5.5
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $4,340
- Average Mileage:
- 97,000 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 40 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (26 reports)
- complete engine replacement (9 reports)
- engine rebuild (2 reports)
- new pistons (2 reports)
- switched to 5-30W oil (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
There is a knock in the motor when it's cold, GM tells me it's called piston slap.It's getting progressively worse & may cause problems down the road.There are many people I know with the same knock with the 5.3 & 6.0L engines. The question is with thousands of vehicles with this problem why is there no recall?.
- Marc J., Dunnville, Ontario, Canada
I bought this Silverado new. It started the engine knock when starting up after sitting for several hours around Feb. 2006. I asked a friend who races Chevys and he said that seems to be a problem with this engine. This pickup now has 57,000 miles and it's getting worse. I added the new Lucas oil additive but has not made any difference. After sitting for 3 days without starting there was a bad vibration for several seconds, once it went away the knock replaced it. Once the engine idles for about a minute it goes away. Will try the 5-30w oil and see if that helps. Otherwise I'll complain to the dealer I bought it from and see what they say.
- Louis O., Bellevue, WA, US
Engine knock when cold, really knocks when its colder, Goes away after a few minutes, everyone I know who has a silverado has the same problem. Major problem because I can't sell the truck. Started at around 100,000 miles and now has 170,000. Does seem to becoming more pronounced on startup. Will try different oil viscosities to try to lessen noise
- Austin M., Rogue River, OR, US
I understand why no one buys American anymore. GM and FORD just do not know how to make a car. They are the reason the US is going tits up.
- Ed P., St Paul, MN, US
While I was hoping to get many years of Service from my 2000 Silverado 5.3L engine, instead I fine myself wonder if I�ll make it another 1000 miles. The noise coming from the engine during cold starts is embarrassing. Sounds typical of a diesel engine now fill the cab each time I start my truck. I am totally disgusted with this problem.
- Larry J., Hampton, TN, US
Engine had a lifter type noise when cold. I have a Ford V10 and it uses 5-30w versus 10-30w per manufacturer's directions. The logic is that the top end needs lighter oil at startup. Tried on my Silverado and it significantly helped.
- Joel S., San Jose, CA, US
noise does not in any way have any detrimental damage (as my mileage), is caused from a skirtless piston (DESIGNED FOR MORE EFFICIENCY, NOW THAT SO MUCH COMPLAINING HAS OCCURRED PUBLIC WIDE, HAS BEEN REMOVED. CAUSING MORE FUEL CONSUMPTION. THANKS!!!) I would start my truck and leave for anywhere in the USA, any time. It has been maintained for regular maintenance only (still no front end components, transmission, engine or electric repairs).
- biggfoot0777, 3955 Oconto Ave, FL, US
At around 15,000 miles, the engine started knocking noticeably, especially during light acceleration between 30 and 60 mph, and has persisted ever since. The engine seems to perform normally, but the knocking is very annoying. Friends think that I have an old diesel engine under the hood. Bad design, GM.
- Gunther Z., Orlando, FL, US
always startup knock -seized up -#7 piston fried tore out the hole -- replaced with low mile engine of same year & model truck (trying to keep as close to orig. as poss.) have the same startup knock developing very nicely as expected from an engine designed and manufactured by idiots obviously, because only complete idiots could lie to a $45,000 customers face saying that thats a fine truck and the knocking rattling engine is no problem because it does not seem to harm anything.. Ya RIGHT just the pride of the person for getting suckered by a company thatuses denial as a first line of defence for a lemon line of engines in their trucks. Well my little rattle had developed into a full grown fried piston , hole and crankshaft. I use 100% synthetic oil and the new oil filter that retains pressure for startups, and my replacement engine is starting to knock now and I wonder how long until this plant grenades due to their no problem skirt rattle or what ever. It's a good thing I have a spare 2001 ford 4x4 to drive while the silverado is down for repairs
- Rick W., Fruitvale, B. C, Canada
When starting engine at cold start i start hear a slapping sound coming from the motor. had checked and is engine slap. gm should recall and fix.
