Brand new 2015 Cummins Mega Cab with Automatic - Rattle Sound from engine

[Cvisserman]

Hello,

I just purchased a new 2015 mega cab with auto trans, 4wd. I now have about 600 miles on the truck. Two things: First, there is a noticeable rattle sound coming from the engine at various rpm's, mostly under a slight load from 1500 to 1800 rpm. Is this normal? Sure doesn't sound healthy?

Second, the transmission shifts into 5th and 6th gear far too fast in my opinion, lugging the engine, especially when driving around 45 miles per hour. Is this normal? I have read some of the posts about a refresh, but they seem about a year old, is there a current flash that will address this issue?

Rather than enjoying my truck, I seem to be spending most of my time listening to the engine lug around, and then "rattle" once it shifts into a lower gear.

Any thoughts, input would be appreciated.

PS. I also own a 95 12 valve, and it still runs like a champ, no rattle noise from the engine, under any rpm.

 

[GDTurner]

It is tough to know what the rattle is without hearing it. I drive my 2015 in Tow Haul mode all of the time, and that makes the truck shift at higher RPMs. I also think my shifts sooner when it isn't on, but that seems to depend on how steady the foot is on the throttle. I had a 2003, but it is hard to compare the old 4 speed 47RE with the six speed 68RFE.

 

[Steve Martin]

Mine shifts the same as yours. I have to say when I first got my truck it seemed like it was always lugging (and still does). After a couple years now I don’t seem to pay attention anymore. I just know that when I need the power I just step on the throttle and it finds the gear it needs. This truck is amazing the power and of course the torque it produces. You’ll get use to it. Enjoy that new truck and hope you get the rattle fixed.

Steve

 

[sag2]

Quit worrying about it and drive it. You can hear some noises because it is so quiet. Your 12 valve is so loud you could never hear any subtle noises from it. Your concern is one that I used to get all the time since common rail came out and things got nice and quiet.
And if you don't like the shifts there is a little button on the shifter that allows to to be in total control. But the bottom line is just drive it and enjoy how much power it has and how nice it rides. The engine controller will not allow anything bad to happen, and it was programmed so it shifts early, lugs, and gets great fuel economy and no emissions. Welcome to the world of new state of the art trucks. It ain't no 12 valve!

 

[sag2]

And welcome to the TDR. You will get lots of great info here.

 

[Cvisserman]

Thanks for the information and advice to all. Much appreciated.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I love the rattle. My 6.7 power stroke rattled when it was pooping rods onto the expressway.

 

[Dogpatch]

Mine does the same. I have about 1600 miles on it.
If it calves, they can have it back to fix.....it's under warranty!
I do as others have recommended, Get in, hit Exhaust brake and TowHall buttons and drive.
I love my new truck, noises, shifting and all! It's a beast waiting to perform!

 

[JohnCW]

I was at our local Dodge house having the filter heater recall done this summer and noticed a brand new cummins engine on a pallet with the Fed-Ex tags still on it.

Asked the service manager what the story was, he said a new 2015 with 500 miles developed a nasty sound and that that was the new engine .

He said factory wanted it back and not to attempt repair .

 

[Ozymandias]

Quality control - they want to examine why this engine makes noise and not just repair it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Use TH and EB ALL the time and your shifting/lugging problems will go away.

 

[RVTRKN]

Fill out your sig so we can see your truck with the options as well. Welcome to TDR, you'll find lots of great advise here. I'll assume you have a 68 rfe with the 3:42 differential. Mine does exactly as you described and forces me to manually shift the auto, to keep it above 1500 RPM. If I run T/H it tends to cluck real bad at times and reminds me it's in T/H, so that's not an option. The pinging your hearing IS NOT NORMAL, my 2014 is not my first 6.7 CTD, look at my sig. I repeat,,,,, Mine does the same and forces me to manually shift it to prevent that pinging. But you'll also see your MPG improve.

 

[Mingoglia]

Quit worrying about it and drive it. You can hear some noises because it is so quiet. Your 12 valve is so loud you could never hear any subtle noises from it. Your concern is one that I used to get all the time since common rail came out and things got nice and quiet.
And if you don't like the shifts there is a little button on the shifter that allows to to be in total control. But the bottom line is just drive it and enjoy how much power it has and how nice it rides. The engine controller will not allow anything bad to happen, and it was programmed so it shifts early, lugs, and gets great fuel economy and no emissions. Welcome to the world of new state of the art trucks. It ain't no 12 valve!

I can agree with this. I've noticed since owning my truck that it's so quiet I can actually hear wind noise at higher speeds. Something I would have never noticed on my 2nd gen because it was so noisy.

 

[Regcabguy]

Coming out of a 24v,my '07 5.9's remarkably quiet and I can hear little subtle noises that were blanketed out my old one.
Enjoy the new ride!

 

[RVTRKN]

That pinging noise is not normal, and with a manual trans lugging can be common and I've never heard that, in the two Cummins I've owned except the 2014. But my other two Cummins never ran at 1000 RPM in high gear.

 

[Simoniz]

While test driving several 15's and 16's this week. I notice one making a MORE than normal rattle. It got my attention....

 

[Bill Stockard]

While test driving several 15's and 16's this week. I notice one making a MORE than normal rattle. It got my attention....

I too have test driven a couple of 2015 3500 dually trucks with 68RFE transmissions with T/H off and on, but didn't hear the rattle. However, they were geared with 3.73:1 and 4.10:1 ratio axles.

Bill

 

[Cvisserman]

Thanks to all for the information. Seems there are some differences of opinion out there about my noise. I will plan to take it to the dealer for its first oil change at around 3500 miles and inquire then. My truck has a build date of 12/14, so going in early for the first oil change seems like a smart idea given how long the truck has been sitting around. If they give me the run around, I'll take a quick drive in a new truck sitting on the lot, which should give me a definitive answer to my question about the noise.

On another note, I bought my truck at Dave Smith Motors, and I'd recommend them. MSRP of $55800, paid $46296 out the door which includes a $3500 rebate, and tax savings due to considerable trade equity. I couldn't get close to that price, or even find a 2015 model in the Seattle area.

 

[RVTRKN]

What is your rear ratio?

 

[Badunit]

Mine rattles. Not loudly but it does do it from time to time. I blame it on the low RPMs the transmission tries to keep it to. Also, with everything else so quiet, any little extra sound can be heard. I'm not worried at all.