What all of ya are describing is exactly what my 04.5 did after 10k. I had a 98 that my freinds gave me crap abought being so loud. When Bought this new one they where impressed with how quiet it was. 6 months latter the same freinds where asking me why it sounded like it was in the prosess of self destructing. I took it in at least 3 or 4 times over the next few months and got every anwser under the sun abought what the noise was from a couple different dealers. Finaly they(STAR) said they would not work on it anymore for engine noise. I had complained so much that they said next time it was on my dime. The ticked me off but thats a hole different story. The Cummins Tech that worked on it sugested to work the snot out of it and pull the heaviest load I could get(he suggested gross of at least 20K) cross country and find some mountains while I was at it. Well as it turned out I had a vacation planned for a few month latter that was going to get me close to 20K total wt and take me rite threw Colorado. In the mean time I was told to beat on it more(litteraly) to get the exaughst hotter. They claimed teh injectors where all carboned up. One of the times I took it in they cleaned them and it worked for a few months then the tick returned. After the first trip the truck ran quiet again for abought 6 months then slowly but surely it returned. After the next years 2 trips in 2 months to Colorado pulling heavy the noise has never returned. Now I bought a big heavy toy hauler and pull it regularly so the injectors stay clean. Long story short put a BIG load on it and find some hills that make the truck REALY work. Not just a short 1/2 mile 5% grade but a mountain grade like Colorado that is 8-10% for miles and miles on end. Not just a small load either like a car on a trailer, that is not enough to make the engine REALY work. Find something that the truck can only pull 40-50 mph max with foot flat to the flore and not hit red line. Most of the noise is simple carbon build up on the injectors. I swore there was more wrong with mine but now after pulling in the neighborhood of 20K 2000 miles round trip threw Colorado 4 times and a few times threw the Black Hills it is as quiet as new.

 

my 06 just started making a lil off beat whine, but everyonce in a while a noise will come out, but then go away within the next 2 days..even though i live in totally flat florida and dont tow heavy loads..would being heavy on the throttle help the same way??

 

Ya basicly the dealer said if I cant tow heavy to get on it a lot. They made it sound as if the injectors where carboning up due to not enough heat in the cylinder. They also said that once they get carboned up it takes a LOT of heat to burn it off. Tey said the ocasional light towing was not going to burnit off. I had to tow heavy for a long distance and that is what i did. It worked and now no more noise.

 

I occasionally get a tick at idle and the vibration while in drive stopped. Usually when I notice it I realize its been a few tanks since I added any conditioner or fuel additive. I add some and fill up and it goes away. I agree it also seems to run quieter after working it hard and the fuel mileage creeps up too a little while after giving it a good workout. So let the horses run!!

 

I have the same TICKING noise, It sounds like a lifter or rod knocking? What is going on? I put Power serve conditioner and it is still there?

 

They all tick. I think Cummins made it so quite that now you hear everything else. When an engine sounds like a can of marbles going down the road, what's a little ticking too.