3.2L LA3 Engine with Abnormal Upper Tick Noise - exhaust filter loud oil

When servicing the vehicle with the VIN you entered, the following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms.

3.2L (LA3) engine with an abnormal upper tick noise (louder than a like engine)

Complete the published diagnostics for the concern of an abnormal upper engine tick noise and no trouble is found, prior to intrusive investigation of the source of the noise, complete the following steps.

1. Start the engine and allow to idle until it reaches operating temperature.
2. Raise the engine up to 2800 RPM and then maintain this RPM for 15 minutes.
3. Let the engine cool down (at or below a CTS reading of 140°F).
4. Repeat steps 1, 2, 3.
5. Evaluate for the noise condition; if the abnormal engine tick noise is still present, repeat steps 1, 2, 3. If the abnormal engine tick noise is no longer abnormal, go to step 7.
6. If the abnormal engine tick noise is still present, go to step 8.
7. Change the engine oil and replace the oil filter and again run the engine one last time at 2800 RPM, for 15 minutes to ensure the valve lifters are pumped up.
8. If the abnormal engine tick noise is still present, refer to SI to further diagnose the engine noise.

Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms.