Duramax engine ticking

duffy · October 7, 2004

I traded in my '01 6.0 and got an 04 d/a. I loved my 6.0 but wanted to get the diesel, and the 0% interest on the '04. It now has just over 700 miles and I'm hearing some ticking from the engine bay. My wife leaves it with the dealer today and they check it out and give her a service bulletin.

Information on engine ticking

6.6L Duramax diesel engine(vins 1,2 rpos LB7, LLY)

Some of the above vehicles may exhibit a random ticking noise that is most audible on an engine with a coolant temp of 158 or higher and from idle to approximately 1500 rpm.

All 6600 Duramax diesel engines have this condition: however, some are more audible than others.

This noise is caused by the relationship of the engine block, crankshaft journals, bearing inserts and the oul film. This relationship may allow a vibration that resonates through the cylinder blockand is heard as a metallic ticking noise. The noise could be described as an irregular ticking or clacking sound, like random typing on a mechanical typewriter.

This condition has been present in diesel engines produced for the last 20 or more years. The overall noise reduction in engines produced today makes this noise seem new when, in fact, it was masked by other noises in the past. many manufacturers such as Isuzu, Hino, Mitsubishi,and Nissan report a similar condition in their diesel engines. Testing and engine teardowns with this condition reveal no condition thet would affect reliability or durability of this engine.

Dealers should not attempt to compare any customer vehicles exhibiting this noise with other similar vehicles as the noise is different from vehicle to vehicle and this may lead to the incorrect conclusion that the vehicle has a condition. This is a normal operating characteristic of the engine. This noise has no short or long term effects on the engine. Do not attempt repairs for this noise.

It looks as though I went from a piston slapping gasser to an engine ticking diesel!

I'm not mad, but It sure would have been nice to know. I also love this part

(Dealers should not attempt to compare any customer vehicles exhibiting this noise with other similar vehicles as the noise is different from vehicle to vehicle and this may lead to the incorrect conclusion that the vehicle has a condition.)

Don't compare it to another vehicle because that vehicle might not have anything wrong!

I just thought everyone should hear about this, and let me know it anyone else is having this issue.

Sorry for the I'm just blown away by this.

bigdogs · October 7, 2004

That ticking noise comes and goes too. Sometimes mine ticks and then the next day/week it will be gone. At first it bothered me but then saw how common it was and that it is not a problem so don't even think about it anymore. It is also a lot less noticeable than piston slap (which I heard on the 2000 Silverado we had). If it bugs you just think of it this way, if they didn't quiet the diesel down as much as they have, you would never hear that ticking..

whitesnake01 · October 7, 2004

If it bugs you just think of it this way, if they didn't quiet the diesel down as much as they have, you would never hear that ticking..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Conversely, if you put a real nasty exhaust on your truck the problem "goes away".

BTW, my truck has the same ticking and I did exactly what you did, I went to the dealer and ended up with the same paper/article as you have.

Shawn T · October 7, 2004

My 03 ticked very loudly the first ten thousand miles. It was very annoying. After that it justed stopped doing it out of the blue. I read the same bulletin as you posted and I just had to live with it. I have talked to many Dmax owners that have had "the ticking noise" and all of the sudden it disappears. I would just ride it out because it may just stop. Or look at it this way you could have to listen to the loud rattle of a Stroker or Cummins.

04Chevy2500HD · October 8, 2004

Mine had the ticking also but it disappeared somewhere between 10K-15K. Have not heard it since. My stealership told me it was coming from the fuel pump. Who knows.

-David

duffy · October 8, 2004

Thanks for posting everyone. I'm pretty picky about my truck, I want it to look and sound good. I take very good care of all of my belongings and I just hate to spend so much money on something that sounds like it rattles. I hope it will go away in time as it breaks in . I feel better now