Chevy 5.3 liter lifter noise and motor flush solution How to

[WyattHD]

Brian - do you think I've got the same problem (ie, lifter noise)?

watch?v=5pgBZ84WlJQ

It seems to be coming more from the passenger side (front).

How could I go about using GUMOUT motor flush. I have an oil cooler - will that hurt anything? Do I need to remove some oil before I put in any motor flush? Any help would be so appreciated! Thanks!!

[rumtorun]

Great video! I have a similar problem with my 1990 GBC TBI 350 van. I created a video response. Although the sound isn't the best, you can hear the knock very clearly. Do you suspect a similar procedure will help that vehicle?

[rumtorun]

@rumtorun By GBC, mean GMC...

[dsmith452008]

@briansmobile1 I have a 99 dodge ramvan 2500 5.2l with 130k on it. I'm getting the same ticking noise, oil was really dirty when i bought it 3 months ago, i changed it a few times (10w30) then got the ticking noise. My question is without removing the rocker arm couldn't i spray some wd-40 or b12 down the rocker opening with the little red tube? and do a high mileage oil flush? i hate to mess with the valve adjustment. thanks for your videos btw.

[andersonrowland]

@jsnyara, I just started using high octane fuel and the spark knock is almost gone. Would suck if I had to pull a trailer on regular 87 octane with the chatter. Seems like a waste to run high octane in my truck, I get 14.8 per gallon... Thanks for the input!

[JDSpiderman3]

Brian!! I have a question I hope you can answer. Well I have a 2002 Sierra and it has an oil leak :\ Now I am assuming maybe that the leak is happening on the gaskets that are between the block and the cover. There is a wet spot in the back that's why... Also one more thing, my pressure always falls to 0 when cold and never goes beyond 40. Is that a faulty oil pump? Thank you Brian I would take my truck to you but I live in Glendale Ca and am too far haha, thank you Brian keep on rockin!

[briansmobile1]

@JDSpiderman3 On that motor the oil sending unit or sensor for the gauge is at the back of the engine in the middle up on top just behind the intake manifold (see my intake manifold video on my channel) That could be both problems.

[BigChazMemphis]

@briansmobile1 what or how did u go about retourqin the rocker arms back down?

[briansmobile1]

@BigChazMemphis Just line it up and twist them down snug enough to hold in place and then torque them to spec.

[BigChazMemphis]

@briansmobile1 do you remember the torque specs? my 1999 does have the same exact noise.. was gonna try this method? are those years compatable as far as being the same? yours looks like a higher model..

[JDSpiderman3]

Wow man thanks a whole lot! You have no idea. Stay awesome the master mechanic!

[briansmobile1]

@JDSpiderman3 You're welcome!

[andersonrowland]

I have a 04 Silverado 5.3 w/108k. When I hit passing gear or get into the throttle I get spark knock. I don't have any codes / knock sensor. I tried sea foam in the brake booster to help remove carbon, additives, higher octane and in doing this the chatter went away, until diluted again by 87 gas... Any advise would be appreciated.

[briansmobile1]

@andersonrowland Spark plug knock or pre-detonation is due to using an octane rating that's too low. The fix is almost always to use the manufacturer recommended octane rating.

[jsnyara]

@andersonrowland if you can't get it to go away its probably your map/maf sensor.

[shamel0522]

Thank you so much man. I have had the noisey valvatrain since I bought the truck and this cured it. It was driving me nuts too! i decided to do all of them while I was at it...on both sides.

[briansmobile1]

@shamel0522 You're welcome.

[MorbidAlice]

If you use a high quality, Group IV or V oil (like Redline, Castrol German 0W-30, etc.), you can go 8000 miles between oil changes pretty easily if you change your filter every 3000-4000 miles.

[briansmobile1]

@MorbidAlice YES!!!! The filter change is the key that people are missing there. YOU are a smart guy!

[kenman1717]

great info. i get lots of lifter noise on 5.3 engines, most of the time its because the customer is running mobil 1 and they think they can go 20 000kms on an oil change so the oil gets burnt up and ends up being low, most of the time the boss says change the oil and re-evaluate, synthetic is better yes and you can go a few thousand longer, but don't go double or triple the oil change interval.

