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.

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.

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?

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.

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

That is correct.

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

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

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

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 .

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.

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

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

Seems to me with a quarter million miles on it, the expeditious thing to do would be to replace the cam,lifters,pushrods and rocker arms. If one or two parts are worn beyond the valve train's ability to compensate for itself, the rest can't be too far behind. I'm sure that engine would have a steel roller camshaft as well. It probably wouldn't go flat and put shrapnel throughout everything, it probably would just wear down smoothly,but that and a new timing chain and gear set would probably set you right up.Who do you suppose has the record for the most miles on an original engine?

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

If this is an 07 model new body style, it could very well be a lifter problem. If it is an 07 it should have active fuel management which disables 4 cylinders to supposedly decrease fuel consumption. These lifters are prone to failing and causing problems. Eventually, it will result in camshaft wear. If it is not a new body style 07, then it would more than likely be a lifter issue. If the noise is mainly when it's cold, it is very likely that a lifter is just getting weak and it bleeds down when sitting.

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

It's the Classic body style. Lots of chassis parts on this thing like calipers and hubs are 06'pieces. No AFM. There is another Classic body style truck on this job site, an 02'with 297K on it. The truck has been good to me. Still have the original exhaust, starter, alternator, and trans.

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

Had that same noise on my '01 Suburban with the 5.3. Had a leaking head gasket as well so while heads were off I replaced all 16 lifters. That was 5 or years ago at around 185k give or take. Now at 222k noise has never returned.

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

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

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.

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

Brian, Take a look at Dorman #917-107 & #917-142 exhaust manifold clamps, they do work.John Kissel

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

Have same issue with my 94 Caprice wagon with a 240,000 mile LT1.
Idles smooth as glass in gear but stumbly in Neutral.

Replaced parts and went through every electrical and fuel system.
Between 3000 and 4500 rpm pulls but there are funny sounds.
Feels and sounds like rocker/valve noise.
Pulling the Valve covers ..nothing!

Rebuilt LT1 being prepared by Rockville Ring & Bearing.
Upgrading to a PerformaBuilt HD 4L60E OTW !
If this one does not live time for a 6L80E.

Dan

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

Check all the ex manifold bolts #7/8 are usually the culprit.We've done some of the HV oil pumps and they do work.Have seen a ton of bad lifters/rockers.(Noise is most noticeable on cold starts.)
former GM tech...good luck

Marty

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

we have used several of the kral brackets to repair the broken exh manifold bolts& they save hours of time. ive had a 2010 suburban with afm with 30,000 miles& the lifters seemed noisier than the older ls engines , but the same time afm started gm went to the electric fan to replace the engine driven fan& the electric fan cycles on &off. so the lifters may seem louder without the fan running to mask the sound. i have a 2013 cop tahoe now with 130,000 & the lifters are noisier but the performance doesnt suffer any. as far as the oil pump to pickup o ring--when we had that problem it came with low oil pressure when engine temp is cold &normal pressure at warm temp. the old design o ring is black& the gm upgrade is red.after 50 years of 409s &big blocks ive come to really like the ls7 in my copo except for 1 thing--pulling cyl head to remove lifters is a pain in the ***!

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

we have used several of the kral brackets to repair the broken exh manifold bolts& they save hours of time. ive had a 2010 suburban with afm with 30,000 miles& the lifters seemed noisier than the older ls engines , but the same time afm started gm went to the electric fan to replace the engine driven fan& the electric fan cycles on &off& seems quieter when running,. so the lifters may seem louder without the fan running to mask the sound. i have a 2013 cop tahoe now with 130,000 & the lifters are noisier but the performance doesnt suffer any. as far as the oil pump to pickup o ring--when we had that problem it came with low oil pressure when engine temp is cold &normal pressure at warm temp. the old design o ring is black& the gm upgrade is red.after 50 years of 409s &big blocks ive come to really like the ls7 in my copo except for 1 thing--pulling cyl head to remove lifters is a pain in the ***!

Re: 5.3 LS Top End Noise
 

Haven't heard the noise since I started this thread. Now a different but similar subject, what viscosity oil should I be using in an engine with this many miles? When new it used 5W30, at 150K switched to 10W30. Should I go to a heavier oil? Using Castrol Hi Mileage type.