is Lifter sludge normal?

[Bilgewiper]

I have never taken a used lifter apart before. Do they all store this stuff up? This sludge came out of this lifter from my 98' Vortec 350. I replaced them all because one was rattling on start up if motor occassioanlly stopped with valve pressure on it. Couldn't tell which one was bad. The valley had just a slight trace of sludge. (one owner 84k. miles almost exclusivley mobile 1 oil at regular oil changes). I know this is the wrong forum to debate the use of Dexcool, but this thing has always used about 1qt. of Dexcool per 15k. miles. Wondering if a leak to the inside of the motor, say past the intake helped make the sludge? Anyway I took 4 lifters apart and they all had the same amount of sludge in them. Also couldn't compress them like the new ones I put in. Hopefully in a few days I'll have it running agian.

[Bilgewiper]

Wish this was my 1971 C-10......... NOT this Van!!!

[redbowtie]

Not normal.

Did you buy it new?.....or used.

Hard to believe the oil was changed regularly, only seen that on motors that have been abused (run hot, lack of oil changes).

You really shouldn't be having to put coolant in either, it's gotta be going somewhere......what's the oil look like after it's drained?

[Bilgewiper]

I bought it new. Mostly freeway miles. Oil always has looked good. The rest of the motor looks great. Dosent use oil and has never been overheated. I personally have changed the oil all it's life so I know it got done. I actually think there is more sludge "in" the lifters than in the lifter valley.

[67Fleetsidedream]

That is normal......More than that is not normal....Since the lifter are in the lifter valley sludge is going to get in them. I gues you should have changed your filter more often. Now on the coolant. You should really investigate to where that stuff is going ASAP. Do you have a overflow tank? If so does it leak? How old it your radiater cap? Good Luck....

[Green72GMC]

My 350 didnt have that in it, nor my 305.

[pound41]

I had a 97 yukon it rattled have 02 suburban and 03 2500 HD both rattle. Many many I have talked to theirs rattled as well. Had a guy last week ask me if I had heard about a class action lawsuit against GM because of motors rattling. I said I hadn't he had a paper about it in front of him. He was worried about his tahoe.

[cableguy0]

most likely that acidic waste gm calls dexcool ate the intake gaskets. do yourself a favor and replace the aluminum fitting on the intake where the heater hose plugs on before it starts leaking and while everything is apart thouroughly flush the system and switch to green stuff. dexcool is the worst thing i think gm has ever put out.

[Bilgewiper]

Ive been to other boards and have fallowed the Dexcool info since I first bought my 96' Impala SS and ran into the pink stuff for the first time. It's suppossed to last 100k. miles but I think I've changed it out at least 3 times in 84k. miles. There is no corrosion or aluminum damage anywhere. One intake gasket around a water passage way was slightly bent (from the factory installation) but I saw no evidence of leakage into the valley. But I must admit the lifter under that passage was cleaner than the rest and might be suspect. So it might be suspect. I have never gotton any white frothy stuff indicating water in the oil. Inside the valve covers and top of the heads look like they are new with no sludge. maybe next week I'll get it back together and see what happens. Thanks for letting me vent....

[redbowtie]

Originally posted by gonebad2
You Guy's are starting to get me worried. I have a 2500 HD with a 496. No rattle...I hope it never happens. What engine do you have in you 2500 HD Pound41? Now I'll be listening for a rattle all the time.

It's not really a rattle.....the lifters tick when first started, shouldn't be a problem.

My C5 did it, my 99 2500 6 liter did it, and my 98 454 does it sometimes....only on start up though.

[67_SS396]

I have my doubts that what you or others have heard is a lifter tick. GM's newer engines have "piston slap" which is very anoying, but they say does no harm. My wife's '02 4.8 in her 1/2 ton started clattering at 10K miles. The 4.3 in the '00 we had, started clattering almost the same day we brought it home and it had 5 miles on the odometer. We have a club member that has a '97 Z28 he bought new and has had the engine replaced by GM three times in 60K due to the dreaded "piston slap". It's now on the third engine and once again, has "piston slap".

[dinnut]

at least he has a new engine....

[gonebad2]

I'm glad I payed the extra $$$ and got the 100,000 mile warranty.

[67_SS396]

Well, now if you call GM, it's rumored you can get a free 100K mile warranty for the engine only if it has the dreaded "piston slap". I need to get the wife's truck in so it can be documented and go along with the monkey dance.

[Bilgewiper]

this van with the lifter problem also has the dreaded cold morning piston slap.

[kxmotox247]

Originally posted by 67_SS396
I have my doubts that what you or others have heard is a lifter tick. GM's newer engines have "piston slap" which is very anoying, but they say does no harm.

I have a 97 Chevy Z71 with a Vortec 350. I have a rattle when I first start it up. A guy I work who builds drag race motors said that it is a common thing with these later GM motors. He said that they use a short skirt piston which causes the piston slap. Not much you can do about it.
He also hates dexcool. I do too. I've replaced my intake manifold gaskets already and I think it's due to the coolant. I just recently read an article called "Buyer Beware - Dex Uncool." It in the December 2003 issue of popular hot rodding. Not a good report for dexcool.