Engine just started "Tick Tick. Ticking... "

[Lancaster]

I've read a ton of the posts. They have been very helpful and I appreciate all the experiences from this board re the 5.3 engine noise. It literally just started last week. It is ticking when warm and in park- very constant very noticeable. I have an appointment with the dealer on Friday as it is still under the power train warranty. Dealer service since new every 5k with full synth. I bought it with 66k - now has 83k (2009 z71, flex)

This really bothers me as I did not expect this with the religious service. I am a bit jaded as I was told on at 60k on a jeep grand Cherokee that "this is completely normal" and based on prior posts am expecting to hear the same from chevy. However, at 220,000 I needed at "valve job" on the 4.0.

In my book, admittedly not GM's, constant engine ticking is from metal on metal contact from poor oil circulation which will eventually cause additional damage. And this will happen we'll past the 100k power train warranty.

As I routinely keep my cars for 200k + miles I want this issue fixed.

Are there any recommendations as to how I can get the dealer to fix this and not encourage me to ignore it?

 

[AZSCTACO]

I had something very similar....

Ended up being bad lifters which in turn scuffed the cam. They replaced the lifters and had to replace the cam as well. $5,000 job......thankfully it was under the powertrain warrenty

 

[livingez_123]

I know the roller lifters wear so much less than the flat tappet cams and lifters. I wonder how much the lack of zinc and a few other modifiers affect the roller components. I keep a zinc additive in my old school boat, and it still lives with it's flat tappets. I had a friend lose a cam in his truck because he started using new oils with less modifiers in them. It has been a problem for some of the older Big rigs when they changed the oil's rating.

 

[Intimidator3]

I had something very similar....

Ended up being bad lifters which in turn scuffed the cam. They replaced the lifters and had to replace the cam as well. $5,000 job......thankfully it was under the powertrain warrenty

Same thing happened to my Avalanche....twice. Started making a pretty loud ticking noise, but didn't throw a code. Dealership replaced the lifters and cam. After 2 months, same thing happened, but this time, my dash lit like a Christmas tree. CEL, low oil, etc. Dealer fixed it again. So far, so good, but there's still a constant sligtht ticking noise. Oh, and my truck just passed 50k miles. Good luck.

 

[Lancaster]

Very interesting- how did you get them to fix it without a code? I think they will likely tell me to ignore it. Advice is much appreciated.

 

[Intimidator3]

Based on the sound, it was fairly apparent that it was coming from the cam. If they tell you to ignore, I think the response should be that it will get worse and will be a much more expensive fix down the road. Wouldn't make sense to drive it until it blows up.

 

[AZSCTACO]

Same thing happened to my Avalanche....twice. Started making a pretty loud ticking noise, but didn't throw a code. Dealership replaced the lifters and cam. After 2 months, same thing happened, but this time, my dash lit like a Christmas tree. CEL, low oil, etc. Dealer fixed it again. So far, so good, but there's still a constant sligtht ticking noise. Oh, and my truck just passed 50k miles. Good luck.

Had mine done at about 30/40k miles.....I have about 148K now on the 07' so they did something right at the dealership. Still going strong

 

[livingez_123]

There are still some dealers out there that aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. But most see it as a money losing proposition. When it comes to the dealers, warranty work doesn't pay very well so they will try to avoid it. I would get Jennifer or one of the other GM customer service people that come to the site involved in it. Sometimes all it takes is a push from the higher ups for the dealers to do there jobs.

 

[08grey]

Jennifer paging Jennifer. Your assistance is needed. Paging Jennifer.

 

[felixgun]

My avalanche just started doing this. It's very aggravating. Has anyone successfully got the dealer to fix this under the powertrain warranty? I've got 98k on it right now doesn't it last until 100k miles?