6.7 Cummins erratic tick near turbo/egr cooler

Joined
May 14, 2023
Messages
198
Location
Pennsylvania
Noticed a tick the other morning that seems to be erratic and is coming from the passenger front side of engine. It manifests once the engine starts to warm up and remains audible once at operating temp. The tick is hardly audible, if at all, at idle. At high idle it is notable and can also be heard when driving on the highway next to a wall etc. It sounds like it is in the vicinity of the turbo/egr cooler. Approx. 9,400 miles on truck currently. No codes (have scan gauge for monitoring) or any other issues. Boost still peaks at 35-36lbs. No driveability issues seemingly. Did note a coolant smell on occasion but only with hood open and after a longer highway drive. Coolant full and no signs of coolant in oil etc. I do have an oil sample on the way to Cummins lab in Indy. Yes I’m aware it’s under warranty but wanted opinions as to whether anyone else had this occur or have heard this. Thinking it may be an exhaust/egr cooler leak but would think it would be more profound when cold; which it’s not. This noise presented, whether by coincidence or not, after I changed from VPBE 5w40 to Delvac 1 ESP 5W40.
link to video
 
Checked the heat shield around the turbo and felt around the egr cooler and nothing felt loose/ capable of making that noise. Debating on changing the oil and filter again back to VPBE or Delo XSP as they are both slightly thicker than the Delvac. I just can’t fathom that being the common denominator. 🤯
 
Try it with the transmission dipstick removed. Be sure to plug the tube with something. My 2022 is 18 months old with 19k miles and I still get a whiff of coolant every now and then on the driver side at the radiator but have never seen a drop of coolant anywhere. The noise sounded louder when you pulled the wheel well liner back like it might be more toward the rear or transmission. IDK
 
If this is a new truck, and it sounds like it is, you need to take it to the dealer as soon as you can. These engines have been having valve lifter problems. If it’s caught early enough, you may be able to save the cam if the lifters are starting to fail. Maybe this isn’t the trouble, but being a new truck, it’s the dealership’s responsibility to check it out.
 
If this is a new truck, and it sounds like it is, you need to take it to the dealer as soon as you can. These engines have been having valve lifter problems. If it’s caught early enough, you may be able to save the cam if the lifters are starting to fail. Maybe this isn’t the trouble, but being a new truck, it’s the dealership’s responsibility to check it out.
I don’t believe it’s a lifter(s) as it’s not engine speed dependent. I try to avoid dealers, especially because this truck has had 3 warranty repairs already. Although I will say, the most recent dealer I used was very good to me.
 
If this is a new truck, and it sounds like it is, you need to take it to the dealer as soon as you can. These engines have been having valve lifter problems. If it’s caught early enough, you may be able to save the cam if the lifters are starting to fail. Maybe this isn’t the trouble, but being a new truck, it’s the dealership’s responsibility to check it out.
that's what happened to my stepsons truck dealer replaced lifters and cam
 
that's what happened to my stepsons truck dealer replaced lifters and cam
That’s terrible, did it sound erratic like my video? I’m not getting an engine speed dependent tick so I assumed it wasn’t likely the dreaded lifter failure. Some guys on the Cummins forum said this is quite normal. I can’t accept it as normal as it was not present for the first 9k+ miles.
 
Its not the oils fault. Its something rattling around, I agree with something in the air system.
 
Its not the oils fault. Its something rattling around, I agree with something in the air system.
Just so random as I have not even opened the airbox and I don’t remove the turbo inlet pipe when I change the oil; I go through the wheel well instead.
 
It may be the turbo actuator cycling or check the valve that blends the air from the egr cooler or from the exhaust manifold. The one with the two little cables on it. See if the noise coincides with movement of the valve.
 
It may be the turbo actuator cycling or check the valve that blends the air from the egr cooler or from the exhaust manifold. The one with the two little cables on it. See if the noise coincides with movement of the valve.
Will do thank you
 
If this is a new truck, and it sounds like it is, you need to take it to the dealer as soon as you can. These engines have been having valve lifter problems. If it’s caught early enough, you may be able to save the cam if the lifters are starting to fail. Maybe this isn’t the trouble, but being a new truck, it’s the dealership’s responsibility to check it out.
If it is a lifter issue, the motor needs a complete tear down and complete cleaning, rebuild. Metal metal everywhere. I wouldn’t be in a hurry if it were mine. Nothing to “Save”. And I would not want the dealer to try.
 
I don’t believe it’s a lifter issue; but, if it is I’ll trade it in and take my loss. I don’t want an 80k dollar truck that was torn into with less than 10k miles on it. I’ll go back to a 5.7 Tundra. It’s going to the dealer Monday. I also got the uoa back (not that a uoa is a superb diagnostic tool) and all looked fine minus the elevated potassium; I posted the results.
 
I don’t believe it’s a lifter issue; but, if it is I’ll trade it in and take my loss. I don’t want an 80k dollar truck that was torn into with less than 10k miles on it. I’ll go back to a 5.7 Tundra. It’s going to the dealer Monday. I also got the uoa back (not that a uoa is a superb diagnostic tool) and all looked fine minus the elevated potassium; I posted the results.
The cam and lifters are on the other side (driver side) of the engine. I’m anxious to hear what they have to say.
 
Dealer said they heard the noise, attempted to discern where the noise is coming from, and that it may be normal. They said they can’t throw parts at it guessing where it is coming from; which I understand. I said well, it didn’t do it for the first 9,300 miles….they said they documented it for future reference. They told me to continue to drive it because there are no drivability issues and no codes. The tech noted the noise as normal egr function on my invoice.
 
Dealer said they heard the noise, attempted to discern where the noise is coming from, and that it may be normal. They said they can’t throw parts at it guessing where it is coming from; which I understand. I said well, it didn’t do it for the first 9,300 miles….they said they documented it for future reference. They told me to continue to drive it because there are no drivability issues and no codes. The tech noted the noise as normal egr function on my invoice.
You have it documented that you reported the situation and that they didn’t find anything wrong. I would drive it now and not worry about it. They are the experts lol.
 
You have it documented that you reported the situation and that they didn’t find anything wrong. I would drive it now and not worry about it. They are the experts lol.
Haha yeah, I’m glad it’s documented though. I will be honest, this dealer has been good to me considering I did not purchase the truck from them. I had previously dealt with a dealer who was atrocious. A lot of dealers, local to me, don’t want bothered because I didn’t buy the truck from them. I bought this truck in Louisiana and had it shipped to PA.
 
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