300TD Darth Vader... and another concern... UPDATE: FIXED! mostly...
 

I've got a couple noises in my engine that seem abnormal. Perhaps one of you guys with some awesome noise deciphering skills can give me a clue to what's happening here.

The first concern is the Darth Vader syndrome;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcDTZcLcMnU&feature=channel_page

The main reason I'm concerned is that there was a BIG "exhale" from there after shutoff when the engine was very warm.

Next, is the knock (can also be heard in the Darth Vader);
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xlZgQrSnQk&feature=channel_page

The knock in the video sounds most accurate to reality at the 35 second mark. This knock ONLY happens after the engine is warm, and the car has been driven fast. When cruising around in the neighborhood after startup, this does not occur.

Lastly, there's a rattle... maybe the turbo? Didn't translate well to video;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbU8KuS6cn0&feature=channel_page


Injector service is high on the priority list. I think that should help with some of the noise you're hearing.... Anyone else hear something more serious happening? Let me know! I'll be selling the old beast soon and would like to make sure she's in tip top running condition.

Thank you!

Yeah, the knocking is much more apparent in the Darth Vader video; right at about 10 seconds.

Aw... c'mon! I know one of you guys knows what's going on here...

did you adjust the valves at all?

the turbo noise could be a bearing.

To pin point where the noises are coming from you should get a stehoscope at your local autozone.

sound bytes leave much to be desired... its nearly impossible to give accurate diagnosis in digital form.

I hear boost happening, the impeller blades might be worn / damaged. The knocking be anything from a simple predetonation to a compromised bearing. Take care of your regular maintenance items before jumping to conclusions.

Regular maintenence; check...


So worst case scenario; if there's a bad bearing, what are my options??

if you determine there is a bad turbo bearing you can rebuild the turbo for about $85

I'll assume there's some resources here on the site for turbo rebuilding details?

Anyone know if the darth vader "exhale" out of the air intake is normal?

Well I pulled the injectors and WHOA!!! they're nasty... Crud all over them. When I pulled the injector closest to the firewall, there was a bit of a burning smell. I think that's a bad thing, right?

What regular maintenece (sp?) has been done? Diesel purge? valve adjustment? Have you really looked at the turbo? Can you post pics of the impeller? Have you checked to make sure the turbo shaft does not have a lot of play? As others have said do simple things first and check everything...then come back and we will give you a worst case. Not trying to be difficult but throwing parts at these cars is a very very expensive idea. Burning smell...when did you pull the injector...i.e. how soon after you shut the car off...might just be residual combustion reaction.

I'll post pics of the turbo soon. I have yet to open it up.

I'm waiting on some new injectors, and I also have a valve cover gasket so valve adjust is pending... As far as I know, it's been a LONG time since these things have been maintained...

I pulled the injector 1+ days after it was run.... hopefully not a bad sign.

Thanks for all the help so far guys

That clanking is bothersome. It sounds rhythmic.

Get your engine to temp, record a stable idle RPM, and count its occurrence within a 3 second interval. (or any number of seconds that is a multiple / factor of 60)

I'd love to, but I have the injectors pulled at the moment. With any luck, the regular maintenance I'm doing now with cure it.

What will the frequency of the clank indicate?

Clank could be a rack dampener bolt or on the more serious end a spun crank bearing.