this diesel is making a loud clacking noise. First thought it was injector noise,replaced injectors all 5, no change. I removed the valve cover and checked cam and inj. pump timming both were correct. Mark on cam alined w/ TDC, pump was 15 ATDC. Next compression test 24 to 25 bar. all cyl. I heard that these engines had a problem w/ head gaskets on #1, Replaced head gasket. got it back running w/ the same noise. This clacking noise seemes to be on all cyl. cracking inj. line just drops that cyl. no change in noise. it seemes to get quiter the longer it runs but still to loud for this engine. mabe somebody can help or lead me in a direction to better diagnoise this problem. thanks.

What shape was the head gasket in when you replaced it? My guess is lifters. What kind of oil are you using?

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

I im using 20w50 ,the head gasket was deteroiated but no smoking gun ,blown or burnt spots . The only thing i thought was weird was the metal rings around the cyl. seemed loose,i could press on them ond see fluid come from around them. also i couldnot slide a feeler guage enbetwen the cam lobe and the lifter .

See if this thread helps.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Not only is that a slightly too heavy oil weight for your location (and engine, generally speaking) - but I also don't know of any 20w50 oils that have the soot capacity and higher ratings required to safely run in diesels. Not long-term, anyway.

Your noise could very well be lifters or other moving parts that aren't getting lubricated thoroughly due to the oil being too thick.

Get some Rotella 15w40 or similar diesel-rated oil, change it in next time you do an oil change, and see if that quiets your problem somewhat.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I will change the oil. this clack sounds like a high mile 617 engine not like the other 602 engines that i have heard. anyway that i can check the lifters to tell. when i crank it cold its quite wthin 30 to 60 seconds it starts clacking and will aventulay get quiter 40 to 50 miles but never quite like first start

I have now changed the lifters. I also changed the oil. still have the same noise. I removed the oil pan and inspected a few main , rod berings they looked new to me,no scratches or worn spots. any body heard of a cracked piston or a inj. pump mite cause my noise?

i suppose its too simple to mention,but here goes,the shock and belt tensioner on these cars will cause strange noises,will also sorta go away with heat from driving,those cylinders hit so hard that every cycle will cause a vibration.
one good way to check the shock absorber is to feel it before you start the car,with care after the start,touch it again,if it gets too hot to touch ,its bad.
larry perkins lou ky

while running my 602 on diesel purge all fuel related noise was gone ,the engine was very quiet and smooth. I think if you get a couple of cans of it and run the engine with both the fuel supply and return lines feeding from/to a container with just the diesel purge in it you will soon determine if your noise is fuel related.I my case it was and a new set of Bosio nozzles took care of it. Good Luck Don

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Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles

I will try the purge and see what happens. I know that it is not the belt tentioner shock because same noise w/ no belt and no shock.What is purge, is it just a cleaner for the fuel sys. and does it help w/ carbon build up. I under stand that u un hook the feed and supply put them both in the can and run the engine until is gone. If i'm wrong please corect me.

have you done work to the IP prior to all this? When the fuel delivery valves are disturbed you will get the clacking noises. Definitely put in lighter oil, and being that you swapped out the injectors for new you're going to have to seat them in. It took a couple hundred miles for mine to quiet down. BTW, 20-50 goes in your Harley!

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1990 300D 2.5
1991 F350 7.3 Dually IDI

1997 F350 gasser dump
1980 H-D 93 inch Shovel
2000 SE Roadglide

no I have not done any repair to the inj. pump. it was not leaking and other than the noise the engine runs fine.

Try the diesel purge idea,you may have to order it on line.Recently someone posted that NAPA was stocking it,but at a nearby NAPA store when i asked all i got was a dumb look!
Right,get two cans and put them in a 2ltr bottle and run it till its almost gone,dont let it run completely out as they can be miserable to get restarted if they run out of fuel and get alot of air in the system.Before you disconnect the rubber fuel lines, first remove the fuel tank cap as they normally have some pressure buildup in the tank. Hope it works out for you Don

__________________
Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles

I had one can of diesel purge and ran it through, it ran quite on the can but when i conected the fuel lines and ran it again it was quite at first and then the noise came back, not as loud I will try another can.

Scratch
My noise also came right back,i dont think the purge did anything except convince me that the noise was not a bearing or piston or any of the 100 other mechanical possibilitys.I think of it as not being a problem cure but more as a diagnostic tool to determine if a noise is a mechanical or fuel problem.A set of new Bosio injector nozzles cured my knocking,i would have gone for Monarks if i had known about them as they are less $$$ and reading on here people have had good results with them and problems with the made in India Bosch ones. Don

__________________
Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles