Injection Pump Noise?

[Mike Ellis]

Howdy Folks,



Well, I finally bit the bullet and joined TDR after reading the forums for quite a while. I've had my truck for about 8 months, it is a bone stock '97 Dodge 3500, 5 speed, 3. 54 gears. Without question the best truck I've ever had.



It pulls pretty good even in stock form compared to other trucks I've owned, but bombing is a definite requirement after reading TDR.



Before I get on the BOMBwagon, I wanted to ask you folks a quick question. Bear with me if it's idiotic, remember this is my first diesel truck.



When I am really loading the engine and putting my foot in it (not lugging, just working it hard) there is a noticeable clattering sound that appears to emanate from the driver's side of the engine. Never hear this noise except in heavy load situations. Do you guys hear this with your trucks - that is, is this a normal voice in the Cummins symphony or should I be worried that my injection pump is grenading? (Directing this question to the Dodge dealership has been remarkably futile).



Any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.



Mike

 

[illflem]

Mike, your problem sounds like a lift pump going out. What is happening is the actuator lever on the pump isn't returning fully in it's cycle in times of high fuel demand and the cam is slapping against it making the noise. From what I understand this can cause serious damage if not taken care of, get it checked out.

 

[Dieselnerd]

That's the P7100 pump doing it's thing. Noisy little devil but the best pump ever put in a Dodge. The harder it works, the more noise it makes. It sounds like valve clatter that goes away as you let up on the throttle. Enjoy...



PS: After reading Illflem's post, on mine the clatter is way too fast to be the lift pump, I hope that's what you are hearing and not a slower ticking. Lift pump only runs at 1/2 the speed of the engine because it's driven by the camshaft so if it gets noisy it sounds a lot different than the normal clatter from the injection pump.

 

[DHRA]

P7100

The P7100 runs half of the speed of the engine also. The clicking noise could be a number of things, could be a stuck plunger to just the normal noise. Where are you located Mike?

 

[Dieselnerd]

Eric, very true on the pump running 1/2 speed but it's got 6 noisemakers compared to 1 in the lift pump. Anyhow, mine has sounded the same since new and I bet that's what Mike is hearing too. It doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution and take it to Cummins for a listen though. Mike, let us know what you find out.