Ticking, Clicking Noise Coming From Your Engine? Diagnosing Collapsed Lifters!

In this video, Andy diagnoses a top end clicking or ticking noise in our Chevy Avalanche! Andy locates the clicking noise to the top driver side of the 5.3L V8 engine, and also discovers an intermittent misfire in cylinder 1. After removing the valve cover, he discovers a very loose rocker, which is the source of our noise. He determines the rocker is loose because its lifter has collapsed, meaning it's not pushing up on the rocker when activated by the camshaft. The fault is in the AFM (active fuel management) lifter, which can be disabled by engine management to make the engine more fuel efficient. The lifter failed, so it was not able to be activated again by oil pressure. Andy replaced the lifter, and after that, the noise was gone!

For more great in depth diagnostics, check out this playlist!

⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[markrocamontes]

*READ IF THINKING OF CHANGING LIFTERS* So I did this job* 08 Chevy Silverado 5.3 (#4 lifter went out) 200k miles
I am not a mechanic. I got a quote of $3500 to replace all lifters. Felt confident I could do this, so I figured since I got the intake off I might as well do all lifters (big, but possible job). I utilized this video and some others, which were pretty much the same and all very helpful. I did it a garage I can use on base and by myself (minimum help). Took me a total of 27 hours (again not a mechanic, and that was with cleaning heads and small struggles of trying to dissable/assemble, and some store visits for parts). Parts where I struggled: exhaust manifold dissamble/reassemble (especially gasket install). Couldn't find "angle" torque wrench. Bought one at Harbor Frieght for $140, and it so happened to be same one as the video lol. Everything worked. Don't freak out if your truck don't start at first, the fuel line was disabled so fuel is kicking back in. On the 2nd turn it started.
Recommendation: do your research on vids, get the parts ahead, and good luck!

[tahmah]

the mechanic in this video deserves a grammy award for always coming through with the best mechanics instructional videos - not only his efficient-minded tips with the technicals of it but from a cinematography standpoint; I think he really understands how important seeing it being done is to the viewer

[brianpfaff]

This is the best video on YouTube for this job. The mechanic, narriation and camera work is second to none.

[steveschwenke]

This was by far the best video showing you the complete breakdown and how to complete the job. No gimmicky fast forwarding like others have. No stupid short cuts . Everything is shown from the first to the last bolt . Made the job so much easier to do knowing what I needed to do it. Thx for all the great videos

[joffreydepoplimont]

Oh. My . God . I had that problem 2 years ago and could never find a good video. I know some parts of mechanic, but never touched a lifter. First I instruct myself, over instructions, books, or tutorials. I could never find a good tutorial for this explanation. You just did it. I am a huge fan of your others videos, just checked a suspension arm replacement yesterday on your channel. It's just absolutely AMAZING ! Thank you so much. Please continue like this ! I'm living overseas but I have a huge US cars collection, and your channel helped me a lot for years! But this video truly deserves an award, or, at least, my first comment on your channel ! Thanks again. It contains a lot of comments. No skippings of disassembly steps. A great video quality. A clear voice. I take my hat off to you.

[dl]

Not only are you an excellent mechanic, but I didn't hear you cuss once! It is refreshing to see someone who loves what they do! Great job and video!

[TroyStevensStelzerPaintingInc]

Your camera work is outstanding. First time I've ever complimented a YouTuber on their camera work, but it truly makes all the difference with repair videos. It's what separates a good vid from an exceptional one. Thank you.

[duanehart]

First time I actually sat and watched an engine repair from start to finish! Outstanding work to you and Charlie.. I mean Steve! Blessings.

[shonndam]

I have never met a mechanic as thorough and detailed minded with the patience and ability to explain in (an almost poetic way 😉) so people can and will understand and want to listen..! Excellent job my friend...!!! Golf clap!👏🏁😂😉

[Al_Swilling]

Great video. Thanks for posting it.

That's why I like my old 1990 Ford F-150 with a 302 (5.0 liter) FI engine. The intake manifold is between the cylinder banks, and beneath the intake manifold are the lifters and push rods. To replace a collapsed lifter, all I have to do is remove the intake manifold from the top of the engine, loosen the nut on the rocker arm above the collapsed lifter, swing the rocker arm out of the way, remove the one push rod, remove the collapsed lifter, install a new lifter, put everything back together, and adjust the affected valve. I don't have to take off the exhaust manifold or remove the head, just the valve cover and intake manifold, which are easy to get to.

My little Honda Accord LX, 2.3 liter 4 cylinder Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) VTEC engine, on the other hand, is a whole different system.

[dodgers]

I had a bad lifter on cylinder #4. I followed step by step your instructions and was able to replace it myself. You’re a bad ass. Thanks so much.

[mplscarsales]

Big Thank you for showing every exact step Andy procedure with no cut out REAL Time on how to fix this problem, all of America has this problem .you have no idea how much we appreciate this video step by step!im loving the real problem videos like this one not just the simple alternator change/Oil change/Spark plug change ect for beginners this is a whole new skill set to me .

[teenacallis-johnson]

Omg it's totally epic. You are out of this world. What I would give to be able to do That! My 09 Impala 3.9 interceptor shut down as I exited the highway. Due to c clip backing off the oil cooler line my Impala had an oil spill and has been ticking eversince. After seeing this awesome video I came to realize that my Impala most likely has a compressed lifter.
Sir,
Thank God for people like you!
Thank You for your help, Thank You for your knowledgeable workmanship.
Sincerely Teena callis-Johnsonville

[jchrg]

I do enjoy watching you execute the job
Ps: one tip it might be handy to know that during tightening head bolts inbetween the passes of 90° and 70° etc you do want to wait ( or eat a couple of crackers or drink a cup of coffee) because the bolts and threads get hot during that stage and they might snap and break

[freshnne]

Wow. What a job. This is the video on you tube that I’ve been looking for all my life. Now I finally will be able to replace the lifters on my Chevy Tahoe thanks 1A Auto for making this video.

[meltyner]

Am I a mechanic? No. Do I plan to touch anything under the hood of any car? No. Did I watch the entire 1hr 45 mins? Yes. Great video!!

[WillsPerpetualProjects]

Seriously, thank you for sharing this. I had a collapsed lifter on our 2010 Suburban 5.3L and this is exactly what the issue was, only mine was on cylinder 4. Really appreciate it! Runs better than it did before!

[greenolive]

Just an excellent video. The narrator is well spoken and to the point. Much nicer than the "comedic" repair videos some people put out.

[RedEfun]

Nice job. Straight to the job at hand. No stories no one wants to hear. Thank you.

[productdesign]

The best repair video I've seen yet by far! Awesome job! 👍