Strange V8 Engine Sounds Are Normal, Says GM
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One of the scariest moments for any vehicle owner is when their engine begins making weird noises. Lately, a few GM V8s have been making several different noises, including chirps, squeaks or sputters, concerning many owners. Now, an article on GM TechLink says these noises are normal.
There are four common sounds produced by the affected engines:
- Catalyst light off – occurs on start, where spark timing is retarded for rapid catalyst converter warm-up, and may last roughly 30 seconds. Notably, this warm-up sequence is not triggered on all start-ups, as the vehicle must have sat for an hour or longer.
- Engine restart – following complete engine shutdown coasting down to 14 mph, spark timing is retarded to prevent engine overspeed/torque bump. This noise lasts only abut a second.
- Auto-start – at the end of an engine stop/start shutdown, spark timing is retarded to prevent engine overspeed/torque bump. This noise lasts only abut a second.
- Throttle blip – a light blip of the throttle while in park/neutral results in spark timing being reduced to prevent engine overspeed. This sound is hardly noticeable and hard to reproduce.
The 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine and the 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine are known to produce these peculiar noises under various conditions. These engines are found in some 2019-2023 Chevy Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Sierra HD, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade models. Notably, these sounds are much more noticeable in the L87 and L8T engines than in the 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine.
It’s worth noting that comparing these noises to other, similar vehicles is not recommended, as the noises may be different from one vehicle to another. This could result in unnecessary repairs, as the sounds are a normal characteristic of a healthy, operating engine. Replacing the engine or internal components in an attempt to fix the sounds will not reduce or eliminate them.
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How Many Times Have We Heard That Excuse From GM….Mine Started With The Vega GT.
New and improved! Take it to your dealer, “Oh that’s normal”, until the warranty runs out. Yeah!
I think this is completely insane!! I payed 66.000 for a 2022 Silverado TB 6.2L and this truck sounds like a 1980s Oldsmobile… I am extremely disappointed with GM on this. I would have never bought this truck if I would have known this was a NORMAL PROBLEM, considering it took 2 mounts before it started squealing like a pig.. GM needs to to the right thing and compensate there customer’s on this embarrassing noise from a brand new truck.
Remember the days when you could stand next to your car with engine warmed up and not be able to hear it running? Have we really progressed?
Thank you so much CARB
Haha, so we know who bought a truck for the image. Embarrassing, all the new tech they are able to do things to make them safer on themselves.
You didn’t spend enough, if you had spent 70k you would have had a smooth-running quiet truck. People like you make me laugh, buys a truck for the image and makes sure they tell everyone how entitled they are by stating because they spent XX price they deserve XX. Guess what, that is a normal vehicle price these days, you aren’t special.
Let me guess, you would cry about squeaking brakes on a performance car with performance brakes huh? Porsche put out memos about that, probably directed at like-minded people like you.
Please just stop posting…
you can take your opinion, and F@#k off Commonsense !!!! Maybe get your facts strait before you start assuming things!
I would complain about squeaky performance brakes on a performance car. Regardless of what Porsche put out, it’s due to inferior parts, improper installation or break-in. You are the one that should stop posting. It’s a terrible post.
Sounds like driving your old beater has caused some envy. Seriously, this is a “grown ups” forum. There’s simply no need to act like you are on Twitter or Farcebook. If you’ve got nothing nice to say then go use social media. Don’t lose your cool or class here, thanks. P.S. BE NICE.
Commonsense: climb back in your hole little troll. (and you should really reconsider your choice of username)
Your comment did not in any way reflect the tone of the original poster. Look at the replies and live and learn.
Whats’s wrong with an 80’s Oldsmobile?
Not much unless you have the diesel
66K for a truck? You got ripped off big time
I would purchase the extended warranty just in case. Too bad GM did away with the 100k drivetrain warranty, that helped sell lots of vehicles.
