1990 5.9 - goes tok tok tok tok...

90powerram · 10-25-2009, 05:10 AM

I need some input on diagnosing a problem with my truck. It's a 1990 W250 4x4 with the cummins, obviously.
When I start it, especially cold, it has a very noticeable continuous "tok tok tok..." sound which all but disappears when it's running warm, but I still hear it very slightly at lower RPM's such as accelerating from a stop. At idle there's a light blue haze from the exhaust.
Other than having the fuel pin turned 90 degrees, it's bone stock with 260K kms on it. Thanks for any input!

Philip · 10-25-2009, 10:40 AM

It is most likely the grid heaters cycling. The relays are mounted on the left inner wheel well. When the relays kick on they do make a thunk noise.

__________________
93 W350 w/duals, fuel pin turned, 6X.018" injectors, 4" exhaust, 3" air intake horn, Super HX40/16, auto, 3:07's axles, 2" skyjacker lift, B&W flatbed

Gatekeeper · 10-25-2009, 09:15 PM

Adjust your valves!

__________________
90 250 2wd auto Bone Stock.

90powerram · 10-25-2009, 10:35 PM

The noise matches engine rpm, and feels like one cylinder isn't firing as strongly as the others, but only at lower rpm's. The previous owner said he'd had the valves set and valve seals all changed last fall, in an attempt to stop the hazy exhaust. I'll check them though.
I think the turbo needs replacing too...if I blip the throttle after it's been running on high idle for 30 seconds or more, there's a big cloud of blue smoke...

my92d350 · 10-26-2009, 12:33 PM

i dont know a whole lot about these things but ive alredy had that happen and it was an injector going bad. if an injector is going bad on yours you need to get it checked and if it is than replase it. with a bad injector the cylinder runs dryer than it should and eventualy you will be rebuilding it and puting in a new piston because it will burn a hole in the top of it. the blue smoke is because its sucking up oil from around the rings because its not geting enuff fuel.

Geek · 10-26-2009, 03:53 PM

pfft, its a frickin 1990 cummins, its gonna sound like that when its cold!! By any chance does it sound like marbles in the engine? If it does, its normal. Mine does it too. Just dont get in to the boost too much until it goes away.

Mine didnt make the noise in the summer, but since it has gotten cold and the Wait To Start light has been coming on in the morning it makes it. Goes away after about 5 minutes of driving. It made the noise last winter as well...

__________________
90 D250 4x4 - Hacked intake, fuel screw turned, 21psi

90powerram · 10-26-2009, 04:43 PM

Haha, I know it's a diesel, but this is noticeable above the engine sound, especially when you're sitting in the truck. Standing in front of the truck it's pretty hard to hear above the usual cummins noises.

Geek · 10-26-2009, 08:20 PM

Where do you live? Whats your temperatures like?

*edit, nvm. Your in BC! Its been rather cold the last few weeks. Try plugging in your block heater and seeing if the sound goes away sooner than later. Im gonna say, its normal 12v sounds. You want it to be quiet, get a newer model dodge

__________________
90 D250 4x4 - Hacked intake, fuel screw turned, 21psi

dredge · 10-29-2009, 02:08 AM

try running a fuel filter full of Sea Foam with some in the the fuel tank. but most likely you need knew injectors.

90powerram · 10-29-2009, 04:36 AM

Started adjusting the valves today, got 4 done after getting home but before I had to leave for work.

So far the intakes have been .004"-.007" loose, and the exhausts have been up to .010" loose, that's on top of the .010"/.020" lash specs. I'll post the rest of the measurements after I'm done.

1stgen3rdgendodge · 10-29-2009, 12:13 PM

i would check ur turbo seals blue smoke means ur burning oil from somewhere

__________________
93 W250 4x4 125k auto hx40 recon smoked cab lights lots of body work injectors coming soon

01 2500 4x4 auto 2" leveling kit tail lights silencer ring MIA Edge Juice with Attitude custom 4" into dual 6" stacks AEM gauges

Geek · 11-03-2009, 02:24 PM

Did the valve adjustments take away the noise?

__________________
90 D250 4x4 - Hacked intake, fuel screw turned, 21psi

10-25-2009, 05:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
90powerram Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: BC Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts 90powerram's Truck Pics	1990 5.9 - goes tok tok tok tok... I need some input on diagnosing a problem with my truck. It's a 1990 W250 4x4 with the cummins, obviously. When I start it, especially cold, it has a very noticeable continuous "tok tok tok..." sound which all but disappears when it's running warm, but I still hear it very slightly at lower RPM's such as accelerating from a stop. At idle there's a light blue haze from the exhaust. Other than having the fuel pin turned 90 degrees, it's bone stock with 260K kms on it. Thanks for any input!

