Engine noise
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
Engine noise
My 03 over the last 3 or 4 weeks has developed a weird engine noise. This engine has never caused any trouble and it has 99K on it. Still runs strong but sounds like it could go to pieces at any moment. It's hard to explain but in general it's just plain getting LOUDER......not an exhaust leak.........just seems like every componet is trying to find it's way out of the engine. If you listen around the right front fender well when it is idling, you hear this noisey condition the worst....not a definate ticking, clicking or knocking noise....just this general sound of like things are ready to come undone. I was wondering if an injector or two could be starting to go to hell and cause this condition? Truck does not miss, starts good, has plenty of power and has good oil pressure. Engine is stock (no chip) but just plain getting louder! Maybe the best way to describe it is, it sounds loud like an early 7.3 model like in the 99's and 2000's.
I know my explaination will not be of much help but anyone have any ideas of what might be the problem, or what is becoming a problem? As you probably noted, I'm just about out of engine warrenty and would like to find the problem now. I'm going to run it by the dealership this morning and have them take a listen.
Might add that my 02 is as quiet as a church mouse and the 03.... WAS this way untill a few weeks ago. One other thing is I've been buying all of my fuel at the same station so don't think it's fuel quality related.
I know my explaination will not be of much help but anyone have any ideas of what might be the problem, or what is becoming a problem? As you probably noted, I'm just about out of engine warrenty and would like to find the problem now. I'm going to run it by the dealership this morning and have them take a listen.
Might add that my 02 is as quiet as a church mouse and the 03.... WAS this way untill a few weeks ago. One other thing is I've been buying all of my fuel at the same station so don't think it's fuel quality related.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
At the opposite end of the fuel rail where the steel lines enter the heads, there will be a square head NPT plug that seals off the ends of the fuel rails.
Get the appropriate tools for removing that plug and loosen it up enough to start leaking fuel.
The easiest one to get at is the one on the starboard front corner of the the cylinder head, right below the AC pump.
When I first bought my truck and drove it home from two states away, I noted the engine was the rattliest diesel that I had ever listened to and told my wife the same.
After a long period of homework and reading up on diesel cackle, I came to the conclusion that it was air in the fuel being introduced by a poor design of the fuel supply between the fuel pump and the fuel filter.
But first, to verify the problem.
Loosen that NPT plug enough to where you can observe the fuel leaking out, but not so loose that it won't stay in the hole. I think about 2 turns should be more than enough, though your truck may differ. Work with it until you are satisfied the plug will stay threaded, but will leak when the fuel pump is running.
Throw something under the truck to catch the drips if you want to keep the floor clean.
Start the engine and go observe the fuel that is exiting the newly opened fuel rail.
There should be a small purging of some air bubbles at the most and then it should simply remain clear liquid.
What mine was doing was alternating between clear liquid and a bunch of foam.
It would change back and forth every 2 - 3 seconds. Clear...foam...clear...foam...clear...foam, etc and would remain that way until I turned the motor off.
If your truck is doing some thing similar to this, then you need to take steps to eliminate that air in the fuel, then your motor will change it's tone back to what it is supposed to sound like. IMO it will sound better than it did on the showroom floor.
There is some medium easy stuff to do to fix it and I would be glad to give you the options, but let's find out about your fuel supply first.
Get the appropriate tools for removing that plug and loosen it up enough to start leaking fuel.
The easiest one to get at is the one on the starboard front corner of the the cylinder head, right below the AC pump.
When I first bought my truck and drove it home from two states away, I noted the engine was the rattliest diesel that I had ever listened to and told my wife the same.
After a long period of homework and reading up on diesel cackle, I came to the conclusion that it was air in the fuel being introduced by a poor design of the fuel supply between the fuel pump and the fuel filter.
But first, to verify the problem.
Loosen that NPT plug enough to where you can observe the fuel leaking out, but not so loose that it won't stay in the hole. I think about 2 turns should be more than enough, though your truck may differ. Work with it until you are satisfied the plug will stay threaded, but will leak when the fuel pump is running.
Throw something under the truck to catch the drips if you want to keep the floor clean.
Start the engine and go observe the fuel that is exiting the newly opened fuel rail.
There should be a small purging of some air bubbles at the most and then it should simply remain clear liquid.
What mine was doing was alternating between clear liquid and a bunch of foam.
It would change back and forth every 2 - 3 seconds. Clear...foam...clear...foam...clear...foam, etc and would remain that way until I turned the motor off.
If your truck is doing some thing similar to this, then you need to take steps to eliminate that air in the fuel, then your motor will change it's tone back to what it is supposed to sound like. IMO it will sound better than it did on the showroom floor.
There is some medium easy stuff to do to fix it and I would be glad to give you the options, but let's find out about your fuel supply first.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Another test that you could do to separate what the problem may be is to go and drive it down a hill, coasting with the engine spinning at around 1500 rpm.
The injectors cut off when coasting, so if you have a mechanical problem outside of air in the fuel making noisy injectors, you will be able to hear it. Add a touch of throttle and the noise returns will 100% nail it down to injectors.
If the noise is present during the decel mode with your foot off of the throttle will 100% be a mechanical problem. (Loose rocker arms or something like that.)
The injectors cut off when coasting, so if you have a mechanical problem outside of air in the fuel making noisy injectors, you will be able to hear it. Add a touch of throttle and the noise returns will 100% nail it down to injectors.
If the noise is present during the decel mode with your foot off of the throttle will 100% be a mechanical problem. (Loose rocker arms or something like that.)
