5.3 tap tap tap at start-up

silverbugeye · June 8, 2006

father in laws 2003 33K miles. It has always had the tap/piston slap at start up. Not just a few seconds. Some days its 20 seconds.

Chevy dealer installed a new oil pump but it still makes the noise at start-up when it wants to.

He is 5 weeks from going out of warranty and was wondering what else could be done?

1 of the 3 2006 5.3's a test drove did the same thing at start up but only for a few seconds.

My 2006 doesnt make any noises at all

BurbanZ71 · June 8, 2006

Try a seafoam treatment - 1 can in the gas tank, 1/2 in the crankcase & pull 1/2 through the PVC vacuum line. the change the oil within the next 2 tanks of gas.

this will clean out the carbon and buildup from the engine. since this stuff is a solvent I would not leave it in the crancase too long.

works great.

C & A s Dad · June 8, 2006

If it is piston slap, the following will not help. It will not hurt anything but it just will not help piston slap.

If it is a lifter problem, I would strongly suggest that he change the oil, leave out one quart and replace it with a qt of Rislone. This is a wonderful chemical that I have been selling for years. They make no miracle claims but if you have a lifter problem, it will fix it or you can get your wrenches out.

If this does correct the issue, I would consider changing brands or grades of oil. A 33 K mile 5.3 should not have lifter issues.

snoman · June 8, 2006

If it is piston slap, the following will not help. It will not hurt anything but it just will not help piston slap.

If it is a lifter problem, I would strongly suggest that he change the oil, leave out one quart and replace it with a qt of Rislone. This is a wonderful chemical that I have been selling for years. They make no miracle claims but if you have a lifter problem, it will fix it or you can get your wrenches out.

If this does correct the issue, I would consider changing brands or grades of oil. A 33 K mile 5.3 should not have lifter issues.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If it is piston slap it is easy to tell because it will be worse the colder it is. Also I advise againt Rislone because I have seen engine ruined with it when it cuts too much stuff loose at once (if engine is dirty) I would suggest that you change oil brands and change oil more often because dirty oil and a plugged oil filter can cause thios too.

asilverblazer · June 8, 2006

I highly doubt a 33k mile motor would have enough crap built up in it that a Risoline treatment, even double the recommended dose, would loosen enough non-existent crap to ruin the engine. Once a year I run a can of some kind of oil treatment and do a top engine cleaning, on all my cars and they are pretty quiet. Only after sitting for a week on really cold mornings will I get "piston slap", guess I better trade my truck off, it's gonna blow!

P.S. It's got 140K on it and it's not pampered.

C & A s Dad · June 9, 2006

Snoman, I would agree with you if the truck had 133K and had not been maintained. Any type of "cleaner" would wash out some junk. However, I have sold hundreds of bottles of Rislone and it is one of the few chemicals that I believe is made to use, not just sell. Of course, it has is limits to what it can do and is not a overhaul in a bottle.

By the way, I am testing 89 Octane in my '05 Dodge Caravan, which is what I travel in everyday. I know exactly where my MPG runs and will be running about 10 tanks of 89 to see if my MPG moves up. (Sorry to change the subject in this thread)

silverbugeye · June 12, 2006

any other thoughts?

snoman · June 12, 2006

any other thoughts?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What brand oil do you use?. Also I NEVER flush my engines and I have one that is 25 years old and does not tick. If you use good oil and change it often, there will be no issues. When issue develope it is because the oil is either not doing its job or is in the engine too long.

Nappers · June 13, 2006

I have a 2000 Yukon with the awful piston slap. I did a seafoam treatment through the brake booster line and switched to 5/30 Mobil 1 oil. No more slap. Not even on cold days and it purrs like a kitten. I have 98,000+ miles on it and just put new AC Delco Iridium plugs in it and it runs like a champ.

Good luck.

Aaron

critter · June 16, 2006

What brand of oil filter does he use?

silverbugeye · June 17, 2006

I dont know what brand he uses...

Is there one not to use? I just use the AC filters

getcrunk88 · June 26, 2006

you can use a high flow racing oil filter such as a k&n they flow much more oil quicker and filter out 10 microns i love em never had a problem with them