In the owners manual for the 5.7 Hemi engine reads that a Hemi will make more noise than other types of V8’s. There are plenty of articles about the Hemi Tick. Most are normal, others are exhaust manifold bolts breaking or lifter failure. I have a RAM and no tick yet my brother’s Ram has had it since day one but it is very mild with 60,000 miles on the truck. My 6.2L LT1 in my Camaro has no noises but at idle in park it sometimes seems a little loud but it is normal lifter and combustion noises. Aluminum blocks and heads transfer noise more easily than the old heavy iron.
Yeah I have the 2.4 in my 2009 g-6 and you might mistake it for a diesel but I bought it new and it’s been and still is a great car. My 4.3 v-6 has a bit of lifter tick at 70k but holds great oil pressure so no worries.
I left my XTS on by mistake twice. No, I’m not loosing it. It’s that quiet.
My 22 C8 HTC made a shuttering sound a couple of days ago rolling down a slight incline, at just a couple of MPH approaching stop sign. Sound went away after about 5 seconds and not again since that one time. Sounded like it came from the transmission. It also happened a few days after I had my 7500 mile first service. I also asked at that service if they added transmission fluid and was told no as the fluid flows through the filter but, not contained. Tomg
They knew they were building crap.
GM has been putting out quality products lately let’s continue to support and spend our money with them please .
Not sure but I think that’s sarcasm…
If you’re waiting 7500 miles to service your vehicle won’t make it to 75K miles, with todays oils 5K is max.
That is just flat out false. Oils today are far superior and 7500 is well with in specs. I can’t even think of an engine from any manufacturer that wouldn’t make it to 75k with 7500 mile oil change intervals. Lets not spread false information that you pass off as your opinion, that mis leads people…
@commonsense, isn’t what you said just your opinion as well?
Welcome to the world of in this case I would disagree with you EPA requirements push those long interchange intervals. But facts are facts and a lot acadia’s traverses CTS is all ended up on stretch timing chains and big timing change jobs due to too far apart interval oil changes 7500 is just too far to go. Speaking from experience as a GM Master Tech for 25 years. In GM’s own bulletins they cite excessive oil change intervals and ECM reprograms to change the service engine oil soon mileage intervals
The oils are far better, metallurgy is better and universality of fuel injection in modern engines have given us extended drain intervals. Do whatever you want with your money but if you’re changing your oil in a modern engine at 5,000 miles, unless you’re driving less than 5,000 miles per year, you’re a fool.
You couldn’t be more incorrect. Oils today are far more advanced as well as some filters. Not all oils and filters are created equal. I’m at 20,000 mile oil change on my 07 Dodge diesel. Over 200,000 miles and good oil samples. I’m also at 15,000 mile oil change on my 04 Tahoe with almost 230,000 miles.
5k on gas engines for me, oil is cheap but engine parts are expensive.
If you use high quality synthetics and the appropriate filters you can quit wasting tons of money and creating tons of pollution 30,000 mi on an oil change and filters with Amsoil products are the average and the environment needs advancements like this but you won’t hear this from Pennzoil or any of the other big names investigate it for yourself save some time money and most importantly the mechanicals of your vehicle
Sometimes these people without knowledge or experience just like to spend money but I’m right there with you synthetic oil and quality filters have gone a long ways towards reducing waste and wasted time and happy to see that someone else knows what they’re talking about!
That all depends on the oil, but for the most part too are regurgitating oil company sales B.S. Driving habits and environment ALSO has much to do with oil life. I ONLY use Amsoil and Amsoil extended life filters and NEVER change my oil OR filter before 30,000 MILES. And for example ones rig is a1990 Chevy ones ton non overdrive with 4.11 gears and the stock 454 went 285,000 miles before it needed many gaskets replaced but the mechanicals are still going strong. If you buy the right oil and filters you can do this with most vehicles. And I DO know where of I speak. Amsoil synthetics save much time and money for the incredible returns given. Many will likely dispute what I have posted here and I DON’T CARE. PROOF IS IN THE SERVICE LIFE. I have NOTHING TO GAIN FROM LYING. I DON’T WORK FOR THEM, I just appreciate what they put out. PLEASE investigate before going all out on just my say so. You may spend twice as much on the oil but TEN times the life is still a FIVE FOLD RETURN. Hey that out of your Pennzoil I dare you!
