Hey all, I have a 7.3 IDI with a Banks turbo in a 1990 E350 Ford van.

At any cruising speed, the engine sound from the engine compartment as best as I can describe it sounds like the high pitched sound of marbles rattling around rapidly in a glass jar. Maybe it's the lifters or the turbo, I don't know.

Is this normal?

It kind of drives me nuts. If I turn the stereo up loud I won't hear it.

On a side note. My most favorite sounding diesel is the 6.0 PSD hands down. I love the way that engine sounds. When it runs of course.

Thanks in advance.

 

Not understanding your description well. If it's diesel rattle you hear maybe timing is advanced too much. check timing and ensure no more than 10* at 2000 RPM. I think spec is 8*, I have mine at 9* and it performs well. 6.5*-10* is the generally reported ballpark that works well depending on engine. Too much timing can damage glow plugs over time.

If you are hearing a mechanical tapping (top end) or knocking (bottom end), you need to check for mechanical problems or failure.

 

At cruise I barely hear mine

 

With a turbo in a van... Make sure something on the engine/turbo isn't touching any part of your cab.

IDIs are pretty rattly over all, but the cabs tend to isolate you from a lot of the noise. If something is touching and transmitting that noise, though...

 

When I put the turbo on ,I put a blank on the turbo, used that thin insulation on the fire wall under the hood and fender wells. I am running a 4 in exhaust thru a cat back muffler. Even before all that at cruise it was quite. Accelation or idle I know it is a 7.3

 

I had to massively insulate the doghouse on my van after I put on the turbo, both for the heat and for the noise.

Turbo blanket + thin sticky reflecting insulation on the doghouse + stock thick insulation on that + doghouse saddle

Also, I put in a Gearvendor OD, which makes the RPM's a lot less at highway speed so it's much quieter.