i've had what *i* would describe as a fairly mild engine knock for quite a while now. it's an 04 with around 59K on the odometer. power/mileage are normal, and don't ask when i first noticed it, it's been that long ago. nothing seems to be out of place and of the people i know and have heard my engine run, i'm the only one who notices it. it's most prominent at idle, and putting around town i can still hear it, but bump up to highway speed, and either it goes away or there's too much other noise to still hear it. tried to search function and didn't find anything useful on this one.
just thought i'd ask since i "refound" this forum last week! thanks
spence

 

You Sure Its Not The Injection Timing?

 

I have the same thing but could never figure out how to ask. 2003 with 76K. Sounds like the knock is coming from the left side - but then its almost impossible to tell. Can't really hear it with the hood up, just from inside the cab and at slower speeds, idle or a little above.

What is "Injection Timing"?

 

ENGINE KNOCKING

All diesel engines produce a "knocking" sound when running. In a diesel engine fuel ignites when infected into the combustion chamber. This rapid combustion produces very high pressures generating a rumble or dull clattering sound Abnormally loud "knocking" may be due to diesel engine miss.

ENGINE MISSING

A diesel engine miss results from one or more cylinders not burning fuel properly. This is caused by injection system problems which include:

• Faulty injectors
• Clogged fuel filters
• Incorrect injection timing
• Low engine compression
• Injection system leaks
• Air leaks
• Faulty injection pump

 

Exactly. I was gonna ask, "Your diesel has a 'knocking' sound..... and your problem is?" With all the ruckus under the hood, you'd have to have a sound like a train wreck before it would be noticed. They're typically louder when cold, or when you're standing on the throttle.

The big question is, "How does it feel when idling?" If an injector is going south, the idle will have a pronounced shake, where a healthy engine is quite smooth.

 

I just had a 03 engine thrown into my 04 truck. There is a knock on the left side just as yours. My friend has the same truck as mine but with an 04 engine. I can hear the same knock just not as loud as mine. I stopped worrying about this shortly after. The truck runs how it should and has great power and throws no codes. Just that either same/different (03 through 07 6.0L) engines have their little quirks that makes them have their own personality. I have run my truck for a long time and have many friends that drive 6.0L's in the field. They all sound a little different. But don't take my word for it. go out and look for yourself. Ask questions and take it to a dealer. Let them hear it. Thats my beef.

 

hey thanks guys, went by the ford store to have somebody listen to it, everything's fine. you must remember that this is my first diesel, and even though i'd been listening to this "knock" for months, i didn't know if it was normal or not. it's the quietest diesel i've continuously been around all the time, all the other's were IDI 7.3, early 7.3 powerstrokes, and the 6.2s in unarmored 1025 HMMWVs and the turbo 6.5s in the uparmored 1114's. and every single one of all of those were loud and had your standard diesel noise.

i just thought it was work an ask since i wasn't for sure or not...

oh, and i started thinking about it again the other day since i had to start driving it all the time due to the brakes on the explorer taking a dump. it idles normally, and dude at the dealer said they've got a new program that will help with the rough cold start idling. none too worried, she runs fine and has got normal power levels (nothing like when the turbo took a dump). i just need an excuse for a road trip so she can cruise for a while, this around town stuff is no good for mileage!
spence

 

I think there is even a little blurb in the owners manual on engine noise with the 6.0. I also believe that it tells you every diesel engine makes its own noises.

Sarge

 

I am a big fan of the latest computer flash (program update). I think it is well worth getting.

 

I have that flash in my tuck also Mr. Bismic and I agree I Likey.

Sarge

 

want to, just need time to get it to shop where they can have it all day if needed since i'm down to one vehicle again...