It's piston slap, nothing to worry about.

 

We have a farm truck with the 5.3 that had really bad cold piston slap. After 100k it just knocked all the time, regardless of temperature. Dad said we'll drive it till she blows.....that was 200,000 miles ago!! It sounds terrible, but the old girl keeps working every day. I wouldn't worry one bit about it.

 

Started about 3 months ago. 120k miles...............

You got a good one!

We have a farm truck with the 5.3 that had really bad cold piston slap. After 100k it just knocked all the time, regardless of temperature. Dad said we'll drive it till she blows.....that was 200,000 miles ago!! It sounds terrible, but the old girl keeps working every day. I wouldn't worry one bit about it.

What kind of driving? Does it burn oil? My 1999 4.8L would start doing it about the time I needed an oil change, which temporarily resolved it, my 2001 5.3L was worse though, it started early and would clatter on almost every start-up after sitting more than 3 or 4 hours. The first indication that is was a bigger issue was when my low-oil light came on, oil was off the stick. It was a period that I had a lot of highway miles and towed my 6x12 motorcycle trailer, but it was only a couple thousand since my last oil change.

 

Back a few years m,y 2004 Silverado with around 100k had developed the same set of circumstances. My mechanic friend recommended I put Molybdenum Disulfide in the oil. He assured me it wouldn't couldn't hurt and might help.

I put in some MoS2 in the form of LiquiMoly and it went away after a couple of hundered miles and several cold starts. I didn't use it at the next oil change and I still didn't have piston slap but after two or three oil changes I needed to add the MoS3 again.

 

Thanks for the help. I think I've cured the problem with 'marvels mystery oil' a small amount added to the crankcase and now it clicks for a few seconds and is gone. Thanks for all the above information.

Edit: this will be a temporary solution for sure. c/k

 

C / K.... just want to make sure you know that the previous was meant in a fully positive way.

Matter of fact, the questions here about GTX of late kinda' intrigued me ...... there was a time.... when the original 20w 50 GTX was considered as sent from above.

Anyway, got some other stuff together that might be good to see on it. ( Simple but perhaps good to have. )

Will post sometime after today.

Gotta' mow the yard and pull the weeds about some other things........

 

C / K....... you may wish to reacquaint yourself with Castrol's website.

See if you had, you'd have had a different title for your thread.

More like -

" 2005 Silverado Vortec 5.3L w/ infamous < incorrect oil induced > lifter (?) tick on cold start "


Plain 'ole Castrol GTX 5W 30 lost much well over five or so years ago...... including somewhere around that time, Castrol's own recommendation and listing for use in your application.

You may want to root around in there and also elsewhere ( including GM's deros listings ) - if you feel like it concerning which Castrol engine oils are on Castrol's own recommended list ( no GTX xxxxx product currently is ) and then separately, which Castrol engine oils - while not on that list..... at least carry a usable GM spec for your specific application.


The Product Data pages are your friend.

Although currently and more than somewhat oddly given what else they list, they do not have one for 'plain' Castrol GTX 5w -30 ; while the other weights / grades are still up.


You will find some Castrol GTX xxxxx 5w 30 product that second, more often than not, inferior way.


Trust me, derros 1 and deros 2 are your also your friends.......

Matter of fact, Castrol GTX Magnatic 5W 30 appears to have been put together as a GM oriented 5W -30 service oil. ( GM6094M / deros 1 )

Notice though, they do not recommend it when you punch in your vehicle which at the very least is somewhat largely about USA availability -

Anyway, there are others for poorer but also acceptable consideration - if you just have to save the very last dollar or two - per jug.


Look for GM6094M / API Starburst ...... or for far better effect in almost all cases but not necessarily all given the relevant Castrol specifics - deros 1 or if you prefer...... deros 2. Plus the Starburst.


And remember, Castrol like literally anything and everything BP bought - after their Goldman Sachs 'refresher course' on how not to be a good POL provider but make a lot more money anyway is all sloppy like with their website.


Btw, you are not alone with regard to this sort of thing ie where a perfectly serviceable oil lost large swatches of it's original suiteability - for your vehicle over it's service life.

 

Good advice,
I use Castrol 5 -30 aso,,,, on my mechanics recomendation..used to live in Edmonton Alberta many years where it gets minus 30 every winter,,put 300K on my 2000GMC pu without any engine problems

 

You people.... far, far more often than not, get the often far better POL product up North.

 

I always find these stories amusing. I have thoroughly abused my 2001 Silverado 5.3L for almost 150,000 miles and have never heard a "piston slap" or a "lifter tick". Spend the extra $10 for Mobil 1 5W-30.

 

Update for an 'old post' and thanks for all of the above advice. I went to a Pennzoil product and cured this old issue.
Penn. Gold synthetic blend, dexos, 5w-30 GF-5 stopped the click or slap. I've been very pleased with this product. Was suggested by a gm mech here locally. Currently -5 and will be -10 or -12 in the morning. Will start with NO NOISE. '
Go figure?
Thanks again and sorry for bringing up an old thread.

 

Pennzoil High Mileage fixed a similar lifter problem in my 1996 Silverado.