So I just bought this truck a few weeks ago... love it, 2000 silverado1500 ext cab., 5.3. I changed the oil and filter have replaced 6 quarts and still show a quart low.
I have recently had a "ticking/light knock" (hopefully up top) thinking a rocker or push rod (fingers crossed) took a quart out, added a quart Hyper Lube (works wonders on my toyota) and the noise is still just as audible if not louder as time goes by.... I used 10-40 oil at 6 quarts... is that 6 quarts plus 1 for filter or 6 all together?... Is there a common problem with the 5.3?
Just a lil frustrated, you know, fresh purchase... (don't even get me started on the mixed tools 1/2 sae 1/2 metric...ugghh)
any help or input at all would help.. And Hello I am a newbie from Tn!!!
Wanting to get everything lined out and feel secure before doing some mild mods.... thanks
Blake

 

did I mention this is one of the best if not THE, that I have had for ride and handling.... pretty damn fast too

 

Ive never had that issue.
I know its gonna be a silly question, but did you put 6 quarts in it or just a 5qt jug?

Ive changed the oil in my truck for 9 years now and gotten so use to it that i never check it after a change. Just dump 6qts in and go.

It could be the injectors making noise. Or just could be some valvetrain noise.
You could pull a valve cover and check it out.
Theres gonna be some lovely piston slap on something of that age, how many miles on it?

 

Mines a 2000 also and havent seen a single SAE bolt yet. Ive plenty of hours of wrench time in it too.
Where are you finding SAE stuff?

 

you know... I dont know that I have , aside from the plugs 5/8...lol... the 10mm on the cover then the odd sized metrics.. like the 13 (which is common on U.S. but not on foreign that Ive had 12 and 14 mostly there) anyway.
150k it seems pretty noisy this evening... it is at its worst when its cold, seems to all but disappear when she gets to operating temp... I figure this weekend I'll go ahead and pull the valve covers and see whats up in there... hoping a rocker arm nut maybe backed off... but.... who knows.....
Thanks

 

at 6 quarts....do I add another for the filter or is it included?.... what weight oil are you using?... do they handle heavier weight oil well?... I might run up to 20-50 and see if it quiets down a bit.

 

Capacity is 6 quarts including the filter.

 

Yep. 6qts with filter.
Noise sounds like piston slap when its cold. Normal.

What state you live in?
Down here in MS all ive ever used is 5w-30.

 

Yep.....sounds like piston slap......completly normal for the range of model years. Mine does the same thing. Don't worry it won't effect longevity. Mine has 250k on it and has piston slapped since day one. I take it easy when its really cold until it warms up. No problem.

 

O.K., I am in complete wonder.... This week was a Q and a half low, no smoke, no drip, no smell.... P.C.V. ?....really confused... I have had vehicles use an amount of oil before but always had tell tell signs of usage (smoke, smell, drip...etc...)...hmmm... I am wondering...does anyone know of any problems with over consumption through the intake by way of PCV?... thats all I can think but still thought I would smell it.