Engine Ticking Noise When Cold

Diagnose and fix Engine Ticking Noise When Cold

GM service bulletin addresses Engine Ticking Noise When Cold

GM has issued a service bulletin #10-06-01-007D to address Engine Ticking Noise When Cold on the vehicles listed below. The ticking noise appears when the engine has been off for more than 2-hours. The tick noise may last from two seconds to ten minutes.

Cause of ticking noise

GM has determined that the noise can be caused by any of the following:

• Aerated oil in the valve lifter body, resulting in the valve lifter being unable to purge the air  quickly.

• A low engine oil level or incorrect oil viscosity.

• Dirty or contaminated oil.

• A low internal valve lifter oil reservoir level.

• Debris in the valve lifter.

• A high valve lifter leak down rate.

Vehicles affected

2007 Buick Rainier

2009 Buick LaCrosse Super, Allure Super (Canada Only)

2007 Cadillac Escalade Built Prior to April 1, 2006 with 6.2L Engine RPO L92 (These engines were built with AFM Hardware but the AFM system was disabled)

2010-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT

2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

2007-2009 Chevrolet Impala

2007-2011 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer EXT

2010-2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS

2007-2011 GMC Envoy, Envoy XL, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali

2007-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix

2008-2009 Pontiac G8

2007-2009 Saab 9-7X

Equipped with AFM (Active Fuel Management) and V8 Engine RPO L76, L94, L99, LC9, LFA, LH6, LMG, LS4, LY5 or LZ1

Fix engine ticking noise

Start by inspecting oil level and oil condition. If you determine the engine oil is more than one quart low, the oil viscosity is wrong, or the oil is in poor condition change the oil and filter.  Wait until the engine is cold, or at least 2-hours. Then start the engine

If the ticking sound is present with new

Active Fuel Management Valve Lifter

oil and filter, replace all 8 active fuel management (AFM) valve lifters.

©, 2018 Rick Muscoplat