Why Your 2019 Silverado is Making a Grinding Noise (And What It Will Cost)

How to Fix Grinding Noise

A grinding noise in your 2019 Chevrolet Silverado is a serious symptom that demands immediate attention. Based on real owner experiences, this sound is often a precursor to catastrophic and expensive failures, primarily linked to the engine's internal components and lubrication system. Ignoring it can lead to complete engine failure, as one owner tragically learned: "The jolt was violent enough for a split second I thought I got rear ended or ran over large debris on the road. The truck was in the shop for almost a month for a rebuild which cost just under $9,000 out of pocket." This guide will walk you through the symptoms, the most likely causes based on owner reports, and the critical steps you need to take to diagnose and address the problem before it costs you thousands.

Symptoms

Owners of the 2019 Silverado with the 5.3L V8 have reported a range of alarming symptoms that often accompany or precede a grinding noise. The most critical symptom is a sudden, violent jolt or shudder from the drivetrain, which feels like a severe impact. This is frequently the moment a major internal failure occurs. Immediately following such an event, you may experience a complete loss of power or the engine may stall.

Closely related to grinding are other auditory warnings. A persistent ticking noise, especially from the top end of the engine, is a common red flag reported by owners. This often points directly to valvetrain issues, such as failing lifters. Additionally, a high-pitch squeal noise can sometimes be present, which may be related to accessory belt-driven components but should be investigated in conjunction with other symptoms. Perhaps the most dire dashboard warning is the "low oil pressure stop immediately" alert. As one owner described, "This time I was coming back from town... a dashboard banner warning came up saying 'low oil pressure stop immediately' I pulled into my driveway and turned it off immediately." This warning is a last-ditch effort by your truck's computer to save the engine and is a sure sign of catastrophic lubrication failure, which will produce grinding sounds as metal contacts metal without oil.

Other supporting symptoms include overheating, which can be caused by a failing water pump (a part mentioned by owners) or by the extreme friction of internal components grinding together. Fluid leaks, particularly oil leaks, are also a concern as they can lead to the low oil pressure conditions that cause grinding. It’s important to note that these symptoms don't always happen in isolation; a ticking sound can quickly escalate to a grinding noise if the underlying cause isn't addressed.

Most Likely Cause

Based on the aggregated data from 2019 Silverado owners, the single most likely cause of a grinding noise in the 5.3L V8 engine is catastrophic internal engine failure due to lifter and camshaft wear. This is not a simple fuel system hiccup or a loose bracket; it is a severe mechanical breakdown. The design of the Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) systems in these engines has been linked to premature lifter failure. When a lifter collapses or fails, it no longer properly follows the camshaft lobe. This causes the lifter to hammer against the camshaft, leading to rapid wear on the camshaft itself. The resulting metal shavings then circulate through the engine oil, destroying bearings and other critical components. The "grinding" is the sound of these damaged components—camshaft, lifters, bearings—scraping and tearing themselves apart under load. As one owner seeking advice confirmed, "recently my lifters and camshaft went out," which is the precise failure mode that generates grinding noises and leads to quotes for entirely new engines.

How to Diagnose

Diagnosing a grinding noise requires a methodical and cautious approach, as running the engine in a damaged state can turn a repair into a replacement. Your first step is to listen carefully. Try to isolate where the noise is coming from: front of the engine (accessories), top of the engine (valvetrain), or bottom (rotating assembly). Use a mechanic’s stethoscope (a long screwdriver pressed carefully against your ear works in a pinch) to pinpoint the source, but do not get near moving belts.

The most critical diagnostic step is to check your engine oil immediately. Pull the dipstick and check the level. Then, wipe the oil on a clean, white paper towel or rag. Look for any metallic glitter or flakes in the oil. The presence of metal particles is a definitive sign of internal wear and confirms the grinding is coming from inside the engine. Next, check for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) with an OBD2 scanner. While a grinding mechanical failure may not always set a code, you might see codes related to misfires (P0300-P0308) from the dead cylinder caused by a collapsed lifter, or even a cam/crank correlation code.

If the noise is present and you suspect internal damage, do not drive the vehicle. The next level of diagnosis requires professional tools and expertise. A mechanic will likely perform a compression test or a more advanced relative compression test using a scan tool to see if a cylinder has lost compression due to valvetrain failure. In severe cases, the only true diagnosis is a visual inspection, which requires removing the valve covers or even the oil pan to assess the damage to the camshaft, lifters, and bearings. This is a labor-intensive process that often confirms the worst.

Step-by-Step Fix

Fixing a grinding noise caused by lifter and camshaft failure is a major engine repair. This is not a typical DIY job for most, but understanding the process is crucial. If you are a highly experienced shadetree mechanic with the right tools and space, here is an overview of the steps involved. For everyone else, this outlines what a professional will do.

