lifters?
 

My '02 Tahoe only has 53,000 miles. For the past year the lifters make noise when started in the AM, gradually goes away after 1-3 minutes. A mechanic friend suggested switching to Valvoline in place of Pennzoil, didn't help.

Question #1: Is this a problem? (I'm guessing not)
Question #2: Any easy fix that I should try?

Which engine do you have...How do you know that it's the lifters making the noise? did mechanic use stethoscope?

My 08 Sierra with the 5.3 does it sometimes it got better when I switched to AMSOIL but will still do it if the engines oil gets low ( the engine consumes a quart every 9,000ish miles ) it doesn't bother me though

It's the 5.3. No stethoscope was used. We're thinking it's a lifter because it only happens after a cold startup. Once the noise is gone after a minute or so it won't be heard again until after the vehicle has sat for a while.

I want to say there is a problem with the oil pickup tube o ring where it goes into the pump on some of those engines. My 6.0 had that problem and they are basically the same engine.. Does it run bad when it does it or just rattle? I would think if a lifter was loosing prime it would miss on a cyl while rattling.. I think they are hydraulic roller lifters, keep in mind I'm just thinking there. But that's basically all it could be on the top end


Tapatalk

Had an 02 GMC -At about 45K miles the ticking started at cold start up then went away when engine warmed up. Tried the different oil... no luck. Replaced ALL of the lifters and the ticking went away. Sold it in 2005 with 75K miles and no ticking.

2000 Silverado - 5.3L
 

Mine has been doing it for 4 years, only on cold start, for about 1 minute. A friend has the same engine and his has been doing the same since 2004.
It bothered me for the first year but now I don't care. 8p

This is very common with both the 4.8 and 5.3 vortec V8s. It was a tolerance issue in some of the early years and was supposedly correct in 04. There is a lot of threads about this on silverado forums. Most have just accepted it as normal. I have a 04 Silverado with 5.3 and never hear it.

I've had two Silverados with the 5.3 am they both do this. My Yukon with 6.2 does it as well. I'm told it is common with all GM engines. I add 2 cans of Wynns Engine Tune Up after every oil change and it helps.

Had a 2007 Silverado with the 5.3 did it every cold start up since ive had it. bought it new and it did that noise for as long as i can remember. Never was a problem.