Hello, I am hoping some on here can help. Last week I installed a billowed up pipe set up on my 7.3 Excursion.

It was one of those days where nothing went right and the install took way longer than I anticipated.

Well now, I have a problem and I am hoping someone here could throw me a suggestion or two.

When I start up and warm up all is normal just like before. However, when the motor reaches operating temp, I get a vibration/rattle at idle. It is clearly a new noise after the install.

I went through and checked for lost tools. I have moved and remounted the intercooler pipes. I have checked all the mounts for the turbo and the up pipes.

I can not find anything wrong.

Before anyone asks. They were the dorman brand of up pipes. I had read so many reviews on here that people were using them without any issues so I tried to save some money. I know that can be expensive.

One last thing and it is very weird. The vibration rattle noise is noticeably louder when I turn left. Now I did not do anything to the steering or the suspension at all. Power steering pump is full.

Do the billows rattle or anything?

Thanks for anyone that can throw me an idea of where to start

9905

 

I run Dorman bellowed up pipes and have no rattle. They are a straight shot from the exhaust manifold and the babies butt behind the turbo.

I'd check to make sure you have clearance between the up pipe and the back of the motor, but I can't imagine how that would rattle.

Make sure all of the connecting bolts are tight. If it happens at idle, fire up the truck and have the wife turn the wheels left. With the truck in PARK, climb on and under the truck to find the rattle.

 

Could it be the exhaust pipe hitting something? I have found more than one rattle by the right rear shock hitting the tailpipe.

 

Also check the clearance on the down pipe to the fire wall. Get under the truck with a flash light, and check eveything from a different perspective.

 

I believe the IH pipes have dent in a select spot, I gather for some clearance. I have some Dorman's ready to go in....no dent in any pipe.

 

The IH bellowed uppies don't have flat spots in them. Mine didn't anyway...

X2 on the downpipe.

 

Good to know!

 

Definitely check the downpipe, that'll make all sorts of odd noises

 

Check your drivers side intercooler pipe. It is notorious for rubbing against the power steering pump, causing a similar situation as you described.

Don't ask me how i know... jejeje

 

Experience is a great teacher, ain't it!

 

An automotive stethoscope would be very handy in narrowing it down to a specific area.

 

Thank you for all the advice. I took the driver side intercooler pipe off today. I was sure I had found it and the pipe was rubbing the power steering pump, but after a test drive the noise is still there. I wish I had an automotive stethoscope because it sure would help. I can not remember a time that I had this much problem chasing down a problem. Normally I guess I get lucky and can fix it.

 

They're like $10 or so.

OEM/Mechanic's stethoscope (25210) | Automotive Stethoscope | AutoZone.com

 

yup, check the DP. my buddys' was bang'n against the ground strap bolt, thats hidden back there. With you have'n a 4" DP..(buddy has one as well), that be the first place i'd check

 

Update...

After reading everyones posts and purchasing a stethoscope I was still unable to locate the exact source of the noise. I read many posts about the dorman's have bolts too long. I prechecked them before install, but I was doubting now. I was under the truck preparing to take one upper bolt off at a time and cut 1/4" off each one when I could suddenly see the forest through the trees.

A majority of links mentioned the downpipe I looked all over that thing. I even pulled the ground strap completely away and tied it off. I read posts of guys using a port-a-power to bend the firewall and others cutting the lip off the firewall. Me, all I had to do was look about three inches above my face. I was so focused on the firewall that I missed the downpipe was just kissing the frame right at the bottom bend of the down pipe. Due to fact that I was unable to get my downpipe off during the install I didn't think it had moved any, but I was wrong.

I just finished a test drive the problem is gone. I am actually embarrassed by my mistake. I am really not posting this to prove how much of a blind idiot I am; but, more to close the thread down and hopefully anyone searching online will not make the same idiotic mistake that I did. Thanks for everyone's help.

9905