Engine Ticks and Knocks

[CTRice]

My 2006 CTD has developed the ticking noise over the last 5,000 miles. I am on a 5,000 mile cross country trip pulling a 12,000 lb Cardinal fiver. The noise started just before I left home. It was a subtle spark-knock like sound. Now after pulling my camper for 4,000 miles at speeds averaging 65mph, the ticking noise has become a loud rattle that is present at most speeds and rpm levels. It is much louder when cold and under acceleration under load.



I have been using mostly ULSD and have only added PS a couple of times. I am afraid the dealer will tell me that this is normal. I say rubbish. I had a 1999 24v CTD, and after that had a 2002 Duramax/Alli. Neither of these trucks developed weird noises.



I can't say I haven't driven the truck hard. I don't think carbon is the problem. Considering these conditions, Do any of you have any ideas what I should do to correct this annoying condition?? Or more importantly, will this loud rattle result more significant issues or damage to the drivetrain??



I am on my way home to Michigan and have about 1,500 miles to go. Should I drive a certain way, limit my speeds, or start using additional PS??



Thanks, Chuck

__________________________________________________ ________________

2006 Laramie 3500 QC SB 4x4 48re

2001 Cardinal 28ft. Fiver

 

[KDillard]

I say drive it like you stole it. Do you have any mods on it? Have you changed fuel filter lately? Keep driving it till it stops. This way the moron TECHS working for DC wont have to hunt for the problem. I found I had a TICK and the cure for me was not lugging the motor and driving it like I had just stolen it.

 

[DKoerber]

Hey CT,



I started developing a real bad tick coming from the injectors so I took my truck to two different shops. They both said nothing was wrong. I started using PS and never really thought about when the tick started and when I started using PS. I have ran the last two tanks through the truck with no PS and what do you know the tick is gone. Don't know why the PS would cause the truck to knock/tick but it did on mine.

 

[mberry]

I have run PS before and mine ticked a lot, especially when cold or with very light throttle that did get worse until I saw about 20K miles. After that it didn't get any worse. I now am using Redline 85+ in every tank and the tick is completely gone, even when cold. Go figure. I won't be using anything else from now on.

 

[DieselFiend]

Mine ticks too. I ran a couple of different types of additives and nothing helped so I made a valve adjustment and it made the tick just a little bit softer. However annoying it may be, I think this is normal. Some say it's the third injection event and others say that it's dirty injectors. Who really knows, but my tick started at around 6k. I'm now at 46K and me & my tick are still running strong.

 

[04 Diesel Power]

Ticking

77,000 miles and still ticking, truck runs great though.

 

[CTRice]

Well guys, I made it home without any mechanical problems. I did pick up a large jug of PS White and fed it to the clattering beast at every fill-up. (Still clattering after a full jug over 5-6 fill-ups)



I don't understand how something that sounds like heavy pre-ignition spark knock can be normal. If I knew that I would have to live with this annoying noise before I bought my truck I probably would have kept my GMC Dura/Alli.



I was an engineer at DCX for twenty years and never heard of anything like this.

I don't care if it's "normal", it is a customer dissatisfier.



Is there anything I/we can do to eliminate this condition??



Is there a flash?? What about replacing an item called the FCA (Fuel Control Actuator) which is part of the CP3??. I read in another thread that this component controls timing of ignition events. The guy said that he corrected his ticking by replacing this FCA thing. Does anyone know anything about the failure mode for the FCA??



I'm looking for resolution and some additional viewpoints.



Thanks, Chuck

 

[Strick69]

I have always had "tick" or "rattle". It is only there when in gear, not park or neutral. I think it is maybe the flex plate or something in the transmission. I may be wrong but I don't think it is an injector or engine problem.

 

[betterthanstock]

You can have the dealer disable one injector at a time, and listen for the noisy one, or you'll know it's something else...





Also, ATF (transmission fluid) has a little friction modifier, and I believe it helps if an injector is a little tight, and slow to respond to that pilot injection event.



Mine had a tick too...

 

[AmmoVan]

I Picked up my truck in Dec and noticed the ticking noise after I hit 1,000 miles. I am in the Air Foce and I thought it might be the diesel here in Germany (low Cetane). Because the Octane rating for unleaded is lower than what we use in the states. I emailed Cummins and asked them if they knew about the rating but they never responded to my question. I tried X-R1 diesel fuel treatment. It's the only additive I can get on base. The truck runs better when I use it. I feel better knowing this is a common problem since I don't have any Cummins mechanics to talk to and I don't speak any german.

 

[DPKetchum]

I would not put ATF in the fuel. It has propertys that might also score items in the fuel delivery system. There are additives designed to be used in the fuel system. Atf is not one of them.

 

[PSAJB1]

Mine was doing the same thing with a bad knock at idle in drive when hot. I put a quart of PS silver in it and about half way through the tank it went away. Hasn't come back since, but I use 1/2 quart per tank now. I used to put a 1/4 of a quart before but it wasn't enough. I guess it depends on the fuel quality.



that is my 2 cents

 

[SBLASIUS]

mine has been making the niose since about 7500 miles i have been using rolling big power additive not really helping much . what is ps silver never heard of it and would like to try it thanks for the info

 

[CTRice]

PS Silver is a fuel additive. It is sold under the Power Service Brand name and comes in a silver plastic jug. The silver formulation is supposed to be for cleaning fuel injectors and providing additional lubrication to the fuel system. Power Service White comes in a white plastic jug an is supposed to be used to lower the fuel gelling temperature and providing additional lubrication.



Both Power Service formulations are available at most Wall-Mart. Cost at Wall-Mart is $15. 20 per jug.



Many CTD Register members swear by these products for keeping their CTDs running great. I am not yet convinced, as I only have limited experience with these products.



I've used several qapplications of PS White and have not eliminated the obnoxious clatter my 2006 CTD makes.



Chuck

 

[DFranks]

I have/had the infamous "timing knock" as I call it.

It is pretty much gone now after following several users of the TDR forum *note almost gone... . cold weather seems to bring it back a little when present under heavy throttle applications.

I use 8oz of MMO and 16oz of PS at fillup and it seems to have quietened it down if not gone completely. will take a tank to notice the change.

I am no way affiliated with either of the above companies

 

[CTRice]

Please advise what MMO is??

Thanks, Chuck

 

[DPKetchum]

Marvel Mysyery oil.

 

[PBax]

my noise went away when i started using additives... PS silver is my choice.

 

[DPKetchum]

I had some noise and it gets louder gradual but if you tow or haul real weight like the engine is built to do it goes away real quick. It did for me. Withen a few hundered miles of pulling 10k the ticking was gone. My rear diff. started shuddering hot but engine noise was very differant for the better.

 

[rbattelle]

I read in another thread that this component controls timing of ignition events. The guy said that he corrected his ticking by replacing this FCA thing. Does anyone know anything about the failure mode for the FCA??

The FCA has nothing to do with injection timing. Injection timing is controlled entirely by the ECM.



The FCA is a simple valve mechanism that distributes fuel between the CP-3 pumping chambers, cooling circuit, and returns the remainder to the tank. Replacing it probably won't cure a tick, unless the engine is being starved or overfueled because too much fuel is being dumped into the pumping chambers (or not enough).



The loud rattle you describe - are you certain it's internal to the engine? Have you got under the hood and listened for the source? It could be a loose engine mount or transmission mount.



Ryan