I am looking at an '03 Ram diesel, possibly to buy. I haven't seen or heard the truck run. It's advertised at a dealer some distance from where I live. Truck is a diesel/automatic, 124k mi. Salesman says it has a slight "engine knock". Says it was fine, then it wouldn't start, somone used ether to start it now it has a knock, runs fine though.
I'm trying to sort out some possible causes, or damage done. I realize this isn't much of a technical description, but it's all I got seeing as the truck is a long ways away.
I know ether can do damage to the heater grid, but what else?? Can too much ether (explosion) bend a valve, damage wrist pin or main bearings?? Injector damage, causing an injector to knock?
Any help/opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.
-Thrall

 

I'd do a search on the subject, there are many. My 03 has what sounds like a knock at idle up to about 1000rpm's on accelaration and then goes away. Diesel tech said it's normal. Truck runs like it did when new. Mine has 53,000 on it.

 

If they used Ether to start it walk away.
The knock could be anything, from a bad injector to a bad piston.
Untill a Outside Diesel Mech looks at it I wouldnt buy it. Spend $200 and have it checked out if you really want to buy this truck.

 

Thx for the suggestions.
danram11, Searching this came up w/ mostly injector knocking/clattering. Looking to see what the other possibilities are.
03 ant...., Yeah I know ether is BAD for anything w/ glowplugs or heater grid except when used in extreme moderation (which probably wasn't the case. Salesman said the transport driver used ether on it, or so he thought. You'd think someone who drives a diesel for a living would know better!)

What are the chances that the ether caused engine internal damage (other than the heater grid or injectors)?
By the way, I'm looking at a pretty good price on the truck. Good enough that I could probably replace the engine if need be and still break even. DOn't worry, I wouldn't touch it unless it was a good enough price to cover any possible repairs.
Keep the suggestions coming. Any help is appreciated. Looking for as much info as possible before making a 400mi drive to look at it.

 

Another area to check is loose hold down bolts for the injectors. A few '03s had this issue.

MikeyB

 

The knock could be injectors...I know that my 03 had what appeared to be an injector knock & I also took mine to the dealer. They performed a couple of tests on it & everything checked out ok....that was about 7,000 miles ago. I really only hear it at idle (which the dealer said was normal) so at this point I am not really concerned with it. The truck stills runs fine...especially with the DiabloSport Predator/Puck combination.....

 

Ask him to through in a Engine warrenty on it.

I would go check it out if I was you.
Bring a stethscope to listen where the knocking is comming from.

Check the oil, pull the valve cover and check for excessive wear on the valves, and also check the injecotr hold down bolts.

When listening with the stethescope, listen around the injection fuel tube connectors, see if all cylinders sound the same. Note any ones that are different.

Other then that. If you are getting a great deal that you could replace the engine, go ahead and buy it.

 

Thanks guys, I will definately look at all those things. I've read alot of noisey injectors on 03's in particular (#1 specifically). Will definately bring my stethoscope. Thought valve adjustment is another cause of some knocking. Having never owned a Cummins before, how to check that? Is it easy to tell just if there is any free play or slop in the rocker arm when the cyl is TDC?

03 ant..., I see you have an 03 SO motor w/ 48RE. How do I tell if i's a 48RE?

 

I know that if the tag on the engine says it is a 305 HP then it is a 48re. I don't think there were many to get the 48re with the SO.

 

could be as simple as the injectors just need a tank full of seafoam or power service run through them to clean out. and put 10k lbs on the back and go clean her out.

 

The sticker in the glove box will tell you if it is a 48re. Also it might say it on the driver side door

 

Thanks. Hoping to drive up and check it out Sat. Truck is in CO Springs.