[markp]

My 2005 dodge diesel has a ticking noise. It seems to be there all the time, hot or cold engine. I've noticed it being very loud on a cold start up a few times but I usually start it by remote in the house so I'm not in or near it most of the time on a cold start. It is there all the time and is consistant with RPM. I can hear itoutside the cab but I know what I'm listening for, inside the cab with the windows closed anyone can hear it. It's not REALLY loud while driving, with the radio on "normal" volume I don't usually hear it but I drive without the radio on alot so it I hear it alot.
It also has a noticeable "chugging" noise from the exhaust when in high idle. It almost sounds like a locomotive under load.

I've taken it in to a couple of different dealers and they always say they put it the scanner and there were no codes and that there's nothing they can do without it throwing a code. I'm almost certain that nobody has actually driven it when I take it in. They told me injector cleaner might help it, but I already use it at least every second tank. Fuel filter is done with every service (5-7000km)
(as a side note, one time I dropped it off the night before for an injector tick on cold start and they called and said they started it and couldn't see any black smoke on start up....WTF, what black smoke, it ticks not smokes......the service advisor took it upon himself to add to my complaint...IDIOT :bigun2: )
Anyways, I've had this truck for almost a year and it didn't start doing this until about last september.

Does anyone else notice a slight ticking noise while driving or idling (high idle or normal)?

I keep thinking I have one or more bad injectors but maybe I'm the one thats crazy and not the dealer.

Since I've owned the truck they've replaced 2 u-joints, the steady bearing, complete rear diff. assy., and the turbo. I'm pretty sure there was some major tranny work done right before I got it as there a few really shiny parts on it when I checked everything out. Maybe I got a bad one?!?!

P.S. Before you say "shoulda boughta Chev, he he he" I've driven em all and despite the problems I like this one the best so far! :flipoff:

[Can-do]

my first thought was a bad injector myself.... but you say theyv looked for those already from what i gather.

i have an 03 and mine has always had a slight "tick" from the very first day. its just from injector pulseing, now of course how loud is your tick compaired to mine. ild have to hear it to determine the difference obviously. but mine as well i cannot hear when the radio or any background noise is apperant and if alls quiet in the cab i can hear what seems to be coming from the drivers side rear of the engine bay. it is louder when the engine is cold. iv always had this and know its normal. now if what your hearing is not normal and is louder then what i contend with im somewhat at a loss off the top of my head. perhaps other diesel guys will have an idea or maybe the NADP boys will chime in on this one.

i think it may be normal as the common rail is on the drivers side and would sound more apperant on this side of the engine should it be just from injector pulseing

[PLUMBUM]

i would be careful what you assume to be normal noises with dodges. we bought a grand caravan new in 2003. it was always a noisy motor so i thought. right from day one it made noise . we had it in right away was told it is normal. took it in right before the 60k mark and was still told it is normal. when we sold it the new owners that are friends of ours said the engine was knocking. i told them no that is normal. they took it in anyway while it was still under warranty and found that it was the timing chain. a known problem with these. fixed in 2006 with a tensioner, no more problems. yet st. albert dodge swears nothing is wrong with them and the noise is normal. legal dodge is the one that diagnosed it. and from what i can tell they are an actuial honest dealer. many people i have talked too that deal with them say that they have forced dodge to warranty and fix these problems that other dealers ay is normal. might be an idea to take it there just for assurance. oh ya and that motor has never been so quiet. i was quite shocked at the differnece.

[Spike7ss]

Have you done/ thought about adjusting your valves?

Here is a detailed description with pics

http://www.dieselbombers.com/5-9-liter-cr-...stment-diy.html

[Molsondrinkr]

Not a Dodge, but the Duramax's have a tick that is considered normal. Maybe the same applies for cummins? I have this tick on my GM.

Here is the GM TSB

A copy of the gm bulletin for engine noise, I have handed this to our service advisors MANY times since 2001, and have heard it many,many times on the trucks i have worked on at the dealer..,,,,that being said noises on the internet are tough to listen too.....lol.......--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#02-06-01-022G: Information on Engine Ticking Noise - (Jun 19, 2007)


Subject: Information on Engine Ticking Noise


Models: 2001-2007 Chevrolet Silverado (Classic)

2003-2007 Chevrolet Kodiak C4500/C5500 Series

2006-2007 Chevrolet Express

2001-2007 GMC Sierra (Classic)

2003-2007 GMC TopKick C4500/C5500 Series

2006-2007 GMC Savana

with 6.6L Duramax™ Diesel Engine (VINs D, 1, 2, 6 -- RPOs LBZ, LB7, LLY, LMM)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some of the above vehicles may exhibit a random ticking noise that is most audible on an engine with a coolant temperature of 70°C (158°F) or higher and from idle to approximately 1500 RPM. The noise usually is most noticeable at the rear of the driver's side front wheel well. Customers may also comment about hearing a tick noise inside the vehicle at idle such as when sitting at a drive through window. All 6600 Duramax™ diesel engines have this condition; however, some are more audible than others. Engine build variation from engine to engine contributes to differences in perceived volume. All Duramax™ engines are manufactured to very close tolerances to meet the durability and reliability standards.

