Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Is this lifter tick, piston slap, or something else?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 9, 2013 | 09:38 PM
  #1  
y5mgisi's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
Default Is this lifter tick, piston slap, or something else?

Goes pretty much silent when warm but is very noisy cold.

Reply
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 06:29 AM
  #2  
crainholio's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default

Piston slap usually happens when opening the throttle, yours seems to happen when you release it...lifter noise most likely.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 09:33 AM
  #3  
Fast98Z28's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default

Sounds like a lifter
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 09:35 AM
  #4  
RockinWs6's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 30
Default

Its lifter noise, when the engine is shut off the lifters and oil gallery drain down so when you start cold the lifter get a shot of air and they clatter until the oil warms up. Its possible you have a leaky oring at the oil pump, this can let the lower oil gallery bleed down and cause a lot of noise at every cold start.

Piston noise or piston slap sounds EXACTLY like a diesel engine running. Most dealers will say lifter noise is piston slap, I'm not sure why???? I think because piston slap is acceptable according to GM but lifter noise is not SO if its diagnoses as piston slap its ok?????

If your engine made that much noise from loose fitting pistons it wouldn't be running very well and be smoking oil out the exhaust so don't let anyone BS you.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 09:44 AM
  #5  
Fast98Z28's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default

I hate piston slap...
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 09:58 AM
  #6  
Sales2@Texas-speed's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,053
Likes: 7
From: Texas!
Default

Sounds a lot like lifter noise to me.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 02:17 PM
  #7  
y5mgisi's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
Default

Thanks guys! For the record, this is a lq4 motor out of an 02 Denali that a friend just finished swapping into his 91 suburban.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 02:42 PM
  #8  
y5mgisi's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
Default

Oh, another thing of mention is that we went around and unplugged each of the coils while it was running and did tye same little rev for each of them. The noise persisted with each coil disconnected. Our thoughts were that if it was slap, when we un plugged the offending cylinder, the noise would stop. But it never did.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 04:14 PM
  #9  
2000PewterT/A's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 2
Default

Like everyone else said, it sounds like a bad lifter.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 04:54 PM
  #10  
y5mgisi's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
Default

Sounds good. Any ideas on the best way to determine which one it is?
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2013 | 06:34 PM
  #11  
crainholio's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default

Mechanic's stethoscope, probe the valve covers above each cylinder to find which one is the source.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2013 | 07:44 PM
  #12  
Crimsonnaire's Avatar
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
Default

I have a tick that sounds the same as that which I've been trying to figure out if it's piston slap or lifter. I'm gonna try to shoot a video of it, but the characteristics I've been able to determine so far is that it first appeared after a mechanic revved the engine aggressively in neutral (close to 5k RPM) many times, and that it's most notable in cold winter starts with it still being fully audible at hot OT but at low RPM.

Does anyone have a video link of an actual piston slap for comparison sake?
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2013 | 10:17 AM
  #13  
RockinWs6's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 30
Default

Originally Posted by y5mgisi
Sounds good. Any ideas on the best way to determine which one it is?
I'd trying changing oil and filter 1st and honestly I've heard the noise you have in so many of these engines I wouldn't bother doing anything unless it gets a lot worse. Its not hurting anything.
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2013 | 09:48 PM
  #14  
Russ K's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
From: Regina, Sask
Default

Sounds like a collapsed piston.

Russ Kemp
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:47 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE