As engines age and wear, one of the first things You'll notice is lifter noise coming from the engine. In the case of the Chevrolet Tahoe (and other vehicles with large engines), this is just a fact of life. It comes from under-lubricated lifters slapping against other internal parts of the engine. In larger engines, it takes a few moments for the oil to circulate through. As this happens over time, the lifters become worn. One thing You can do to help mitigate the effects of this is to use high-mileage oil in high-mileage vehicles -- the oil is designed with a purpose. While it won't completely eliminate Your noise, it should dampen it and potentially only limit it to startup.
I solved this on mine last year after 4 years of chasing lifer noise. There is a rubber seal on the oil pump that goes bad and allows the pump to s**k up air. (Like a broken straw and milk shake). If you want to diagnose it. Put thick oil in. If it gets louder, it’s the seal on your pickup. A$5 part and a few hour fix. It’s not the lifters, the rockers, it’s literally $5
Michael A.
April 9, 2020
Some causes of startup noises in a chevy tahoe are from the valve lifter. This ticking sound is caused by the valve lifters, which are filled with oil during engine operation.
The Questions and Answers on this page are the statements and opinions of their respective authors and not VehicleHistory.com. VehicleHistory.com
does not research or authenticate any of the Answers provided.