[briansmobile1]

@kenman1717 I agree with you! You change the oil filter every time you change the oil. AT LEAST change the filter a reasonable interval and top off eigh?

[20Davidp]

Hi i have the same noise on my 05 Gmc Sierra Denali whit 170.000 miles what you think maybe the same problem ???

[briansmobile1]

@20Davidp I think it's likely the same problem.

[harleyjamesg]

how much would you charge to do this whole operation?

I need mine done but I'm not mechanically inclined enough.

Thank you in advance.

[briansmobile1]

@harleyjamesg If it was just one side I'd say $140 now that I'm quick at it.

[Jcal022]

Would B-12 Chemtool be safe for cleaning a throttle body on a 2009 Mitsubishi lancer?

[briansmobile1]

@Jcal022 I'm not sure. Many manufacturers use a coating to protect it from crud and say DON'T do it. It should be labeled if this is the case.

[rogerktm]

I have a 07 Tahoe 5.3 that has a lifter noise on the #1 cylinder when it cuts down on to 4 cylinder mode! Other then that it is quiet. Do u know what might be going on in there? Any easy fix for this?

[briansmobile1]

@rogerktm The best solution is regular oil changes to prevent this problem. Synthetic oil may be a bit of help, but no guarantees.

[MrGunslinger1987]

Would it be possible to place a drill bit in the end of an old push rod (same size as original) have it tack welded in place spray the lifter, then put this tool in lightly turn it with your hand until it passes thru lifter to help loosen the deposits? not getting to carried away since the cam is on the other side.

[Crankor72]

Great vid, you taught me some stuff, thanks for doing it man.

[briansmobile1]

@Crankor72 You're welcome.

[joeyf504327]

ALSO SEAFOAM IS CRAP!!!!! DONT USE IT IF YOU WANT YOUR ENGINE TO LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

[joeyf504327]

Hey watch and listen to my vid our generation IV vortec is making a loud squeaking help please!

[MisterMattyMo]

Are you sure that brake fluid isn't DOT2? I think it might be :p

[briansmobile1]

@MisterMattyMo I got a good shot on it just in case.

[authmaax]

1 quarter of 2-stroke oil fixes lifters noise... sometimes

[authmaax]

@authmaax hydraulics i mean

[beefystik]

Man, when you said, "wanna know another cool product by the by?" I swore you were going to say Permatex Right Stuff gasket maker. I bet you sleep with a tube of that under yer pillow :)

[briansmobile1]

@beefystik Who told you that? It's true! lol

[edviperrrr]

Where in Utah do you live buddy?

I´ve lived in SLC, but I´m in Brazil now.

As most of our vehicles here are inline 4 cylinder with manual transmission,

we´ve a hard time to deal with these big engines....... Unhappy here is hard to

find a trainning, so many times the only choice is to buy books and to watch videos

here on youtube.

But thanks for your videos...... it will be nice to keep track on your work.

[brakedd]

How did the old oil look when it came out?

[Bonfield2002]

Great vid and a time saver as well,I bet Buddy was thankfull after you saved him a ton of cash by not taking the head off. . Well worh a try and it worked out fine. It says on the Sea Foam engine additive can to be uses to free sticky lifters and disolves carbon as well. Have you tried it in the crankcase?

[shannonmink3006]

sweet



[landlockedviking]

You're hilarious,well Sparky that was some serious improvement, a guy has got to be mega careful with those good carb cleaners, had a friend that worked at a shop not warned about how strong the solvent was in the one cleaner machine, and talk about scary by the time he realized his hands were starting to feel funny and he headed to the sink to try and rinse them they were dripping blood. Man the light illuminated that lifter good. You'd be unstoppable with the right camera man :)

[1ownjoo2]

Holy cow that lifter tick was bad haha

[motorhead45102]

hey have you ever messed with the gm's 2.2l engine they used for a long time, and have you tried fixing any noise issues in the 2.2's, mine makes a bunch of racket and was wondering if you ever done anything.

[briansmobile1]

@motorhead45102 Nope.

