is this how my 5.3l v8 is supposed to sound or does it sound like my lifters are bad

Zack Horwitz · January 4, 2022

I just bought this 2006 silverado with 110k miles on it, and the oil was really dark, not sure when the previous owner changed the oil last.

I put some new oil in it but I am unsure if this sound is normal on these engines.

it's not super noticeable.

I was thinking of adding some seafoam to the oil and see if that helps?

I just replaced the oil sensor since it was pegging to 80, and i have decent oil pressure at 40 on startup so i don't think the oil pressure is the issue.

Supreme Pizza · January 4, 2022

If your worried about it, I would run some motor Medic Engine flush, not Seafoam.

Follow the directions precisely.

Change to 10W40 motor oil and an OEM oil filter.

After that, see how it sounds.

txab · January 4, 2022

Look for broken exhaust manifold bolts. That can explain tick sounds if you have any

CamGTP · January 4, 2022

All I hear is the belt/pulleys and the fuel injectors ticking/pulsing.

Sounds normal to me.

dna9656 · January 4, 2022

I have an 06 5.3. I had lifter noise. I thought it might be a clogged push rod, no it wasn't that, maybe a stuck lifter? I did all the engine oil system cleaning and tricks in the book; I still got the noise, I thought worn rockers, I replaced all of them; still got the noise. I read about the "O" ring. The problem: the "O" ring goes bad and leaks, this allows the oil pump to cavitate (suck air) and oil doesn't make it up to the lifters in sufficient amount and you hear the lifters tapping.

My fix: I replaced the pickup tube "O" ring, oil pump, and installed another (2nd) clamp on the pick (if you see a pic or drawing of this area you'll hopefully see what I'm talking about) up tube/oil pump connection.

Since I was already in to the engine I removed the timing chain cover and installed a high volume Mellings oil pump, timing chain and gears. Follow the instructions, it's a big job, If your truck is a 4 X 4 the Haynes book has you drop the front axle so you can get the oil pan out. Have a inch pound and foot pound torque wrench on hand, the tightening of the oil pan and timing chain cover are critical.

Thing is this isn't a job you can put off; you don't want to have to replace those lifters because the book has you replacing a lot more than the lifters. You just about may as well buy an engine. When I did this 5.3s were apparently pretty scarce, the cost was pretty high; like $4,000 odd dollars. I think the parts ran less than $200.00, I have al the tools but the harmonic balancer puller (you can borrow that at most any auto parts store) and GM wants you to use a new bolt on that harmonic balancer so I used the old one to set that balancer in it's rightful place, yes it has a home where GM wants it to line up with the serpentine belt.

Zack Horwitz · January 4, 2022

Wow I was hoping it wasn't the o ring issue since I have good oil pressure

shakenfake · January 4, 2022

06 doesn't really have the lifter failure like 07.5 and above do.

It did sound almost like an exhaust leak on the passenger side though but videos are not that great. You could smoke test the exhaust and see if you have any leaks.

It's Tim · January 4, 2022

18 hours ago, Zack Horwitz said:

I just bought this 2006 silverado with 110k miles on it, and the oil was really dark, not sure when the previous owner changed the oil last.

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/tests/standard-analysis/

Blackstone Labs basic test is like $30.