I just realized that my 99 f 250 is knocking, and was wondering if it is possible to lift the motor up a little to get the oil pan off to change the bearings in the truck. Is there enough room to do this?

I'm a little upset I just got this thing and now its knocking.

 

If you're hearing the "knock" at passenger fender well, it's probably the fuel system "cackle". It sounds just like what you are saying. If you're unfamiliar with "cackle", start here https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=465136

Hope this is it.

 

I here it more on the driver side. I can also here it from inside the cab. I am not familar with diesels, but this doesn't sound normal.

 

The infamous "Powerstroke cackle" can sound like major mechanical problems. It isn't. It is the result of the Ford beancounters saving money on each engine by <i>removing the regulated fuel return that was designed for it by the engine maker, Navistar.</i> This allows air in the fuel lines to end up in the injectors, which then make lots and lots of noise. Ford says it isn't a problem - even though they started using a different injector in one cylinder to reduce the noise.

How to fix it? Well, you need to do a search on this forum for "cackle", and "fuel line modifications". Read up on the cause, then the fix will make sense.

Mine had a moderate case of cackle. My wife used to ask "is this thing supposed to sound like that?" I did the pre-pump fuel line mods, including the in-tank fuel pickup mods. It is much quieter now. It just sounds like a diesel now, instead of a diesel about to break.

 

PS - if the cackle is allowed to continue unchecked, I have read that it will lead to early injector failure from scoring and accelerated wear of the injectors due to lack of lubrication, ie, air is not a lubricant.

If this is your first PSD, then be warned - protect your injectors as they are the one item in this engine that is EXTREMELY overpriced. An entire set of Cummins injectors can be purchased for the retail price of one OEM Powerstroke injector. Of course, then you'd have to deal with a Dodge, where everything falls apart around the engine...

 

Is there a faily easy way to determin if its the "cackle" noise or a bottom end knock?

 

Okay. I'm <b>not</b> going to say that you don't have a bearing knock. That can happen in any engine. However, PSDs have a very stout lower end and bearing failures are uncommon - whereas LOUD injectors from cackle are very common.

Bearing problems usually depend on engine mileage. How many miles do you have? If you have 400,000, then I'd be concerned about a lower end knock. If you have only 200,000, I wouldn't be - provided someone has even semi-regularly changed the oil.

However, cackle is VERY common. That nasty, loud, injector knock sounds like something is hammering away inside the engine, trying its best to get out. And, cackle is so loud, I cannot imagine being able to even hear a bearing knock over the racket.

If you are really worried that you have a bad bearing, then perhaps it is time for a GOOD diesel mech to check it out. Trustworthy ones are rare, and I know only one in this area, so you are on your own there. You get a bad diesel mech, and he'll tell you that you need a new engine whether you do or not.

Also, if you take it to a diesel mech, make sure he is very familiar with Powerstrokes - oh, and don't tell him you think it is a bad bearing, he may just agree with you, as he draws up a $10k repair bill. Bring it in and ask him why the injectors are so noisy... Even if he wants to replace all 8 of them, that is a lot less money than a rebuilt engine - still not necessary, mind you. And if the injectors are ruined because of excess air in the fuel (the cause of cackle in the first place), then you better fix the air before you spend $3k on new injectors.

<b>So, if someone here can suggest a definitive test for bearing knock, I'm all ears.</b> I've heard it in gasoline engines (including a couple of motorcycle engines) and it was NEVER as loud as the injector knock on my PSD was.

Assuming it is a relatively low mileage engine (say, less than 300k), then the odds are it is NOT a bearing, the odds are very good that it is cackle.

First - do you use a fuel additive? If not, then try Diesel Kleen or Stanadyne in the proper amounts (even Lucas fuel additive will quiet noisy injectors - and it will do it very quickly). If you notice ANY decrease in knock, then look to your injectors as being the source of the noise - though they aren't the cause.

The pre-pump fuel line mods are cheap and easy to do - at least the ones OUTSIDE the fuel tank! When I did my fuel line mods, it was less than 100 miles and I could hear less injector noise and smoother engine running.

 

Ditto. Do these first and you've lost nothing because you should to do them anyway, even if it is not your problem. If it solves your problem, you're way ahead. I don't have as bad a problem as you describe, but I plan on having a contest with my truck to see who dies first LOL. I'll never get rid of it. So I am in the process of assembling my parts list/$$ to do my fuel system from tank to heads and back.

 

Hey, Tenn01PSD350, on your sig, wouldn't BLOW-Squeeze-Bang-Blow be more appropriate?

 

Probably, it's a generic engine thing appropriate for all things *** 049 all the way up to turbofan jet engines. And any Binford items you might run across LOL. How about this: Suck-Blow-Squeeze-Bang-Blow isn't that what it is?

 

Works for me!

 

Jay, do you have an auto tranny? Is your noise an extra rumble or cackle that shouldn't be there (And doesn't sound like other diesels)? Can you notice it especially when you get out of the truck and listen from the side (and also hear it from under the hood, but not as clear and distinct)? If this describes you, let me know, I had a 99 SD with the PSD that made that noise and can tell you what it is and how to fix it.

 

Jay, arninetyes has said it all and very well. You don't have a bad engine, it's a poor design of the fuel delivery system and subsequent injector damage as a result.
A failed injector will sound EXACTLY like a thrown rod bearing to someone who has not hear injector knock before on a diesel engine. Knock knock knock knock.
I and many others have modified the fuel system to get rid of the damaging air in the fuel system with VERY good results.
It takes a couple of weekends worth of work but it is well worth the effort.
Here's some links to get you started.
Arninetyes and PSNut please contribute links to the threads that you started on your fuel mods to get him started.
Trust me it's worth it. EVERY BIT.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=260173

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...64#post3235164

 

So let it be written, so let it be done.

dsl lover, what was it?

 

On some 99's the torque converter makes excess noise - I had taken the truck to the dealer 2 or 3 times for the same issue - first they said that the #8 injector can go bad so they replaced it. Then they couldn't find any strange noise. Then the dealer claimed it was normal until I put it next to a new 2002 that he had. I started each one and let it idle. You could definately hear the extra rumble in mine. The dealer claimed that it was a simply an unpleasantry, but not a defect. After some rangling and getting mad, he offered to split the cost and labor of a new one with me - I agreed and the sound was gone for about $350.