ticking 5.3 vortech - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

retodd7711 · 12-09-2007, 04:46 AM

I've had my '00 Silverado a couple weeks now and have a ticking problem.
When it's below 40 degrees outside the motor ticks when I start it. It doesn't do it right away, takes about 30 seconds, then ticks for 1 minute or so. Warm starts are no problem. Has anyone else had this problem?
Truck has 70,000 and I just changed oil 10-w40 Valvoline synthetic.

retodd7711 · 12-09-2007, 04:48 AM

Sounds like it's coming from the passenger side front of motor. Sounds almost like a valve adjustment issue, but it goes away when it warms up.

396 SS · 12-10-2007, 09:09 PM

GM calls that piston slap, 90% of them do it when they are cold.

redsled04 · 12-10-2007, 09:12 PM

Yeah it sounds like good ol "piston slap". Ive had 2 trucks with 5.3s in em and they both did it.I got them both new some times they didnt do it though. Definatly dont sone good.

retodd7711 · 12-11-2007, 09:37 AM

Well, that gives me a direction to pursue. I plan on keeping this truck so, what are we talking for a fix?
Piston, wrist pin replacement?
Turn the radio up? LOL

396 SS · 12-11-2007, 10:18 AM

I have had two trucks with over 160,000 miles as long as it quits when it warms up don't worry about it

Blue82Chev · 12-12-2007, 02:18 PM

Ohh yes...Both my '03 5.3 in the Sierra and '03 3.4 in the Grand Am do it. They say it's normal...

poncho_villa · 12-14-2007, 06:07 PM

Synthetic juice is thinner. You might want to throw in a jug of Lucas synthetic oil treatment to thicken it up and it's good for your seals too.

scatesracing · 01-04-2008, 06:22 PM

mine has done it for as long as i have had it.. got it at 22,000 now has 108000. jest let it warm up a sec. it will be fine mine also uses half to 3/4 qt. oil between oil changes.....always has... gm mech friend said it was normal..... runs great so i just drive the hell out of it

67ChevyRedneck · 01-05-2008, 04:12 AM

This is a couple weeks old.... but yeah, 100% normal and I have yet to read of a single engine failure from this condition and GM produced about 4 to 5 million trucks/vans/suvs before GM "fixed" the issue in late 2002. My truck uses less than a 1/2 qt of oil on a 5K oil change (mobil one synthetic). I know people with over 200K on their 5.3's. Mine is only audible if I take off on a cold morning as soon as I start the truck. If I let it warm up for at least a minute, I never hear it. And like you mentioned above, if it's about 50 or so out (or the truck is already warm) it never does it.

The problem is that GM was using new types of metals/rings on the pistons and later discovered the cold start knock after millions of trucks had already been produced.

For what it's worth, I've read Toyota Tundra owners (last body style) had this problem too

Huck · 01-11-2008, 04:16 AM

My 2000 did it --sounded like a diesel for about 30-45 seconds. Once running more then 2-3 minuts, it was gone. Sold the truck after 185,000 miles--still runs like a raped ape!! My 2002 does it too---other then the noise, no issues. Even my 2000 Tahoe did it after around 60K miles. Just a pita, nothing to worry about. Do watch for water pump gasket leaks and A/C--heater air flow issues on the passs side~~. Bigger pita!!

retodd7711 · 01-15-2008, 08:55 AM

Thanks guys. It's just kinda embarassing when someone says
"nice truck, but it's got a rod knock"

retodd7711 · 01-15-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck

Do watch A/C--heater air flow issues on the passs side~~. Bigger pita!!

Read my cabin air filter DIY. Solved all my air flow issues.

skokie · 03-04-2008, 11:03 AM

I have the same think in my 01 sierra with 5.3. After about 1-2 mins it goes away.

wannabeburbowner · 03-27-2008, 03:29 AM

good to hear, I thought for sure it was rod knock. I have a 2000 ECLB 5.3 180,000, it sounds like a diesel in the morning but runs very good. It is very embarassing.

Travis

CoolFX · 04-07-2008, 04:12 PM

If anyone's ride is still under warranty it never hurts to take it by the dealership and have them check it out. And do it as many times as possible during the warranty period. That way if the engine fails after warranty period expires and it can be attributed to this warning sign then you have documented proof that you tried to get them to fix it.

FX's '02 does this and he didn't take his own advise.

12-09-2007, 04:46 AM	#1
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	ticking 5.3 vortech I've had my '00 Silverado a couple weeks now and have a ticking problem. When it's below 40 degrees outside the motor ticks when I start it. It doesn't do it right away, takes about 30 seconds, then ticks for 1 minute or so. Warm starts are no problem. Has anyone else had this problem? Truck has 70,000 and I just changed oil 10-w40 Valvoline synthetic. __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

12-09-2007, 04:48 AM	#2
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech Sounds like it's coming from the passenger side front of motor. Sounds almost like a valve adjustment issue, but it goes away when it warms up. __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

12-10-2007, 09:09 PM	#3
396 SS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cameron, Ok. Posts: 112	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech GM calls that piston slap, 90% of them do it when they are cold.

