5.3 LS Top End Noise

brian schuetta · 03-25-2017, 10:05 AM

Got a 2007 GMC 1500 I bought new, it now has 248K on it and has developed a intermittent ticking noise on the drivers side. I was told it was a rocker arm that needed to be replaced. Anybody seen this issue? Should I isolate which rocker it is and replace it or is there more to the problem? Otherwise great vehicle, can park a 10 year old truck on the driveway and it doesn't leak a drop of anything. Thanks in advance.

Greg Reimer 7376 · 03-25-2017, 10:14 AM

When I worked for the city of Los Angeles, our fleet had a lot of those trucks. A few of them developed rocker noise like you described. Isolate the rocker and remove it for inspection. They are roller rockers, sometimes parts get loose.

brian schuetta · 03-25-2017, 10:24 AM

I have two sets of heads I bought with rockers on them so I have a bunch. If I remember installing a rocker on these engines involves only a torque setting when tightening them correct?

Mark Ruset · 03-25-2017, 02:01 PM

Sad to day you may have a worn camshaft. Have seen a few in the dealership with a top end tick noise.

Nmbr1GMfan · 03-26-2017, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Ruset

Sad to day you may have a worn camshaft. Have seen a few in the dealership with a top end tick noise.

Giving that it's intermittent I would say there is a chance it's not the cam.

FED 387 · 03-26-2017, 02:36 PM

GM had a bulletin # PIP4499B regarding lifters also u might check oil pump O ring over time (yours is old 248K and 10 years) they get hard and do not seal properly allowing air to pass thru the system and causing intermittent oil pressure very common in 5.3 engines

Nmbr1GMfan · 03-26-2017, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian schuetta

I have two sets of heads I bought with rockers on them so I have a bunch. If I remember installing a rocker on these engines involves only a torque setting when tightening them correct?

That is correct.

FED 387 · 03-28-2017, 02:20 PM

For whatever it's worth Melling lists 2 pumps for that engine M295 and M295HV. The HV pump flows 18% more oil and is recommended for high mileage vehicles to quiet valve train noise. Might try that before you tear into doing lifters etc not saying it will solve your problems but a lot easier than pulling the intake etc---Fed 387

TommyPettigrew3076 · 03-28-2017, 09:35 PM

Are you sure it isn't an exhaust leak ? These motors are known to for the manifold bolts to break of mostly on the very back . I had this same problem chased it lifters , flushed , different oils turns out that is what it is they even make a kit to fix the problem I found through a buddy of mine that had the same problem I will try and find the

linkhttp://kralautoparts.com/product/exhaust-manifold-bolt-repair-kit-kap169

brian schuetta · 03-29-2017, 08:56 AM

Will look into the exhaust leak potential. Haven't heard the noise in a couple days, which is a good thing, unless you are trying to find out more about the problem. I'm trying to look at all the possible causes for this before I do anything too involved. Thanks for all the input guys.

03-25-2017, 10:05 AM	#1
brian schuetta Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: san antonio tx Posts: 255 Likes: 5 Liked 28 Times in 15 Posts	5.3 LS Top End Noise Got a 2007 GMC 1500 I bought new, it now has 248K on it and has developed a intermittent ticking noise on the drivers side. I was told it was a rocker arm that needed to be replaced. Anybody seen this issue? Should I isolate which rocker it is and replace it or is there more to the problem? Otherwise great vehicle, can park a 10 year old truck on the driveway and it doesn't leak a drop of anything. Thanks in advance.

03-25-2017, 10:14 AM	#2
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,111 Likes: 164 Liked 649 Times in 208 Posts	Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise When I worked for the city of Los Angeles, our fleet had a lot of those trucks. A few of them developed rocker noise like you described. Isolate the rocker and remove it for inspection. They are roller rockers, sometimes parts get loose.

03-25-2017, 10:24 AM	#3
brian schuetta Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: san antonio tx Posts: 255 Likes: 5 Liked 28 Times in 15 Posts	Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise I have two sets of heads I bought with rockers on them so I have a bunch. If I remember installing a rocker on these engines involves only a torque setting when tightening them correct?

03-25-2017, 02:01 PM	#4
Mark Ruset Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 250 Likes: 23 Liked 34 Times in 24 Posts	Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise Sad to day you may have a worn camshaft. Have seen a few in the dealership with a top end tick noise. __________________ Mark Ruset 2048 STK

03-26-2017, 02:36 PM	#6
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,349 Likes: 329 Liked 280 Times in 150 Posts	Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise GM had a bulletin # PIP4499B regarding lifters also u might check oil pump O ring over time (yours is old 248K and 10 years) they get hard and do not seal properly allowing air to pass thru the system and causing intermittent oil pressure very common in 5.3 engines

03-28-2017, 02:20 PM	#8
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,349 Likes: 329 Liked 280 Times in 150 Posts	Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise For whatever it's worth Melling lists 2 pumps for that engine M295 and M295HV. The HV pump flows 18% more oil and is recommended for high mileage vehicles to quiet valve train noise. Might try that before you tear into doing lifters etc not saying it will solve your problems but a lot easier than pulling the intake etc---Fed 387

03-28-2017, 09:35 PM	#9
TommyPettigrew3076 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fishers Indiana Posts: 55 Likes: 8 Liked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise Are you sure it isn't an exhaust leak ? These motors are known to for the manifold bolts to break of mostly on the very back . I had this same problem chased it lifters , flushed , different oils turns out that is what it is they even make a kit to fix the problem I found through a buddy of mine that had the same problem I will try and find the linkhttp://kralautoparts.com/product/exhaust-manifold-bolt-repair-kit-kap169

03-29-2017, 08:56 AM	#10
brian schuetta Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: san antonio tx Posts: 255 Likes: 5 Liked 28 Times in 15 Posts	Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise Will look into the exhaust leak potential. Haven't heard the noise in a couple days, which is a good thing, unless you are trying to find out more about the problem. I'm trying to look at all the possible causes for this before I do anything too involved. Thanks for all the input guys.