[harley10030]

@motorhead45102 the timing chains get a bit of slop in them and make clanging noises after a while, i've honestly have never heard one that didn't do it

[motorhead45102]

@harley10030 well what would you do if youve replaced the timing chain with a complete set and start it up and still tap tap tptptptp rattle rattle tap. the bolts for the rocker arms are tight to specifications, so it couldn't be loose rocker arms, but did these 2.2's have a common thing with the lifters at all or the wrist pins on the piston. mean if i could just find the noise i will be happy, but the noise transmitts threw everything.

[ad356]

@motorhead45102 i have a 2.2 in a 91 cavalier and it has been a pretty good engine. it has 185K miles on it and has only needed a head gasket, it still doesn't leak or burn oil either. the lifters shouldn't be too dificult to replace either but it might be time consuming. i have always kept clean oil in the engine and have never had lifter problems

[ad356]

to replace lifters would you have to pull the intake and not the heads? just wondering becuase that's how it works on the old 350 that im used to working on. i love GEN I small blocks, such a solid, simple, and powerful engine. they dont make them like that anymore

[briansmobile1]

@ad356 I'm told you have to pull them out the bottom through the oil pan opening.

[kary1982v6]

love the disclaimer... I should have done more of this when I was doing the intake manifold just as a precaution but didn't.. oh well!

[briansmobile1]

@kary1982v6 It turned out ok, I was super tired and when that happens I can't speak as smoothly. I mustered it out ok though. We still haven't hiked Timp by-the-way. ; )

[kary1982v6]

@briansmobile1 I liked it, it was very drone like... I know.. right now would be the best time to hike Timp but between 2 jobs and school I am not thinking I am going to be able to find the time although I would love to! that and we just moved to Provo..

[briansmobile1]

@kary1982v6 Cool.

[cheekster96]

Hi Brian. Wanted to hear your opinion about the extended life motor oils. I know Mobil 1 has an oil that is suppose to go 15K miles between changes. That seems crazy. Even if you did do an oil filter change every 3K miles, 15K seems like alot. I use the Mobil Fuel Economy synthetic oil in my '04 GMC 4x4 with the 4.8L and it seems to like it. Recently got 21MPG from a long turnpike trip. Any opinions on the Mobil 1 Fuel Economy oils? Thanks. Lee

[johntracey523]

You did it again! Great vid. thanks

[briansmobile1]

@johntracey523 You're welcome- thank you!

[spelunkerd]

Do you use a special tool to take those rocker arms off? Next time you take those off, can you let us watch how that is done?

[74mav]

I've slowly been watching all of your uploads as I have time and I must say, you are the absolute MAN! Watching you and others like you, (ErictheCarGuy), really restore my pride in being a Tech. You guys show people there are honest guys out there and they do great work. I also appreciate the fact that you also mini-reviewed the products you used. I love Sea-Foam and B-12 is fantastic. I never had too much of a belief for any motor flush working, but you convinced me. Thanks bro

[PWRSTR0KER2008]

Nice work Brian, as usual! What do you torque the rocker hold down bolts to, and what about checking for clearance?

[ncrdisabled]

I have a 2003 chevy venture and it has 133k miles and it is nosy on start up some times it lasts for a while It sounds like lifters .any idea? . It is a disabled van made for me as I am disabled and the van is not being driven as we in the catskills NY are flooded in 2 feet in basement no power for 2 days on dial up on gen power roads are destroyed just late today got 1 lane open in both direction . My well and septic was under 3 feet of water hoping for FEMA help.

[TheTexasCoder]

Right on! Thanks for showing this! Years ago I did the same thing to a '95 miata (1.8L). That engine sounded like a tambourine! After cleaning the lifters, she was all quiet and purdy...This video is great, cause it shows how easy it can be, and WHY you should ALWAYS perform routine oil changes at the proper interval. Just out of curiosity, would you take the same approach on your vette?

[briansmobile1]

@TheTexasCoder No. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I'd change the oil on time and circumvent the whole mess altogether for sure. Also the Vette belongs to a customer/friend of mine. ; )

[CURBECK]

WINNING! good job!