Step 1: Secure the Vehicle and Disconnect the Battery. Park on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and disconnect the negative battery cable to disable the electrical system.

Step 2: Drain Fluids and Remove Engine Accessories. Drain the engine oil and coolant. You will need to remove the intake manifold, all accessory drive belts, the alternator, A/C compressor (without disconnecting lines if possible), and any other components blocking access to the valve covers and front timing cover.

Step 3: Remove the Valve Covers and Valley Cover. Once the top of the engine is exposed, remove both valve covers. On the 5.3L, you will also need to remove the intake manifold valley cover to access the lifters.

Step 4: Remove the Timing Chain Cover and Camshaft. To access and replace the camshaft, you must remove the front timing cover. This requires setting the engine to Top Dead Center (TDC) on cylinder #1, removing the crankshaft balancer, and then unbolting the cover. Once the timing chain is removed, the camshaft can be slid out of the engine block.

Step 5: Replace Faulty Components. This is the core of the repair. You will replace all 16 lifters (it is highly recommended to replace all, not just the failed ones), the camshaft, and all associated gaskets and seals. This is also the time to inspect and likely replace the timing chain, tensioner, and phaser(s), as well as all engine bearings if metal contamination is confirmed. A full oil pump replacement is also strongly advised. As one owner shared after a transmission service: "Only thing is I also put a PPE thermal bypass valve on and the temp has dropped a bunch." While for the transmission, this illustrates the mindset of addressing known weak points during major service.

Step 6: Reassemble and Prime the Engine. Carefully reassemble the engine in reverse order, using new gaskets for every surface. Before starting the engine, it is critical to prime the oil system. You can do this by removing the fuel pump fuse and cranking the engine for 10-15 seconds at a time (allowing the starter to cool) until oil pressure builds. Reconnect the battery and fuel system.

Step 7: Refill Fluids and Test. Refill with fresh engine oil and a new filter, and refill the coolant. Start the engine and listen carefully for any abnormal noises. Monitor oil pressure closely via the dashboard gauge or a mechanical tester. Expect some initial valve train noise as the lifters pump up, but any grinding or severe ticking indicates a problem.

Parts and Tools Needed

• Parts:
  • Camshaft Kit (GM OEM or quality aftermarket like Melling)
  • Lifter Kit (16x, non-AFM/DFM "delete" kits are popular but may require a tuner)
  • Complete Engine Gasket Set (Fel-Pro or GM)
  • Timing Chain Kit (includes chain, tensioner, guides, and phaser(s))
  • Oil Pump (Melling or GM)
  • Engine Bearings (Rod and Main bearing set)
  • Oil Filter & 8-10 quarts of Full Synthetic 5W-30 Oil
  • Coolant
• Tools:
  • Full mechanic’s tool set (sockets, wrenches, torx bits)
  • Torque Wrench (inch-lbs and ft-lbs)
  • Crankshaft Balancer Puller/Installer
  • Engine Support Bar or Hoist
  • Jack and Jack Stands
  • Oil Drain Pan
  • Mechanic’s Stethoscope
  • OBD2 Scanner

Real Owner Costs

The cost of addressing a grinding noise from engine failure is staggering, as confirmed by multiple owners. There are two paths: a complete engine replacement or an internal rebuild.

Engine Replacement: This is often the dealership's preferred solution for a severely damaged engine. One owner was quoted $16,000 for a new OEM 5.3L engine installed at a dealership after lifter and camshaft failure. This price includes the high cost of a new GM crate engine and significant labor.

Engine Rebuild: A rebuild is a slightly less expensive but still major repair. One owner reported a cost of just under $9,000 for a shop to rebuild his engine after a violent failure. This likely involved replacing the camshaft, lifters, bearings, and any other damaged components. The wide gap between $9k and $16k can depend on shop rates, the extent of the damage, and whether you use all new parts versus a remanufactured long block.

DIY Cost: If you have the skill, tools, and time to perform the lifter/camshaft replacement yourself, parts alone for a comprehensive fix (cam, lifters, timing set, gaskets, oil pump, bearings) can range from $1,500 to $2,500 for quality components. This represents massive savings but comes with immense risk and responsibility. There is no "cheap" fix for this problem.

Prevention

Preventing the lifter failure that leads to grinding noises is a top concern for 2019 Silverado owners. The most discussed preventive measure is performing regular and timely oil changes using full synthetic oil and a high-quality filter. Many owners recommend intervals of 5,000 miles or less, not the extended intervals the oil life monitor might suggest. Contaminated or old oil is a primary culprit in lifter failure.

