'04 Engine Tick

[Gauthier]

I have an engine tick when cold. The tick will begin within seconds of starting and continue for approximately 3 minutes. The sound is very similar to a gas engine with solid lifters.



What concerns me the most is the sound suddenly appeared at 975 miles. Although it sounds like a valve train noise, I thought these engines did not require valve train adjustment until the 150,000 mile mark.



Since new, I've used the block heater when temperatures are below 45ºF, and I let the engine warm up two minutes before driving. Even then, I keep engine speed below 1500 rpm until water temperature moves off 140ºF and below 2000 rpm until the thermostat opens. The oil pressure has never failed to comeup immediately, although the oil pressure gauge only moves 1/8" past 40 psi idleing cold and 1/8" past 40 psi at 1700 rpm when hot. Could I already have enough valve train wear to cause this noise? Should I check and adjust the valve lash? Could the sound be related to the oil used?



Any input would be appreciated.

 

[JNutter]

These engines have mechanical lifters. Oil shouldn't have any effect the noise.



I seem to be the only one, but I did have some valve train problems at less than 5000 miles.



My suggestion is to get it checked out.

 

[Gauthier]

I've found that if I leave the block heater on for two or more hours, I don't get the tick. In either case, the engine tick stops within a few minutes of running.



Any ideas?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Normal

Gauthier, nothing to worry about, been lots of posts on this and lots of trucks do it including mine. Try fuel from another place and most of all use a quality additive like Stanadyne or Amalgamated and your tick should lessen or subside.



Vaughn

 

[Gauthier]

I've used Shell premium diesel and Stanadyne Performance Formula at the first fillup after the dealer supplied fuel was consumed. Without the block heater, the tick is present even when starting cold with the ambient temperature in the uper 70's. It sure sounds like my Charger does when the lash is a little off.

 

[Rosco]

Gauthier,



I have had three 3rd gen truck's, 1 standard output and 2 High Output's and all three ticked at idle. Some day's it seem's more noticeable than others but I am not alarmed by it one bit. Most likely it has to with the fuel injection system rather than valve train. Remember, our injection system is under high pressure and we have electronic injectors (even heard gasoline injectors tick away).



Also, don't put much faith in your oil pressure gauge because it's basically an idiot light. Once the sender unit registers something like 6psi the gauge is activated. From there on the PCM makes the gauge go back and forth so it appears to be registering different pressures. However, the reality is you could have only 7psi of oil pressure and the gauge could be showing 40psi. Basically, the PCM is designed to make the gauge register to "customer expectations" not actual pressures.

 

[rbattelle]

Ditto what Rosco and Vaughn said! I honestly believe this tick is nothing to be concerned with. I have a tick as well, and have never given it a second thought.

 

[crabjoe]

I had the tick also, but I got the ECM reflashed for the high idle feature and now the tick is gone. Not only is the tick gone, but the truck just seems runs smoother.

 

[LightmanE300]

I think a LOT of you guys are victims of some serious placebo effect(CJ LOL ) I also think you're a little too paranoid G and you should just drive and enjoy your truck. Take off the stethescope!(sp?)