ticking noise when cold

[DF5152]

my truck has just over 4k on the clock and has ticked when cold since i got it. now that it is cold out it is really noticable. once the truck has run for a few minutes it quiets down. it almost sound like a bad lifter or rocker out of adjustment any idea or is this normal?



Dan

 

[DMC]

Are you plugging it in at night? It has been quite cold where you are lately. Are you sure that your fuel is winterized? If it has been noisey since you got it I would either check the valve adjustment or have it checked at your dealer.



I hope this helps



Let us know what you find out. .



Don

 

[rbattelle]

Remember, when the cylinder temperature is low ignition lag (delay angle) increases, which in turn increases rate of pressure rise. Translation: the engine sounds like a washing machine full of marbles! Are you sure this "ticking" is not normal combustion knock?

 

[ReelDuel]

noise

My CTD sound like a 2nd gen diesel for the first few min when cold

 

[DF5152]

i dont plug in at night the truck is garaged. it doesnt sound like normal combustion but this is my first diesel. it goes away after a few minutes sounds like an out of adjustment rocker truck runs fine for the most part.

 

[Blownaway]

It is a diesel you know, just be glad it is a 3rd Gen. My truck sounds kinda like a 2nd gen if you take off right away for the first little bit without any warm-up on a cold night, Even my TDI jetta was loud during the same situation and those are normally really quite.

 

[DF5152]

is the valve cover gasket reusable?

 

[DMC]

Yes they are reusable. Especially as new as your truck is. I replaced mine on my 96 when one of them started leaking at about 130,000 mi. Just be sure you leave the same gaskets on the valve covers that they were on when you pull them.



Have you compared your complaint to another 3rd gen truck. I would definately do that before adjusting the valves, unless you just feel the need to check it over yourself.



I read that the 3rd gen motors have a two stage injection process to improve power and efficientcy, and to reduce noise. What your hearing could be a characteristic of the motor when cold.



I hope this helps



Don

 

[rbattelle]

Some comments on DMCs comments:



By pluralizing "valve covers" DMC may be thinking we have 6 individual covers, like they have on the 12 valves. I don't think that's the case: I believe there is just one giant gasket on 24v engines.



The 2-stage injection process he's referring to is more commonly known as pilot injection: a small amount of fuel is injected at a large advance angle (say 30 degrees BTDC or so), which increases the chamber temperature. That, in turn, tends to improve the evaporation rate of the main fuel charge, which decreases delay angle (ignition lag) and rate of pressure rise significantly. Translation: engine is much quieter.



Someone correct me if I'm blowing smoke here, but I believe the ECM turns off pilot injection when the engine is really cold. I don't know exactly what "really cold" means, but it's somewhere below 66*F (which is the cutoff for the heater grids to begin their cycle).



When cold, my truck tends to sound very much like a 2nd gen truck (the 'ol washing machine full of marbles). It tends to be much quieter when I use the block heater.



Does anyone out there have a convenient way to make some engine sound recordings? I think it might help a lot of people if we could have some "sample" 3rd gen sounds (for a stock truck). We'd want: normal warm-weather idle, cold weather idle without block heater, cold weather idle with block heater, someone with the "tick", and someone without the "tick".

 

[CATCRACKER]

i really believe my tick is when cold my piston skirt hitting the j-jet cooling nozzle. this is from having the piston put in backwards. i would pull the oil pan but there are so many bolts on that it i dont want to open that can of worms. i dont think it is anything to worry about. i bet it will tick like that for 400K

 

[DMC]

Catcracker:



I hope you don't believe what you posted. If you do then you definately need to let someone do all of the maintenance on your truck.



Good Luck



Don

 

[lschultz]

Maybe CATCRACKER is just I can't help ya'll to much cause it don't get that cold down here. 27 is the coldest so far. But it's a DIESEL engine. There gonna make sounds when they are that cold.