5.3 engine tick - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SC C-10 · 02-20-2012, 04:43 PM

I need a little help here please. My DD is a 2001 Sierra 5.3. Never any issues other than regular maintenance issues. Mobil 1 oil since new, and a new set of 41-110 Delco plugs. The problem is I have a tick in the number three cylinder between 1100-1600 rpm. It doesn't do this at any other time through the rpm range. The truck runs fine otherwise and is still getting the same mileage as always. No codes are showing up, and this happens with the a/c on or off. It has 123,000 on the odometer, and I've had it since it was new. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

crazy longhorn · 03-03-2012, 06:49 PM

Does that tick stop after the eng warms up? crazyL

SC C-10 · 03-03-2012, 10:47 PM

No, it stays the same. I took it to the local GMC dealer Friday and they worked on it all day. They said an exhaust cam lobe was worn flat, but I don't have any overheating or a miss. When they put it back together, now it doesn't have any oil pressure. Looks like I will have a battle with them Monday.

crazy longhorn · 03-04-2012, 12:05 AM

Best of luck , my brother....I have 2 that ticky /knock (cold), both are quiet after a few seconds running. My DD is a 4.8, with 165 tho on the clock. The parts truck(motor for my 69), is a 5.3, with 137 tho on the clock. both have that piston knock issue, common to the breed. I send this back to the top, & let some of the gurus play....crazyL

usmcchevy · 03-04-2012, 01:01 AM

A lifter going bad and taking out the cam isn't unheard of, but still not common. I wish you luck with the dealer. If you end up paying out of pocket keep in mind that you can get a used motor for $500-1000. Won't take long for a dealer to dump that in a motor. Let us know how it goes.

SC C-10 · 03-09-2012, 04:49 PM

Got it back Tuesday afternoon. The truck needs a new cam and lifters. The dealership put in a new oil pump, rear seal, and the pan gaskets. I have since replaced it as a daily driver, but my son will be driving soon. I'm going to put in a new cam/lifters, and let him have it as a first truck.
The dealership is unreasonable as far as pricing on a cam set, so does anyone know where I can get a set?

Thanks.

usmcchevy · 03-09-2012, 11:14 PM

First place I'd check: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=59

Followed by: http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/

You can get new lifters at www.rockauto.com

Hope this helps.

**truckdude239** · 03-11-2012, 08:06 AM

I think id get a used low mileage engine
Posted via Mobile Device

SC C-10 · 03-11-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdude239

I think id get a used low mileage engine
Posted via Mobile Device

That would be one option, but around here, a low mileage engine has more miles than mine does. Buying one is almost always a crap shoot. Even if you get a warranty, you still have to put it in to see if it is good. I know how to do the work, and I know how mine has been driven. The pan had no shavings in it when the dealer pulled it, and the engine runs too good to have anything else wrong with it. I'm going with the cam/lifters direction.

crazy longhorn · 03-12-2012, 12:24 AM

Or....give the kid the truck & tell him to deal with the tick

We cant raise em forever (right)? crazyL

km16 · 05-05-2012, 11:44 PM

I have a 2006 Silverado with a 5.3 that I bought two years ago with 70,000 miles and it has had the ticking noise after it warms up since I drove it home. I finally pulled the pan and looked a couple weeks ago and it also has a bad lifter and a cam lobe is worn bad. It now has 106,000 miles and still running but I am looking for another motor possibly an HO motor.

02-20-2012, 04:43 PM	#1
SC C-10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fountain Inn, South Carolina Posts: 128	5.3 engine tick I need a little help here please. My DD is a 2001 Sierra 5.3. Never any issues other than regular maintenance issues. Mobil 1 oil since new, and a new set of 41-110 Delco plugs. The problem is I have a tick in the number three cylinder between 1100-1600 rpm. It doesn't do this at any other time through the rpm range. The truck runs fine otherwise and is still getting the same mileage as always. No codes are showing up, and this happens with the a/c on or off. It has 123,000 on the odometer, and I've had it since it was new. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. Attached Images __________________ 1969 C-10 short step 1981 CJ7 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie 4X4 1939 Cadillac LaSalle sedan 1950 Allis Chalmers B 1998 Bullet 21 XD 300 Merc/water hot rod

03-03-2012, 06:49 PM	#2
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	Re: 5.3 engine tick Does that tick stop after the eng warms up? crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

03-03-2012, 10:47 PM	#3
SC C-10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fountain Inn, South Carolina Posts: 128	Re: 5.3 engine tick No, it stays the same. I took it to the local GMC dealer Friday and they worked on it all day. They said an exhaust cam lobe was worn flat, but I don't have any overheating or a miss. When they put it back together, now it doesn't have any oil pressure. Looks like I will have a battle with them Monday. __________________ 1969 C-10 short step 1981 CJ7 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie 4X4 1939 Cadillac LaSalle sedan 1950 Allis Chalmers B 1998 Bullet 21 XD 300 Merc/water hot rod

03-04-2012, 12:05 AM	#4
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	Re: 5.3 engine tick Best of luck , my brother....I have 2 that ticky /knock (cold), both are quiet after a few seconds running. My DD is a 4.8, with 165 tho on the clock. The parts truck(motor for my 69), is a 5.3, with 137 tho on the clock. both have that piston knock issue, common to the breed. I send this back to the top, & let some of the gurus play....crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

03-04-2012, 01:01 AM	#5
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: 5.3 engine tick A lifter going bad and taking out the cam isn't unheard of, but still not common. I wish you luck with the dealer. If you end up paying out of pocket keep in mind that you can get a used motor for $500-1000. Won't take long for a dealer to dump that in a motor. Let us know how it goes. __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index Last edited by usmcchevy; 03-04-2012 at 01:16 AM.

03-09-2012, 04:49 PM	#6
SC C-10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fountain Inn, South Carolina Posts: 128	Re: 5.3 engine tick Got it back Tuesday afternoon. The truck needs a new cam and lifters. The dealership put in a new oil pump, rear seal, and the pan gaskets. I have since replaced it as a daily driver, but my son will be driving soon. I'm going to put in a new cam/lifters, and let him have it as a first truck. The dealership is unreasonable as far as pricing on a cam set, so does anyone know where I can get a set? Thanks. __________________ 1969 C-10 short step 1981 CJ7 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie 4X4 1939 Cadillac LaSalle sedan 1950 Allis Chalmers B 1998 Bullet 21 XD 300 Merc/water hot rod

03-09-2012, 11:14 PM	#7
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: 5.3 engine tick First place I'd check: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=59 Followed by: http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/ You can get new lifters at www.rockauto.com Hope this helps. __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index

03-11-2012, 08:06 AM	#8
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: 5.3 engine tick I think id get a used low mileage engine Posted via Mobile Device __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

03-12-2012, 12:24 AM	#10
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	Re: 5.3 engine tick Or....give the kid the truck & tell him to deal with the tick We cant raise em forever (right)? crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

05-05-2012, 11:44 PM	#11
km16 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 7	Re: 5.3 engine tick I have a 2006 Silverado with a 5.3 that I bought two years ago with 70,000 miles and it has had the ticking noise after it warms up since I drove it home. I finally pulled the pan and looked a couple weeks ago and it also has a bad lifter and a cam lobe is worn bad. It now has 106,000 miles and still running but I am looking for another motor possibly an HO motor.



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