Ticking noise under the hood

[Mr. Northface]

Hey all, I have a 2003 EXT with the 5.3 V8.

When I start the vehicle, I hear a ticking noise coming from under the hood. Almost sounds like the fan could be hitting something, but it isn't. I already had to have the fan clutch replaced once That was about mile marker 7000. So I am not 100% sure if that was the culprit the 1st time....I think it was & that it was doing the same thing for that...so maybe it IS the fan clutch going bad again.......

Not sure about what it is at all so I post it here to see if anyone else has that problem & what it might be.


Thank you to all that can help.

[Mr. Northface]

Upon further investigating, I found that one of the brackets from the fan shroud was broke! Probably done by one of the retarded jerks where I bought my car from. More than likely when they replaced the fan clutch last time I am betting. I am having that replaced ASAP & I will see if that WAS the culprit or not.

[RebeccaLee]

I have a 2003 Trailbalzer LT & also have that strange ticking noise under the hood. Had it to the dealer once & of course, it didn't do it when they checked. I will have them check the fan clutch--thanks for info!

[Mr. Northface]

Ticking noise is back! I was hoping to find a bomb under there LOL, but nothing.

Get this....the guy at the dealership said to switch to 10W-30 instead of 5W-30 & it should help. A thicker weight oil....maybe, but he said that I have to switch it to the synthetic type! I have never heard of this crap before......... ---wish this picture could be of me with the service writter with his silly advice!
Plus the fact that that type of oil is a whole lot more $$$$$ & I would have to keep the synthetic in there from now on....no switching back??!!! No thanks!


I will see what another dealership recommends when I take it in for the 2nd gasket around the liscense plate

[lkurek]

First, suggesting thicker oil than recommended in the manual is a crutch. Granted, the piston slap noise that these engines have cold doesn't hurt anything, although it is a NVH issue....that I think GM fixed in later models. It won't hurt anything, so don't sweat it....assuming it *is* piston slap.

On another note, synthetic oil is WELL worth the extra money. If you are planning on keeping your vehicle for any length of time, switch ASAP. You can always go back to regular oil whenever, but you won't want to.

I use synthetic in all my cars and swear by it. When I work on anybodies car, I can tell right away if they use conventional or synthetic. The sludge buildup and wear in a synthetic motor is next to nothing. As a point of reference, I have a 1995 Lumina with a 3100 engine. I have used synthetic in it since I bought it around 80K miles. It just flipped over to 200K, and it is still running perfect, knocking down 26+ mpg, and just passed the emissions test with a fast pass last weekend. Motor still looks brand new internally....

YMMV.....

[Mr. Northface]

Well, she is going in for service on Wednesday the 16th & I have a mechanic that I really trust. I will see what he says. It is just annoying, that's all.
I will post what I find out. Maybe it can help others with the problem...

[tkeo]

How about posting a pic? In particular of the engine bay. Whose billet grill did you go with?

[Mr. Northface]

tkeo: Sorry about the delay in getting back to you.
As soon as I give her a bath, I will post some pics. The weather has been rainy, so the pictures may take a bit......


The Billet grill that I put on was purchased from E-Bay for $65 plus shipping. It is the regular dull finish 2 piece kit. They have Chrome kits available, but since there is no Chrome on my grill anywhere, I stuck with the regular finish.

Item number: 7954940359 on E-Bay ...stilll just $65

but there is another one on there right now for $45

Item number: 7956042952



Hope this helps. They also have on there a 5 piece kit, but since I use my tow hooks from time to time....the 2 smaller pieces would be a waste. The lower center piece looks good though

[Mr. Northface]

As far as the noise goes.......it was the fan clutch AGAIN!


When I took her in for service, my new mechanic had completed everything in 1 1/2 hours! It would have taken everywhere else I have taken it at least a full day & more! Plus the work was done right!
Here is what was peerformed:

Replace fan clutch

Recall on the taillights (though I never had a problem with it....)

Replace the liscense plate gasket AGAIN!


All that in just a hair under an hour and a half. Man I love my new mechanic & he works for a local Chevy dealership too! Guess it is good to know people.