Stage 1 installed

[pafixitman]

I got the truck running last night after the DPS Stage 1 injector install. I was delayed because I installed a second cooler and replaced all of my rubber tranny lines and wanted to get them buttoned up.

The miss appears to be gone, but my tick still exists. This morning I noticed at idle the oil pressure gauge jump (drop) in perfect concert w/ the tick. Valve guides? Valves? Compression check? Tick seems to be pass side and those injectors were clean when I pulled them. My problem child was #6 and #8.

This morning she was hard to start, almost like the fuel drained back or something. I have started her three times since and she started fine. I have not gotten on her hard, but the little bit I did play, all I can say is WOW!

EGT almost seem lower at cruising speed than before (400*, 1500 rpm, 45 mph), but they climb fast when you hit the go pedal.

It is so hard to judge, because I cannot remember every noise, vibration etc she had before the swap. Any comments appreciated

 

[Squirreltow]

Glad to hear you got the Stage 1's installed.
The hard start could be from still having some air in the lines after the fuel filter replacement. Even though you filled up the filter before replacement, the line could still have had some air from the tank to the filter as I think you said you had the filter off for quite a few hours.

Hope to you get some responses about the tick.

 

[icanfixall]

If I'm reading your post correctly you are saying the "tick" and oil pressure drop happen at the same momuent. If so I would think its something in the lifters but even that seems off because the oil pump will have plenty of reserve volume to cover a bad lifter. Pull the valve covers and watch and feel the rockers when its running. Sure, it will be messy but it sure keeps you from just throwing parts at it.

 

[Agnem]

I'll look forward to hearing it Joe. I'm surprised you can "see" this oil presure change so easily. We must investigate.

 

[pafixitman]

I had to go to Bel Air last night for some work. All told, I drove about 100 miles yesterday and it only did the "in sync" deal that one time. I do have a tick though and it was a bit hard to start after sitting 7 hrs yesterday. Maybe it is all just PRTJ , or the owner ! Oil has about 3800 on it and I need to get it changed. I'll ship a sample to Blackstone also.

Luckily I have a good crew near by that can listen and give me opinions. All else fails, where do I sign up for the valve adjustment clinic at the rally?

 

[Diesel JD]

Might want o have a good look at those valve guides...that's the 2nd most common cause of death for the 7.3 after cavitation. On the other hand, it may be simpler, is anything laying against any of those injection lines, or what about your throttle cable, is its insulator still intact? Exhaust manifold bolts all tight, exhaust pipe still in one piece?

 

[stiesel]

i wish i could hear the tick before i throw this out here. but are you sure the tick is mechanical. ok i'm just going to say it. try and keep the laughter to a minumum. what about an electrical short related to the oil pressure wiring.

i had a car once with a shorting out power window switch and you could hear it tic.

 

[pafixitman]

I won't laugh at anybody's advise. If the voices in my head were louder, I would not even have to hear the tick!

If it is valve related, would I hear it by resting a screwdriver on the rocker arm cover and listening? I swear it is coimng from the pass side front. IIRC, I did not have it prior to breaking the return line earlier this year.

Wait- I installed the new tranny dipstick then. Hmm, I wonder if it is vibrating or rubbing something?

Frustration is setting in now. She was hard to start again last night. Runs like a scalded dog though. Slight vibration / miss at idle, I think. If all goes as planned, I will be at Apextrans tomorrow and Agnem may be stopping by also. I will ask Mel to check my timing and have him give it a listen.

 

[krawlr]

I won't laugh at anybody's advise. If the voices in my head were louder, I would not even have to hear the tick!

If it is valve related, would I hear it by resting a screwdriver on the rocker arm cover and listening? I swear it is coimng from the pass side front. IIRC, I did not have it prior to breaking the return line earlier this year.

Wait- I installed the new tranny dipstick then. Hmm, I wonder if it is vibrating or rubbing something?

Frustration is setting in now. She was hard to start again last night. Runs like a scalded dog though. Slight vibration / miss at idle, I think. If all goes as planned, I will be at Apextrans tomorrow and Agnem may be stopping by also. I will ask Mel to check my timing and have him give it a listen.

How about the lift pump? Could also explain the hard start.

 

[pafixitman]

How about the lift pump? Could also explain the hard start.

The thought has crossed my mind more than once. I even woke up thinking the lift pump is going out. (yep, no kidding. )Heck, screw the mortgage payment, my truck needs work!

Would a lift pump going out create a tick? I changed the oil and there was no indication of #2 in it. Passed the sniff test at AutoZone when I dumped it also.

 

[Agnem]

Joe, Regretibly, I'm too jammed up to assist you guys tomorrow. I've got all 3 of my diesels down with some kind of in-progress repair or mod. Pre Rally mania I'm afraid. That, and tomorrow morning I'm squeezing in the purchase of another IDI. I'll be balls to the wall all weekend working on my stuff, however, that said, if he needs to get it timed, and wants to drive it up, I'll be more than happy to make time to do that. I'll put you guys to work doing something for me, whilst I do the timing. I think my buddy wants to come down with his freightliner for an air horn install too.

 

[Diesel JD]

I think you should take it to Mel's house and get it timed, if the timing is off very much that will make her hard to start. Its hard to get these things static timed correctly, and you won't get it perfect without the tools, though an experienced ear will get it close enough to work well.

 

[pafixitman]

He timed it about 18 - 24 months ago and the pump has not been touched since.

 

[The Warden]

That, and tomorrow morning I'm squeezing in the purchase of another IDI.

So, Mel, are you getting an extended-cab pickup or an E-series this time? Those are the only two IDI bodystyles you don't have...and, it needs to have an E4DOA, so you can have every tranny...

 

[krawlr]

Would a lift pump going out create a tick? I changed the oil and there was no indication of #2 in it. Passed the sniff test at AutoZone when I dumped it also.

I'v seen that style pump fail in every possible way you can think of. Ticking with no leaks, leaking with no ticking, leaking fuel into the crankcase, leaking engine oil out the vent... You can try pinching the inlet hose to see if the sound changes while it's running.