Help, clicking engine

[KevinWatts]

I have a loud clicking sound coming from the front of the engine. Changes with engine speed, sounds like maybe the fan clutch because every 30 seconds or so it sounds like a clutch or something trying to engage (It's not the a/c clutch) but the fan has a viscous drag to it when the engine's off (won't freewheel). Engine temps are fine(but it's only in the 70's today), no codes, and everything runs fine. Any ideas, or do I just wait for something to break??????



Thanks,

Kevin

 

[DieselFiend]

Sounds like it's your grid heater clicking on and off. It's getting colder and my trucks grid heater is starting to come on too. Truck uses the grid heater if the amb temp is below 70 degrees I think.

Someone else have any factual information on this?

 

[KevinWatts]

I don't think so. Grids come on under 50 and I haven't seen them on yet this year. And the sound is more like a playing card in the spoke of a bicycle. Been doing some reading and I believe its probably either the tensioner or the fan. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had the same thing and solved it. That way I could get a part here in town before I drive down to the shop.



Thanks.

 

[Prairie Dog]

It a long shot but some early third gens had problem with the wire that runs up to the eng cooling fan chaffing, maybe it's causing the clutch to do something strange.

Please keep us posted as to what you find.



Scotty

 

[GWBourne]

if you have a Jake E-brake it could be the vacume pump going out... trust me... i know... lol

 

[KevinWatts]

I'll check both of these today. I was listening closer last night and it did sound like it might be the ebrake pump.



Thanks, I'll let you know.

 

[KevinWatts]

Yup, vacumn pump. Called dealer and they want $695?????? Any ideas?

 

[KevinWatts]

went to the jacobs web site and found the mopar and cummins part numbers. mopar part number 5102084AA. cummins part number 3965925. Dodge dealer price was $695 and 3 days. Local cummins supplier was $85 plus $15 freight to have it here tomorrow. :--) :--) :--)



Unbelievable.

 

[GWBourne]

yeah, i had a post up about this a few weeks ago.



i bought a spare as well. matter of fact, i need to have that shiped here... lol

it took me about 15 min to change out. a serpintine belt tool is VERY nice to have if you have big hands like i do.

 

[NPloysa]

Mine is doing the same thing, but I only hear it when the truck is on, BEFORE I start it. I can't hear it over the engine. It is not the grids but yeah, it sounds like a barbeque ignitor, rapid clicking. I will see what I can find out tonight. No, I don't have a Jake (wish I did).



Nick

 

[tron1959]

I have the same noise. Sounds like a barbeque ignitor. I heard it after changing the fuel filter. I was under the hood and cycled the ignition switch a few times to fill the new filter. Of course you can only hear it with the ignition on and the engine stopped. I heard this noise coming from under the valve cover. Have you figured out what this is. . ??



I had some grit in the bottom of the canister because of the missing rollover vent tube. I hope my tank is not full of this. It was not deep enough in canister to touch the filter. I will change filter again very soon to see if there is more in the bottom of the canister. A 3/4" PVC pipe cut to length and capped covers the center post in the canister to prevent the crud from getting where it shouldn't while cleaning the grit from the bottom of the canister with paper towels.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Nploysa and Tron,



I believe that the 'barbeque ignitor' sound that you guys are referring to is the injectors firing to bleed the air from the system.



I have heard this on mine also and I thought I had found this information on this forum.



Jeff

 

[tron1959]

Thanks for the info. I found several other posts so I know it is common and I'm not the only one with this sound. Sounds like a good explanation.