ticking 5.3 vortech

[retodd7711]

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]

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]

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

[redsled04]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[retodd7711]

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

[skokie]

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

[wannabeburbowner]

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]

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.