2011 Tahoe/Bad engine ticking, 153k miles

[NotQuiteanSS]

So I had to get on her to avoid an accident, nothing to bad 3/4 throttle and powered away from it. During acceleration I heard a loud pop, drove the mile or so home and heard a loud ticking sound, in the drive way.

It sounds like something knocking around in the passengers valve cover. And yup it is ticking along with the rpms. No codes, no leaks, no smoke.

Thinking a rocker arm stud is now toast. Just a guess.

Any insight? What am I possibly getting into?

Don't wanna run it / even start unless I absolutely have to.

 

[wjburken]

Very likely a broken valve spring. Been a lot of chatter in here about these 2021’s having valve spring issues.

 

[JasonHTX]

So I had to get on her to avoid an accident, nothing to bad 3/4 throttle and powered away from it. During acceleration I heard a loud pop, drove the mile or so home and heard a loud ticking sound, in the drive way.

It sounds like something knocking around in the passengers valve cover. And yup it is ticking along with the rpms. No codes, no leaks, no smoke.

Thinking a rocker arm stud is now toast. Just a guess.

Any insight? What am I possibly getting into?

Don't wanna run it / even start unless I absolutely have to.

Year/Make/Model/Engine??

 

[Miami-Dade]

So I had to get on her to avoid an accident, nothing to bad 3/4 throttle and powered away from it. During acceleration I heard a loud pop, drove the mile or so home and heard a loud ticking sound, in the drive way.

It sounds like something knocking around in the passengers valve cover. And yup it is ticking along with the rpms. No codes, no leaks, no smoke.

Thinking a rocker arm stud is now toast. Just a guess.

Any insight? What am I possibly getting into?

Don't wanna run it / even start unless I absolutely have to.

From your previous posts you belong in this section.

Would be a good idea to put what year it is.

 

[wsteele]

I think I would pop the valve cover off and see if there is a loose rocker, broken spring, etc.

If everything looks nice and tight, maybe have someone turn it over and watch the valve train for issues. If it starts, no big deal (it can run on just 4), just don’t run it for a long time so it starts making a mess.

 

[iamdub]

So I had to get on her to avoid an accident, nothing to bad 3/4 throttle and powered away from it. During acceleration I heard a loud pop, drove the mile or so home and heard a loud ticking sound, in the drive way.

It sounds like something knocking around in the passengers valve cover. And yup it is ticking along with the rpms. No codes, no leaks, no smoke.

Thinking a rocker arm stud is now toast. Just a guess.

Any insight? What am I possibly getting into?

Don't wanna run it / even start unless I absolutely have to.

It doesn't take much time or effort to pop off a rocker cover and take a look. Is it running any differently other than the sound? If not, and with no SES light, maybe you just sprung an exhaust leak.

 

[NotQuiteanSS]

So I had to get on her to avoid an accident, nothing to bad 3/4 throttle and powered away from it. During acceleration I heard a loud pop, drove the mile or so home and heard a loud ticking sound, in the drive way.

It sounds like something knocking around in the passengers valve cover. And yup it is ticking along with the rpms. No codes, no leaks, no smoke.

Thinking a rocker arm stud is now toast. Just a guess.

Any insight? What am I possibly getting into?

Don't wanna run it / even start unless I absolutely have to.

It's a 2011

 

[ercbrooks]

I’d say a lifter went......probably making contact with the camshaft


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[Rocket Man]

Pull the valve cover and inspect, also look for broken exhaust manifold bolts on that side that might indicate an exhaust leak and worst case scenario collapsed lifter. Hoping for the best.

 

[NotQuiteanSS]

Valve train looks good. Nothing out of place. Time to look underneath....

 

[NotQuiteanSS]

Year/Make/Model/Engine??

2011 Chevy Tahoe 5.3L

 

[Rocket Man]

Valve train looks good. Nothing out of place. Time to look underneath....

View attachment 273290 View attachment 273291

I see at least one broken exhaust manifold bolt.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Also might want to make sure the spark plugs are still tight/torqued.

Many years ago on another vehicle I had a ticking noise and thought it was valvetrain. I was changing the plugs and found one loose and it didn't dawn on me that it could have been causing the ticking noise until I started it after changing the plugs and the noise was gone.

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[NotQuiteanSS]

Is there a way to upload a quick video? I just tried a 10 sec video and it was denied (too large) Definitely sounds like a mechanical tic, with a mechanical popping a few times. It sounds the same on both sides of the engine.

If a lifter or two broke, How bad ($$) of a repair do you folks think it is? Just lifters, or the whole enchilada? IE cam, lifters, push rods, and so on....

I am at 153k miles

 

[wjburken]

Is there a way to upload a quick video? I just tried a 10 sec video and it was denied (too large)

Most folks post the video on YouTube and add a link to it here.

 

[NotQuiteanSS]

 

[NotQuiteanSS]

Most folks post the video on YouTube and add a link to it here.

Done!

 

[donjetman]

That's not good

 

[wjburken]

Ummm.....Yeah. That sounds like a likely collapsed lifter.

When you had the valve covers off, did you happen to try and turn the motor over by hand by putting a socket and breaker bar on the harmonic bolt?? If so, did all the rockers move?

 

[Rocket Man]

I wouldn’t run it anymore until it gets repaired. I agree it sounds like a collapsed lifter.