Engine noise and diff oil changes

[DougMcDaniel]

I have a 2003 2500 4X4. I bought it from a dealer with 28k on it and have put 5k in one month on it. At low rpm hot not cold the engine makes a valve clatter that is loud and then goes away if I give it a little more pedal pressure. It sounds like the engine needs to wind up to go to normal sound. And this is the only time it makes this clattering sound (much louder than normal operation and it does not do this when cold) Is it the fuel pump? or valves.



Also my local dealer only changed the oil when I bought it. I am scheduled for an oil change but I think I should do my 30k service. When I said this the service manager said I had to change the oil in my front and rear diffs. with synthetic oil at $199 per axle. Is this necessary?



Ia ma newcomer so easy. I love my truck and thought TDR is a way to keep it running for a long time.

Doug

 

[rbattelle]

Welcome aboard, Doug.



The noise you are hearing might be you lugging the engine at low RPM. It will make a terrible racket if you load it up at low RPM (<1000 or so). You should avoid doing so as much as possible. I find myself doing it more in the snow, as I'm trying to keep the torque low (to prevent wheelslip) and also trying not to fry the clutch. It's hard to balance when changes in traction on the snow occur rapidly.



The differential fluid change interval on these trucks is 15k. Many of us think this is ridiculous, but are doing so anyway for warranty purposes. You must use a full-synthetic GL-5 rated 75w-90 gear oil front and rear for warranty purposes. No limited slip additive is required if you have the limited slip rear end. There are many threads containing suggestions for what type of fluid to use. Rest assurred, whatever you choose you can do it yourself for MUCH less than $199 per axle. That's highway robbery. 4 quarts of fluid out back (11. 5 inch rear) and 3 quarts up front. No RTV required for the diff cover, as it uses a reuseable rubber o-ring.



Good luck, and remember no question is too dumb to ask (or search on).



-Ryan