Lifter tick when cold? Berryman B12?

[cfmistry]

So my 5.3L Tahoe with 170k miles has developed a loud lifter tick when the engine is cold. Once warmed up it is totally gone. This has been going on the past few thousand miles, so it may be related to my oil (I had just switched to Lubri-Moly Molygen 5w30). I've run Kreen through the oil twice, so I'm not sure how much more cleaning there is to do with additivies. I did order some AutoRX as that has quite the following on BITOG and I will try that. My last option, before diving really deep, is to spray some Berryman B12 onto the lifters to see if that "frees" them up. Anyone does this before?

Thanks,
Cyrus

 

[wjburken]

So my 5.3L Tahoe with 170k miles has developed a loud lifter tick when the engine is cold. Once warmed up it is totally gone. This has been going on the past few thousand miles, so it may be related to my oil (I had just switched to Lubri-Moly Molygen 5w30). I've run Kreen through the oil twice, so I'm not sure how much more cleaning there is to do with additivies. I did order some AutoRX as that has quite the following on BITOG and I will try that. My last option, before diving really deep, is to spray some Berryman B12 onto the lifters to see if that "frees" them up. Anyone does this before?

Thanks,
Cyrus

Are you sure it’s not coming from a loose exhaust manifold? They can sound like a tick until they warm up and expand to close the gap.

 

[thompsoj22]

IMO, It isnt as much "free them up" As it is "pump them up". If it only does it when cold than you have a lifter/lifters that are bleeding down as the vehicle sits overnight. Completely normal for a lifter to do this as it wears internally and loses the ability to seal itself hydraulically. I would switch back to whatever oil you were using prior to the lubri-moly molygen snake oil and change the oil/filter at 500/1000/2000 and finally at 3000. No more "cleaners". Stay away from high viscosity oils, Next time you start cold, idle for 60 seconds to get oil on the lobes/followers and than increase rpm to maybe 1500 until the click stops. Just what id do? No more snake oil products of any kind, No disrespect to the believers!

 

[cfmistry]

So I listened very carefully, and I am 99% sure it's the lifters and not the exhaust manifold.

The tick is pretty apparent until the truck warms up, at which point it dissapears. By "warms up" I mean at least a few minutes driving. Am I doing a lot of damage by driving it like this?

 

[thompsoj22]

there isnt much else you can do, You could have the same result in the driveway if you duplicate the sustained driving rpm. The tick isnt good but as long as you take it easy until the "tick/excessive tolerance" between the lifter and top of the valve stem is corrected by the lifter "pumping up" you are fine. It may go away by switching back to your original oil. If it changes to a "bang" or gets more pronounced than it is time to tear it down and correct/replace the worn parts.

 

[Derick]

How long have you had it?

I did all the snake oil stuff you referred to... Including the kreen. My suggestion is throw in a quart of atf and drive it like you stole it.

Also, I know you say you're certain it's lifters..... But like you've been told before it certainly could be an exhaust manifold leak.

 

[iamdub]

If it's a lifter ticking from the oil draining down from the engine sitting, then it should subside as soon as the oiling system is pressurized or soon after. If the ticking truly is related to "warming up", then I'd look more at a leaking exhaust manifold gasket, such as from the ubiquitous broken manifold bolt(s).

Next time you go to start it after it has been sitting and you'd expect it to tick, hold the accelerator to the floor and crank the engine until it stops cranking on its own, which should be 8-10 seconds. Let go of the key and wait about one minute, then repeat. Do this three or four times. On the fourth or fifth try, don't hold the pedal and just turn the key to start it as normal. Take note if the ticking is any different when it first fires up.

Also, drain the oil and additives and go back with a quality 10W-30 or 10W-40 oil and Fram Ultraguard (the gold one) or K&N filter. There are other good filters, but those two seem to have the best anti-drainback valves ("ADBV"), from my experience.

 

[donjetman]

So I listened very carefully, and I am 99% sure it's the lifters and not the exhaust manifold.

The tick is pretty apparent until the truck warms up, at which point it dissapears. By "warms up" I mean at least a few minutes driving. Am I doing a lot of damage by driving it like this?

Mine does the exact same thing. It's my leaky exhaust manifolds(broken bolts on each end). I put the bridge supports on the 3 problem area and its almost gone at startup.

 

[cfmistry]

Well sometimes when I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I'm still not sure where it's coming from, but I definitely have a broken bolt on either end.

Is there any downside to just leaving them broken? I can deal with the ticking noise as long as my engine isn't going to grenade.

 

[Foggy]

NO harm.. if you can put up with the noise, it's just a noise
Drive On !!!

 

[homesick]

I have to agree that the assorted 'mechanic-in-a-can' products seldom do you much actual good.

Does anyone else remember when 'lifter tick' was another way to spell 'small block chevy'?

joe

 

[PG01]

I have to agree that the assorted 'mechanic-in-a-can' products seldom do you much actual good.

Does anyone else remember when 'lifter tick' was another way to spell 'small block chevy'?

joe

Always had that ‘tingy’ startup noise.... lmao

 

[GreyStone]

Mine does the exact same thing. It's my leaky exhaust manifolds(broken bolts on each end). I put the bridge supports on the 3 problem area and its almost gone at startup.

no pics???

 

[donjetman]

no pics???

BEFORE

 

[donjetman]

no pics???

And here are pics with the bridge clamps
Exhaust Manifold clamp, back driver side – APDTY# 028218 - $30 amazon

Exhaust manifold clamps, frt driver side, back pass – APDTY#028253- $67 amazon

 

[GreyStone]

Awesome pics - thanx Don!. So - are the broken bolts left in the manifold? Would these same clamps work on a 5.3?

 

[donjetman]

Awesome pics - thanx Don!. So - are the broken bolts left in the manifold? Would these same clamps work on a 5.3?

yes

 

[iamdub]

Is there any downside to just leaving them broken? I can deal with the ticking noise as long as my engine isn't going to grenade.

Just confirm that is the source of your noise. Not all broken manifold bolts tick!

 

[cfmistry]

Wanted to update this thread and provide some closure.

I bought one of those clamps and put it on the front area of the manifold (where one of the broken bolts was, and where I felt the noise was coming from). The ticking was immediately gone on cold start - I've now verified it 5 times. I was mistaken to blame or even point a finger at LiquiMoly. Their snake-oil is not to blame.

I will continue using it since it is very cheap for me and seems to be a very high-quality oil.

 

[Linderov]

How long have you had it?

I did all the snake oil stuff you referred to... Including the kreen. My suggestion is throw in a quart of atf and drive it like you stole it.

Also, I know you say you're certain it's lifters..... But like you've been told before it certainly could be an exhaust manifold leak.

I hope this isn't your problem, but see if my story helps you. I have an '02 with 5.3 that developed a similar problem at about the same mileage or even sooner. The noise got gradually worse. Eventually, I noticed when under load (i.e., towing or fully jammed with college moving, etc) the tap became a knock. Dealer said the oil bypass had failed- closed- and starved the engine for oil, thus damaging a lifter. $3500 later, bypass and engine top rebuilt fixed it. Today, about 50k later all is still well. I shoulda probably sold it and told the new owner not to tow, but I like the truck, so there's that. I've also fixed about everything else on it since then inc fuel lines, brake lines, steering gear,, rust repairs and differentials etc so honestly the engine was just the beginning LOL