My new 2004 sounds like my old 1996

[Shifterpilot69]

My 2004 CTD HO 48RE sounds like my 1996 when I pull away from a stop under light to medium throttle. The sound I am talking about is the regular Rattle & Clatter sound that the older 12 valve cummins are known for. It also happens when accelerating from low rolling speeds starting anywhere below 35 MPH or so



It only lasts about . 5 to 2 seconds.



I have about 6000 miles on the truck, and this started at about 3000 miles and happens almost all of the time.



I have tried several brands of fuel and only from large capacity stations to see if it is fuel related. It does not seem to be the fuel.



I am going to bring it in to the dealer for this and would like some Ammo.



I did a search for this, and could not find anything

 

[hammersley]

Check the oil level!

Only kidding... ... ... ... ... ... .....

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I was next to a medium duty GM product at a stoplight that had 'their new diesel' in it... .



When he romped on it from the light (automatic) it did exactly what you are describing... .



It sounds like a combination of the pilot injection scenario, (perhaps stopping and going into non-pilot injection mode... ?) increased injection pressure, and advanced timing... . this is probably to clean up the emissions and increase throttle response.



Sounds sorta like the infamous 'cackle' that was present on the F/IHI brand... .



Matt

 

[Shifterpilot69]

Actually, the first time I heard it, I did stop and check the oil. It was right at the full mark.



I thought that oil pressure would be the problems because the oil gauge would read at the lower end of the range. I then read that these wonderful IDIOT gauges are not accurate anyway.

 

[sag2]

My 03 has done it off and on for months. See my post from a few days ago. I ran the pants off it and it is much quieter now. I think it is crap in the injectors. If the burn is nt perfect, it is going to rattle like a 2nd gen. Even when mine was doing it, it still ran great, and fuel mileage has always been consistent.

 

[Shifterpilot69]

Sound like a good explanation. But is it normal for a 2004 or is it definitely something to get checked out.



By the way, this happens loaded or fully empty.

 

[Shifterpilot69]

Sag2,



I saw your reply, and I tried that yesterday several times including full power from a slow rolling start to about 90 MPH 3 times. no change. Plus this has been going on for about 3000 miles.



Could it just be a bad injector.



As far as power and mileage, both seem to have suffered recently.



I have about a 15 mile stretch of highway that I use to check my mileage every time I get fuel. I reset the computer at the same point on the highway when I am already at speed, and check it at the same point just before I exit th highway. It has slowly and steadily increased from about 15 when brand new to 18. 1 at about 5000 miles. The last on was only 15. 6. and the power seems down also

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I would consider noise and drivability issues worthy of getting looked at. It is newer so the experience base is going to be smaller than the older models. It might take them a while to eliminate all the little bugs. But hey it really could be worse. The pilot injection turns off above 2500 anyways right? So it wont be unbearable until you get it fixed. Id definitely take it in though. No codes im guessing. Should make it fun.

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

Mine does the same thing, and I will check this morning to confirm if it starts at a particular rpm. Ive assumed it has been doing it at a certain throttle position. Previous posts on simular subjects lead me in the direction of injection timing/pulse width changes and was'nt taking it to seriously as long as it stabilized or I heard more here on TDR. I'll respond as soon as I know more.



Mark

 

[amsoilman]

Mine will only make this kind of noise when it is cold. When it warms up, it is very quiet! Perhaps you have a temp sensor that is telling the engine it is still cold, even if it is at normal operating temp.



Just a thought.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Lorenz]

It started about 1000 miles ago. notice it doesn't do it when cold but its religious after it warms up. parked or in neutral it seems to fade considerably at idle. with the e brake on and in drive or reverse it comes back. seems to be very noticable under the slight load of the torque converter then goes away or i cant hear it at speed.

i ran the heck out of it, and didn't seem to be a plugged injector that was able to clean itself out. but i does seem like its only in one cylinder.

mpg dropped a tad 1-2 mpg but im going to blaim that on a dirty air filter.

going to change the fuel filter and add some additive, if this doesn't do it, its going back to the dealer. anybody know about the dreaded reflash that some of the '03 are getting, after seeing the dealer?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Originally posted by Shifterpilot69

Sound like a good explanation. But is it normal for a 2004 or is it definitely something to get checked out.



