305 HO Problems?

[Gauthier]

I have a 2004 Ram with the 305/555 with 5000 miles, and I have couple of issues that may be a problem.



First, when the engine is cold I have a ticking sound that lasts for approximately two minutes. This began about the 850 mile mark. It only occurs when the engine is cold.



The second issue is an oil drip from the crankcase vent. At about 1800 miles it started to leave one - two drops of oil each time the engine is off for more than thirty minutes. There is also a light film of oil on the starter and other components behind the tube, but none of these areas build up to the point that a drip occurs.



My last oil analysis had a high level of potassium, but all the other tested elements were very good.



I have not noticed any deterioration in performance or mileage, in fact the mileage has improved slightly. I average 19-20 mpg in mixed rural(60)/city(40) driving.



Should I be concerned about these things? I also have little to no experience with a diesel and I'm not familiar with what is or is not normal. I bought the truck thinking the cummins was a bullet proof million mile engine in a fair to poor body, and the only difficulties I've had to date have been the engine and rear axle, both of which are not manufactured by Chrysler.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Tick and drip are normal. I don't have the drip but most are reporting the tick. The vent tube lets crankase fumes blow by, some accumulates and drips.



For someone new to diesels, having an oil analysis makes me think otherwise. I've never had one done. Good to know your engine but sometimes it makes you crazy.



Your mileage is excellent ... be happy.

 

[roperteacher]

I have the HO 600. Don't have any ticks, but I just noticed for the first time (9600 miles) the drip. Like you said only 1-2 drops. . Never saw it before, but when I got underneath and saw it was coming from that tube, no worries... Has not done it since the first time either. And I park on pavement and would know...

 

[one8upcb]

I have the 305/555 and i am experiencing the ticking. Mine also does it for the first two minutes during warm up.

 

[sag2]

Mine gets the mist from the breather. If you have not pulled with it, get a load on it and run it hard. The harder you run it the faster the rings will seat. Mine seems to get better with more miles and the harder I run it.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Ticking and a drip... Golly, sounds like some pretty serious issues. Best dump the beast quickly before it poops out and leaves you stranded somewhere between Gnome and Troglodyte, AK. .



Perhaps you could swap it for one with the killer dowel pin, the VP44 pump, a death wobble, auto transmission something or the other, or in need of a reflached ECM.



PS: I'm attempting to humorously put things into perspective, so don't get riled up. I have a ticking with my 04 - still runs great so... who me worry? One of these days I'll do the oil drip fix posted on another thread.



Or am I missing the point, this is really a "tongue in cheek" complaint about the sweet running 555s. Perhaps, I should join in and post something about how far can I expect to make it with the hole in the rubber weather stripping around the driverside door.

 

[Briman]

Mine ticks whenever it's running.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Mine had the drip but never the tick. Does this mean I'm ticked... off?

 

[Ron Civita]

Mine ticks but only noticeable at idle, in gear (auto trans. ). When I shift to N the ticking stops. ?????? Also noticed a drip on the end of the breather tube.

 

[DF5152]

tick and drip r normal dont worry... not sure about the oil thing but if is factory fill first change i wouldnt worry. is your truck a 4x4 or 4x2 that good milage at what speed do u get that. i get about 19 hwy and 15 city but i drive fast at least 75 -80 on hwy.

 

[DGFoster]

I have had no problems no oil under the truck everything is bone dry,as far as the tick goes I think it is normal,to me there is sounds that I have never heard with my second gereration,but we really couldnot hear the engine with rattle that goes on in the older ones,to me the new ones you can hear the engine and not the fuel system rattle so things may sound strange to some,but to me it sounds like a Cummins should sound. . Does that make sence

 

[FDrake]

Tick & drip? I just looked at mine today and found that I have NOT the 600 but the 305/555 engine and THAT ticks me too. But yes, it does tick for a few minutes after startup. But NO drips.

Maybe Dodge will send someone by to kiss me since I seem to have screwed out of the 600 I was told I bought. It was made in 11/03 and I called Dodge today and complained about the lousy MPG. They said to bring it in so they can document the lousy MPG for future reference. They might reflash it for me. Even being a 555, it is still a brute compared to 97 & 02 that I had.

Frank

 

[DocDetonancour]

Tickin n dripin?? Mines Rippin and sipppin... . Doc

 

[Dieselnut59]

Mine has "ticked" since new and has the oil residue that I have found is typical of a Cummins. Instead of complaining, we should be happy Cummins sends the residue to the outside of the engine instead of upstream of the turbo like some manufacturers do! Makes for a messy turbo, intake, intercooler and valves. I just consider it rustproofing. Yall people who live in or drive in yankee land where they "salt" the roads ought to really appreciate the added rustproofing a fine film of oil provides!

Seriously, it has never been an issue to me and has been "normal" on every Cummins I have ever run (1992's, 1993, 1996, 1998's and now my 2003). As for the ticking, I would say it is the injection system and is only audible because the engine runs so dern quiet otherwise! Neither "problem" should be considered an "issue" in my opinion.

 

[Guest]

The ticking is normal, the 2nd gens have it to but you cant hear it over the noise from that line of motors... .

 

[ScottBrown]

Tick and drip is normal. extend the crank case breather tube a little lower so it dont spew all over the transmission. the Oil test with the high levels of pot are going to be high untill the truck gets broke in. I had same concerns with mine and was told by the members here to run the truck some miles and dont worry about it. Everything sounds normal

 

[FDrake]

"couldn't hear the ticking over the engine noise" - that may be true. I never thought of that since this engine IS very quiet and now I can hear the ticking that may have been present on the older ones as well. Interesting.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

Originally posted by Ol'TrailDog

Best dump the beast quickly before it poops out and leaves you stranded somewhere between Gnome and Troglodyte, AK. .

LOL I got stuck in trogolodyte just the other day (there is also a few that live around here too).

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

FDrake stated.

I just looked at mine today and found that I have NOT the 600 but the 305/555 engine

Although I understand why you are ticked off , IMHO, I think this is a blessing in disguise. The 555s have fewer issues than the 600s based on the posts I've seen. As far as milage I was averaging 19. 5. Today while waiting for my Greek Garden pizza from Leeks marina (know what its like to come out of the backcountry jonesing for a good meal of grease?) I calced a few of my recent fill-ups - 22 mpg I'm going to have to start driving faster than WY 65.

 

[Sherman]

mpg

Tick & drip? I just looked at mine today and found that I have NOT the 600 but the 305/555 engine and THAT ticks me too. But yes, it does tick for a few minutes after startup. But NO drips.

Maybe Dodge will send someone by to kiss me since I seem to have screwed out of the 600 I was told I bought. It was made in 11/03 and I called Dodge today and complained about the lousy MPG. They said to bring it in so they can document the lousy MPG for future reference. They might reflash it for me. Even being a 555, it is still a brute compared to 97 & 02 that I had.

Frank

I have an 04 305 and didn't get good mpg until after 10,000mi and over5000mi of heavy pulling. My last trip of 2000mi was 11. 25 loaded(44'horse tr) running 70-75mph and 17. 25 empty,last tank empty was 18. 15 mpg with the tailgate down and running 75-80mph on I-75,not bad for a DRW stock, the only thing I have done is drill out the stock air box.