Engine ticky-ticky-ticky sound at idle (2007 Tahoe 5.3L, 135,000 miles)

[Sam Harris]

I've been running exclusively M1 full syn high milage in my l59. Analysis is good. A little ticking, but nothing I'd consider abnormal. James has had me questioning it lately. I think I will try the Delco ot Rotella gas next time. Have heard guys say Penzoil Platinum has quieted them down, too.

Definitely keep me in the loop please! I’d be happy to quiet her down a bit. Not terribly noisy, but the valvetrain could be a bit quieter. [emoji16][emoji23][emoji631]

 

[foeteef]

I saw two crack lines of flex plate. Tell it to me straight guys. How long do I have. Dealership said it’s about a 9 hour job @ $110/hr plus parts.


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You said you saw two cracks at flex plate. How did you identify that, used a camera snake up to the flywheel bolt area?

 

[baddogdgs]

Here is a list of oils that are Dexos 1 rated.

https://www.gmdexos.com/brands/dexos1/index.html

EDIT: It looks like Mobil1 Extended Performance 5w30 is listed as being dexos1-Gen 2 rated..

Thanks for the oil list! I have used Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Dexos 5w-30 for about 4 years now and up to the last oil change, an AC filter. Currently running a Mobil 1 filter. A couple of times I grabbed the wrong jug at Walmart that wasn't the approved Dexos blend and had the engine code of "cylinder 6 misfire and service traction control". Using oil with the Dexos additive is a must with AFM. The code hasn't come back since. I usually change oil at 50% usage (about 4k) because of a lot of short trips and the oil is dark. At my last oil change I noticed that the engine was quieter so I might change at 3k or whenever the lifter noise comes back. We'll see.

2011 Tahoe 125k 5.3, bought at 97k in 2016

 

[Tonyv__]

I missed whether this vehicle is 2x4 or 4x4. But I did a flex plate on my 2wd Sierra a while back. And I learned a trick online. Get 4- 6 or 7inch transmission bolts from the hardware store. When I say transmission bolts. I just mean the same size and thread. Because I don’t remember off hand. When u unbolt the trans. Replace the bottom 4 with the longer bolts. So u can slide the trans back. Just enough to get your wrenches in there. I would still support the driveshaft side with a lift

 

[Larryjb]

I missed whether this vehicle is 2x4 or 4x4. But I did a flex plate on my 2wd Sierra a while back. And I learned a trick online. Get 4- 6 or 7inch transmission bolts from the hardware store. When I say transmission bolts. I just mean the same size and thread. Because I don’t remember off hand. When u unbolt the trans. Replace the bottom 4 with the longer bolts. So u can slide the trans back. Just enough to get your wrenches in there. I would still support the driveshaft side with a lift

Interesting trick. Would this work to do a rear main oil seal?

 

[Tonyv__]

Interesting trick. Would this work to do a rear main oil seal?

Honestly don’t know. I only replaced the flex plate at the time but i was able to get a full fist in between the trans and engine block. If that gives u an idea how much room there is

 

[Larryjb]

Looking at some other threads and forums, it looks like it could be done. However, for 4wd, it looks like the transfer case must be removed. It also looks like it would be much easier to remove the exhaust Y pipe. If I can get a slightly longer bolt, maybe 12", it might be possible. Would there be room for longer bolts?

The one thing I'm worrying about is how easy is it for the transmission to get jambed on the bolts when sliding it out and back in? Will this be a pain?

 

[Tonyv__]

Hmmm I don’t remember if bolts that long will fit. But even if they did. I don’t know how much flex u have on the trans fluid lines. I didn’t disconnect mine when I slid it back to do my flex plate. Because the truck wasn’t worth much to me. I took my chances and they haven’t leaked. I was more worried about disconnecting them and opening up another project



edit: I want to say the bolts will fit on Atleast the bottom 2 holes. But the further up the transmission you go. The tighter it gets in there

 

[donjetman]

I did my rear main seal the ole fashion way, REMOVED EVERYTHING !

If the bolts are long enough, maybe?

 

[Larryjb]

I just came across these two videos:

and

They're painful and funny to watch, but also will give you an idea what you might be in for if you try it yourself. This would be one of those projects that could probably be done in a day if you know what you are doing. If you don't, it shows you what you are in for.