I have 2011 GMC Sierra , 5.3 engine, 163k miles. I have been hearing a ticking sound at startup for a long time - maybe 2-3 years. I'd sometimes hear it, sometimes I didn't. Here lately I have noticed at each startup but it goes away after its driven some. So, I only hear it after startup (at idle) until the truck is driven a few miles. I've always used 5w-30 oil as recommended. I know the AFM (Active Fuel Managment) is the culprit and its quite common in these engines to have lifter failure. I just changed from Castrol Dexos 1 synthetic to Mobil 1 High Mileage, and added Lucas Oil Stabilizer thinking that might stop it. The tick is still there. I'm wondering if going to 10w-40 oil in this engine would be worth a try.....or would that damage the engine somehow. I bought a jug of Castrol Synthetic Blend 10w-40....but before I put it in I thought I better seek advice. Any knowledgeable help will be appreciated.
Can I use 10w-40 in a 5.3 engine?
- Thread starter jworks
- Start date
Yup. I used to.
Using 10w-4 will not damage anything. It probably won't improve anything, either, unless your engine has excessive clearance from wear.
Your startup noise could be a lot of things. The best thing to do is use something like a stethoscope to listen to specific components to see if you can narrow it down. I once had a startup tick that turned out to be an evaporative control valve when I was sure the noise was coming from the engine itself.
Your startup noise could be a lot of things. The best thing to do is use something like a stethoscope to listen to specific components to see if you can narrow it down. I once had a startup tick that turned out to be an evaporative control valve when I was sure the noise was coming from the engine itself.
My son’s 2013 5.3L has 225,000 miles on it, much of it towing and off road loaded up rolling on 275/70r18E tires.
Since new it’s always had XW40 engine oil and the 2014 and newer #10575 filter.
No early oil changes on this truck and sometimes 20% over OLM.
In the summer months it gets 15w40.
Since new it’s always had XW40 engine oil and the 2014 and newer #10575 filter.
No early oil changes on this truck and sometimes 20% over OLM.
In the summer months it gets 15w40.
Replace the pcv / valve cover to the newest model and use 10w30 or 10w40. Good to go
Wanted to say that my GMC Sierra with the 5.3 was probably one of the best trucks I ever had. I used 30 weight for most of it's life but went to 40 weight as it did seem to quiet it down a bit (especially in summer months.)
Only issue I had was the dang transmission. 4L60E or whatever it's called. It would go around every 125K (planetary gear issue.) No matter what I did. Funny thing is I never towed or really even used it as a "Truck" so to speak. Occassionaly moving a couch for a friend or getting some lumber from the big box store. That's it.
The real killer, at 325K, installed a new water pump and a new starter. New belt, new fan assembly, flushed coolant really well, did spark plugs. She was running like a TOP!!!!!!.......3,000 miles later, transmission went......I was done at that point. May she rest in peace...
EDIT: Yes, I could have fixed it and kept going, but really couldn't justify the $$$. I had started a new position with my company and got a company vehicle. A lot of driving in the Southeastern USA, so the truck really didn't make sense anymore. I wanted to fix it, but my wife, always the voice of reason, pointed out the error in doing it......
Only issue I had was the dang transmission. 4L60E or whatever it's called. It would go around every 125K (planetary gear issue.) No matter what I did. Funny thing is I never towed or really even used it as a "Truck" so to speak. Occassionaly moving a couch for a friend or getting some lumber from the big box store. That's it.
The real killer, at 325K, installed a new water pump and a new starter. New belt, new fan assembly, flushed coolant really well, did spark plugs. She was running like a TOP!!!!!!.......3,000 miles later, transmission went......I was done at that point. May she rest in peace...
EDIT: Yes, I could have fixed it and kept going, but really couldn't justify the $$$. I had started a new position with my company and got a company vehicle. A lot of driving in the Southeastern USA, so the truck really didn't make sense anymore. I wanted to fix it, but my wife, always the voice of reason, pointed out the error in doing it......
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BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
i would try a Euro 0w-40 first with a 10575 sized filter first.
The previous owner of my Yukon used only 10-40 oil. He worked at a tractor dealer that had it in bulk so that's what it got. At 216 K it still runs great and doesn't use oil.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
I used to run Delvac 1300 15W40 in my 2010 5.3L GM …
Traded at 80k with no oil consumption …
Yes, I've heard these transmissions aren't too good. So far, I've put 68k miles on it since I bought it used in 2019; trans fluid changed every 30k miles. So far no transmission issues , but the last time he said there was a "little bit of metal on the magnet but not too bad".
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
Are you in Alabama or Alaska?
My experience with this engine ... keep them clean, so run an OCI with Rislone or MMO. Or do an engine flush. Some oil filters bring about the unwanted tick. Basic units have worked best for me. Have a look at the filter screen under the oil pressure sensor. Consider using an AFM disabler (Range Technology). 40 weight 
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Ticking that's there during cold and goes away when hot, there is a good chance that could be exhaust related and nothing to do with the internals of your engine. A lot of the v8's regardless of brand have trouble with this to some degree. Broken manifolds or a bolt that has snapped, you hear the exhaust leaking through until the heat of it expands the metal and closes the gap.
A friend I used to work with uses M1 15W-50 summer and M1 10W-40 winter (South Carolina) in his 2009 5.3 LS Silverado with 300,000+ miles and AFM disabled. He also uses the longer oil filter that fits the newer Ford V6 engines. He claims his engine is quieter with this routine, leaks less oil, and burns less oil. He tows his work trailer all week, and his boat on weekends.
There is a time to move on.
as mentioned above change out the pcv valve, and try a different brand of oil filter with a anti-drain back valve,,,also sounds like a good experiment trial for the new Valvoline restore &protect oil, may help&. dump a full can of Berry- man's chem-tool in the gas too.
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