Best oil and oil additive for a Silverado 5.3 lifter tick?

I'm not a fan of additives either. Had an old 300SE Mercedes long ago and it developed noisy lifters also. Tossed in a quart of Rislone next oc with the same oil as before, Pennzoil I believe and within 100 miles the tick was gone. Coincidence? Maybe. Haven't used it since.

View attachment 265056
I have a 2004 Tahoe with the 5.3. I developed the lifter tick years ago. I used a treatment called KREEN. This is strong so if you want to try it be sure to read the instructions. It worked in 30 minutes of driving. This was around 4 years ago and the tick has not returned.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wlk
I have a 2004 Tahoe with the 5.3. I developed the lifter tick years ago. I used a treatment called KREEN. This is strong so if you want to try it be sure to read the instructions. It worked in 30 minutes of driving. This was around 4 years ago and the tick has not returned.
Probably won't come back but that engine doesn't have AFM. Biggest mistake GM ever made. People say it was the EPA that made them do it but if that's true why do the 5.6 in the Nissan Titan not have something like it? Ford, GM, RAM, Toyota all have some type of AFM/DOD
 
Lucas is nothing but the worst Group I bright stock and a ton of VII polymer, avoid it at all costs.

You should hunt around the headers and check to make sure the gasket hasn't blown out, I had that happen on my Mustang. I'd want to be 100% sure it's not exhaust before I condemn the motor :)
Now wait a minute... Lucas has served me very well lubricating a squeaky hinge on the back gate 😅
 
Any oil 0w is not the best remedy for sound reduction. 5,10,15 and 20Ws in 30-40-50 viscosity increase your odds, should you experiment by blending-in the same exact additives package and base oils with it.
 
Any oil 0w is not the best remedy for sound reduction. 5,10,15 and 20Ws in 30-40-50 viscosity increase your odds, should you experiment by blending-in the same exact additives package and base oils with it.
That doesn't make sense in regard to oils like euro C3 and A3/B4 0w30 and 40. Those have a minimum HTHS of 3.5 and have higher kv@100C than pretty much all non euro 5w30, 10w30 and 10w40 oils. 15w40 and 20w50 might have higher values but won't be as robust in additive package and wont have as high of quality base oil blends.

That being said op has a mechanical issue that oil isn't going to fix. The afm/dod lifter design is poor, kind of like those kia/Hyundai engines you're constantly trying to quiet down. At least theres a fix for the GM engines 😅 (afm/dod delete cam/lifters/tune).
 
2007 Silverado 5.3 has 123,431 miles just developed a louder lifter tick. It was always noticeable on cold starts in cold weather but went away once it warmed up. Weather is warmer and the tick is noticeable even after driving a long period of time.
I've heard to not use additives and also to use additives. I'm not brave enough to do the One quart of transmission fluid and five quarts of oil.
Ive faithfully used Mobil 1 5w30 full synthetic and a Mobil 1 filter.
I was told to change to a different brand but have no clue what that would be. 10+ Years ago I did the Amzoil thing and wasn't impressed.
Just trying to delay engine replacement or repair.
ANY SUGGESTIONS would be appreciated.
No additive needed. Unless you can justify using one.


My vote is Valvoline EPHM 5w30
 
That doesn't make sense in regard to oils like euro C3 and A3/B4 0w30 and 40. Those have a minimum HTHS of 3.5 and have higher kv@100C than pretty much all non euro 5w30, 10w30 and 10w40 oils. 15w40 and 20w50 might have higher values but won't be as robust in additive package and wont have as high of quality base oil blends.

That being said op has a mechanical issue that oil isn't going to fix. The afm/dod lifter design is poor, kind of like those kia/Hyundai engines you're constantly trying to quiet down. At least theres a fix for the GM engines 😅 (afm/dod delete cam/lifters/tune).
No, it doesn’t make sense.

Winter ratings are one of the most misunderstood concepts on this board.
 
The failed lifters across all manufacturers have been proven to be inferior materials used for lifters AFM or otherwise. The sad part about the GM V8s is the heads have to be removed just to check-pull-change them. Caught early, a camshaft can be saved. Left to continue, it will ruin the cam sending metal glitter throughout the engine. A complete engine job or replacement is in order. The AFM disabler does nothing to reverse the degraded wear from inferior lifters. They remain in the engine to fail at anytime.
 
Back
Top Bottom