5.3 Liter Engine Lifter Tick, how long have you been driving your truck with noisy lifters?

[baglie1]

Hello everyone!

  So, my lifters recently started to tick! My truck has 160k miles on it, it has the 5.3. It's a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE. So I'm curious to see how long others have been driving/living with their engines lifter noise? 

Edited March 12 by baglie1

[richard wysong]

How is your oil pressure? Have you been regularly changing your oil? What viscosity are you using? Welcome to the forum!

[diyer2]

Lifter tick is primarily caused by insufficient lubrication, low oil pressure, or oil sludge, which prevents hydraulic lifters from maintaining proper clearance with the camshaft. This results in a, metallic tapping or clicking sound as the camshaft knocks against the lifter. It is commonly caused by worn parts, dirty oil, or faulty lifters.

 

IMO

if you had done more oil changes you wouldn't have this.

[No Tyme]

My 2018 5.3 started making a noise that I think may be a lifter. Its at 135K and I have been running 0W20 and changing every 4k to 5k miles. I just changed oil and went to 5W30 and it did quite the lifter down a bit. We will see how things go as I am not in a big hurry to spend 5k for a rebuild.

[Jworks]

Lots of 5.3s do this.  My 2011 5.3 , 179k miles on it, has the tick "sometimes" at start up.  I bought it used 7 yrs ago.  Its had the tick off and on for several years.  My independent mechanic said "thats the Chevrolet tick".  His truck did it too.  When it does sound off it goes away after a few minutes.  Its not nearly as loud as it once was and here's why I think that is.  I was advised by someone on on here, Ray Voy, to keep clean oil in it.  I had been going by the computer telling me when to change, but I never did let it get below about 25% left on the computer.  Even so, the oil would have 6-7k miles on it.  So, I took his advice and changed oil every 3-4k miles regardless what the computer says.  (Oil is a lot cheaper than an engine job).  I'm using 5-30 Castrol full synthetic Dexos1 and a new filter with every change.  I recommend getting the more expensive filters instead of the standard filter; I think they provide better oil pressure.  So, yes, this is a common issue with the 5.3.  Clean oil and disregard the dashboard computer.  

[richard wysong]

My friends Tahoe had a tick but was under warranty so I didn't bother to check it out, dealer said it was a bad spark plug, cracked insulator. Weird, no misfire. Not sure what year it was but it wasn't new, around 70k miles

[baglie1]

This truck is a "new to me" truck that I recently bought used. It's super clean and has an extensive maintenance history, the previous owners apparently took great care of it. So it was surprising to me to hear the tick. I've only had it for a few days, so I haven't done any extensive investigating. I did just let it run and get to temp, which after 15 minutes of idle, it peaked at 210. That to me seems a bit on the high side? I haven't owned a V8 in a very very long time lol, but still, seems high? Also, after it's warmes up the ticking drastically improves, maybe it's not garbage? lol. At idle and at temp, the oil pressure sits at just a touch over 20, also seems low? Also, the check engine light is on and has a "oil pressure sensor" code, so maybe can't trust the 20 pressure read?

[richard wysong]

Are you sure it is a lifter you hear and not an exhaust leak? Broken manifold bolts are common and sound just like a lifter tick until it heats up then it goes away

[No Tyme]

No, but it did quiet down alot when I changed oil... went from 0w20 to 5w30

[JimCost2014]

On 3/13/2026 at 6:48 PM, baglie1 said:

This truck is a "new to me" truck that I recently bought used. It's super clean and has an extensive maintenance history, the previous owners apparently took great care of it. So it was surprising to me to hear the tick. I've only had it for a few days, so I haven't done any extensive investigating. I did just let it run and get to temp, which after 15 minutes of idle, it peaked at 210. That to me seems a bit on the high side? I haven't owned a V8 in a very very long time lol, but still, seems high? Also, after it's warmes up the ticking drastically improves, maybe it's not garbage? lol. At idle and at temp, the oil pressure sits at just a touch over 20, also seems low? Also, the check engine light is on and has a "oil pressure sensor" code, so maybe can't trust the 20 pressure read?

Everything you have described above are all normal operating temps and pressures. Not sure what would set the CEL off with it being at a normal idle pressure.

[baglie1]

On 3/12/2026 at 10:28 AM, diyer2 said:

IMO

if you had done more oil changes you wouldn't have this.

 

  You good sir, are incorrectly assuming it is I that neglected the maintenance on this vehicle. This vehicle is new to me, barely more than a month new to me at this point.

 

  Update on my ticking, it is official now that it is in fact cylinder #1 that is ticking. I changed the oil straight away with premium 5w30 full synthetic with the GM recommended PF63 AC Delco filter. Whomever previously changed the oil, put a crazy generic universal filter on it :-/. 

  So, currently, it is just a ticking. I do not have a Service Engine throwing misfire codes. It seems to run just fine. I guess all I can do really is keep on the oil changes at 3k intervals with a touch of Marvels Mystery Oil every change and hope for the best? 

[PunchT37]

43 minutes ago, baglie1 said:

 

  You good sir, are incorrectly assuming it is I that neglected the maintenance on this vehicle. This vehicle is new to me, barely more than a month new to me at this point.

 

  Update on my ticking, it is official now that it is in fact cylinder #1 that is ticking. I changed the oil straight away with premium 5w30 full synthetic with the GM recommended PF63 AC Delco filter. Whomever previously changed the oil, put a crazy generic universal filter on it :-/. 

  So, currently, it is just a ticking. I do not have a Service Engine throwing misfire codes. It seems to run just fine. I guess all I can do really is keep on the oil changes at 3k intervals with a touch of Marvels Mystery Oil every change and hope for the best? 

Maybe start running this?

 

https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/restore-and-protect-full-synthetic-sae-5w-30/

[No Tyme]

On 3/12/2026 at 1:40 PM, Jworks said:

  I recommend getting the more expensive filters instead of the standard filter; I think they provide better oil pressure.  So, yes, this is a common issue with the 5.3.  Clean oil and disregard the dashboard computer.  

Just because something cost more doesn't necessarily mean it's better... I've been using GM Delco filters. What do you consider and better filter?

[johnnyquick]

36 minutes ago, No Tyme said:

Just because something cost more doesn't necessarily mean it's better... I've been using GM Delco filters. What do you consider and better filter?

Purolator 1 is a great filter, I get mine on amazon.

Check your spark plug wire carefully going to that cylinder and be sure it is pushed on securely to the plug.

[No Tyme]

Just an FYI, I put in a half can of Seafoam in the oil and drove my truck about 50 miles and then changed the oil. I also went from 0W20 to 5W30 and barely hear my tick anymore.