vibration in 5.9 diesel

[Art Horovitch]

2006 Dodge Ram 3500 with 6 speed manual transmission, crew cab and single rear wheels and Chrysler installed exhaust brake:
mileage about 100,000 miles.
The engine has developed a noticeable vibration when idling (not moving). Engine mounts checked out OK. Vibration is still there but less evident at highway speeds. Truck is used for towing fifth wheel trailer with GVW of approx 15,000 pounds, which is under the rated limit of 15,700. The harmonic damper/pulley at the front of the engine was replaced with a new one, which did not
cure the problem. No engine check light on and diagnostic codes did not show any injector problems. It was suggested injectors may show up good on the tester, but be partially blocked causing one cylinder to not be firing. Is there a way to test the injectors on some machinAny other possibilities?

 

[JSafrit]

Art,
I have the same model as you do. Already experienced same issue. I also tow a large fifth wheel. Ha d my injectors checked; all ok. Real issue was with the dual mass flywheel! Replaced with a unit from South Bend clutch. All done at 156,000. Now have 193,000, and no issues. Hope this helps.

 

[Art Horovitch]

Dual mass flywheel

Thanks for the info.
We replaced the harmonic damper exterior pulley but that did not solve the problem. We took it to the dealer who opened the clutch assembly and found the following:
1. the DMF was off center to the pilot bearing and showing cracks
2. The clutch itself was only about 50% worn, but showing cracks as well
3. The throwout bearing was worn
4. the slave hydraulic clutch cylinder was leaking, so they have to replace the whole assembly. master and slave

Several thousand dollars later the truck is working fine. I think the harmonic damper being out of kilter is what caused the other problems.
We will check it frequently when the truck is up on the hoist.
Thanks to all who replied with suggestions.

 

[jhenderson]

The damper is not likely a problem. The DMF has a long history of giving up the ghost before 100,000 miles. Best to replace it with a solid flywheel conversion. Do a search on the topic.

 

[Joelbeal]

I just had my friends at Acme Garage in Arlington TX replace my dual mass flywheel in my 2006 with a solid flywheel. You should see that dual mass flywheel - what a disaster at over complicated engineering. Vibration is completely gone and life is good. Clutch action is stiffer and quicker, but it's OK and I am starting to like it better.

 

[RVTRKN]

Thanks for the info.
We replaced the harmonic damper exterior pulley but that did not solve the problem. We took it to the dealer who opened the clutch assembly and found the following:
1. the DMF was off center to the pilot bearing and showing cracks
2. The clutch itself was only about 50% worn, but showing cracks as well
3. The throwout bearing was worn
4. the slave hydraulic clutch cylinder was leaking, so they have to replace the whole assembly. master and slave

Several thousand dollars later the truck is working fine. I think the harmonic damper being out of kilter is what caused the other problems.
We will check it frequently when the truck is up on the hoist.
Thanks to all who replied with suggestions.

I'm sure the dealer replaced it with a DMF as OEM, and at dealer prices it would be expensive. Just keep in mind to replace it with a SMF, if it fails again, which it will.