5.3 Tick/Knock?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
JPVortex

JPVortex

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Posts
282
Reaction score
210
Location
Connecticut
What you are seeing is probably within realm of what is normal for a high mileage engine. By no means an example engine, but the bottom end is usually nasty and sludge does end up there, so do metal shavings.

If your oil pressure returns to where it needs to be, you are probably fine.

But I'd want more inputs from the folks here on what color O-ring is used. If i am not mistaken the original O-ring was either a Red or a Blue..... you seeing a green means someone has been in it already (??)
Ok well that’s good to hear, I don’t think the previous owner did many oil changes lol.

And maybe the oring isn’t quite green. Kind of a turquoise color. Definitely hasn’t been opened, pan still had factory rivets.
 

viven44

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2024
Posts
129
Reaction score
202
Location
Dallas, TX
Ok well that’s good to hear, I don’t think the previous owner did many oil changes lol.

And maybe the oring isn’t quite green. Kind of a turquoise color. Definitely hasn’t been opened, pan still had factory rivets.
Well... if the pan has been dropped for the first time ever, what you are seeing is well within norm for 200K miles!!! Unless you changed the oil every 3000 miles you will build non-zero sludge over time. Didn't the valve train look clean ??? In extreme cases you will even see sludge in the valve train. At any rate, you DO NOT have a spring chicken. Love that engine and transmission. Don't try any 0-60s. Use the vehicle to go from point A to point B.. you can probably still get another 150K miles out of it ;)

Just double check on the O-ring color/style. If the inner diameter and outer diameter seem comparable to the old one and in fact the OD is slightly larger since the old one is squished, I'd say you are safe.
 
OP
OP
JPVortex

JPVortex

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Posts
282
Reaction score
210
Location
Connecticut
Well... if the pan has been dropped for the first time ever, what you are seeing is well within norm for 200K miles!!! You DO NOT have a spring chicken. Love that engine and transmission. Don't try any 0-60s. Use the vehicle to go from point A to point B.. you can probably still get another 150K miles out of it ;)

Just double check on the O-ring color/style. If the inner diameter and outer diameter seem comparable to the old one and in fact the OD is slightly larger since the old one is squished, I'd say you are safe.
Sounds good! Thank you very much! Definitely don't plan on any 0-60s haha!

And will do. I already have the pan reinstalled with the new oring in it, but to keep it safe, I have ordered a second one of the second oring(its only $2.50) lol and it'll be here tomorrow. From there I'll compare it to the old one which I still have and make sure they're similar.
 
OP
OP
JPVortex

JPVortex

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Posts
282
Reaction score
210
Location
Connecticut
another update no bueno,

All back together fired it up.

Still only has 20psi of oil pressure cold at idle.

Went underneath to make sure of no oil pan leaks, and I could hear the knocking very loud there from above the oil pan. I think shes cooked guys....
 

viven44

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2024
Posts
129
Reaction score
202
Location
Dallas, TX
another update no bueno,

All back together fired it up.

Still only has 20psi of oil pressure cold at idle.

Went underneath to make sure of no oil pan leaks, and I could hear the knocking very loud there from above the oil pan. I think shes cooked guys....
Well before you conclude that, try a manual oil pressure gauge. If 20psi oil pressure is confirmed, you can say the bearings are about done.
 
OP
OP
JPVortex

JPVortex

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Posts
282
Reaction score
210
Location
Connecticut
Well before you conclude that, try a manual oil pressure gauge. If 20psi oil pressure is confirmed, you can say the bearings are about done.
Yeah will do. Have a new gauge on order, will be here Sunday.

Where else is a good spot to put the mechanical gauge other than where the sending unit goes? I can’t fit that little thing back there with my giant fat fingers…. Lol.

I know there’s a Allen plug near the oil pump, but will measuring it there give me too high of a reading seeing as it’s right next to the pump?
 

viven44

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2024
Posts
129
Reaction score
202
Location
Dallas, TX
Yeah will do. Have a new gauge on order, will be here Sunday.

Where else is a good spot to put the mechanical gauge other than where the sending unit goes? I can’t fit that little thing back there with my giant fat fingers…. Lol.

I know there’s a Allen plug near the oil pump, but will measuring it there give me too high of a reading seeing as it’s right next to the pump?
You want to tap into where the oil pressure gauge is to compare vs gauge... will a kit like the one below help with better access ? It also comes with adapters.

 
OP
OP
JPVortex

JPVortex

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Posts
282
Reaction score
210
Location
Connecticut
That probably won’t help. The kit that I have has a quick connect, like a smaller version of a air compressor hose.

The problem is taking the m16 adapter and getting it to the rear of the engine without being able to see, then threading it in.

The last adapter I had fell on top of the bell housing, tried for an hour to find it and no luck.
 

viven44

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2024
Posts
129
Reaction score
202
Location
Dallas, TX
That probably won’t help. The kit that I have has a quick connect, like a smaller version of a air compressor hose.

The problem is taking the m16 adapter and getting it to the rear of the engine without being able to see, then threading it in.

The last adapter I had fell on top of the bell housing, tried for an hour to find it and no luck.
Yeah I saw the working room there it is bad.

Check this video below. Looks like another location to tap...... maybe the same place you were referring to... it does track the gauge closely though, so if this tap location shows 20 PSI when cold, I'd say you need more drastic measures

 
Last edited:
OP
OP
JPVortex

JPVortex

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Posts
282
Reaction score
210
Location
Connecticut
Yeah I saw the working room there it is bad.

Check this video below. Looks like another location to tap...... maybe the same place you were referring to... it does track the gauge closely though, so if this tap location shows 20 PSI when warm, I'd say you need more drastic measures

Yeah that’s the one I was talking about! Haha. Just got to find the correct Allen socket.

Glad to hear it tracks the gauge closely. Will definitely be testing this weekend! Will post results here.
 
Top