Well I have 4k on my car and a week ago at initial start up I started getting a slight lifter tick for about 2 seconds. This happens only after sitting over night. I informed the service manager of this and his reply was these engines are notorious for being loud at startup Isn't this a new engine? Just wanted to ask around before I start pushing the issue. Its obvious the lifter/lifters are bleeding down but so soon come on. By no means do I baby my car, it is a performance car so I perform it.

 

Next time I start mine I will check.

 

On another post site it seems to be a common problem. General concennsus is the AFM lifters are bleeding off. This is definitely going to cause damage. Continuous valve slap will cause cracks and breaks in the stems.

 

LS engines are notorious for piston slap at startup, but a lifter tick is a very different sound. Did the service manager hear the sound himself?

 

No he has not. This is definitely not piston slap. About 20 other individuals so far are having the same problem and its only on the L99. I'm going to take the car in tomorrow.

 

Cool, let us know what happens.

 

From the Service Manager "Gm is not aware of any issue, the 5.7 and 6.0 also were noisy and GM said that was normal." He said I could bring it in if I want and they would look at, does not sound like anything will be done though. I will just have to have my tuner delay the start during cranking to allow for oil pressure build up.

 

tell your service manager you want new lifters. My buddy works at a chevy dealership and they have replaced lifters on serveral models with 15 miles or less. Theres a TSB on them from certain VINS.

 

My dealer could not find any TSB, could you get the bulletin number for me?

 

Interested as well, as an L99 is in our plans....

For what it's worth, the LS4 in our old Impala SS never ticked.

 

ill try to remember to call him tomarrow. I know he had to sit on the phone with one of the engineers in detriot, and they told them that there was a certain vin breakpoint in which the motors need lifters. Ill keep you posted though.

 

Any follow up to this? I just bought a car with 10,000 miles It ticks at startup, and then is dead smooth and quiet .... lots of warranty left If its normal, I will be happy

 

If your problem is truly due to lifter leak down consider the following:

I have a '03 Yukon with a 5.3 motor. Part of my purchase terms was 3 cases of AC Delco oil filters (12 per case). The Delco filters have an anti-drainback valve that traps the oil in the upper half of the block. (Every oil change I get a shower.) This obviously will reduce the risk of dry starts.

The economics side:
Assume $8 per filter. (About twice the cost at most brick and mortar stores.) If you religiously change your oil every 4,000 miles you have only spent an extra $100 over 100,000 miles that you could have saved on oil filters. (100,000 mi/ 4,000 mi = 25 changes; $8.00 per filter * 25 filters = $200; Paying $4.00 more per filter, $4 * 25 = $100 additional)

In my opinion:
- It is cheaper to use the more expensive filters with the anti-drainback valve and not disturb the factory-sealed engine.
- The cost of possible arguments with the dealer, vehicle being unavailable, and labor to change lifters is far more expensive and has a cost associated with it.
- Consider the risk of the lifter replacement not going well. Leaks are a risk too.
- Waiting for a 1 minute warm up before loading the engine is not a bad habit either. The fuel cost is minimal.

Good luck as you consider these points.

 

I apprecirate your info and reminder to use the ACDelco filters!! I use them on my 07 Sub. with 5.3 and its smooth and quiet... I will check the Camaro, as oil was just changed, when I received car Sept 10 surely the GM garage uses good filter...Carl

 

Yes there is a TSB, and there is a new version of the L99 lifter being swapped out on cars that have the tick on startup. It has nothing to do with the filter on the car, its all in the lifters. I have had my oil changed at the dealer, and only AC Delco filters have been used. The lifters are the problem. There have been a few to get th new lifters, but never said if it took care of the problem.