Valve Ticking?

[Tilesetter Too]

I'm getting a ticking noise that very much sounds like valve tick. It comes and goes, some days far more noticable than other days, but that could be me. I have no mods, change oil religously and switched to full synthetic at 30K. I now have 42K. All fluid levels are fine, nothing ever low. I'm runnning Rotella 15-40 full synthetic.

I do tow at times up to 17-18K combined but only for short periods 10-20 miles and no hill climbing with that. I run 50-50 trailer/no trailer and most times the trailer is at 4k or 11-12K combined. I change oil on the B schedule.



Has anybody else experienced this valve clatter. I'm pretty sure thats what it is but I haven't had time to get it to the dealer yet. Any thoughts????

Shawn

 

[CHardin]

Did the '03 come out with hydraulic lifters? If not, I doubt if your noise is a lifter... the mechanical lifters would not come and go like that. Their noise would be steady and repetitive. How about lift pump or injector pump? Try using a piece of welding rod as a probe/stethoscope to pinpoint the source.

 

[rbattelle]

Here's the classic "old-timey" thread from way back in 2003 that dealt with the tick. I don't know if I have it, but one time TDR member JHardwick drove in my truck and said "oh, you've got the infamous tick". So I guess I have it. I think it's the sound of the injector solenoid(s).



Now, having said that, it is possible you've got an actual valve lash problem. There are some members here (Vaughn Mackenzie comes to mind) who set their valve lash while the truck was still young and found it to be off from the factory on a couple valves. This could cause a noise.



You're sure it's a "tick" and not a "knock"?



-Ryan

 

[p-Bar]

I think Iv'e read somewhere that is the pilot injection , mine does it from time to time.

 

[Tilesetter Too]

Thats what it sounds like, the lifter tick. It reminds me of a gas engine with 100k on it ticking away.



No, I don't think its a knock, but i won't rule it out. I seem to remember a thread about a burnt exhaust valve or some such recently but haven't been able to find the thread.



This isn't something I've had since new, it just cropped up in the last thousand miles or so. Its intermittent, sometimes when loaded, sometimes not, sometimes while at speed, sometimes while at idle, sometimes it all the time for days straight. I guess I need to just get it in but I dread going to the local Nazi's for service.

Shawn

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I think you guys are hearing typical HPCR injector noises. My '03 did it, nothing to worry about.



rbattele is right though, doesn't hurt to check that valve lash early I did my '03 around 25k.



Vaughn

 

[Big_H316]

My '03 has the "tick" as well. It's nothing, seriously. I had my valves lashed at 164,000 miles and only 3 were slightly out of spec. It does sound exactly like a light valve tick that sometimes is louder than others but you have nothing to worry about. Did you ever hear it on a '98 - '02? I doubt anyone else did either... . they were just a loud motor (I miss that sound). The HPCR is so much quieter that we hear things that were never heard on the older ones.



Keep on trucking down the road.