Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

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?

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

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 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

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.

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

I stand corrected on the issue, The noise is piston slap, not wristpin.Benny https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

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. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

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

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

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...

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

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

Tommy https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

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.

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

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...

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

I have been doing a search on gm dealerworld looking for info on this topic. Not arguring with anyone just passing on what I found. The only engine with piston slap info was the 4.8L. All others was wrist pin noise, corrected with floating pins in the 2005 year model.

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

My 06 has the 4.8. It's a slug.... I can hear all 8 high fiving each other on start up but it quiets down. Runs great but again.... It's a slug.... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif I have heard the 4.8 and 5.3 are the same block and if so I may inquire later in the trucks life about installing a 5.3 rotating assembly if possible. I like the truck but will never buy another truck with the "little" engine. I have a 95 Silverado with a 350 that will run circles around the 06.

Tommy https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

Yeah and the 95 is like 200 hp loved that truck-never any problem except wiper motor went out like 3 times

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

My LS1 SS has the piston slap as well as my 6.0 Vortec in the Yukon on start-up. Just have to live with the noise I guess.

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

Here are some TSB's on the piston slap in the LS engines...when I had my SS, I seem to remember a TSB specifically outlining the problem as excessive clearance on like the rear most cylinders of each bank maybe, but I can't find seem to find it...anyway:

#01-06-01-022
#01-06-01-028
#01-06-01-028A

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

It is my understanding that, a few years ago, GM with to short skirt pistons across the board to cut down friction. A friend's Impala sounded like a diesel on startup but never gave any trouble. Kind of hard to sell a noisy engine like that though. Forged pistons in loose bores used to do similar things until they warmed up.

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

Thats all old stuff what I looked up is for the 03 model year!

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

[ QUOTE ]
Thats all old stuff what I looked up is for the 03 model year!

[/ QUOTE ]

It is? You should have let my 04 Yukon know that! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/mad.gif

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

1969l78 what is the 05 2500 you have for sale , long box , extended cab , color , engine???? please reply I am looking for a 2500 hd thanks John

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

I sold it last week sorry it was a short box chorcoal gray, 6.0 motor LS model. had 21,800 miles. Again sorry

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

A friend of mine complains about his truck with the 6.0, but its still running. He told me about this web site.
http://www.pistonslap.com/
Mike

Re: Chevy truck 6.0 liter question
 

Its caused by rather short pistons. When they go over center at top and bottom they give a little tick. Goes away as soon as it warms slightly. It is a minor annoyance and no problem. You want the performance from lighter pistons and long rods, you'll have to live with it! Frank