Another popular, though more involved, preventive fix is an AFM/DFM disabler or "delete". This involves using a plug-in device (like a Range AFM Disabler) to prevent the engine from going into 4-cylinder mode, or performing a physical "delete" by replacing the AFM lifters with standard lifters, installing a new non-AFM camshaft, and tuning the engine computer. This is a major procedure but is considered a permanent solution. As one owner simply stated about their high-mileage truck, "110k miles strong on original motor and trans," which is a testament to either diligent maintenance or luck with the AFM system. Staying vigilant for early symptoms like a faint ticking noise and addressing it immediately can prevent a ticking sound from becoming a grinding catastrophe.

What Owners Say

Real experiences from CHEVROLET owners:

Owner Experiences

"Went from a 2019 Silverado RST to a 2023 Jeep Willys, and now I’m finally in my first Ram. I’ve only had it a short time, but I’m really loving this truck so far. 🚙🔥" — Interesting-Tree-914 (source)

"So I recently did a transmission fluid and filter change on my 2019 ld Silverado and it went great! Only thing is I also put a PPE thermal bypass valve on and the temp has dropped a bunch." — CMC_2003 (source)

"Only thing is I also put a PPE thermal bypass valve on and the temp has dropped a bunch. The weather in my area has also dropped a lot colder than it usually is, around 40s and 50s, which is definitely a factor in why my fluid is running cooler but im curious as to what is considered too cold?" — CMC_2003 (source)

Lessons Learned

⚠️ "Second failure happened about a week ago at roughly 105k miles (roughly 7k miles after the rebuild.) This time not as dramatic. This time I was coming back from town and literally 100 feet away from my driveway a dashboard banner warning came up saying “low oil pressure stop immediately” I pulled into my driveway and turned it off immediately." — Zachman97 (source)

Real Repair Costs

"The jolt was violent enough for a split second I thought I got rear ended or ran over large debris on the road. The truck was in the shop for almost a month for a rebuild which cost just under $9,000 out of pocket." — Zachman97 (source)

"16k for new 5.3 engine? So just wanted some advice from this sub Reddit is $16,000 expensive for a new OEM 5.3 engine for a 2019 Silverado recently my lifters and camshaft went out and that’s what the dealership decided to go with or should I look for a second option." — Salt-Associate2235 (source)

"So just wanted some advice from this sub Reddit is $16,000 expensive for a new OEM 5.3 engine for a 2019 Silverado recently my lifters and camshaft went out and that’s what the dealership decided to go with or should I look for a second option." — Salt-Associate2235 (source)

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to fix a grinding noise from engine failure? A: The repair time is extensive. A professional shop will likely have your truck for 2 to 4 weeks, as one owner experienced with their nearly month-long rebuild. The job involves disassembling a significant portion of the engine, machining or replacing parts, and careful reassembly. For a DIYer with experience, it could take several full weekends of work.

Q: Can I drive my Silverado with a grinding noise? A: Absolutely not. Driving with a grinding noise is the fastest way to turn a repairable engine into a boat anchor. The grinding indicates metal-on-metal contact. Every second the engine runs in this state causes exponentially more damage. As the owner data shows, the result can be a complete engine failure requiring a rebuild or replacement costing thousands. If you hear grinding, shut the engine off and have it towed.

Q: Is this a common issue on the 2019 Silverado? A: Yes, based on owner reports and discussions, lifter failure leading to camshaft damage and engine problems is a well-documented and common issue for the 5.3L V8 (and 6.2L) engines in this generation. It is frequently the "major issue" potential buyers are warned about. One new owner asked directly: "if there's any major issues I should worry about?" This lifter problem is the primary concern.

Q: DIY vs mechanic - what's recommended for this repair? A: For the vast majority of owners, this is a job for a professional mechanic or specialized shop. The complexity, required precision, and high stakes of an internal engine repair make it prohibitive for all but the most skilled DIYers. A mistake during reassembly can lead to instant engine destruction. The cost of professional labor is high, but it is justified by the expertise, warranty on work, and proper tools required. Attempting it yourself without certainty is a major financial risk.

Q: What should I do first if I hear a ticking sound? A: A ticking sound is your early warning. First, check your oil level and condition immediately. If the oil is low or dirty, change it. Many owners report that an early tick can sometimes be resolved with a fresh oil change if caught immediately. If the tick persists or changes, have it diagnosed by a trusted mechanic. It may be a failing lifter that can be addressed before it destroys the camshaft.

Q: Are there any technical service bulletins (TSBs) for this problem? A: While specific TSB numbers aren't provided in the owner quotes, General Motors has acknowledged valvetrain issues in these engines through various service updates. A dealership can check your VIN for any applicable bulletins or recalls. However, as the out-of-pocket costs from owners show, these updates often do not result in warranty coverage for high-mileage vehicles, making awareness and prevention critical.