O/T 04 LB7 Duramax

Hey guys:

I just picked up a nice used duramax with an edge evolution programmer and 5" mbrp exhaust. It seems to run good and shift fine but running at a steady load it seems like it is ticking, when going down hill or letting off fuel it quits. No check engine light or anything getting good mileage and good power. The sound isnt coming out the exhaust either you can just hear it in front of fire wall under hood at like 1100-2000 rpm, when cruising down highway at steady speed. Any suggestions

Get a 7.3 powerstroke, problem solved!

Totally normal noise.Here's the explanation:

Some vehicles may exhibit a random ticking noise that is most audible on an engine with a coolant temperature of 70°C (158°F) or higher and from idle to approximately 1500 RPM. The noise usually is most noticeable at the rear of the driver's side front wheel well. Customers may also comment about hearing a tick noise inside the vehicle at idle such as when sitting at a drive through window. All 6600 Duramax(TM) diesel engines have this condition; however, some are more audible than others. Engine build variation from engine to engine contributes to differences in perceived volume. All Duramax(TM) engines are manufactured to very close tolerances to meet the durability and reliability standards.

This noise is caused by the relationship of the engine cylinder block, crankshaft journals, bearing inserts and the oil film. This relationship may allow a vibration that resonates through the cylinder block and 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 that 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 noise 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.

don"t waste your money on the ford. You would be disappointed with everything.

Yup, with a power joke all you will hear in the cab is diesel rattle, No radio or passenger communications either. 4010 Puller, make sure you set that tuner on the lower level when towing. The Duramax makes a lot of power in stock form and hopped up with a tuner towing a heavy load can slip the Allison.

I have to say my 96 7.3 is pretty quiet. I can carry on a quiet conversation or talk on the phone no problem. My friends 12V dodge with stacks is a different story though......

Neatest thing I found on this edge box it defuels automatically when egt's hit a certain# and defuels when it detects transmission slippage. I know it doest make truck bulletproof but it sure helps for situations when working truck.

That could be the pilot injection too as opposed to the long explanation that was given below. Pilot injection is a small amount of fuel injected just before the main injection. Not sure what it does exactly but read somewhere that it will make a ticking noise too.

It takes a chip on a 7.3 to get close to a Dmax stock. Ive never heard a queit 7.3 standing outside, and the queitest Powerjoke Ive heard in the cab had Dynamat under the hood and in the cab, and its still louder than my Maxx....

This is the noise as described. Kind of like a lound knocking or chattering similar to a powerstroke, I've just never noticed it out of a duramax. Does changing the exhaust(5" straightpipe vs stock exhaust with muffler) make any changes in the increase/decrease of this noise?

Are you saying the Dontmaxx has more power than a Powerstroke? Maybe it does I dont know. What Year truck is it you have? Let me know how its doing in 15 years!

Yep, my Duramax has more power out of the box, than my Powerstroke did with a chip! Id be more than willing to put it up against a Powerstroke any day of the week. I went through 2 Powerstroke 7.3s, one died @ 175000 miles, the other had about 90000 on it when I traded it on an 01 Stroke.This one was junk from the day I bought it with ALOT oflittle problems. I would imaging that if you drove a Dmax, youd be impressed as I was.

Well I hope thats not true, my Powerstroke has a little over 150,000 miles on it so far so good. Other than a new water pump, the engine hasent needed anything, just oil and filter and fuel filter. Oh and a alternator.Wish me luck. j