1999 Chevy Suburban Sounds like an fan hitting something at

FLABUS1

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
126,000 MILES

First thing in the morning when I start my Suburban there is a noise up-front that sounds like the fan hitting something in the engine compartment?

Actually, I think it's something internal, like oil not getting up in the engine? It only happens once a day or anytime the truck is let to stand more that 8 hours.

The oil pressure gauge goes right up to the 3/4 mark till the engine warms up, then will hover between the 1/4 to 1/2 mark. The temp gauge stays right at the 1/4 mark when warmed up and never goes farther. So I'm guessing the motor is not over-heating?

I recently (last week) had the oil changed with a new filter.

3 Replies

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,395 POSTS

My first thought, without hearing the noise, is you have a valve lifter that's bleeding down after the truck sits for a period of time. This is not uncommon on GM engines. If I am correct, it is usually only one lifter that causes the noise, but out of 16, which one is it? If it is a noisy lifter, the only sure fix is to replace them all. This can be an expensive repair to cure something that is basically just an irritating noise. Rarely does it cause a problem unless it gets so bad that it causes a cylinder to misfire. Hope this helps.