Help Please! Noisy Lifters When First Starting

corinthian-brad · July 4, 2008

Hey out there.

I have a problem that I think I've caused myself. I was losing a bit of coolant, even after a water pump check / replacement. I broke down and tried some "stop leak" stuff that I dumped in my coolant reservoir. I thought it would be okay to try since (I thought) my 2005 sierra 5.3L had a dry intake. Ever since then, when I start my truck in the morning - I have a HORRIBLE lifter click sound. It sounds like it's only one - but I'm not sure. I changed my oil TODAY - and the oil seemed a bit chunky (it was due for a change anyway).. I was thinking that some of the stop leak may have gotten into my oil, gummed up my filter - and blocked the oil flow.-- - that didn't help the problem. Now, the last time I started the truck - the "Check Oil Level" message came up. What the heck!! I've got 85,000 miles on it. Seemed to be running great before all this, and it seems to run perfect when it gets to normal operating temp and quiets down. I know I'm causing damage every time I start the truck - but I don't know what to check... Oil pump? Change the oil again? Any help would be greatly appreciated - I'm pretty worried.

Thanks

Brad

truck1014 · July 7, 2008

if it is your lifters... to be honest i wouldnt worry about it i have a gmc sierra 1500 that has 190,000 miles and its been making that noise for years!! the only problem i have is a bad intake manafold gasget which is why my coolent was leaking so much but waters/coolant is alot cheaper still have the stock water pump so that might not of been your problem..??? idk though just my suggestion

tmicklet · August 20, 2008

Anything new to report? I am having the same problem, just wondering what you found. Thanks

compulynx · August 20, 2008

I can add my experience with a GM engine and lifters. The intakes have a problem with leaking water into the INSIDE of the engine at each corner. The V6 engines are even worse. I had one with the V6 that leaked about a pint of coolant a month. I figured like you that coolant was cheap. Then it started. The lifter started clicking at odd times, but would quit after a warmup.

I removed the manifold, sure nuff, found coolant leak. I removed the lifter that was tapping (It will usually be one on the end at the leak). I took it apart, cleaned it out good, oiled it up, and reassembed it. Gunk had formed in the lifter that stopped up the passages in the lifter.

Reinstalled the new style gasket made by Fel-Pro, and never had a problem since.....I would not recommend using OEM gaskets till they solve the problem with them.

Just my experience, but I can say, the leak and clicking is not going to go away till you fix the manifold gasket. It only get worse...

C

C & A s Dad · August 20, 2008

Brad, you do have a dry intake on your 5.3. However, that does not mean you are not getting coolant in your oil from somewhere else like a head gskt or cracked head.

From what you are saying this could be the case. Usually the oil would be milky looking if it was contaminated with coolant. Was it?

If so, you need to get the system pres tested by a Tech to see if they can pinpoint your leak.

pennzoil29 · August 20, 2008

Brad, you do have a dry intake on your 5.3. However, that does not mean you are not getting coolant in your oil from somewhere else like a head gskt or cracked head.

From what you are saying this could be the case. Usually the oil would be milky looking if it was contaminated with coolant. Was it?

If so, you need to get the system pres tested by a Tech to see if they can pinpoint your leak.

+1

dietz4ibanez · August 20, 2008

You know we have a s10 at my work with the v6 4.3 and the mexican that was driving it didnt add oil or change the oil when it needed it...

So I took it and changed the oil and it stopped making the ticking sound...

Not saying that you dont change your oil or check just that it can work itself out over time...

dhalsall · August 25, 2008

Yeah, it sounds like the ole head gasket... I'll put $ on Cyl 1 has the low pressure on the compression test too

Regarding other options for noisy lifter sounds... I was always changing my oil with Penzoil, but once because they were out of it, I used Valvoine... a few weeks later, noisy lifter... which got so noisy at times I thought it was going to blow! So on gut instinct, I did an early oil change back to Penz .... and a couple of weeks later the noise went away and never came back.

So, I'm not suggesting that one oil is better than the other, but perhaps if you use one exclusively there might be a chemical reaction with the sludge when mixed with the different additives in another brand? Or perhaps it was all just a huge co-incidence.

Anyway, I hope you can get to the bottom of your issue.

BTW, if it is a leak between exhaust and coolant, you will see the odd tiny bubble roll up in to your coolant reservoir. At the early stages, you might not see one for a minute or so... but as it gets worse, they will be more frequent.

dave

minibike132 · August 27, 2008

You know we have a s10 at my work with the v6 4.3 and the mexican that was driving it didnt add oil or change the oil when it needed it...
So I took it and changed the oil and it stopped making the ticking sound...

Not saying that you dont change your oil or check just that it can work itself out over time...

Damn mexicans