Cummins Engine Knock

[Red360]

I just sold my second generation for a 3rd generation and all I can say about performance from a stock truck is WOW!!!!! My question is, is it normal to hear an "engine knock" kind'a like a gas engine when it is pinging from too much advance? This sound goes away when accelerating, but comes back when driving at a constant speed.

 

[MVaden]

My truck does the same thing and you're right, it is a definite pinging sound. Mine does it worst at lower constant speeds or at least I don't notice it as much at highway speeds. It does not do it at all when I accelerate but once I level off at lower in town speeds it's very noticable.



The dealer mech. said it was normal but when we test drove another 04. 5 it didn't make the sound, he just said all engines are different.



I know that's not very reassuring but I have over 11000 miles and no problems other than bad milage.

 

[yycguy]

If it is knocking at an idle in neutral or at a idle in gear then I believe you have the dreaded cummins injector knock. Take it back to the dealer and get them to perform a injector kill test to determine which injector is bad. I believe that DC and cummins are keeping there head in the sand over this issue as they now there is a problem but they don't want to deal with it. IMHO anyway

Good luck

 

[LightmanE300]

Red360 sounds normal.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Injector knock

I just sold my second generation for a 3rd generation and all I can say about performance from a stock truck is WOW!!!!! My question is, is it normal to hear an "engine knock" kind'a like a gas engine when it is pinging from too much advance? This sound goes away when accelerating, but comes back when driving at a constant speed.

I had it. It was injector knock and it is a pain to get fixed as they take a day or two to check each injector so plan on being without your truck for probably a week. What follows the pinging is you'll notice white smoke on startup and especially if you let your truck set a couple days like over the weekend. It seems the more it sets the worse the smoke. They have to go through a special sequence of testing to satisfy STAR before they will release any injectors. Also consider switching where you fuel the vehicle and definitely use some premium injector cleaner like STANADYNE Performance. Mines been a totally different truck since replacing the injectors with a much smoother idle and the way it takes the power when applied is much smoother also. Good luck.

 

[curatchko]

I've had the injector knock come and go. Although it's rare, I have determined it to be related to where I buy my fuel. I believe it's a poor fuel issue myself.



Just my . 02.

 

[LightmanE300]

Poor fuel is definitely responsible for a difference in clatter that's for sure. If I fill with reg #2 it sounds like a garbage truck knocking and clattering, but when I fill with 50 cetane BP diesel supreme (only available in 2 states, muhahahaa ) it really is a lot quieter and smoother. I have that background muted clatter all the time though. Most folks can't hear it, you really have to listen for it. I have zero white smoke ever, and no smoke at startup ever either. I think that's a 600 issue. We 305'ers with our 'simple engines' never have had to have reflashes for smoke, noise, or poor mileage. Ahh the benefits of modern emissions technology

 

[tschwab]

I think we are talking about two different things here. 1. Injector knock & 2. Pinging - which I believe is somewhat normal, some trucks have it a little more than others.



I asked the diesel tech at my dealer and he said it was normal, It has become less noticeable since I had TSB 18-037-04 done, it is also less noticeable when the truck is warm and by using Stanadyne performance formula in every tank has also helped.

 

[Red360]

Injector cleaner?

I guess I could try the injector cleaner, but I don't think it is the fuel as I bought the truck in MO and drove back to NV. I filled up at many different places during the three day drive home. The truck only has 2019 miles. If the treatment doesn't seem to work, I'll take to Carson City Dodge. I noticed that the truck takes 2 to 3 seconds longer to start vice my 2000 24 valve, but no white smoke that I can see.

 

[DPelletier]

I think we are talking about two different things here. 1. Injector knock & 2. Pinging - which I believe is somewhat normal, some trucks have it a little more than others.

I agree. It is very hard to diagnose engine noises without hearing them. I think some of the noises discussed here are normal and every Cummins makes them although you can only hear them on a 3rd gen. Those with actual injector knock have a real problem and need to get it looked at. Noises in conjuction with white smoke and loss of performance point to injector knock as do noises that magnify over time.



Dave

 

[joeyou]

I had it. It was injector knock and it is a pain to get fixed as they take a day or two to check each injector so plan on being without your truck for probably a week. What follows the pinging is you'll notice white smoke on startup and especially if you let your truck set a couple days like over the weekend. It seems the more it sets the worse the smoke. They have to go through a special sequence of testing to satisfy STAR before they will release any injectors. Also consider switching where you fuel the vehicle and definitely use some premium injector cleaner like STANADYNE Performance. Mines been a totally different truck since replacing the injectors with a much smoother idle and the way it takes the power when applied is much smoother also. Good luck.

Cummins service engineers say the pinging sound is normal. It's a function of the pilot injection timing needed to meet the 2004. 5 emissions. I had the injector clatter. And yes, what a pain--dealer had the dang thing a week and I'm not convinced they replaced the right injector--I made the dealer give me copies of all the tests they ran as well as the technicians notes on the repair order. I'll probably wind up fixing it myself.

