Chevy truck 6.0 liter question

71-LS6 · #1 02-24-2008, 09:24 PM

I think I've heard this discussed here before. Last fall I bought a used 03' 2500HD chevy with the 6.0 gas engine. I bought it as a back-up tow vehicle to my VERY UNRELIABLE 05' Dodge Cummins. The Dodge continued to give me fits, gas has been cheaper than diesel, and they get the same mileage, so I've put 25,000 miles on the little Chevy in 5 months. It's got 95K on it now. I love this truck, it pulls nearly as well as my diesel (when the diesel is not broke) and it runs like hell when it's empty. Here's the question;

I've changed the oil in it at least every 6,000 miles since I bought it, it doesn't use oil and it doesn't smoke. For the last 3-4 weeks, I hear a very distinct lifter rattling noise at start-up. Noise never lasts longer than 1-2 seconds. Did I cause this by using plain old Castrol 10W 30 for oil? Will changing to a lighter viscosity oil help at this point?

bbbenny · #2 02-25-2008, 02:05 PM

I got a 2002 2500 chevy with the same motor. Bought it new. The noise you hear is rispin. Until the engine warms up that will happen. I got some info from one of the guys on the site, here. All gm would give is, more time on the engine warrenity. Benny

Ngtflyr · #3 02-25-2008, 05:39 PM

My 2000 GMC Sierra and my nephew's 2004 Chevy truck make the same noise on startup, lasts for a minute or so. Mine has been doing it for years. I hear it's common and nothing much to worry about. Sounds like the lifters are going. Worried me at first, but not now after 60000 miles of hearing it almost every time I start up.

bbbenny · #4 02-25-2008, 11:51 PM

I stand corrected on the issue, The noise is piston slap, not wristpin.Benny

ORIGLS6 · #5 02-26-2008, 12:31 AM

Yep, a guy I worked with had the same issue. Piston slap.

He complained so long the dealer rebuilt the engine. Still had the noise so he's now driving a new F*** with a Power Stroke.
Much quieter I'm sure.

**1969l78** · #6 02-26-2008, 12:44 AM

I have a nice 05 2500 for sale if interested, only 22,000 miles

Chevy454 · #7 02-26-2008, 01:08 AM

The 6.0L is the larger member of the LS family of engines (4.8/5.3/5.7/6.0, etc) and they've all been plagued with piston slap...my '98 SS Camaro had it, while my brother's '98 SS doesn't...

**Tommy** · #8 02-26-2008, 02:28 AM

My 06 1500 also has the piston slap on startup. 90,000 miles no problems...

Tommy

71-LS6 · #9 02-26-2008, 04:58 AM

Thanks guys, diesel prices today are a solid 50 cents a gallon more than gas ($3.50 vs $2.99). So long as I don't end up walking home, the noise is no problem.

Rob, our 99 SS Camaro has 90K on it now, no noises with that engine whatsoever. I've got to say, those little LS engines have kind of grown on me over the years.

Chevy454 · #10 02-26-2008, 05:20 PM

Yeah, it was a hit/miss thing it seemed like...you'd see 5 Camaros that had it, then the next 5 might not...from what I saw, Chevrolet ignored the problem until the Corvette owners started griping, then they drug their feet researching it long enough that the Camaro production stopped and they eventually moved onto the LS2...