Idle noise among the big 3

[HookMeUp]

I was just curious as to why the Ford and Chevy idle noise is so much quieter than the Cummins. Don't get me wrong I love the noise the Cummins makes, just curious.

 

[SnoKing]

More junk under the hood to block sounds? Chris

 

[Wayne M.]

More junk under the hood to block sounds? Chris

Exactly my first thought! Also a factor is, since the Cummins is a true industrial HD engine, it has flat/ solid tappets. The ford and I believe the Dmax have hydraulic lifters. I know the entire fuel system is enclosed within the engine on most Power strokes... All these quell that mechanical music a true gearhead like myself enjoys!

 

[slingshot383]

The V engines are by design a little quieter than a I engine.

 

[TCDiesel]

Yep, the V-8 Diesel are quieter until repairs are necessary then it gets much louder under the hood and sales counter HeeeeHeee.

 

[HookMeUp]

Yep, the V-8 Diesel are quieter until repairs are necessary then it gets much louder under the hood and sales counter HeeeeHeee.

Now that's funny. My wife couldn't believe that you have to take the cab off on the Ford's to work on the engine.

 

[SnoKing]

That is Ford's way to block DIY repairs. Heck on the early Duramax engines most techs take the front wheels off and lower the truck to the ground when replacing the injectors. It is only around $4500 for an injector replacement for all eight.

24V noise sounds better each year!

Chris

 

[Dieselnerd]

A friend of mine with a Chevy diesel recently asked me why my truck was louder than his. I said "Power makes noise, no noise, no power!"

He was at a loss for words.

 

[BlackBullit]

A friend of mine with a Chevy diesel recently asked me why my truck was louder than his. I said "Power makes noise, no noise, no power!"

I LOVE it!

 

[EDankievitch]

When you have only 6 very large long stroke cylinders doing the work it's gonna make a bit more noise than those small short stroke V8's. Gran Pa always said it's better to do the work slow and steady with a long stroke 6 than fast with a short stroke 8.

 

[jgillott]

A little off the subject, but since I have been considering buying a new truck, I have been test driving a few and I did stop by a Ford dealer to drive a couple of 6.7L Fords. I was surprised how much noise that engine makes while under load. I'm not sure if it is just because it runs itself so fast before shifting, but quite a bit louder than the 2014 Cummins trucks I have driven. Now don't worry, I'd never buy one, but I do enjoy the comparison.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I can't speak for Ford, but the Duramax uses pilot injection which squirts a small amount of fuel into the cylinder prior the actual combustion stroke which quiets things down tremendously. My old 6.5 GM diesel from the 90's was almost as loud as my '94 Cummins was.

In the Duramax I can actually hear a change in the sound of the motor as the RPM's increase and the pilot injection shuts off.