Loud click/knock sound

[dcscott]

I'm hesitant to call this a knocking sound as it seems slightly higher pitched then that. Reminds me a lot of my early gasser days and stickly lifters.



Anyway, my 555 (1 year old, 40k+ miles) has suddenly decided to make this loud clatter. It is most noticeable around 1100-1200rpm primarily as I'm letting the clutch out. Clanks about 3-4 times per second.



Any ideas what this might be? Should I be worried?



Thanks,



Dale

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Does it do it ALL the time, just more noticeable when using the clutch, or what - and yes, you should be worried...



Could be anything from a failing pilot bearing, to a throwout/clutch problem - all requiring dropping the transmission...

 

[FPoitra]

Possibly a faulty injector, low rpms under load, as in when pulling out from an idle. "Injector Knock"

 

[dcscott]

I can get occasionally get it to make the noise by lugging the engine down around 1100-1200 but only occasionally. I can make it happen almost everytime I start out from a dead standstill, but only if the engine is warmed up. I can also prevent it from making the sound when letting the clutch out by simply upping the rpm's somewhat first.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Wonder if one of the springs in the clutch hub is broken or otherwised defective - is clutch engagement still smooth and predictable - notice any new behavior from a dead stop in forward or reverse?

 

[rbattelle]

Mine is exactly as dcscott reports. Sounds like someone is hitting the side of the block with a claw hammer. I refuse to take it to the dealer unless it explodes... I've got 4 years and 75000 miles remaining on my engine warranty.

 

[FPoitra]

Mine did the same thing, but only when the engine was warm. Try this. After driving 10 to 15 miles. Stop in a parking lot or your driveway, put the parking brake on, put it in gear and check to see where the knock is the loudest. Mine is at 900 rpm. It really does sound like a faulty injector because what you are describing is exactly what happened to me, and they had to order 2 injectors, which I am still waiting for.

 

[dcscott]

Thanks for responding guys:



Gary - Clutch seems as smooth as ever. No noticable difference taking off in either direction.



Rbattelle - Yup! Claw Hammer! Good description. If I didn't share your fear of dealers I would have taken it in a week ago. My only concern is that the darn thing might break out in the middle of nowhere ona 100 degree day with the fiver in tow and my wife aboard.



FPoitra - Yup! It only does it when it is warm. Can't try your parking lot trick though as this is a stick shift not an automatic. If I put the parking brake on and put it in gear things are going to get real quiet.





So - If it turns out to be a faulty injector how hard on the engine is it to drive it as is. We're planning on taking our 5th wheel and heading out for the 4th. Probably put about 1000 miles on the truck with about 150 of that being with the trailer. Is this going to be a problem?

 

[FPoitra]

Thats the same question I am asking. Diesel tech let me drive it home, so I assume it is ok to drive until new injectors arrive. But it does worry me alot and I am not driving it as much just to be on the safe side. Use your own discretion.

 

[rbattelle]

Well, I've been driving mine this way for 27000 miles and over a year. Can't be that harmful!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HEY - mines beem clicking and knocking for over 2 years and 27,000 miles...



Oh, wait, it's a '02, and SUPPOSED to do this...

 

[Not_Agn]

Mine too is making this infamous noise. If it is injectors would this be causing my oil to be black as coal after a 1000 miles. Any extra diesel making it to the pan? Or is the oil situation just my bad driving habits. I am planning on replacing the injectors myself, but of course that takes money. I don't really hear anything when I have the tst box off, this is what is leading me to believe it is the injectors? Also on the higher settings I have been getting a backfire(best way to describe it). It has happend when dogging it, and wide open shifting. Any ideas? Other wise it will go till she blows! see how good dodge likes me. Lee.

 

[yycguy]

Originally posted by dcscott

I'm hesitant to call this a knocking sound as it seems slightly higher pitched then that. Reminds me a lot of my early gasser days and stickly lifters.



Anyway, my 555 (1 year old, 40k+ miles) has suddenly decided to make this loud clatter. It is most noticeable around 1100-1200rpm primarily as I'm letting the clutch out. Clanks about 3-4 times per second.



Dale,

If you do a search you will see I posted a similar problem about a month ago. Now my truck is a auto so starting off I don't quite have the same load on the motor as you do. But when I was putting my transmission in Drive and holding the brake on I would get the knocking I think you are referring to?

Now what I did under advise from BD power is run diesel injector cleaner and run the bag off the truck and after about a week of running the injector cleaner it has stopped.

I was told that this is a problem that DC nows about and it is these 5. 9's like to be ran at higher rpm's that we normally run in city driving.

Hope this helps

 

[RGower]

My truck had knock between 800-1200 rpm as rbattelle described. Turned out to be a faulty # 2 Injector and my truck was out of action for 2 1/2 weeks- 14 days waiting for the injector to show up. If you have the injectors replaced make sure they put in a NEW valve cover gasket. They did not on mine ( apparently Chrysler policy) and I just about lost the engine on the way home from the dealer due to engine oil loss-1/8 inch above add mark when I discovered problem (the original gasket did not seal). My mileage is also down about 2. 5 MPG from before repair.



2003 3500 SB SRW 4X4 250HP