Author Topic: Duramax problem (Read 1487 times)

tmagnum · « **on:** February 25, 2006, 04:18:36 AM »

I posted this at the bottom of another thread, but thought I would start a new one to get some ideas. I recently have noticed a ticking, or knocking in my duramax with 4000 miles on it. The volume of the ticking varies, but seems to worsen after reving the motor in neutral, as it comes back to idle. some periodic loud ticks can be heard at normal idle. Difficult to diagnose without actually hearing it, but has anyone else heard of this problem with the 06 duramax, and could it simply be a injector issue vs. an internal motor problem like valves?

Carl l. · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2006, 01:02:01 PM »

TMagnum

Go to Http://dieselplace.com/forum and somebody will answer your question. This is a good place to answer all questions on diesels. I hope this helps. Carl L.

ihookem · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2006, 01:33:41 PM »

T MAGNUM, I have an 05 Duramax with 26k on it. My first diesel so I'm new to diesels. But I have noticed that when it's real cold outside like 18 below last week it was ticking pretty good until it warmed up. My brother in law has the same truck and he told me " it cracks pretty good when it gets good and cold." You didn't say where you live so I don't know if it's louder before it warms up in summer too but I think it's a winter thing. You might want to give the dealer a call. Anyway, I ended up with 20.5 mpg.today mostly highway and empty. You should do better with the 6th gear when it breaks in.

rockbilly · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2006, 06:02:18 PM »

ihookem. At 18 below are you using a headbolt or dipstick heater? They work, and will help prevent some of the noise when you start it. Are you starting on eather?

ihookem · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2006, 11:52:22 AM »

Rockbilly, Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I didn't use a heater that night because it was in my garage that night. The salesman said don't bother until it's below 0. It was a little above 0 in my garage so I didn't plug it in but wouldn't have hurt neither. I drove it ten miles and parked it outside for about six hours, that's when I started it and noticed it was like an older sounding diesel.The temp at the time was -5 degrees. Just a note: It started very quickly and the engine was cold as can be. It also had no problem starting during th cold spell of -10, -18, and -8 but it was in the garage.

rockbilly · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2006, 12:17:44 PM »

ihookem. I had a long talk with a friend that owns a diesel injector service center. He said a lot of the noise and problems associated with the diesel trucks is fuel. As you know, diesel is a by product of refining gasoline. It should be cheap because if you make gas, you will get diesel. But the problem and reason for some of the increase in price is due to a new EPA requirement to eliminate the sulfates from the diesel fuel. To do that required additional processing of the fuel, therefore, the price increase. According to my friend, the elimination of the sulfates is what is causing a lot of the problems in the diesel trucks. He recommended an additive made by Stanadyne Diesel Products, it is a performance formula, all season diesel fuel conditioner. I bought several bottles and add half a bottle (8 ounces) to a tank (32 gal) of fuel. It has eliminated a lot of the noise I got when starting, and has increased my mileage by about two-three miles per gallon. The truck just seem to run much better now.

By the way, do you have any problems with the fuel jelling at the low temps or does the suppliers add chemicals to prevent this?

ihookem · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2006, 01:34:50 PM »

Rockbilly, I have not had any problems and the real cold weather is gone for the year. My brother in law with the same truck leaves his outside quite a bit and has never had a problem. I saw a sign by the truck stop yesterday and claims their Citgo diesel will never gell and cited a 70- 30 mix. I don't know for sure but I think that would be a kerosine and #2 disel mix but I,m not sure. Also, thanks for the tip on the additive for the fuel. I've been asking around about additives with not much help. I don't know were I could get it around here. Also, 19.4 mpg. yesterday @ 75% highway @64mph.(2000 RPM) still cold, 11 degrees this morning. One more month or so and summer blend should be here with even better mpg.

rockbilly · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2006, 04:56:34 PM »

:wink: I could sure take a little of that cold weather. Last week we had one day over 85 degrees, and several over 80. And to top it off, if we don't get rain soon there won't be enough to wash my butt come August.

nomosendero · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2006, 05:20:47 PM »

I think it would be good to have 2-3 weeks of cold weather,
(15-25degrees) each winter, but I have not seen anything like that in years.

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2006, 08:55:13 AM »

Quote from: ihookem on March 05, 2006, 11:52:22 AM

Rockbilly, Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I didn't use a heater that night because it was in my garage that night. The salesman said don't bother until it's below 0. It was a little above 0 in my garage so I didn't plug it in but wouldn't have hurt neither. I drove it ten miles and parked it outside for about six hours, that's when I started it and noticed it was like an older sounding diesel.The temp at the time was -5 degrees. Just a note: It started very quickly and the engine was cold as can be. It also had no problem starting during th cold spell of -10, -18, and -8 but it was in the garage.

Its easier lack of oil due to the cold or its an exhaust leak and seals up after it hot. Its more than likely the thick cold oil, diesels use thick oil and it gets even thicker when the temp drops. You really should use the block heater when it gets into the teens outside.