2004 6.0 160K

I have a very hard to hear tinging sound that emanates from near the right bank--possibly more audible toward the front of the motor. It is very hard to hear but it is there. it is higher pitch than the "diesel" sound, and much lower in volume. I had thought it was my lower alternator (dual alternator setup), but I ran it without the lower belt and the sound is still there.

I think the sound tings at a faster rate with RPM increase, but in truth, I am not certain, but it is drowned out by engine noise.

Using the base engine test to spin the engine over I do not hear it, BUT it might also be that the engine doesn't spin over fast enough. During the test the engine spins fast and smooth. I did the test with a warm motor.

I have AE software and have a good balance (after just changing injector #8). I know that cylinder 1 (passenger side) is after #8 in firing sequence so I was kind of hoping that the noise was coming from a max'd out injector trying to compensate for the bad #8. However, after installing the new #8 injector the engine idles smoothly with a straight-line contribution balance---and the right bank noise is still there.

Could it just be an injector making noise that will eventually fail?
Could it be a cracked rocker or a bend pushrod?
Could it be something else...?

Is there anyway to figure this out without pulling the right side valve cover? I guess I've decided this is the next step, but I'm looking for any thoughts before I commit to that. I've done things like this in the past and my luck says I'd pull the cover and not find a smoking gun.

thanks,
Greg

 

Check closer to the turbo. Mine had that and it was the turbo. If you can get some one to crank the truck and you listen around the turbo. Have them switch it off and listen as it winds down.

 

I had not considered the Turbo. I will try that tomorrow.

Thanks,
Greg

 

you can pull the air cleaner and check the turbo shaft end play. There should be very little to none.

 

Restless wildman, I haven't taken mine apart yet (I had a spare) but I just walked back to the table and picked it up and had no end play. It does have a rubbing squeal/tink when I spin the blades. Mine is on the exhaust side. Probably saved me an engine by being there

 

Took turbo apart today. Found my "tinking" noise. I bought this truck new in 2006. Turbo has never been apart until now.

 

Wow. Good find.

 

Well, I couldn't determine it was the turbo without pulling it off, but the more I listened the more I have become concerned it was engine internal. I dropped it off at a place in Houston called Power Stroke Magic today. I'll update here when I know more.

 

This sounds goofy, but when I am trying to locate engine noises, I have a long wood dowel. Place one end on an engine component, other end to my ear. Amazing how ticks, clicks, whirs, thumps can be pinpointed using this.

 

Well, I'm tired, well worn, and have more mileage than my truck. I did the best I could. I started with a two-foot 1/2" extension bar on several occasions all over the engine. But I have hearing loss and ringing in both ears after 23yrs AF noise, so I just couldn't isolate it. All I could determine with 90% certainty was right side of the motor. It is even slightly louder to me under the right side of the engine. But I have solved issues like these in the past and have learned how noises can really move bounce and migrate.

I have dual alternators and was convinced it was a bearing going out inside the lower alternator. Of course, with that belt off the noise persisted. The folks at Power Stroke magic could hear it best near the fenderwell area of the passenger side just over the top of the tire.

 

Vacuum pump going south

 

What about with the other belt off, and the climate control turned off?

 

any updates?

 

No updates yet.

 

I finally have my truck back. The official answer is, "truck is fine...."

I asked them to run an uncompensated power balance. They did and said the truck was fine.... So, I paid a small fee for the test and brought it home....

I will try to upload the pic. I'm curious if you guy's may think something minor occurring on Cylinder 1 and/or 7.

thanks

Uncompensated Balance test - 2004, 6.0.
Firing order: 1 - 2 - 7 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 8