I wouldn’t personally go that far on a maintenance pull but I agree with you 100% on Amsoil makes a damn great product! Congrats on the the Big Block service life. She still spinnin?
Extended warranty anyone!!!???
Guess what! The extended warranties max out. 2017 Chevy Suburban here. Have new engine. Have new transmission. Despite regular recommended maintenance, I have had all kinds of work done on the vehicle. It has been in the shop enough to equate to a span of a years time. If I hear, “all but a recall” one more time. Best part is when the dealership tells you GM is putting out crap. Noted. This is the the worst vehicle I have ever owned.
Combustion engines make noises, that’s what they do. They have several hundred moving parts. If GM says the noises are normal there isn’t much more that can be done until something actually fails. That’s just the way ALL automakers play the game these days with their warranties.
If you want silent running, get an EV.
But be sure to carry fire extinguishers, I have an electric golf cart that was silent. Now after 5 years the motor and gear train whine while driving. None of these EVs have been out long enough for the gears to wear, it will start making noise.
Bob – I’ve been driving plug-ins since 2011. That’s 11 years…. My 2012 Volt – (over 11 years old now since it was purchased in 2011) still has a dead silent
planetary transmission and a very well behaved 4 cylinder backup engine.
The 2 BOLTs I have owned (including a current one) has a very beefy double reduction gearing (to allow a low-cost high speed motor with an overall reduction of around 8:1) looks to me – with a 200 hp motor to be the equal of 400 hp tesla gearboxes – the ones that “murmer”. During hard acceleration, you never hear anything straining.
Therefore, it seems likely the gearbox (just 4 helical gears and a jackshaft) should last at least 300,000 miles in normal driving.
Even with the battery recall issue – you’ve got about as much likelihood of having a fire in a BOLT as being struck by lightning… Most people would take that gamble. And all the ‘fire-starter’ jokes here will be gone once all the suspect batteries are replaced free-of-charge.
Tesla of course, gets a pass on the multitudinous fires and explosions all their vehicles have had.
Sounds like a lot of CARB/EPA induced and mandated BS. If GM could actually let the engines just run, these things wouldn’t even exist.
Catalyst warm-up? Forced engine shutoffs and restarts? All CARB/EPA malarkey adding tech and wear to your vehicle.
EPA wants that cat hot IMMEDIATELY! Don’t you know that you’re killing the environment with that extra 2-3 minutes of normal cat warming time?!
If you’re CAT isn’t hot right away your killing baby seals and making Prince William cry in one of his 4 castles….
04..5.3 Silvy.250k miles 1/2 qt every 5k miles, oil looks like new..ffwd 11 -5.3 99k miles never mind 4k miles and better change it, down to 13mpg SMH# f lifter bypass lol(dod/afm)
I have never heard any strange noises from my L8T. Yeah
I thought they stopped making citations years ago…..? Bring back the classics…….. problem s
GM builds the best cars and trucks in the WORLD. No DOUBT.
More excuses for poor builds!!!
These new engines are built to levels and degrees that we have never seen in production engines.
Just look at the new engines we have today in the trucks. They are built to a level much higher than many race engines of just 20 years ago. We used to brag about 4 bolt mains and the like where today we have more main bolts and they even bolt in from the side to give the blocks more rigidity than ever.
You want to know why automakers have taken up the Ev. One the regulations have forced them into it. With the added engineering and tech to make a ICE clean it is not just ever increasing the cost but the complexity.
Todays engines are marvels. My turbo was a daily driver for 10 years with 23 pounds of boost and never an issue. 300 HP from 2.0 liters. But there is just so much more to make noise and go wrong as they get older.
