After 300 mile roadtrip I got back home to slower speeds and a noidy off-idle rattle.

[edpdx]

I changed the glow plugs, the injectors, oil and tranx oil/filters. The radiator does not leak, the fuel filter (OEM) was replaced with the F100M round filter system and gauge. The 300 to the destination went off w/out a hitch. The return trip started feeling tinny, and weak the last 100 miles. It sounds like the oil is worn or low. I checked this morning; it's not low, but it was a little sludgy/black. I ran oil cleaner just before I drained it and put in a new filter and Rotella 15-40. Still the same.

Sounds like driving it off on a cold morning, except it never settles down after warm-up. If I accelerate it speeds up with a tinny sound- the embarrassing kind .

No oil, and easy startups.

What else can I look at?

details: M1009 diesel all stock.

 

[porkysplace]

I changed the glow plugs, the injectors, oil and tranx oil/filters. The radiator does not leak, the fuel filter (OEM) was replaced with the F100M round filter system and gauge. The 300 to the destination went off w/out a hitch. The return trip started feeling tinny, and weak the last 100 miles. It sounds like the oil is worn or low. I checked this morning; it's not low, but it was a little sludgy/black. I ran oil cleaner just before I drained it and put in a new filter and Rotella 15-40. Still the same.

Sounds like driving it off on a cold morning, except it never settles down after warm-up. If I accelerate it speeds up with a tinny sound- the embarrassing kind .

No oil, and easy startups.

What else can I look at?

details: M1009 diesel all stock.

Is this the same truck?
How many miles on it ?
What kind of speeds were running?
The motor might just be getting tired .
M1009 rolling up on 100,000 miles... any sugestions for keeping it rolling?

 

[ken]

Sounds like a faulty injector or injectors. "Leaking and not spraying" I realize you changed them but they can fail. What brand did you use? There are a lot out there made in India that don't hold up very long.

 

[edpdx]

Is this the same truck? From a 3 year old post, yes.
How many miles on it ? Now I am at 133,959
What kind of speeds were running? 60 average
The motor might just be getting tired . Huh?
M1009 rolling up on 100,000 miles... any sugestions for keeping it rolling?

It has been running swell, no tell tale of impending problems.

 

[edpdx]

Sounds like a faulty injector or injectors. "Leaking and not spraying" I realize you changed them but they can fail. What brand did you use? There are a lot out there made in India that don't hold up very long.

I'll have to look where I bought the injectors from exactly. But I went to a place recommended on this forum. They were installed 3 months ago. How many have to go bad before they make all that racket?

 

[Chaski]

All it takes is one injector to make a bunch of noise. I have pulled a new one out that had a nozzle fail within 5,000 mi. Also had a new injector stick on a loader I had.

The one on the right is toast...



Try loosening the lines one at a time until the noise goes away. Remove the offending injector and take it to an Injection shop.

 

[edpdx]

All it takes is one injector to make a bunch of noise.

I have pulled a new one out that had a nozzle fail within 5,000 mi.

WHAT! That's CRAZY. This is my first diesel, and I have yet to experience injector failure by that bit of info. Is there a way to check and see which one(s) is to blame?

 

[Chaski]

I edited my post after you replied and didn’t realize it. My earlier post should answer your question now.

 

[dependable]

Sounds like driving it off on a cold morning, except it never settles down after warm-up. If I accelerate it speeds up with a tinny sound- the embarrassing kind

Is your fast idle circuit turning off after warm up? Green wires by IP, to fast idle solenoid and idle advance should power off after truck has reached operating temp. The ''tinny sound" sounds like it might be the warm up circuit timing advance staying on. Does not sound good, nor is it particularly good for motor

 

[edpdx]

Yes, the idle circuit does return to a slow idle, it's the noise level that does not seem to come down. Today I switched in 8 NEW fuel injectors. I also shortened the lines and inspected all line clamps. No leaks, started right up. But the noisy rattle persisted- just as loud. I put the stereoscope on the exhaust manifold and the valve covers to see if one area seemed louder- if an area was, I couldn't tell.