- Damien H., Suiusn City, CA, US
I HAVE A 2000 CHEVY SILVERADO AND I HAVE A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN I START IT UP IN SUMMER OR WINTER. IT ONLY LAST FOR 10 TO 20 SECONDS. IT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD WHEN YOUR FRIENDS AROUND AND SAY HEY MAN THATS A NICE TRUCK. AND YOU GO TO START IT AND IT START KNOCKING. AND THEY SAY WHATS THAT KNOCKING NOISE. I THINK CHEVROLET SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. I ONLY HAVE 110,000 MILES
- keithnj, Clifton, NJ, US
When starting the vehicle there is a knock in the engine. Very annoying and should be replaced by GM.
- Donald H., Limestone, TN, US
On my 2000 Silverado, I started noticing a knocking in the engine when I first start up the truck. After about a minute or two, the knocking stops. I have kept my oil changed every 5000 miles and have babied the truck since I got it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
- John L. M., Pine Bluff, AR, US
I have experienced engine knock or piston slap as I have read about with my 2000 Silverado 5.3L V8. The truck drives and handles well. I have never had any problems with it. The engine knock happens on cold mornings and usually lasts up to 3 minutes. After that, it's fine.
This is the third Chevy I have owned. I have never had any trouble with any of the trucks. I bought this truck used as I have with the previous trucks. I purchased this truck with the idea of fixing it up, maintaining it, and preserving it. Now, I don't know if I should keep it or not. Could someone give me advice on what I should do? What is the most effective, inexpensive means of correcting the problem? After reading about so many complaints, this should be handled and corrected by GM.
- super22chadga, Patterson, GA, US
I bought a Chevy Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 v8, i did some looking around before i bought it thought that it would be a good truck since it was a chevy. But after a while i got to notice the engine knock and its a knock. The truck has got good oil which i check every day. Its is annoying and embarrassing. The engine knocks hard for about 20-30 seconds. The more i look on the web about this there is complaints everywhere about this problem. I tried to take it to the dealer I got it from and he said that he had other chevy trucks that sounded like it the same year. Which made me feel real good about it. And a friend of mine was a chevy mechanic and he said there are tons of same problem out there cause chevy wants to be cheap, yet they dont want to do a thing about it.
- Levi Evert F., Pittsfield, IL, US
this seems to be typical of the 2000 year models. I probably won't buy another Chevrolet because of this.
- Earnie D., Vancouver, WA, US
Excessive knocking on cold starts and continued although less after warm-up. Did not hinder driving. Self-diagnosis: piston or wrist pin noise. Took to dealer - they agreed with diagnosis and upon disassembly of engine, confirmed excessive piston-to-bore clearances. Only possible fix is re-bore and piston replacement or new short block. We went with short block. Upon further review, GM has done away with piston skirts in cost saving effort, therefore, if piston-to-bore specifications are even a little out, piston will wobble in bore causing even more excessive wear and eventual engine failure. Piston slap is a known problem by GM however, what the fix is you have to deal with GM.
- thompsonj, Michigan City, IN, US
KNOCKING AT START UP FOR 10-20 SECS SOUNDS LIKE OIL STARVED RATTLE BUT GM SAYS ITS PISTON SLAP, WHATEVER IT IS, IT CAN NOT BE GOOD FOR THE ENGINE. I HAVE NOTICED A METAL FUZZ STARTING ON THE DRAIN PLUG WHEN CHANGING MY SYNTHETIC OIL. VERY CONCERNED FOR MY $35K TRUCK
- Raymon D., Palatine, IL, US
Engine makes a knocking noise when cold. GM is aware of the problem, they have had thousands of complaints but refuse to fix the problem. For any one concerned GM calls it piston slap.
- Marc J., Dunnville, Ontario, Canada
same knocking noise as everyone else, bad when cold, never totally goes away when warm, check how many exhaust manifold bolts are broke off, mine is three.
- Henry S., South Saint Paul, MN, US