Hello I just bought a 2000 gmc Z-71 w/5.3 w/180.000miles, this truck runs great and drives great etc etc, but when I first start it up in the morning hot or cold conditions it sounds like "hell" for 3-4 mins? just rattles and pings-squeaks etc, then it's fine all day long until it sets over night again. The dealer told me this is common on these trucks and newer ones and not to worry? someone else told me to get a larger oil filter to stop this problem/but can't find other than the stock short filter. Doese anyone know about this or had this problem?

 

Can you be more specific?..those did indeed have some top-engine pings cold....which was harmless carbon being tapped around until she warmed up.

 

Well I guess it sounds more like the engine chattering and it does have a knock to it, if i hit the gas it just speeds up with noise and goes away faster, it's an awful sound i thought the motor was going out. I had the oil change guys put a cleaner it in and then Lucas w/better oil but it didn't sound any better. I use BP ultimate gas so it's not that. The car lot I bought it from says there're 07 does the same thing, it just scares me this truck is so nice looks like new and drives better than my cadillac with only 50.000 miles on it. I just pray this motor isn't going out it doesn't leak/smoke, and if i put it in the garage over night and turn up the heater out there it still starts up on the fist try but with all that noise.

 

It is possible that the oil is draining back so that the engine is experiencing a dry start. The more miles the more this tendency can happen. There are better filters on the market that have an anti drainback check valve to help prevent this. It`s been a long time for me but I thought that GM had employed a check valve in the filter head to prevent drainback....maybe I`m mistaken though. But it also sounds like perhaps the hydraulic lifters are draing down too. No fix for that other than replacement. I know that the Jeep 4.0 6 bangers have done this for ever with no ill effects on longevity....200,000 + miles verycommon.

 

Probably just the oil draining out overnight, go with a Oil filter with a check valve. K&N makes them .