my truck started doing this at 110,000 miles a month after i bought it. The first time it was very very loud like a knock then it stopped. A few months later it did it again. And it hasnt done it since then i have been changing my oil every 3 thousand miles since i got it which has been almost 2 years ago. It still has been making a ticking noise(lifters) on start up and for about a minute or 2 then it goes away. But i think the lifter is still making noise because when driving down a road it sounds as though it has an exhaust leak but it doesnt,(it makes this noise even after its warmed up and it does it a majority of the time). And this winter my oil pressure wont pick up on a cold start up, but if i turn it off and try again it picks up. It doesnt do it alot either maybe once every 2 weeks so im guessing my oil pump is on the verge of going out. So im just trying to see if it sounds like the oil pump and a lifter or if there is anything else. It has good oil pressure between 30-70 depending on the driving at all times except on these rare start up occasions. Thanks for your help. And if anyone knows where i could get a good quality oil pup and lifter/s it would be appericated
2001 4.8 knocking/ticking
- Thread starter S. Hebert
- Start date
Molson02536
New member
It sounds like you may have a Oil Pressure relief Valve issue. Low Oil Pump Pressure due to Seized Oil Pressure Relief Valve is know to happen in the 4.8 - 5.3 - and also been seen in the 6.0 liter engines.
Here is a quite form GM: "Some customers may complain of low oil pressure, no oil pressure, and/or engine noise, which may be the result of a sticking oil pump pressure relief valve. In some instances, this may occur intermittently if the valve frees up when the engine cools down.
Recommendation/Instructions:
If SI diagnosis isolates low mechanical oil pressure at the oil filter housing and oil pressure sensor, replace the oil pump, flush the oil cooler lines (if equipped), clean the inside of the oil pan, change the oil and filter, and re-evaluate the concern.
Notice: If an engine noise is noticed after replacing the oil pump, follow the SI diagnosis and repair the engine as necessary.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. "
The other thing also is that every 4.8 and 5.4 vortec engine I've ever been around makes a ticking sound at idle and it's caused from the EGR valve. There is nothing wrong with it thou. That's just something to consider if it's just a light ticking sound.
Keep us posted and check what you're oil press is at with a mechanical gauge from a clod start.
Molson02536
New member
The low oil pressure would cause the lifters to be noisy, but you did mentioned that your oil pressure does go up to it's normals after a few minutes after the engine is warmed up. If the ticking is still there with good oil pressure then it's the EGR valve.
Keep us posted.
