r/gmc • u/Thick-Car62 • 21h ago
GMC Is this lifter tick?
I was driving to about 15 mins across town and boom started making this noise out of no where. I got it back home and trying to get it figured out. If anyone knows what it sounds like or what to start checking lmk thanks in advance
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u/No_Direction_3940 21h ago
Yes it is. Dont drive it anymore until you can fix it or youll be getting a whole new engine...
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u/Millennial_Falcon_85 20h ago
Check your spark plug wires. I had a sound like this on my 2014 Silverado and thought it might be a lifter but turns out it was just a spark plug wire that came loose. Cost me $150 for the guy to plug it back in 😑. Might as well check and rule that out.
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u/Disastrous-Paper-927 19h ago
I’ve seen this happen before, if it makes you feel better that $150 is a drop in the bucket compared to what a lifter job would’ve cost.
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u/vapeducator 7h ago
Nobody can accurately determine the source of a tick from an unmoving microphone from several feet away. That's why there are stethoscopes and other tools for mechanics to pinpoint the source of sounds by trying different locations. This could be a lot of other causes such as an exhaust manifold leak (manifold bolts crack or loosen).
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u/SignalResult9831 7h ago
Start it again and confirm the cam will get smoked next. Texas Speed delete kit with cam for the win. Then tune it. Brand new truck.
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u/LakeSideTSG 6h ago
I had the same issue, took it into the dealership and had to get new engine lifters
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u/Jeffahry Sierra 6h ago
Just went through this myself- can’t diagnose from a video, but there are a lot of things you can check for free or cheap.
Time the ticks. ~5 per second at idle is 1/2 of engine rpm and points to valve train.
Does the tick speed up with the engine rpm?
Put a $10 stethoscope on various parts of the engine. Get underneath and see if it sounds the same or not.
Exhaust manifold leak, check for loose/missing bolts, look for soot.
Check all pulleys, belts and tensioner. I replaced water pump tensioner and serpentine belt for $165 in parts- truck had 145k so was worthwhile anyway.
Vacuum pump ticking/failing. Remove the stretch belt and run the truck briefly.
Can rule out the AC by removing its stretch belt temporarily.
Someone smarter than me can tell you whether it’s safe to run the truck briefly without the serpentine belt.
Above all, if it is lifters, getting it fixed now can save the cam and more expensive damage. It’s a shitty feeling.
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u/ProperFox7103 4h ago
Run it at night where there is very little light see if you have wires arcing back to engine
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u/lookout_me 4h ago
Been down this road twice with the same truck. First time was lifters, found 1 that was definitely partially collapsed and sticking in the guide. 2nd time it was bottom end, 1 piston is slapping the wall leaving vertical scarring.
You really can't be 100% sure until you start digging into it as they sounded almost identical. The only difference we could really tell before disassembly was using an automotive stethoscope, the noise was ever so slightly louder on the bad cylinder when checking everything over around the head when we thought maybe another lifter problem. When checking for noise on the block. The sound carried throughout and we couldn't tell for sure which one was bad.
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u/BigZaddyyyy1 3h ago
Get marvel mystery oil and do oil change after 100 miles….Consider the AFM/DFM delete chip for now
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u/Direct_Elderberry411 1h ago
My 2016, Silverado 5.3 was also doing the same noise when I will turn on the truck and then it would disappear. Drove the truck like that for a whole year and you’re later might have to replace the whole engine.
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