Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 1 per rev thump in engine

[JohnHulls]

My friend Olli, who is from Finland and now lives in the wilds of northern California has 3 Dodge diesel trucks! One is an 89, and he has 2 99's, 4 door long bed 4x4, a manual and an automatic. The manual transmission truck makes an intermittent noise on start-up that Olli describes as " being like a troll banging on the bottom of the engine with a big rubber mallet. " It almost goes away when the engine gets warmed up. Valves have been adjusted, etc etc and no one seems to be able to identify the source of the noise. Its one per rev, and definitely a thump, rather than metallic clank... ...



Olli would like to sell the automatic and keep the manual but wonders if this noise is a forecast of some big problem, or "do they all do it"..... or do only Dodges driven by Finns attract trolls with rubber mallets?



Thanks

 

[fox]

It is impossible to diagnos from a distance.

You may be describing a rod knock. I would loosen an injector line and see if it changes any. Then go to the next injector and repeat.

How many miles and what power level is it at?

Has it had correct oil quality and changes all of its life?

 

[NPloysa]

I know

Take the mallet away from him



Nick

 

[JohnHulls]

Its not a rod... . or it would show up worse under load and would not go away when it gets warmed up..... and the local Ace Hardware is clean out of troll traps... impossible to catch otherwise.