 

[sag2]

Red360

The 3rd gens take a bit longer to start than an old non HPCR engine. My 03 and 04 both cranked about 1-2 seconds before starting. Sounds much longer than that. Bottom line is if the performance is good, and mileage is consistant, it isn't broke.

 

[rbattelle]

Red360

The 3rd gens take a bit longer to start than an old non HPCR engine. My 03 and 04 both cranked about 1-2 seconds before starting. Sounds much longer than that. Bottom line is if the performance is good, and mileage is consistant, it isn't broke.

I agree. The pinging is normal. I find mine is very dependent on fuel. I recently fueled for the first time ever with B2 (woo hoo, finally!!) and my pinging sound is much reduced. I've got 37000 with no engine problems.



-Ryan

 

[gcane]

This talk sounds like the Ford site when I had my 2000 PS. Injection Timing my ***. Diesel Manufacturers should have it down by now. Listen to a VW or a Benz. dead quite.

 

[DPelletier]

This talk sounds like the Ford site when I had my 2000 PS. Injection Timing my ***. Diesel Manufacturers should have it down by now. Listen to a VW or a Benz. dead quite.

Had a PSD with the infamous "cackle" did ya? In fairness, I DO believe that SOME of the noises described herein are "normal" for a 5. 9 ISBe. The VW or Benz diesels aren't medium duty, 1,000 lb, 600 ft lb engines, either. My NV-5600 doesn't shift as easily as my wifes Jeep, but I don't consider it a failing of the transmission.



Dave

 

[Shifterpilot69]

I had the problem for 20,000 miles.



I took it in at about 5000 miles and the dealer that I bought the truck from told me it was normal. I was not impressed with the service department there, so I took it to another dealer. They did an injector kill test and found a bad injector. Dont let them tell you that it will take 2 days to do the test. It only took this dealer 20 minutes. It was loudest at full operating temperature after driving down the highway for at least 30 minutes. I told them it needs to be checked as soon as I get there or it might not be detected. It worked, I called them the day before and told them I will be there first thing. They checked it right away. Bad injector. Now the wait. 10 days for the new injector to arrive. At least I could still drive it.



After theyinstalled the new injector (about 30 Minutes). The problem was NOT fixed. needless to say I went in 2 more times and 2 more injectors were replaced over the nect 15,000 miles. (I dont like going to the dealership so I was not in a huury to go right back). on the 4 the trip they tried an injector cleaning with some recycling machine and some additive that I needed to run a tankfull of fuel to complete the process. No change. Still knocking.



On the next trip they did a injector kill test and another injector was ordered.



When it was done I noticed the paper work listed 2 parts installed under warranty. One was an injector, and one was a pushrod. I called them after I got home and asked them if they put someones part on my paperwork and they said NO. one of my pushrods was bent and they replaced it.



I had the Knock for 20,000 miles no matter what gas I used from all over the country and it seams like the whole problem was a pushrod.



7,000 since the repair, and no more problem.



The sound my truck made before the pushrod replacment was the same sound that was put on this forum as a sound bite. (Maybe it was the other forum). Anyways the sound and conditions were the same as many have indicated. Ticking sound at idle, Mainly while in gear, Engine warm, with some noise when the auto trans shifts into a higher gear.



Might want to look into bent pushrods.

 

[BBrodin]

I had the same "pinging " sound. Took the 2004 truck to my dealer. The mechanic hooked up his computer under the steering column. Within a few minutes he said the #1 injector was fueling at 93%. That would cause the ping sound. He said the truck will usually ping when the "fueling rate" changes.



New injector installed and no more ping.

 

[EConnelly]

I got the rattle noise also.

I have taken my truck to 3 different dealers so far. I have learned that if the computer don't tell them anything then there must not be anything wrong. I am sure they turn the key and check the codes. I am trying to find a real mechanic who know's how to listen. This is not the same brand new truck ( 03 now with 17000 miles) when I bought it. It is quiet when it is warm and in neutral. I put the AT in gear and it starts to rattle. I am trying to convience the last dealer I took it to, to check the injectors, injector pump or does the AT computer send false information to the engine computer. I am sure he will denie that possiblity. Also the mileage dropped from 17 to 19 when I bought the truck new to now at 13 to 14 mpg.



Atleast the last dealer mechanic did a flash of the engine computer. I had one dealer check the service bullitens and didn't even look at the truck. I am monitoring the mileage still but the noise is still there.

 

[DPelletier]

EConnelly,

I'd be willing to bet a case of beer that you have one or more bad injectors. Keep on them. The mileage reduction that you have experienced eliminates the "all in your head" "can't duplicate customer complaint" "computer says everything is good" arguments IMO.



Dave

 

[rbattelle]

I second Dave's comments. Mileage drop accompanied by a noise is bad.



-Ryan