Okay... lifter noise 254k after dealer fix under warranty

[Lancaster]

I know, so many threads. I am open to the "do a search..." comment. I've said it myself.

2009 Z71 Tahoe now with 271K. DOD-everything is stock. Rig as been virtually trouble free. Runs like new except:

1) Cold mornings now low oil pressure at start up and ticking until oil pressure increases.
2) intermittent lifter ticking at idle when warm. Just like years ago before dealer installed what I was told were the "Corvette lifters" at the time - under factory warranty. I was a lucky one.
3) Just saw significant oil in intake rubber between air filter and throttle body.

Questions:

1) Time for new lifters again?
2) oil pressure sending unit screen gunked up?
3) Gaskets on oil pump pick up in pan gone?
4) Time to put on updated valve covers for PCV crap?

Enough good excuses to tell the wife that a Stroker is the best option????

Other thoughts are much appreciated. Truck is going to my 16 year old when he gets his license. Want it to be right.

 

[Doubeleive]

at that mileage it's probably the oil pump pickup tube gasket/seal, as a test you can add a extra quart of oil temporarily and see if the problem goes away.

 

[Lancaster]

at that mileage it's probably the oil pump pickup tube gasket/seal, as a test you can add a extra quart of oil temporarily and see if the problem goes away.

Can you explain why that would help? Pick up seal higher than stock oil level?

 

[Doubeleive]

Can you explain why that would help? Pick up seal higher than stock oil level?

something like that, raising the oil level makes it so it won't suck air instead of oil.

 

[wsteele]

I know, so many threads. I am open to the "do a search..." comment. I've said it myself.

2009 Z71 Tahoe now with 271K. DOD-everything is stock. Rig as been virtually trouble free. Runs like new except:

1) Cold mornings now low oil pressure at start up and ticking until oil pressure increases.
2) intermittent lifter ticking at idle when warm. Just like years ago before dealer installed what I was told were the "Corvette lifters" at the time - under factory warranty. I was a lucky one.
3) Just saw significant oil in intake rubber between air filter and throttle body.

Questions:

1) Time for new lifters again?
2) oil pressure sending unit screen gunked up?
3) Gaskets on oil pump pick up in pan gone?
4) Time to put on updated valve covers for PCV crap?

Enough good excuses to tell the wife that a Stroker is the best option????

Other thoughts are much appreciated. Truck is going to my 16 year old when he gets his license. Want it to be right.

Might make sense to do a whole engine evaluation. Check the compression dry and wet, leak down, etc.

The bottom end on these engines is very stout, but at some point, things do wear out. May or may not make sense to rebuild the top end, just to realize the bottom end needs attention. At some point, a swap (reman or upgrade) may make sense.

But definitely rule out all the simple stuff first.

 

[Foggy]

My vote is : STOKER !!!!!

 

[iamdub]

Can you explain why that would help? Pick up seal higher than stock oil level?

A few have gotten a "false negative" doing this test by not using enough oil. I don't believe one quart is enough to raise the level enough. Of course, those false negatives could have been from them adding a quart to an already low oil level, so it really wasn't overfilled very much, if at all. I'd make sure it's at the full mark, then add 1-2 quarts and put it in a nosedive, like on a steep driveway or put the front into the bank of a ditch. Be sure it's something you can back out of if you use a ditch.

If that doesn't make an immediate improvement in your pressure and lifters ticking, then you can rule out the pickup tube O-ring.

 

[donjetman]

This TSB should have been done?, should be done.

https://f01.justanswer.com/ebrock63...il+Consumption,+MIL+ON,+Engine+Runs+Rough.pdf

 

[Lancaster]

My complaint was for the very load ticking at such low miles, not oil usage. I do not think the valve cover was updated. I think the work was done in 2011.

 

[wsteele]

My complaint was for the very load ticking at such low miles, not oil usage. I do not think the valve cover was updated. I think the work was done in 2011.

On your #3, you may be pumping oil up through the fresh air supply line (vent and hose from intake to passenger side valve cover) into the throttle body. Could be a combination of things causing that, but a plugged PCV (likely if the TSB @donjetman linked above was not accomplished). Your rings could be worn (blow by), etc.

On the lifter tick, clearly that might be linked to low oil pressure. Only needing a new o-ring would be a nice outcome there.

Have you had this one from new and overseen the maintenance?