Look at some of these cars like a Dodge Stealth. They can cost much more to repair than they are worth. They are just an example of a car that is in an ever increasing group of models that just are too expensive to restore or preserve.
Times have changed and the way things were have changed. Some for the better and some for the worse.
Gone are the days of engineered failure, billet parts And tighter tolerances along with a greater sense of pride on top of competition y results in better parts AND performance
Time to get caught up and come to the realization that the engines today have a ton of things on them that do and sound different from the old 350 Gen 1 most of you only know.
With all these new tech items like direct injection, AFM and Cam Timing these things all make noise.
Get to some of the Turbo engines on start up you get a loud air rush of sound but it stops 30 seconds in as this is where the wastegate opens and the first few seconds run with the boost in by pass. It sounds horrible but it is what makes things work.
Too many of you are just so far behind on all the trick and Rube Goldberg parts they have to use to get ICE to meet MPG and Emissions today.
Yes they could cut all this tech out but then you would have a 75 HP 3 cylinder if you were lucky.
Best to have an informed opinion vs a just random ignorant rants.
My 2.0 Turbo had thing noise that sounded like a slamming metal door and a ball bearing dropping. They all did it.
Exactly, all these negative comments are just misinformed elders stuck in their old ways. Things have changed, the new tech makes things a little noisier at times but is completely safe. Yet these are still quieter than anything pre 00’s idling or running.
Our 1955 Oldsmobile 324 Rocket V8 runs very quietly; it’s really quite amazing.
Yup and the Ford in-line 6’s truly did run like sewing machines when tuned, timed, and carburetored properly. These young guys just never had that experience. No computer assist, just good old fashioned manual super-tune.
But it stands a chance in hell of meeting todays regulations as it was. Also the lifters were a pain to get out as they would mushroom and make it hard to pull out with a puller. Then the rockers would tick.
I know, just reminiscing a bit from my early days.
Memories are often better than reality.
Computer assist results in better running greater efficiency and an almost doubled power output. And it won’t stink on startup. Old tech CAN’T EVER COMPARE!
Excellent engine. I remember the ol trucks havin the bulldog gear too. Your tellin our age ol buddy. Hey, you can’t leave Buick’s 3800 outta this convo either. Equally as near perfectly engineered and well balanced as Ford’s straightline 6. Two of the finest engines right here that have or ever will be produced! GD were old bro…it happened!!!😆😥
Dustin, about age! Growing up in the 1960’s, for summer fun, friends and I would sit on the front porch and guest what cars was coming down the street before you could see it. Chevy, Ford and Chrysler’s six cylinder engines with solid lifters all had an unique noise. It was a lot of fun.
I was totally born a generation or two too late. I’m just 40 but an old soul for sure. Cool story pops. Thx for sharin that sir.
My wife says I make a lot of strange noises too. C’est la vie…
Are you still under warranty?
My warranty lapsed long ago, otherwise I would have my bald spots repaired and my eyes replaced.
Haha me too!
You ROCK your comments and responses have me running to the bathroom least my continued laughter causes this old man to lose bladder containment conditions causing premature waste release resulting in contemplation of purchasing some depends.🤪😜🤣🤣🤣
I’m also curious on how much of this is now heard because of the lack of hood insulation for these vehicles.
You want quiet – buy an EV and quit whining … just kidding.
Oil is crucial on startup and is necessary to reduce mechanical noises for ICE.
You ROCK your comments and responses have me running to the bathroom least my continued laughter causes this old man to lose bladder containment conditions causing premature waste release resulting in contemplation of purchasing some depends.🤪😜🤣🤣🤣
Cracked heads every valve rattles oil leaks every time. Chevrolet
Ain’t that the truth.
You want quiet? Buy an EV and quit “whining”🤣🤣🤣 that’s funny!!
Lifters fail, “GM Bulletin: It’s normal for lifters to fail at anytime, good luck.”
Performance brakes squeal until they are hot
My Chevy 4.3 V6 hold good old pressure 40 pounds 223000 miles