Typical engine tick became louder after oil change

[CaptKirk]

To start, yes I have read through http://www.silveradoss.com/forums/topic/60365-diagnosing-engine-sounds/ and many other pages/websites about the differences of engine ticking. From the content within, I'm leaning towards piston slap because the tick is lined up with the exhaust pulses, not double (or is it half?) the speed that might suggest valvetrain.

 

My truck always had a slight tick to it since I purchased it about 40k miles ago. It wasn't too loud when cold and wasn't audible even with my hood up standing over it after about 60sec of running which I know is normal.

 

I just changed the oil about 100 miles ago and it got significantly louder. Also, it seems to linger a lot longer. I have to drive the truck a good 10 min for it to fade to the level it used to be at, and 20 for it to really go away entirely. It comes back pretty much anytime the engine is turned off for even a few minute pit stop, not as loud as cold, but it's there for sure. You can still hear it in the cab at this point, and I have a dual magnaflow setup. When it's cold, you can hear it VERY well in the cabin, you can almost 'feel' it. There's no question it's on the driver side of the engine.

 

Anyway - I drove it for a little hoping it would fade, it hasn't. I also seafoamed the truck through the brake booster hose and gas tank, twice. No change in the tick. Got some good smoke out, but no highway-blinding clouds like some have claimed. Good to know the engine isn't overly filthy/clogged, everything I seem to investigate with this truck has been entirely neglected by all previous owners.

 

The only differences I can think of from this oil change to how the truck was before, is it's pretty full now. The truck was down at the 'low' mark when I put it in the air, and now it's just a hair over the 'full' line. I typically run my oil about 3500 miles, this ran a little over maybe 4k. I've always used Mobil1 High Mileage 5w30.

 

Could being this full cause this? I think it's far fetched.. Ideas on the cause? Anybody fix or quiet theirs down with something I haven't tried?

 

TIA

[EXGM]

You sure you don't have an exhaust leak? It may be cowidience after the oil change that it got louder....

[TxSilverado361]

You sure you don't have an exhaust leak? It may be cowidience after the oil change that it got louder....

That's what I was thibkibg as well. I wonder if your headers hasket has a leak? Iwonder if you could isolate where you think the ticking is coming and put your hands near and see if you feel any exhaust seeping out or notice a differnce in the tick sound?

 

Also, you said you seafoamed it, maybe that stuff wore the gasket a little more, if exhaust leak is the problem that is.

Edited September 17, 2016 by TxSilverado361 (see edit history)

[Downeast Johnny]

An easy test for exhaust leak is to have someone stuff and hold a rag in the exhaust outlet then listen up and down the length of the exhaust system. If you have a leak you will hear a hiss from the leak.

 

Has the motor developed a miss? (Partially collapsed lifter?)

[Doughty08]

I just use a automotive stethoscope on each exhaust primary to isolate which cylinder. There roughly ten dollars at any parts store.

[CaptKirk]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

 

Exhaust leak is quite possible as the truck has 150k and quite a bit of rust from its previous life in the midwest plus it's neglecting owners... But one question about that, wouldn't it be audible all the time?

 

As for seafoam - it was done after I got the louder sound, and I didn't notice a bit of difference in the pitch of the ticking. I know it didn't cause it and I don't think it made anything worse..

 

I'll go look for a stethoscope.. maybe I can get a video of it and post it here too

An easy test for exhaust leak is to have someone stuff and hold a rag in the exhaust outlet then listen up and down the length of the exhaust system. If you have a leak you will hear a hiss from the leak.

 

Has the motor developed a miss? (Partially collapsed lifter?)

 

I would have no idea of how to confirm the collapsed lifter...did some research and it sounds like best case I pull the valve covers and have to check each cylinder at TDC..worst case pull the heads?

[Downeast Johnny]

 

I would have no idea of how to confirm the collapsed lifter...did some research and it sounds like best case I pull the valve covers and have to check each cylinder at TDC..worst case pull the heads?

 

I should have looked for a better term than "partially collapsed lifter". If you had a lifter that was anything more than slightly collapsed you would probably notice a miss in the way the engine is running. My guess / speculation was that a lifter might be affected, either partially collapsed, or partially stuck, enough to make noise.

 

Either of those conditions might show up in a compression check. I would do a lot more checking and question asking before I started pulling parts off.

 

Have you checked for the exhaust leak? To answer your question about hearing an exhaust leak all the time, the answer is no, you might not hear a slight leak all the time but it could make a ticking sound especially under acceleration.

 

Keep us posted on what you find.

[CaptKirk]

 

I should have looked for a better term than "partially collapsed lifter". If you had a lifter that was anything more than slightly collapsed you would probably notice a miss in the way the engine is running. My guess / speculation was that a lifter might be affected, either partially collapsed, or partially stuck, enough to make noise.

 

Either of those conditions might show up in a compression check. I would do a lot more checking and question asking before I started pulling parts off.

 

Have you checked for the exhaust leak? To answer your question about hearing an exhaust leak all the time, the answer is no, you might not hear a slight leak all the time but it could make a ticking sound especially under acceleration.

 

Keep us posted on what you find.

 

Thanks for elaborating. I will pickup a stethoscope and compression test kit soon to try and see if they hint at anymore clues. I don't think it's really hurting anything currently but obviously I don't want to let it linger, just been a little busy with work and dr. appointments.

[CaptKirk]

Haven't gotten to the truck yet, was out of town this weekend. But here's a video of a cold start:

 

 

Skip about :20 in, the fan was making it hard to hear.

 

At :40 I get in so you can hear the cab noise

Edited September 25, 2016 by CaptKirk (see edit history)

[Downeast Johnny]

At times it sounds completely mechanical, like a lifter, and other times it sounds like exhaust leak. Have you checked for exhaust leak yet?

[Doughty08]

Sounds like an exhaust leak for sure, whatever it may be u have to take those step bars off that truck and compact them for safe keeping.

[Downeast Johnny]

on the step bars. Saw em, but didn't say anything.

[70chevy03ss]

^^^^ I agree.

Quick question do you get an exhaust smell in the truck with the heat on.

I'm going threw the same thing on my truck. (Yes I know different truck) but when I moving no exhaust smell. Sitting it's bad I have to open a window.

Just thought this might narrow it down a little more. I say it's an exhaust leak though.

[EXGM]

That is 100% an exhaust leak... but I said that 11 posts ago...... ^

 

I would fix sooner than later... you risk burning up a valve and then your looking at a bigger bill.... just say'n.

Edited September 26, 2016 by EXGM (see edit history)

[CaptKirk]

Thanks everyone.

 

The step rails have been KILLING ME. I hate them too. I asked the shop that flushed my brake system to cut them off with a torch (the bolts are seized) and they couldn't figure out what I meant..later I find out the guy at the desk completely botched the explanation and luckily the tech was smart enough to not go slicing up my truck. He couldn't believe what I asked for vs what he was told. I'll go back this weekend to get it done. The truck had bedrails too when I bought it, terrible.

 

Back to the noise:

I was out of town all weekend, but will find some time this week to investigate it. Thanks again for the responses.

Edited September 28, 2016 by CaptKirk (see edit history)