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, 01:15 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.

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

ss3011 · 03-26-2017, 04:02 PM

If you Google GM lifter/valvetrain noise there are a lot of "fixes" . Most involve pouring some type of product into the oil to clean crud out of the lifters . Seafoam comes to mind , or Marvel Mystery Oil . Worth a try before getting inside the engine .

brian schuetta · 03-27-2017, 08:37 AM

After not hearing it all weekend it came back briefly this morning when was still cold. No noise when I stopped for gas. BTW turned 249K this morning. So first thing this morning I will figure out which rocker/lifter/valve is making the noise, if it does it again, and then try some of the "fixes"mentioned. Still going to buy valve cover gaskets in case we have to pull a cover.

stang321 · 03-27-2017, 09:20 AM

I have seen many worn push rods and rocker arms the end of the push rod will look ovaled and shinier than the rest many cams and cam bearing but not for intermittent noise I work in a gm dealership

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: 1,110 Likes: 164 Liked 646 Times in 207 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	#7
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,349 Likes: 324 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

03-26-2017, 04:02 PM	#8
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 885 Likes: 63 Liked 221 Times in 102 Posts	Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise If you Google GM lifter/valvetrain noise there are a lot of "fixes" . Most involve pouring some type of product into the oil to clean crud out of the lifters . Seafoam comes to mind , or Marvel Mystery Oil . Worth a try before getting inside the engine .

03-27-2017, 08:37 AM	#9
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 After not hearing it all weekend it came back briefly this morning when was still cold. No noise when I stopped for gas. BTW turned 249K this morning. So first thing this morning I will figure out which rocker/lifter/valve is making the noise, if it does it again, and then try some of the "fixes"mentioned. Still going to buy valve cover gaskets in case we have to pull a cover.

03-27-2017, 09:20 AM	#10
stang321 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Belmont ohio Posts: 20 Likes: 47 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise I have seen many worn push rods and rocker arms the end of the push rod will look ovaled and shinier than the rest many cams and cam bearing but not for intermittent noise I work in a gm dealership