it has a tick while running. See below

 

The 1st video below makes the noise much more pronounced almost like a diesel. In person it's not that loud/aggressive, and can't be heard inside the vehicle with the windows and stuff closed. This happens at idle, no matter engine temp - cold start, at temp, etc... I couldn't tell if it was RPM related - revved engine from inside car with my head out the window and couldn't tell if it increased. My phone was in the front driver side wheel well, where I could hear it the loudest, didn't check passenger side or with the hood up, I'll do that when I'm out of work.

Is this normal? Could it be lifter tick? Would GM Top Engine Cleaner help?

I have an old BMW that has notorious lifter tick, sounds similar. I added an engine cleaner to the oil and changed oil and the sound went away. It happens when it's low on oil as well, and goes away after topping up.

I just put brand new Mobil 1 5w30 extended performance about 200 miles ago with brand new filter (P48E). The oil life monitor said 9% when I changed it old oil looked pretty filthy, and there was a generic oil filter on it - from previous owner. Just had it inspected in Massachusetts and no engine codes popped up, no light on, etc.

 

 

 

2nd Video taken the day after the first:

 

 

 

The sound isn't nearly as audible with the hood open and my phone above the engine, but seems to be more noticeable along the passenger side exhaust manifold area. It also seems to be louder from underneath the truck. I'm gonna put it on my lift this week and listen more closely.

Could it be an exhaust leak even though it's still audible after 1/2 hour worth of driving at idle? I know these engines have a problem with broken exhaust manifold studs, but there are no broken bolts, and small gaps should close as the metal expands right?

 

3rd Video:

 

 

 

 

Definitely associated with engine RPM...also sounds like its the top end rather than bottom, and I'm starting to think it could be the exhaust bolts. I'll get the truck up on the lift this weekend and see if I can diagnose anything further.

[DanMan_S]

The 6.2L in my 2009 Silverado has had a tick since it was new. Took it in multiple times, GM said it was normal valve train noise. 7 years and 150000 km later, still makes the noise, no issues. I just drowned it out with the exhaust.