# Loud ticking on a cold start

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/loud-ticking-on-a-cold-start/38837>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, start, 1500\
**Created:** [October 31, 2009, 9:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/loud-ticking-on-a-cold-start/38837 "2009-10-31T09:42:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Markd6091](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Markd6091](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Markd6091)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 9:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/loud-ticking-on-a-cold-start/38837/1 "2009-10-31T09:42:08Z")

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I have a 2003 chevy silverado with a 4.8 L V8. On a cold start up lately I have had a loud ticking sound that sounds like I coming from the engine. The odd thing though is that also lately the add coolant light has been coming on also sk I am assuming there is a leak somewhere but don’t see it on the ground or smell it and after I add more coolant then the ticking sound usually goes away for a while and comes back when the add coolant warning comes on again.  
  
 Any ideas what it might be?

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 12:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/loud-ticking-on-a-cold-start/38837/2 "2009-10-31T12:46:59Z")

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You have a leak somewhere if you need to keep adding coolant. GM’s have a habit of having intake manifold leaks where the coolant leaks into the engine and is burned in the cylinders. A simple cooling system pressure test can see if the cooling system is sound.