I changed out the oil and oil filter, and all fluids are good.

Is this gonna be ROD KNOCK- no doubt about it, or are there other things to look for? The symptoms are gray exhaust (real smoke that hangs in the air) that accompanies any off idle acceleration, and power is lacking.

If it's a rod, I'll have to take it in- I just can't work on bottom end stuff. What kind of job is it? What kind of expense should I brace for?

Thanks,

Ed

Is your fast idle circuit turning off after warm up? Green wires by IP, to fast idle solenoid and idle advance should power off after truck has reached operating temp. The ''tinny sound" sounds like it might be the warm up circuit timing advance staying on. Does not sound good, nor is it particularly good for motor

 

[dependable]

Sounds like you are burning oil, would not be surprised if motor was in need of rebuild. Knock might be injection related, but also could be connecting rod, more likely to go at piston wrist pin than at crank, especially if the motor ever sucked a glow plug or was used with starting fluid(either).

Never tried it myself, but if you don't have time to further diagnostics, (compression test, oil pressure test, etc) an oil sample testing service might give you idea of extent of engine wear.

 

[Drock]

I'm going to throw this out there. Have you pulled the bell housing inspection cover. And checked the fLex plate to torque converter bolts?

 

[cucvmule]

Very good Idea, Drock, had it happen, But down on power?

Dump fuel filter in glass jar, check for contaminates.

 

[edpdx]

Dependable, new glow plugs 3 months ago as a matter of maintenance. New fuel filter last month. Never used ether or other sprays. I was leaning towards rod knock, but want to DIY as much as I can before outsourcing the bottom end work. I have heard of bad fuel as a source of the knocking. If the fuel is contaminated, how can I tell?

Drock, I'll have a good look at the flexplate bolts, but I have some smoke that accompanies the noise; would that jibe with a cracked flexplate?

Sounds like you are burning oil, would not be surprised if motor was in need of rebuild. Knock might be injection related, but also could be connecting rod, more likely to go at piston wrist pin than at crank, especially if the motor ever sucked a glow plug or was used with starting fluid(either).

Never tried it myself, but if you don't have time to further diagnostics, (compression test, oil pressure test, etc) an oil sample testing service might give you idea of extent of engine wear.

 

[doghead]

That would coincide with a bad injector or bad fuel.

 

[Tinstar]

Bad batch of diesel?
Try a can of seafoam. Definitely can’t hurt.

Is injector pump original?
Never rebuilt?
Your 33k+ over its rated life before overhaul.

 

[Drock]

No of course the flex plate and smoke have Nothing to do with one another. But with 30 year old vehicles, it's possible to have multiple problems at once. A loose flex plate can sound a lot like rod knock. As fore mentioned I'd check the simple stuff first like fuel. I few guy's I follow on Instagram have posted pics of clogged fuel filters this winter. I guess there's wax in the diesel these days? Maybe try feeding room temperature fuel to the lift pump, and/or some Seafoam in the tank.

 

[cucvrus]

There has been paraffin in diesel forever. That is nothing new. Power Service diesel fuel conditioning is good to add if needed. 911 from Power Service is just to be used sparingly. But I would lean towards an injection pump issue. I had a 4WD diesel Luv truck in 1981 and it gelled and like magic it was purring along with the additive Power Service makes. Been a faithful follower ever since. But only as needed. Good Luck with your issues.

 

[edpdx]

Things are better. After reading several posts from other diesel owners on remedies for the loud, smoky off idle condition, I decided to try adding ATF to the fuel. I wasn't all that certain that it could help as I just completed a diesel purge with lubro moly, so I expected that all injector aspects were not the issue. After test driving I noticed no appreciable difference. This morning I decided to get a new spin on filter, one with a drain valve. On my way to Napa, I filled my tank- I was at 1/4 . A block later all knocking ceased, smoke stopped, power back up to snuff. Fifteen miles city driving, and still quiet.I may take a road trip tomorrow to really test it before patting myself on the back. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[sneekyeye]

Must have had a bad batch of fuel if that was the case.