10-29-2009, 02:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
dredge Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts dredge's Truck Pics	Bad injector try running a fuel filter full of Sea Foam with some in the the fuel tank. but most likely you need knew injectors.

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10-25-2009, 10:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Philip 1ST GEN MODERATOR Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,110 Thanks: 2 Thanked 131 Times in 121 Posts Philip's Truck Pics	It is most likely the grid heaters cycling. The relays are mounted on the left inner wheel well. When the relays kick on they do make a thunk noise. __________________ 93 W350 w/duals, fuel pin turned, 6X.018" injectors, 4" exhaust, 3" air intake horn, Super HX40/16, auto, 3:07's axles, 2" skyjacker lift, B&W flatbed

10-25-2009, 09:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gatekeeper Cummins Nut Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sonoran Desert Posts: 330 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Gatekeeper's Truck Pics	Adjust your valves! __________________ 90 250 2wd auto Bone Stock.

10-25-2009, 10:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
90powerram Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: BC Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts 90powerram's Truck Pics	The noise matches engine rpm, and feels like one cylinder isn't firing as strongly as the others, but only at lower rpm's. The previous owner said he'd had the valves set and valve seals all changed last fall, in an attempt to stop the hazy exhaust. I'll check them though. I think the turbo needs replacing too...if I blip the throttle after it's been running on high idle for 30 seconds or more, there's a big cloud of blue smoke...

10-26-2009, 12:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
my92d350 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 21 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts my92d350's Truck Pics	i dont know a whole lot about these things but ive alredy had that happen and it was an injector going bad. if an injector is going bad on yours you need to get it checked and if it is than replase it. with a bad injector the cylinder runs dryer than it should and eventualy you will be rebuilding it and puting in a new piston because it will burn a hole in the top of it. the blue smoke is because its sucking up oil from around the rings because its not geting enuff fuel.

10-26-2009, 03:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Geek Cummins Fan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mission, BC Posts: 84 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Geek's Truck Pics	pfft, its a frickin 1990 cummins, its gonna sound like that when its cold!! By any chance does it sound like marbles in the engine? If it does, its normal. Mine does it too. Just dont get in to the boost too much until it goes away. Mine didnt make the noise in the summer, but since it has gotten cold and the Wait To Start light has been coming on in the morning it makes it. Goes away after about 5 minutes of driving. It made the noise last winter as well... __________________ 90 D250 4x4 - Hacked intake, fuel screw turned, 21psi

10-26-2009, 04:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
90powerram Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: BC Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts 90powerram's Truck Pics	Haha, I know it's a diesel, but this is noticeable above the engine sound, especially when you're sitting in the truck. Standing in front of the truck it's pretty hard to hear above the usual cummins noises.

10-26-2009, 08:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Geek Cummins Fan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mission, BC Posts: 84 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Geek's Truck Pics	Where do you live? Whats your temperatures like? *edit, nvm. Your in BC! Its been rather cold the last few weeks. Try plugging in your block heater and seeing if the sound goes away sooner than later. Im gonna say, its normal 12v sounds. You want it to be quiet, get a newer model dodge __________________ 90 D250 4x4 - Hacked intake, fuel screw turned, 21psi

10-29-2009, 04:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
90powerram Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: BC Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts 90powerram's Truck Pics	Started adjusting the valves today, got 4 done after getting home but before I had to leave for work. So far the intakes have been .004"-.007" loose, and the exhausts have been up to .010" loose, that's on top of the .010"/.020" lash specs. I'll post the rest of the measurements after I'm done.

10-29-2009, 12:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
1stgen3rdgendodge Cummins Nut Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mount Union, PA Posts: 323 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts 1stgen3rdgendodge's Truck Pics	i would check ur turbo seals blue smoke means ur burning oil from somewhere __________________ 93 W250 4x4 125k auto hx40 recon smoked cab lights lots of body work injectors coming soon 01 2500 4x4 auto 2" leveling kit tail lights silencer ring MIA Edge Juice with Attitude custom 4" into dual 6" stacks AEM gauges

11-03-2009, 02:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
Geek Cummins Fan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mission, BC Posts: 84 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Geek's Truck Pics	Did the valve adjustments take away the noise? __________________ 90 D250 4x4 - Hacked intake, fuel screw turned, 21psi