By the way, this happens loaded or fully empty.

It's perfectly normal when it's cold - just the pilot injection and computer doing there thing. If it does it hot well...

 

[Shifterpilot69]

First of all, Thanks to everyone for the help and replies.



Now back to the problem... ... ...

The problem happens when it is cold, and when it is fully warmed up. Even after driving for 30 Minutes and more.



Here in Oklahoma, its been unseasonably warm the last couple of weeks, so it warms up fast.



I usually plug it in at night if it will be less than 40 overnight. I know it might be overkill, but I like the instant heat and I feel better if the oil is warmer at start up.



The noise seems to be more intense when it is plugged up versus starting it without the block heater.



Any good advice on a good fuel injector cleaner that I might try before taking it in to the dealer. I am not real confident with the "PROFESSIONALS" at the dealership to work on my truck.



Thanks everyone



Michael

 

[Northerner]

Originally posted by Shifterpilot69

My 2004 CTD HO 48RE sounds like my 1996 when I pull away from a stop under light to medium throttle. The sound I am talking about is the regular Rattle & Clatter sound that the older 12 valve cummins are known for. It also happens when accelerating from low rolling speeds starting anywhere below 35 MPH or so



This is identical to mine when lugging it up from a bit lower an rpm than perfect.

 

[ACerf]

noise

It is interesting that you wrote about this topic. I heard this sound at about 9500 miles. I thought it was water in the fuel. I drained the filter twice in one day. After I did that it seemed better. I even took it to the dealer. They drove a new 04 and he said it did the samething. But they did not ask me to listen to it, so I don't know if this is true or not. My wife and I had been driving around looking at house that day. As a result we were doing a lot of stop and go driving. Turning the engine on and off. I notice it mostly sounding rattlely when taking off from a traffic light.

 

[JSchutz]

Mine does the same thing. I'm convinced it's the pilot injection.



My Duramax was quiet right off the line at idle up to exactly 2500 RPM where the pilot injection cut out and the diesel clatter began.



My Cummins clatters for ~1/2 second when I accelerate from idle, then the pilot injection cuts in and she sounds smooth up to ~2250 RPM where pilot injection ends and she sounds like a diesel again. I posted this when I got the truck in June and was told by quite a few others that it was normal. >36,000 miles now, still running great and still clattering when I first punch the accelerator. Jeff

 

[Steve M]

Mine too, I never considered it a problem. Right at 70mph/2300rpm I can hear it turn on and off from time to time going up and down hills. It lets out a slight bark when I take off from a stop too. It's been doing this for 22k miles. I just wish it didn't vibrate at 2700rpm.

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

Just to let you know I was still thinking about it. After a few trips and 100 or so miiles in 25 t0 55 f temps, this is what I observed.

Seems to have more to do with throttle position/ambient temp. /engine temp. than speed,although I would not dought that this may come in to play with our electronics. Maybe we will get an explanation to the programs sequence of operation after we all understand it thru reverse engineering. (still fun though) My bets is on pilot injection/timing changes as this weekends observations found it to all but go away when it was warmer ambient / engine at temp and with varying speeds with different amounts of throttle, so I'm curious enough to keep it on my mind,but not concerned as to having a fault (no codes either)

Mark Thompson

 

[Shifterpilot69]

Thanks again for all of the responses.



It seems that many are having this issue. It's just a shame that our new quite engines make these old noises. Maybe we can get some responses from others that have NOT had this situation... .



I have had comments from some "other than Cummins" Diesel truck owners ask me what was wrong with my mighty Cummins.



My does not seem to be temperature sensitive.











Michael

 

[ACerf]

noise

All I have to say is that, even with the noise my 03 is quiter than any Chevy or Ford diesel. I have come up to a traffic light with any of the other two X-Brand trucks next to me, and all I can hear is the other trucks!