Ticking/Tapping noise!

[rockola1971]

"and I put some marvel mystery oil and it actually helped it!"

Marvel Mystery oil didnt make a leaking oring in the oil pan better.

I suspect valve train noise. Likely a lifter bleeding down. Heads have to be pulled to fix this one so better off sticking a long block with a warranty or a used engine than spending money on a well used engine. (all assuming owner wishes to keep the vehicle and drive it until the wheels fall off). Used gen 3 engines are getting harder and harder to find with low miles on them since they havent been used in new vehicles since 2007.

 

[MassHoe04]

After that many miles, I would image there is a good amount of wear on the cam lobes, lifters and valve stems. A little here, a little there... Add it all up and might be enough to make a noticeable tick or tap.

Sticky valve lifters can make noise like that too. If they stick a little, they don't keep pace with the movement of the cam lobe and valve. They tick/tap when one of those three things finally makes contact with the moving cam.

Cleaning deposits can help with ticking, if it does happen to be sticky valves/lifters.

 

[Sam Harris]

May even have an exhaust manifold bolt broke off and is hearing exhaust leak spit.

Definitely check this.. these engines virtually always have several broken exhaust manifold bolts, that make a ticking noise when cold.

 

[Fless]

Use a mechanic's stethoscope to home in on the noise.

 

[S33k3r]

Do the Tahoes have the added fun of having their oil pan dropped by the 4x4 system, like on the Suburbans and Silverados? That definitely increases labor cost.

 

[S33k3r]

I drive a 2006 chevy Tahoe 5.3 V8, currently, it has 314,526 miles. It has this ticking or tapping noise... and I put some marvel mystery oil and it actually helped it! But I want to know what the root cause is! I've read it has something to do with the oil O ring pickup tube! But I do not have low oil pressure... but I do have a small oil leak!
Should I just take it to the dealer?

If you are in the DFW area, I have a really good mechanic I can recommend to you.

 

[Sam Harris]

If you are in the DFW area, I have a really good mechanic I can recommend to you.

I’d like this info.. I’m a couple hours from DFW, but always appreciate good referrals

 

[S33k3r]

I’d like this info.. I’m a couple hours from DFW, but always appreciate good referrals

Metro Champion Auto Repair. Not only is he a good mechanic, he is honest; he may not be the cheapest guy out there, but he is not the most expensive, either -- and he stands behind his work. http://metrochampion.com/index.html

If that isn't good enough, my daughters take their cars to him and they like him.

 

[nonickatall]

I would also say: before the repair is the diagnosis.

 

[Sam Harris]

Metro Champion Auto Repair. Not only is he a good mechanic, he is honest; he may not be the cheapest guy out there, but he is not the most expensive, either -- and he stands behind his work. http://metrochampion.com/index.html

If that isn't good enough, my daughters take their cars to him and they like him.

Excellent! Thank you Sir! Honest mechanics are worth every penny.