Silverado Sierra 5.3 Lifter Noise Tick (What to do)

Does the noise coming from your 5.3 motor annoy you? Whether you call it a tick, slap, ping, knock, or think it’s coming from a valve, lifter, rod, watch the video to see what I think about it! A motor flush, oil treatment, or gas treatment will only get you so far...

[NarwahlGaming]

Truck with a 100, 000 mile warranty.

Mile 99, 999 - Dealer: "I don't hear anything."
Mile 100, 001 - Dealer: "You need a new engine!"

[cyrusleo]

No worries at all everyone. I have a 2005 Silverado crew cab 5.3, Been doing this since it was brand new. Over 200, 000 miles now and still running strong.

[SK-pnpe]

I have a 2017 Denali with the 6.2 with around 20k the EXACT same sound. Sounds like a sticky lifter, but its not a lifter. Most people say its the high pressure fuel pump. Its cool to say not to worry about it, but pulling up next to a building with a 60 thousand dollar truck and hearing what sounds like a loud, bad lifter is kind of bullshit....IMO.

[MrGrotti]

I just got the tick noise this morning and I was worried that it is a big problem,
But now I'm relieved.
Thanks for the great video, keep it up.

[mustangsally]

You might want to check the valve clearance. Also, the gas may make a different but its not to likely. I have a 2017 LT Z71 and the owners manual said use 91 Octane or higher. I run the Lucas oil Upper Engine and Injector cleaner in all my vehicle, every other tank of gas. I run 89 Octane and the Lucas oil bumps the Octane rating over 91. I had a 2005 Ford Super Duty 6 liter diesel, ran the Lucas oil in that one too. We bullet proofed the engine 5 years ago and took a look at the engine's upper end and injectors. All of the parts were spotless, very clean and never had a tick in the engine. Oil is cheap, we changed the oil every 5, 000 miles and never had a single issue. The Ford has 140, 000 mile on it, and mechanically, never a hiccup. Regular oil changes are just cheap insurance. Enjoy your videos, liked the oil change one, thanks.

[jasonbooth]

Depending how often you change your oil will determine the tapping noise. I have a 03 Tahoe with a 5.3 I always use synthetic 5w-30 it never makes the tapping noise and has close to 260, 000 miles.

[MrBdogg]

When I brought my 14 it had 4 miles on it and it had that same tapping noise. I was told all there direct injection engines do the same thing. I now have 170, 000 miles on it. I still hear the same tapping noise and never had any issues with the truck.

[RJAB]

I have a 2004, 4x4, short bed, 5.3 Vortex. And has 270 miles running stronger than the newer chevys. I driven to Texas, New Mexico, Mexico, California, Las Vegas. Bruh Chevy are the strongest trucks out there!! Thanks for the video bro 🤙🏽

[Twistedyeti]

My buddy bought new left over 18 off a lot with 11 miles and it had the tick sounding just like my 2014. Nothing to worry about. Great video and thanks for getting this info out there.

[kcscustom]

Absolutely it is nothing to worry about, all of these trucks do it and that is okay. It is not a problem, there is nothing wrong with any of them. My 03 with 300k does it & has done it since day 1 & it runs like a clock with absolutely no issues. My dads 06 did it the whole time he owned it from 150 miles - 180k (8+ years) with absolutely no problems at all the whole time. His next truck a 2011 did it too, it definitely wasn’t as loud in the 2011 as the 03 & 06 but the noise was still there & it had no issues for the 7 years & 150k++ he had it. And last but not least the 2018 he just bought brand spanking new at the beginning of last year does it as well. Again not as loud as the earlier models I mentioned and it is even a bit quieter then the 2011, but the sound is still there. It now has about 18k and not a single problem. From what I’ve seen it seems to be getting quieter in the newer generation engines. I’m curious about the 2019’s and if the 2020’s will even make this noise at all. Anyone here have a 2019 5.3? Does your engine make the ticking/tapping noise?

[joeyyoung]

My 2001 Silverado has been doing the same thing for at least 15 years. I have never had anything done to the engine except oil changes. It still runs like new with over 200 thousand miles and yes it still makes the same noise when you first crank it up, but after about three minutes or less it stops. This usually happens after you let them sit up over night. I love mine and have no plans on getting rid of it.

[yepok]

2016 5.3 LT Z71 here. Mine has 62, 000 miles, bought at 35, 000 miles. Went back to the dealership after three hundred miles because of the tapping, got it in writing from the dealership, that the sound was not unusual. That being said, mine was not near as loud. Good luck bud.

[mattt.]

My 2014 5.3L v8 has the same tick. 80k miles. Good to know it’s common and nothing to worry about. My first truck and I hope to keep it for many miles to come. Thanks

[chillmaster]

2015 Tahoe 5.3 also had same issue not as loud but still a little annoying tick, during a routine oil change and maintenance I accidentally over filled it with oil and it went away to almost nothing no adverse effects I then did another synthetic oil change to the recommended level and still working fine with the slightest tick super quiet now compared to before…might work for your truck also!

[bitsalt]

My 2001 has done it since day 1, now with 256k miles. Always seemed to me that it quits after a minute or two, just enough time for a poorly designed oil pump to get up to speed.

[timmydixon]

I got a 2015 Silverado high country.. 5.3… got that same very mild tick or tap.. no issues so far.. 155, 000 miles still running strong..

[surfcitycorvettes]

My 2006 has 298, 000 miles on it. The ticking started about 30k ago, not just at startup but while driving too. It comes and goes, but gets more frequent as mileage racks up. I always use Mobil 1 synthetic and change oil religiously. One thing I noticed, is the ticking noise goes away right after fresh oil change, then shows up occasionally once oil gets to around 70%, and progressively more often as the oil gets older. Then when I change the oil, the ticking goes away…and the cycle starts again. One time I added an oil viscosity additive, and the ticking stopped right away…until it came back eventually. Otherwise truck runs perfect.

One other observation, the ticking is more frequent with around town driving, but never seems to come up during long highway road trips.

[markfoundas]

Toss a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil as part of your oil change. You can also put half a cord into the gas tank to clean the upper end of your motor. This has worked for me for years.

[themexican]

Turn the radio up and you won't hear the noise no more😂😂

[Goodwood]

I drive a 2014 LTZ with the 5.3 motor. Mine has made this noise since the day I drove it off the lot in 2014. The salesman and a mechanic told me that day that it was a normal Noise. I have never had a problem and I have 79, 000 miles on it now. Still listening and still watching the situation. Only thing that I ever had a concern in with this truck. steve