Anyone noticed 5.3 lifter failure symptoms?

Technical Discussions
1

I’ve been having some issues with my 5.3L V8 engine in my Silverado, and I’ve been wondering if anyone else has faced similar problems.

Symptoms I’m Experiencing:

  • Ticking Noise: I’ve started hearing a noticeable ticking noise, especially when I first start the engine. It gets worse when the engine is warm.
  • Rough Idle: The engine isn’t running as smoothly as it used to; the idle feels a bit rough.
  • Loss of Power: I’ve noticed a decline in performance, particularly during acceleration.

What I’ve Tried So Far:

  • Oil Change: I changed the oil thinking it might help, but no luck.
  • Checking for Codes: I ran the diagnostics, but I didn’t get any check engine light codes related to the lifters, which I thought was odd.

Questions:

  • Has anyone experienced similar symptoms with their 5.3L engines?
  • What steps or repairs did you take that helped?
  • Can anyone recommend a good mechanic who understands these engines?

I’m hoping to find some insights or experiences from others who have been down this road. Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated!

2

I’ve definitely noticed some lifter failure symptoms in my 5.3L. The engine started making a ticking noise, especially during startup. Anyone else heard this?

2 Likes
3

Absolutely! That ticking is often one of the first signs. I also felt a significant drop in power when accelerating.

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4

Rough idling is another symptom I’ve seen. My engine shakes more than it used to. It’s hard to ignore!

5 Likes
5

Yes! When my engine was idling roughly, I knew I needed to check the lifters. It’s not fun driving with that feeling.

6

Did anyone experience lower fuel efficiency along with these symptoms? I feel like my gas mileage dropped suddenly.

7

Yes! My mileage took a dive too. It’s frustrating when you can’t pinpoint the cause.

8

Sometimes I wonder if these symptoms are just part of aging engines, but the lifter noise feels distinctly different.

9

I thought it was just me! My 5.3 started making unusual sounds after 100k miles. Definitely lifter-related.

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10

100K miles seems like a significant marker for these issues. Thanks for sharing!

11

Has anyone tried using a different oil or additives to mitigate these symptoms? I’m curious if it helped.

12

I used a heavier weight oil once, and it seemed to quiet things down for a while. But it’s just a temporary fix.

13

It’s always a gamble with these fixes. I joked with my buddy that my truck sounds like a diesel sometimes!

14

Haha! I’ve had that feeling too. It makes you wonder if you need an upgrade or just to fix it.

15

The symptoms can be quite alarming! I recommend getting it checked if you notice them. Better safe than sorry!

16

Absolutely! Catching it early could save a lot of money down the line.

17

Reflecting on all these experiences, it’s clear that lifter issues are common in 5.3Ls. We should all be proactive in checking our engines!

18

Has anyone else experienced lifter noise after an oil change? I suspect oil contamination might be the cause.

19

I definitely have! It turned out to be cheap oil. Quality really makes a difference.

20

Oil flow issues can definitely be a culprit. Make sure your oil pump is functioning properly!

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