Identifying 2013 6.2 Tick (attached video)

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swathdiver

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Speaking of leak - have you noticed any oil pressure drop with oil leaking? I have a couple of leaks from the oil cooler lines that need to get swapped.
I think it is. However, we put a lot of hours on the truck this week (21+) and the oil pressure was normal. Going to get it up on a lift and pinpoint the oil leak tomorrow.
 

ilikemikes

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I just got all these same symptoms on my 2011 Tahoe 5.3 was about to get on the forum and ask the exact same questions. Recently had the exhaust manifolds redone and I was going to start by checking the bolts. At cold start it sounds like an exhaust leak, warms up and then doesn't sound like exhaust leak, then ticking for a bit then that goes away. My neighbor ex-mechanic thinks its a lifter and recommending pulling the oil filter and checking for shavings. Suggested cutting the filter in half but I'm thinking this would cause shavings to appear. I was traveling yesterday at 73 mph and my oil pressure was at about 28 psi. If I recall correctly, seems like I've always had a steady 40psi.
 

j91z28d1

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I just got all these same symptoms on my 2011 Tahoe 5.3 was about to get on the forum and ask the exact same questions. Recently had the exhaust manifolds redone and I was going to start by checking the bolts. At cold start it sounds like an exhaust leak, warms up and then doesn't sound like exhaust leak, then ticking for a bit then that goes away. My neighbor ex-mechanic thinks its a lifter and recommending pulling the oil filter and checking for shavings. Suggested cutting the filter in half but I'm thinking this would cause shavings to appear. I was traveling yesterday at 73 mph and my oil pressure was at about 28 psi. If I recall correctly, seems like I've always had a steady 40psi.


if he's an mechanic, ask if he has the filter cutter. you're right that cutting them open without the tool is hard and can leave a bunch of debris that makes it hard to see. the right tool just pops the top off cleanly. still a messy job thou.


lifter is pretty common on these. check your bolts are all there and since you had work done, maybe check they are tight. but carefully. tq spec is pretty low.

is afm still active? how many miles on it and how often do you change oil.
 

ilikemikes

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My transmission guy turned AFM off while tuning the transmission. Just changed my oil (typically through the % gauge). I am at about 185k miles. I measured the miles vs % gauge this time and was about 8500 miles with full synthetic.
 

j91z28d1

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you're definitely in that range if lifters. the random rule of thumb around here seems to be 130-150k when oil isn't changed every 3-5k. of course some go 200k some 80k. it's all very random. kinda like the low oil pressure. it just hits

any idea what mileage he turned afm off?
 

ilikemikes

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you're definitely in that range if lifters. the random rule of thumb around here seems to be 130-150k when oil isn't changed every 3-5k. of course some go 200k some 80k. it's all very random. kinda like the low oil pressure. it just hits

any idea what mileage he turned afm off?
Yeah, November last year so maybe 1500 miles ago. Any idea what the lifter job costs? Can I do it via youtube vids? TIA
 

j91z28d1

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Yeah, November last year so maybe 1500 miles ago. Any idea what the lifter job costs? Can I do it via youtube vids? TIA


tons of info here and on YouTube. almost everyone regular here has done a delete kit. it's a bit involved but most people are about to make it work.

double check that exhaust before diving in thou
 

ilikemikes

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Found 3 bolts loose on drivers side exhaust manifold. Much quieter now BUT now I'm tuned into the ticking in the engine. Probably time to get the lifters done. Thanks for all the help and "thefray", I didn't mean to invade on your thread and I hope you find a resolve.
 
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thefrey

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It does sound mechanical in nature to me . ... A stethoscope would confirm a mechanical noise under the valve cover or under the engine valley cover.

Assuming you clearly hear a mechanical sound in the engine, I'd pull off the passenger side valve cover and check the trunions, as well as rotating the engine over by hand and checking for a push rod that is extremely loose indicating a collapsed lifter. And definitely fix the broken or missing bolts in the manifold.

A 2 ft long stick works great as a stethoscope. Even a wood broom handle cut off. Grab one end with your fist and put it against your ear and the other end against different components. You'll be surprised what you can hear. Keep long hair and loose clothing away from the belts....
So i did the DIY stethoscope and it sounds like it’s coming from the passenger side. Kind of sounds like somebody clicking a mouse repeatedly, not sure what that noise would point to. Do you have any ideas?
 

rdezs

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The clicking or ticking sound is usually a lifter that sticking. Usually a bad check ball in the lifter.... Or it's full of crud keeping the check ball open. What happens is the lifter can't pump all the way up and that puts slack in your valve train. The sound you hear is the end of the lifter bouncing off the camshaft lobe or the push rod. Likely both at each end of the lifter. You may also hear the top of the push rod I mean against rocker, The rocker tapping against the valve stem. Considering on a 20 minute drive those little ticking sounds are hammering away thousands of times.... Not something you really want to ignore. It's best to replace all lifters at the same time and inspect for any bent push rods and whatnot. Great time to have the cylinder head gone over by your favorite machine as you will have both cylinder heads off.
 

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