I am noticing that there are alot of people complaining about this noise. Also several people have complained about the #1 injector seeming violent compared to the others. I don't know if I buy this: "oh well it's quieter than the old diesels so you can just hear it ...it is supposed to be there". Noise doesn't bother me but the possibility of damage happening does. What is causing it? Does the 305/555 do it also...to the point of people asking if it is normal?

 

The first two years it's all normal. When things start going wrong to the point that a repair is needed then we learn.....welcome to the learning curve of owning something new by design.

 

My 2004 doesn't do it, but I have the 305/555 engine. I think the injectors on mine are totally different than the 600.

 

I don't have my '04.5 yet so I am no expert but I think the pinging/clatter noise is normal and there is no way to get rid of it while keeping the engine within emissions standards. Remember, the 305/555 had two injections per cycle and the 600 has three. I am positive that the post-injection event is going to make a noise. I suppose Cummins could change the programming, such as when the post-injection event happens and how much is injected, and change the noise, but they still have to meet emissions. The alternative way to meet emissions (EGR) is much worse.

 

Is the pinging louder when the engine is warming up ? Louder when pulling lower revs than maybe you should with hills or a load or just too low of an rpm ? If so I'll guess that it's the pre-injection turning off. A decent fuel additive might help, and better judgement on shift points might too. I use Stanadyne and drive so that I don't hear anything like knocking/pinging, which means that I shift at a higher rpm than I guess that a lot do. If I find that the revs dropped more than I wanted, I try to keep it above about 1400, I'll go easy on the pedal until the revs build so that I don't get the knocking/pinging.

 

Actually the pinging is louder when it is warm and at lower rpm's. It is really noticeable on a gradual incline unless you go ahead and give it alot of throttle.

 

according to Bigblock, ping/clatter on 04.5 is caused by 3 phase injection. Two other phases burn off emisions . This is the cause of the clatter and decrease in fuel mileage. 305 engine does not have 3 phase inj. or cat. / no clatter , better mileage.

 

I just realized what this sounds like...it sounds like a wire welder under the hood...but it's normal? What other trucks do it and why. Three phase injection needs to be perfected to where this is not present.

 

My "555" with 5K miles has a loud clatter when warmed and stopped with the tranny in drive. The auto tranny load seems to put it an area where it clatters. Goes away in neutral or after it gets past that point when accelerating from a stop. Guessing no preinjection and that load.

Keeps going faster though aqs it breaks in

Pete

 

I bet the clatter was always there (even on the 1989 model). You just never noticed it because the engine was so loud. There are lots of noises that were never heard until the injectors were quieted with the common rail system.

Clatter is inversely proportional to fuel economy and emissions. Changes made to increase fuel economy and emissions makes the clatter worse. Which would you rather have, better FE and emissions or less clatter?

BTW it doesn't matter what you want, the EPA has decided for you.

 

Correction:

Changes made to increase FE and DECREASE emissions make the clatter worse.

At least I spelled EPA right.

 

To be honest, what I want is DC to swap my 2004 "600" for a 2004 "555". I had no idea there would be this much difference in the two. I have driven and ridden in several 03&04 commonrails and they are quiet and do not have this kind of clatter. They also run alot better and get better mpg than my 600.

There should have been more information to the consumer stating that:" By choosing this engine you will be 50 state compliant BUT you will lose about 4 mpg and have to put up with this stupid noise". I am going to a lot and drive some different 600's and see if they are as bad as mine. I love the sound of a diesel engine but I HATE the sound of this clatter.

 

Im with dwhite my 03ho was bought back and replaced with the 600 even though i was supposed to get the 305/555 i already had .There is squat i like better about the 600 .I am currently looking for a 305/555 franticly.The more i drive it the more the clatter drives me I get a full 150 miles less a tankfull then the 03 did .the economy towing isnt very good either.