12-10-2007, 09:12 PM	#4
redsled04 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maple valley WA. Posts: 128	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech Yeah it sounds like good ol "piston slap". Ive had 2 trucks with 5.3s in em and they both did it.I got them both new some times they didnt do it though. Definatly dont sone good.

12-11-2007, 09:37 AM	#5
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech Well, that gives me a direction to pursue. I plan on keeping this truck so, what are we talking for a fix? Piston, wrist pin replacement? Turn the radio up? LOL __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

12-11-2007, 10:18 AM	#6
396 SS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cameron, Ok. Posts: 112	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech I have had two trucks with over 160,000 miles as long as it quits when it warms up don't worry about it

12-12-2007, 02:18 PM	#7
Blue82Chev Murph Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Central Minnesota Posts: 206	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech Ohh yes...Both my '03 5.3 in the Sierra and '03 3.4 in the Grand Am do it. They say it's normal... __________________ Mike Vehicles: 1982 C20 2003 GMC Sierra Last edited by Blue82Chev; 12-12-2007 at 02:22 PM.

12-14-2007, 06:07 PM	#8
poncho_villa Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: B.C. Posts: 457	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech Synthetic juice is thinner. You might want to throw in a jug of Lucas synthetic oil treatment to thicken it up and it's good for your seals too.

01-04-2008, 06:22 PM	#9
scatesracing Machinist Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Derby Kansas Posts: 296	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech mine has done it for as long as i have had it.. got it at 22,000 now has 108000. jest let it warm up a sec. it will be fine mine also uses half to 3/4 qt. oil between oil changes.....always has... gm mech friend said it was normal..... runs great so i just drive the hell out of it

01-05-2008, 04:12 AM	#10
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech This is a couple weeks old.... but yeah, 100% normal and I have yet to read of a single engine failure from this condition and GM produced about 4 to 5 million trucks/vans/suvs before GM "fixed" the issue in late 2002. My truck uses less than a 1/2 qt of oil on a 5K oil change (mobil one synthetic). I know people with over 200K on their 5.3's. Mine is only audible if I take off on a cold morning as soon as I start the truck. If I let it warm up for at least a minute, I never hear it. And like you mentioned above, if it's about 50 or so out (or the truck is already warm) it never does it. The problem is that GM was using new types of metals/rings on the pistons and later discovered the cold start knock after millions of trucks had already been produced. For what it's worth, I've read Toyota Tundra owners (last body style) had this problem too __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 01-05-2008 at 04:13 AM.

01-11-2008, 04:16 AM	#11
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech My 2000 did it --sounded like a diesel for about 30-45 seconds. Once running more then 2-3 minuts, it was gone. Sold the truck after 185,000 miles--still runs like a raped ape!! My 2002 does it too---other then the noise, no issues. Even my 2000 Tahoe did it after around 60K miles. Just a pita, nothing to worry about. Do watch for water pump gasket leaks and A/C--heater air flow issues on the passs side~~. Bigger pita!!

01-15-2008, 08:55 AM	#12
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech Thanks guys. It's just kinda embarassing when someone says "nice truck, but it's got a rod knock" __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

03-04-2008, 11:03 AM	#14
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,300	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech I have the same think in my 01 sierra with 5.3. After about 1-2 mins it goes away. __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

03-27-2008, 03:29 AM	#15
wannabeburbowner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Philadelphia, Ohio Posts: 253	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech good to hear, I thought for sure it was rod knock. I have a 2000 ECLB 5.3 180,000, it sounds like a diesel in the morning but runs very good. It is very embarassing. Travis __________________ 71 Chevy Long Bed (gettin' bagged) 84 GMC K1500 (Sold) 85 Monte Carlo SS white w/gray int. (being a dumba** and totaled it ) 85 Monte Carlo SS clone T-top (Sold) 72 Chevelle-tubbed 64 Buick Sportwagon Last edited by wannabeburbowner; 03-27-2008 at 03:30 AM.

04-07-2008, 04:12 PM	#16
CoolFX Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 9	Re: ticking 5.3 vortech If anyone's ride is still under warranty it never hurts to take it by the dealership and have them check it out. And do it as many times as possible during the warranty period. That way if the engine fails after warranty period expires and it can be attributed to this warning sign then you have documented proof that you tried to get them to fix it. FX's '02 does this and he didn't take his own advise. __________________ Michael..... '67 Chevrolet Camaro - Extreme Project '67 Chevrolet C10/Custom LWB/BW - Project '68 Chevrolet C10/Custom LWB - Under RE-Construction '72 Dodge Dart Swinger '85 F**d Mustang GT '02 SilveradoZ71 '96 Honda Magna And this ain't all.......FX has wwaaayyyy too many vehicles!



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