04 3500, QC, LB, auto, stock. Was at the inlaws out of state and did an oil change. I only had 6 quarts on hand, so I had the wife pick up more while she was out, see where this is going? Normally I leave a wrench on the seat to remind me that I'm not done with something, not being in my own shop I didn't do it.
Needless to say I took off towards home without adding the rest. The oil pressure was normal, but I heard a ticking after just about an hour. I knew right away what I had done and pulled over and topped off the oil. The ticking is almost a knock, but it doesn't remind me of a low end rod or main type knock. I had no choice but to drive it home, and it was fine, but I did try to baby it.
This is my 2nd Cummins, first common rail, so I'm not real familiar with the internals versus a gas engine. Do these things run a hydraulic type lifter? What do you guys think I screwed up? I could just about puke right now, that was without a doubt the biggest mistake I've ever made in 30 years of turning wrenches on my own rigs.

 

I am by no means an engine internals guy, but it seems to me you at least had enough oil for the pick-up in the pan, as you said you had pressure. If you didn't I would think it would have shut down in short order.

I would just drain what you have, top off with fresh oil, and see what you're looking at then. My gut says you'll probably be OK. But again, I am not an engine internals guy. Good luck.

 

The problem is, I topped off the oil, but the tick/knock is still there. Quieter, but still too lloud for my liking. Now I just need to figure out what it is.

 

Are you sure it wasn't already there and now you're a little hyper-sensitive to noises following this experience? Is it in the valve train? Maybe you should try to adjust the valves. I do this about every 50k regardless. Really cuts down on noises and ticks. Hope you get an answer soon.

 

I'll be getting the stethescope out in a bit. This little incident was definitely responsible for the noise. It was rather loud when I discovered it, adding the rest of the oil quieted things down considerably. The knock is louder with the rise in RPM's. I initially thought that maybe I was getting the oil foamed up and got some air in a lifter, not sure if that's even a possibility on a Cummins, just not familiar enough with the design yet.

 

if you have an oil analasis place nearby drop the oil and send a sample off to have them see what comes out with it, depending on what shows up it may save you lots in the diagnostic process

 

There are no hydraulic lifters in our engines....

 

isn't there a thread on here about our oil gauges on how they really don't work but give a false reading????? so in that case if that is true your reading means nothing

 

For what its worth, years ago I had a V6 Toyota mini truck. I did the same thing too. Got the tick. Changed the oil and filter and this time put ALL the oil in it. Kept driving driving the rice grinder with the tick. Sold the truck with the tick to a young ambitious kid. Eventually he tore her down to fix it. Turns out was a scored piston. Not the same value as your situation as I wasn't real concerned if she let go. It was a disposable mini truck. But I drove it quite a while as the young guy I sold it to did. I know, bad behavior. It was an experiment.

 

Well, there's an old saying, "Stupid should hurt" looks like this is gonna hurt.

 

its an oil pressure switch not an actual sender, if the gauge shows pressure then there was oil pressure above whatever pressure the switch is set at

 

Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark.

 

long story short do a compression test if your think its a piston.if compression is good.check the exaust maniflod for oil if you get oil its the valve guides. remember the injectors need oil too you may have one of them on the way out.you can get them tested for about $50 per.dont feel bad i put my truck on the dyno last month it lost a bunch of power. so now its apart with a bent pushrod pistons were good getting the head tested now.if i didnt know how to fix it myself i would have puked.good luck it may not be that bad.

 

Just curious what oil the first 6 quarts was?

 

Mobil delavac 15/40

I took it to my buddies shop and we gave it a quick listen to. We're pretty sure it's not a rod or main bearing, doubt it's a wrist pin either. It really sounds like valve clatter. I'll adjust the valves and see what that does when I start it back up. Who knows, maybe I just trashed a lifter or rocker. I'd be thrilled with that.