OK, I’ve read every post I could find on here about engine ticks. The range anywhere from “My truck had a tick from the day I picked it up at the dealer and sounded that way for 600K miles until I sold it to my brother who put another 200K on her with no problems.”
To
“My truck had a tick and 3 days later it dropped a valve seat, threw a rod out the block, filled the crankcase with diesel and left me on the road in the middle of a snow storm in BFE while I was taking my expecting wife to the hospital.”

Anyway here is how my CTD sounds. When I start it cold it is reasonably quiet. I don’t here a tick until I drive it about ¼ mile. I can’t really hear it at idle, however it is most pronounced when decelerating since the exhaust it quieter. It is there through all RPMs, but at highway speeds with the radio on you can’t really hear it. The other day I was heading down a hill and killed the motor with the key to shut off the injectors (I assume) and the tick persisted.

I just adjusted the valves a few weeks ago, but it made no difference. They were all at bit loose except for one that was a bit tight. None were out of the wide specification; however, I did set them to back factory nominal specs.

Maybe it is normal and I’m just paranoid. What do you guys think? I’d be interested in hearing new tick stories too.

 

I've had a tic on the driver side toward the back of the engine right at a cold start for about 5 minuts, and then it goes away. I was told by someone smarter than me that it was the fuel system purging air. I do not know if that was true or not, but I drive it like I stole it, and it ain't blown up yet...

 

mitter,can you post a video with sound or even a sound clip?

 

I have always had the same tick that HAT's had, except mine sounds like its coming from the top, like injectors actuating or something. Its pretty quiet though.

 

I have the exact same tick.

 

Mine ticks, but I have asked every diesel mech. I know they say its normal but I still have nightmares about it!!

 

Sorry, did I miss something? Killed the motor going downhill (locked the steering wheel???) and there was still a tick? Pull the rock out of your tire.

 

the motor can be off with the wheel unlocked, in fact, you can't lock the wheel unless the trans is in park (auto, obviously)

I have the dreaded tick as well. It's been there since day one and has persisted for over 97,000 miles.

 

Interesting responses:

I think I have the madhat tick too, is that the one you can hear also before you start the truck with the ignition on?

I didn’t pull the key out or turn it to off so the steering would lock. I just killed the motor. My truck is a stick so the engine keeps turning while it is in gear going downhill. I assume an auto would stall?

Maybe I have the ISB03/BMH95 tick that is always there and makes you paranoid.

 

Can someone post the sound? I have a tick tick tick sound when, say coming up to a stop sign. I let off the gas and as it gets lower in the RPMs, it's noticeable. I just assumed it was a sound diesels made.

 

Buddy, your truck might have the same tick as my truck, but you defiantly don't have MY tick...


Mine only does it when it's a cold motor and only when it's running. I'd post a vid, but all my camera stuff is packed up.

 

Some theories I have heard:
One of injectors is opening and ignition is started just a few degrees before other cyls, hence a single ignition knock.
The block is actually bending ever so slightly when one or more cyls goes through ignition. Sometimes can dampen knock by killing injectors one at a time. Difficult to really pinpoint.
A slight variation in piston, cylinder, wrist pin clearences that induces knock.
Generally these knocks are within reasonable level for a diesel. Unfortuntelly once someone pinpoints a perticular noise, you tend to obsess on it and it sounds worst every time you hear. Your buddies generally help also. they really make it worse to you.
My advice is leave er bee, unless obvious issue is detected. JMHO of course.
Oh! yes, mine has one of those knocks and has not changed.

 

Yes, I forgot to mention, only when it's cold. I thought maybe it was just a little injection event. It sounds like it does 1x/revolution.

 

my tick seems to turn off and on. kinda weird to tell ya the truth. if you just sit there listening to the engine at idle outside the truck, it will just come and go. almost like when the load picks up from the grid heater or ac compressor it makes it tick a little louder than normal. i can't really hear anything at any speed from in my truck.

 

I had a tick in my 04 that would come and go. Took it to the dealer many times...all documented and they of course could never duplicate it, even though the service writer heard it when I pulled into the shop.
Just past the 100K mile warranty I dropped an exhaust valve...on #5 and did some major damage...I was told by this dealer they would resolve any problem if it broke outside of the warranty because it was all documented. Well, surprise, even with my work orders in hand...they had no record of it at the dealership...a dealership that I purchased 20 plus Rams from over the years.
DC said too bad so sad. Since the tick would come and go, I was concerned but I still got hosed on that one.

Someone on here knows about the disimilar [sp?] metals with the valves and seals and it never did become a publicly known problem. Probably because the tick did the damage on the majority of these trucks after the 100K.

Hope this is not what you are encountering...I think the come and go tick is different then a Madhat tick.

Scotty