Is a 'quieter' engine better?

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Oct 24, 2010 | 10:46 PM

binuya

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 1,573

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From: Seattle

Is a 'quieter' engine better?

I hear so much about doing this or that to get a quieter engine. I run biodiesel and the combustion note is much quieter than pump diesel.But I believe that is due to biodiesels higher cetane. I know noise levels have nothing to do with the injectors since you wouldn't be able to hear the injectors working with all the other engine sounds going on. So is a quieter engine better? If so, why?

Oct 25, 2010 | 04:18 AM

ron's power stroke

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Joined: Jun 2006

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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire

a lot of the clatter you hear is injector noise....if you go from splits to single shot that clatter gets a little bit louder at idle...off idle there the same as splits...bio has oil in it...thats why they run a little quiter on bio...the intank and a regulated return will also help quite that down some by keeping the air out of the injectors..

Oct 25, 2010 | 12:55 PM

CampSpringsJohn

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Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 14,069

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From: Melbourne, Ky

I agree with Ron. The clatter is the injectors working. In tank mods and/or a regulated return, or even a fuel rail crossover will help quieten the injectors. What all of those systems do is help maintain a constant fuel pressure and help eliminate air in the fuel. Air in the fuel makes the injectors noisy, and it also can cause injector wear. Fuel additives can help with quietening the injectors. The knock you hear however, is the diesel fuel going off in the combustion chambers. Unless of course your engine has mechanical issues.