This noise is caused by the relationship of the engine cylinder block, crankshaft journals, bearing inserts and the oil film. This relationship may allow a vibration that resonates through the cylinder block and is heard as a metallic ticking noise. The noise could be described as an irregular ticking or clacking sound, like random typing on a mechanical typewriter.

This condition has been present in diesel engines produced for the last 20 or more years. The overall noise reduction in engines produced today makes this noise seem new when, in fact, it was masked by other noises in the past. Many manufacturers such as Isuzu, Hino, Mitsubishi, and Nissan report a similar condition in their diesel engines. Testing and engine teardowns with this condition reveal no condition that would affect reliability or durability of this engine.

Dealers should not attempt to compare any customer vehicles exhibiting this noise with other similar vehicles as the noise is different from vehicle to vehicle and this may lead to the incorrect conclusion that the vehicle has a condition. This noise is a normal operating characteristic of the engine. This noise has no short or long term effects on the engine. Do not attempt repairs for this noise.

Important: Replacing the engine or internal components for this noise will not reduce or eliminate the noise.

Please share the information found in this bulletin with customers who inquire about this condition. In the event they have additional questions or concerns, please advise them to contact Customer Assistance. __________________

Or thier just covering their butts lol. I would imagine if Dodge had this issue though, you would probably know about it too.

Later
Molsondrinkr

[wild1]

Could be injectors, may have a lifter going, or a few other things. I would check the valve adjustment first. A 2005 dodge diesel should be pretty quiet. It is another one of those things I would have to hear in order to say if it is a problem.

[Spike7ss]

If you want to narrow down the noise to either the top end, injectors, etc, here is a little trick I use at work to pinpoint a noise.

What I do is get a LONG screwdriver, and whith the motor running at idle (even use your high idle if it helps make the noise louder), BE VERY VERY CAREFUL, Keep your hands/feet/head/body AWAY from the fan and moving parts.

Take the metal end of the screwdriver and touch it to the suspect part (injectors or valve cover, or what ever) and take your ear and put the handle basically in your ear. And believe it or not, the sound travels through the screwdriver and is much easier to hear.

Hope that helps you in your diagnosing.

[markp]

wow, thanks for all the advice and opinions!

The truck has 96000km on it so a valve set shouldn't need to be done yet BUT, I will be doing one very soon as I have heard of people doing them at 50000km and finding surprising variances.

I should have mentioned that my brother is a Cummins mechanic and he too feels that there may be something not right.
This isn't my first diesel. I've had 3 other dodges through the years with one as high as 450,000 km and I don't recall hearing such a pronounced 'TICK' to them. I expect a diesel to shake,rattle and roll most of the time but this seems like more.....

All that has been done, as far as I know, at the dealer is to put the scanner on it and check for codes. They tell me that if there is an injector problem that will usually set a code. I have a co-worker that had such a bad injector leak that it filled the crank case with fuel causing oil to blow out the vent tube. He took it to the dealer and they said there was nothing wrong until he pulled the dipstick and it was way overfilled. They had no choice but to look further. They ended up replacing all injectors because they couldn't figure out which one failed. It never set a code!

I have lots of warranty left on the engine so I'm not too worried about having to pay for it. I just don't want to have an injector puke while I'm an hour or two into the trunk road and having to deal with it then.

*sigh* It might not be anything to worry about, but it's a noise that I can't explain so it's bugging me. I guess I'll just have to listen to the radio more, or turn it up!

[markp]

Spike7ss, on Mar 25 2008, 08:18 PM, said:

Have you done/ thought about adjusting your valves?

Here is a detailed description with pics

http://www.dieselbombers.com/5-9-liter-cr-...stment-diy.html

WOW!!

That is the best, most comprehensive how-to guide I've ever seen for a valve set. I've seen others that are more like this:
1)turn to TDC
2)adjust 1,2,4 intake and 1,3,5 exhaust valves
3)rotate 1 revolution
4)adjust 3,5,6 intake and 2,4,6, exhaust valves
5)torque and reinstall valve cover.

That's impressive, he obviously took a lot of time and thought to make that guide.