Engine rattle

[rtbrick]

My engine rattles when driving down the road. Just cruising along and I get that loose lifter-type of rattle. I have the GM engine knock on cold start-up, but this rattle is a sort of "diesling" type of rattle. I have not noticed a loss of performance, but the sound is truly annoying. What should I do to rectify?

[budhayes3]

If it's an internal noise that you're experiencing, I'm not sure that it can be rectified. My engine sounds fairly noisy, like lifters or loose rockers, also. From what I've researched it appears to be common among GenIII style engines...although it does drive me nuts. If it's an external rattle, I'd check for loose exhaust heat shields, loose splash shields, etc. I've heard that the O2 sensor's have a tendency to rattle also...the little tin shields that are on them. Hope this helps a bit.

[Halen5150]

My engine rattles when driving down the road.  Just cruising along and I get that loose lifter-type of rattle.  I have the GM engine knock on cold start-up, but this rattle is a sort of "diesling" type of rattle.  I have not noticed a loss of performance, but the sound is truly annoying.  What should I do to rectify?

 

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Mine is an '00 5.3L and it has all the same symptoms that you mentioned. I'll agree, it's very annoying, loud like a diesel, and sounds like crap. I can hear the noise ricochet off of drive thrus, barriers, etc. Most days, I hear the lifter tick noise more than I hear the exhaust. It almost never gets quieter anymore, and it's always there. I haven't found any answers to get rid of it, either. I asked around at a local stealership, they pretty much said to live with it. Would ceramic valve covers mask the noise some? I just turn the stereo up a bit. I try not to think about it because it drives me nuts.

[budhayes3]

Someone here, or maybe over at LS1Tech.com was supposed to be installing a set of ceramic, or carbon fiber valve covers. Said he'd post his results...wonder whatever happened with that. Gonna have to do some searching....

[gixxer]

I heard that one also, I just got my GM composite valve covers from Summit on Friday, Ill let ya know when I mount em up.

[Shaners]

The injectors are very noisy on these motors, and that may be the sound that you are hearing.

[Rookie]

These trucks also have a check valve in the air pump/smog pump. These will rattel while driveing down the road. it sound as if the motor ahve a pre detonation concern.

[jhm]

I had an annoying rattle/buzzing type noise that drove me nuts. The "service adviser" said his 'MECHANICS" traced it down to piston slap, long story short, I got the 6yr 100k warranty for free to"put my mind at rest". 10 months later, I cant take the noise anymore, 15k on the clock! I go back and they have a new service guy, he goes with me on a ride and hears it but dosent mention piston slap, they keep it a couple of days and figured it out- the 4wd selctor had a bad plastic guide that resonated and sounded like it was coming from the engine! No piston slap and a free warranty! Sometimes a noise is diagmosed not even close to the real cause.