Engine Rattle

[datkinsonsr]

My friend has for his first diesel, a 1999 F350, 186,000 miles. At idle, it has a very loud rattle that goes away when he touches the throttle. Could this just be ignition noise at idle or something else? My IDI is very quiet compared to his power stroke.

 

[trackspeeder]

If it has an automatic, the noise could be the torque converter. Sounds like marbles in a can.

 

[Mike]

How many miles on the oil since last change?

 

[datkinsonsr]

It is an automatic. He has 3000 miles on the oil change. Does it every 3000. It does sound like marbles in a can. Noise is only at idle.

 

[Mike]

Old oil will make a nasty idle. I used to be able to tell when it was time for an oil change on my 7.3 just by the idle sound.