[spelunkerd]

My 2000 Suburban 5.3L sounds like this in cold weather only, or on startup when we haven't driven it in a while. What year was your engine?

[briansmobile1]

@spelunkerd If you use a lighter viscosity oil first number like a synthetic 0W30 it will help with that. Sometimes a 5W20 (like Ford requires on it's trucks and vans with micro lifters) will help get the lube where it needs to be.

[spelunkerd]

@briansmobile1 I'm gonna tag this video as a favourite, for the day I get around to those lifters. The car works great in the summer, but loud in winter, 300,000 km, so it's limping now only because of age. Sounds like I can't remove lifters without pulling the heads, so maybe a clean like you say is all I need. I routinely use 5W30 up here in Canada, so not much room to move. Oil changes have been obsessive so no problem there. Thanks for posting this, Brian. What age is that car?

[AdirondackNY]

my brothers buick centurys lifters were clacking bad from lack of oil changes I told him change the oil and dump a quart of automatic transmission fluid in the motor and drive it for a week, as soon as he did it the noise went away. automatic trans fluid cleans this kind of gunk out great

[briansmobile1]

@AdirondackNY Great to know- thanks.

[transdetendal]

@AdirondackNY thanx for the tip, didnt know that and i get a LOT of costumers with old bmw who got that kinda probs

[Cattachmore22]

sounds just like new again , lovely job.

[briansmobile1]

@Cattachmore22 Thanks

[Diesel1Dee]

when you add that motor flush im assuming you changed the oil after then right? and id assume you probably have to since if you add all that motor flush your oil level would be too high now anyway right?

[briansmobile1]

@Diesel1Dee YES!!!! Definitely. Good question. In my monotone professor ramble I state that. I could have been more clear I suppose.

[briansmobile1]

Listen to the difference in sound between 0:19 and 13:42

[killman1971]

My father had the front most cam lobe and roller lifter get wiped out @ 515k miles on his 03 Express LS 6.0L. If you can get the camshaft out and remove the oil pan you might be able to change out a bad lifter without pulling the heads because the lifters snap into a plastic holder from below. Hard to do though (Dad only changed out the one).

Have you tried using Kroil Kreen as a motor flush? I have heard of people adding it to their oil and it loosening stuck lifters within seconds of idling.

[briansmobile1]

@killman1971 Tell me more about Kroil Kreen? I've never heard of it till just now.

[killman1971]

@briansmobile1

I have read about it on the BITOG forum. Some people have written that it has fixed problems very quickly as in minutes if not seconds. It works well on varnished parts from what I have read. I have never used it myself but have heard that it is very strong solvent smelling and requires special shipping. You are supposed to be able to run it long term in the oil but I would be worried about plastic parts over the long haul.

[SilentDawn]

Hahahaha! Laughed through this whole video (and still am) Love your little jokes, gestures and sound FX. Great tip on the lifter cleaning from the top and the pushrod as a straw.

[terrobelone]

AWSOME VID this just hapend to my buddies silverado

[briansmobile1]

@terrobelone Thanks

[antonio30824]

WINNINGGGG!!!!! HAHAHA

[1elAguila]

good job brian knowledge is power amigo

great tip keep up the good work

GRACIAS

[briansmobile1]

@1elAguila You're welcome my friend.

[JamesRoyful]

WINNING!!!

[briansmobile1]

@JamesRoyful  Charlie Sheen is my affirmation coach. lol

[grawey77]

I am happy for you sir.

[briansmobile1]

@grawey77 Thanks.



[jbg2707]

ur fing good lol thank you for your knowledge

[briansmobile1]

@jbg2707 You are welcome.

[backwoodsctryboy]

had a customer fill his engine with stp to try and mask the noise rather than fix it.....needless to say his engine is no longer in operation.

[jsnyara]

@backwoodsctryboy thats so common. people think, oh its noisy i should just gum up my whole engine instead of fixing it.

[briansmobile1]

@jsnyara I prefer replacing or soaking the lifters overnight, but that's not in the customers budget always.

[briansmobile1]

@backwoodsctryboy OUCH! I guess at least he "tried something."