Throaty Sound from engine bay

[tim5779]

I've always wanted to know what this sound was and how to get rid of it, but I didnt want to ask cause I dont wanna sound like a moron.  It only happens at low rpm.  It's almost like a deep gurgling sound.  I have a 2018 5.3, and my 2015 5.3 sounded the same.  So what the heck is it and how do you get rid of it? I'm wondering if its the giant batman air intake? Will the Airaid MIT take care of it? Its starting to drive me nuts.

[SS502]

11 minutes ago, tim5779 said:

I've always wanted to know what this sound was and how to get rid of it, but I didnt want to ask cause I dont wanna sound like a moron.  It only happens at low rpm.  It's almost like a deep gurgling sound.  I have a 2018 5.3, and my 2015 5.3 sounded the same.  So what the heck is it and how do you get rid of it? I'm wondering if its the giant batman air intake? Will the Airaid MIT take care of it? Its starting to drive me nuts.

You’re not gonna sound like a moron but is there any way to post a video? I’m not familiar with the sound your describing.

[tim5779]

I can try but I doubt my phone would pick it up.  Heres the kicker.  Both of the Sierras I've had are the elevation (base) model.  I drove an SLT and didnt notice it.  Hows that possible? 

[JimCost2014]

26 minutes ago, tim5779 said:

I've always wanted to know what this sound was and how to get rid of it, but I didnt want to ask cause I dont wanna sound like a moron.  It only happens at low rpm.  It's almost like a deep gurgling sound.  I have a 2018 5.3, and my 2015 5.3 sounded the same.  So what the heck is it and how do you get rid of it? I'm wondering if its the giant batman air intake? Will the Airaid MIT take care of it? Its starting to drive me nuts.

Ask questions, otherwise you do not know the answers, try starting here:

Hearing a bubbling or gurgling sound means that there’s fluid at work. The most common source of this sound is your coolant system, particularly if you have an expansion tank attached to your radiator.

These systems work a little differently than those on other vehicles. In a basic coolant system, the coolant is locked into the radiator, with nowhere to go as it heats. In a vehicle with an expansion tank, engineers have taken into account the natural expansion of fluid when it’s heated.

Your expansion tank is connected to the radiator, usually by a hose through the radiator cap, but sometimes in another location. As the coolant heats and expands, some of it spills over into the overflow tank. When the coolant cools and condenses, it moves into the radiator. Both of these can cause a gurgling or bubbling sound, and are completely normal.

However, there’s also the possibility that there is air trapped in the system. As the bubbles move with the flow of coolant, you hear the movement as a “gurgling”. This can be a problem – air trapped in the system can cause your car to overheat.

[tim5779]

I appreciate the info, but this sound is definitely coming from the engine itself.  It almost sounds like an exhaust drone, but from under the hood.  When you accelerate you just hear the roar of the engine.  But when you're cruising along at 50mph in 6th gear (low rpm) is when you notice it the most.  Its definitely either an intake or an exhaust sound...possibly coming from the headers? Hell I dont know, I just know that both trucks that i've owned had this exact same engine noise and they were bith brand new.

[2018GMC]

Does it only happen in V4? 

 

Try driving around in M5 (6speed) or M7 (8speed) and see if the sound goes away. This disables v4 and keeps your truck in v8. 

 

I could always tell when my truck was in V4 because of the odd exhaust note. 

Edited January 27, 2019 by 2009GMC

[tim5779]

13 minutes ago, 2009GMC said:

Does it only happen in V4? 

 

Try driving around in M5 (6speed) or M7 (8speed) and see if the sound goes away. This disables v4 and keeps your truck in v8. 

 

I could always tell when my truck was in V4 because of the odd exhaust note. 

Thats a good point and i did think of that, but i still hear the sound when accelerating at low rpm...like from a stop light.  Its only at low rpm, once you get above 2,000 or so it goes away.

[Emjay33]

Definitely experiencing your truck going into V4 mode as 2009GMC mentioned. 

[tim5779]

Guys read up.  I'm not trying to be disrespectful but its not V4.  V4 isnt active from a dead stop low rpm acceleration

[JimCost2014]

On 1/26/2019 at 5:43 PM, tim5779 said:

Thats a good point and i did think of that, but i still hear the sound when accelerating at low rpm...like from a stop light.  Its only at low rpm, once you get above 2,000 or so it goes away.

I know this is probably a stupid question, but you know where the V4 and V8 symbol is on your dash, correct? You will know if the noise is associated when it changes from 4 to 8. Like the above post suggests. 

Edited January 28, 2019 by JimCost2014

[tim5779]

I do...I wish it was just V4 cause I'd just tune it out

[RubWhore]

Bet its something like the noise our old 350 motors made when you flipped the air cleaner.

[Darksky]

Going to a cold air intake is going to add a very discernible sucking sound whenever you accelerate.  I know this doesn’t help answer your question, but it is worth noting.

[tim5779]

I just can't believe no one else has every noticed it.  Maybe it's because you guys have always driven Chevy's and are immune to it.  I switched from RAM 2 years ago.  I immediately noticed this sound in my 2015, and my 2018 has the same sound.  But as I said, the SLT (mine is the Elevation/Base model) that I test drove did not make this sound.  That's so weird.  I understand the SLT's have more upgrades, but what in the hell could they have added to the engine to not make it have this sound?  More sound proofing maybe?

[ftwhite]

Can you reproduce the sound parked and revving the engine? Or only in drive and at speed?

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