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I have always had a light ticking from the engine but it is getting louder, it is on the drivers side. I have heard it is just valve train noise, but I want to make sure nothing is wrong...I have 60k on the engine.
Re: Question about my Silverado..engine noise (munday)
What engine is it. On LS1 style engines I have seen broken exhaust manifold bolts cause a valve train type of noise from exhaust leaks toward back of cylinder head. I hope that helps.
Re: Question about my Silverado..engine noise (Corey 68)
Piston slap is huge on these things. They can go hundreds of thousands like this, so I wouldn't worry about it. But I've heard of some of them being so loud, it's embarassing.
Re: Question about my Silverado..engine noise (killain)
Hang out on the C5 forum. Piston slap with those guys, and the Camaro and Firebird guys, is notorious. As I understand it, a lot has to do with the metallurgy of the hypereutectic pistons they were using.
The Northstars are notorious for a knock as well. The most common problem is carbon buildup at the top of the combustion chamber. The piston walls on these uses an aggressive crosshatch to retain oil. This means A.) they burn a quart of oil for every 1000 miles. B.) they suffer from carbon buildup, and unless cleaned out with a good weekly romp on the throttle, they will knock.
The Northstar, with 4.6 liters, puts out 300hp. The other engines mentioned, despite being considered by many to be "low tech" manage remarkable fuel economy and longevity.
Funny, it used to be a little idle clatter and knock was a good thing. All those Toyota and Honda engines have spoiled us.
Re: Question about my Silverado..engine noise (munday)
I work at a gm dealer parts department , there is a bulletin about the piston lap noise , if you complain enough and to the right person and your truck falls within certain vin breaks and you complain enough!!!! gm will give a extended to 100k mile engine oil lubricated part warranty letter , or they will replace the pistons and or rods and pistons and or the engine depending on model and engine size. BUT you should have been complaining since day one , you are now out of warranty and out of luck im afraid, but good news its only annoying, does not affect durability of the engine, hope this helps vette75406
Re: Question about my Silverado..engine noise (munday)
In the morning my '00 Silverado Z71 exhibits some of the "piston slap" noises for the first few minutes until it's warm. If GM says that it's ok, then I guess it's ok. I change the oil with Mobil 1 every 5k and have almost 65k on the truck now. I'm planning on getting a new truck in another year or so.
Re: Question about my Silverado..engine noise (munday)
It probably is piston slap, it has been giving GM a black-eye for several years, but is apparently harmless. I recently saw a 2001 5.3 that had 160K on the engine. When torn down, you could see some scuffing on the piston skirts, and in the cylinders, but no obivous wear. No ridge, cylinders within specs for roundness. The cylinders were bored .030 over just for grins, honed, new pistons and rings put in the engine and it was put back in the truck. The crank was perfect, every other part on the engine spec'd out to normal.
The heads were cleaned, new springs, retainers and seals, a GM Hot Cam, with 1.6 rockers, headers and a cat back system.
A buddy of mine did the build up on the truck for his 21 year-old son, unfortunately the 4L60e lasted about 3 weeks after the engine rebuild.
The truck hauls azz!!!