I test drove a couple tahoes and a couple silverados before I found the one I purchased today. Both silverados I drove had the what I know now is the notorious 5.3 tick on start up. The 2001 gmc sierra is no different. It has 106k on it and is real clean. The guy I got it from said it only does it on cold starts and goes away as you drive. What have you done to remedy this? Better oil? Synthetic oil? Diesel oil? (Only thinking this because of the zinc that diesel oil has)...Lucas additive? It also has the gas gauge that does as it pleases. Any tips or what to expect from the truck? I feel for the year and the miles i should have a good truck for a long time
64chevelle
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Does it continuously tick? Or does it go away after a few minutes or when driving if you're not beating on it right after a cold start?
These engines do it a lot, and most of the time, it doesn't have long term problems. My dad's old '04 with the 5.3 had it for 100k miles and never gave him a problem. It's just another one of those things where GM lacks on the quality control but it doesn't really do any harm.
These engines do it a lot, and most of the time, it doesn't have long term problems. My dad's old '04 with the 5.3 had it for 100k miles and never gave him a problem. It's just another one of those things where GM lacks on the quality control but it doesn't really do any harm.
If it went away once you started driving it might have been the exhaust manifold, or something else, but it's likely not an issue. Just one of those GM quality control things...64chevelle said:
Common problem on these. I've know 10 or so people with it. Mine completely went away after switching to valvoline. Guy at work has 2. He switched to valvoline after I told him this. Same deal it went away. My truck did it 100 k until the trans blew out. That was a solid engine. Ran fantastic.
5w30 valvoline pure synthetic. I'm not saying it's a cure all but 3 vehicles it curious. I'd love for others to try it out just to see. I went with Walmart oil one time and the noise came back. It took a week after switching back to valvoline for the noise to subside again.
Honestly I have no idea how it could solve that problem.
Honestly I have no idea how it could solve that problem.
The problem is not your oil or oil filter. It is the o-ring on the oil pickup tube. It needs to be replaced. it is allowing air to be sucked in during cold start, effectively "aerating" the oil. 5.3's and 4.8's have this problem over 75k miles. It is 8 bucks at the dealer (need to get it there) and an hr or so to change if you have a 2wd or longer for 4wd. You have to remove the oil pan to change it if you want it done right. This is the only fix for "startup clatter". My 06 has 304k and Ive changed mine twice. Works like a charm.
If you dont do it, you will be endangering your engine further. Aerated oil due to the oring can cause lifter failure, accelerated cylinder and bearing wear, etc. For 8 dollars and a couple hrs under your truck, you can fix it and not worry about premature wear due to insufficent oiling at startup. Your call
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