Diesel Virgin, here...please be gentle.

[LittleJohn]

Hello, Folks!

I was wondering if you could help me...here's my situation:

I am a small business owner who just recently bought a Mitsubishi Fuso Box truck for making deliveries. It's a 2004, 4 cylinder ,turbo diesel.

I've driven it for six months and it's been good...until a couple of weeks ago.

Now...before I begin, I must tell you this: I'm a Diesel Virgin. Completely. I've never even gotten to first base with one...let alone had any fore-play with Diesel.

BUT, I decided to fornicate with one and here's the issue.

It "pings" like a son of a gun. Sounds like someone has a ball bearing in a tin can and is shaking it. Really bad.

Here's the info I can give you:

• It does it at "idle." When I accelerate, it goes away.
• I "think" it has become worse since I changed the oil in it.

After looking at some diesel porn sites, my only thought is to increase the cetane/octane in it and change the oil to something with a higher viscosity. Maybe that will do the trick.

Please come to my rescue. I really can't afford to take it to a "big truck mechanic."

Also, please be gentle with me...I truly am a diesel virgin, but I'm wanting/willing to learn all I can.

Thanks in advance,

LittleJohn

 

[Thunderbird]

Well That is really the definition of a diesel. It is not a spark engine, the combustion process is initiated by the heat generated on the compression stroke. As the diesel has no throttle plates, the air is unrestricted into the engine, Rpm and torque are controlled by tha amount of fuel metered by the injectors. At Idle the effective compression ratio is very high, the mixture is lean hence the "pinging". It is possible the pinging has increased if the new oil has improved the ring seal.

 

[Dazed]

Try adding a double dose of "howes" fuel conditioner to the tank. Also, try changing the fuel filter(s). (sometimes there are two).

I'd be that you either got bad fuel, or need to change the filters. Old filters make the fuel pressure lower, and can make you run just a bit lean, making more "ping"..Howes is a good product, one that I recommend for every diesel engine.

Let me know what your solution for this problem ends up....

 

[max_914]

Another thing you can try is using 2 stroke oil in your diesel. I've been using this for awhile and my engine does sound better with less clatter. Walmart sells it in a gallon jug. I use about 1/2 oz per gallon but you can go up to 1 oz per gal. of fuel.
http://mopar.mopar1973man.com/2002-dodge/tips-and-tricks/2-cycle-oil/2-cycle-oil.htm

 

[tech]

If the above suggestions don't help you out, just crack open each injector line slightly with the truck running (one at a time) until you find the one that quiets/eliminates the noise. Sounds like you have an injector nozzle that is partially clogged. This would explain the "ping" you describe.

 

[NVBadBoy]

When changing the oil, make sure the oil you are using is rated for Diesel engines, and meets the current API rating. CF, CF-2, CG-4, CH-4 and CI-4 are the ratings you should look for on the oil cans or jugs.

Diesel engines are Compression fired engines, hence the CF rating. Gasoline engines are spark ignited engines and their proper oil is rated SJ, SL and SM.

Hope you can fix the pinging noise on your truck.


NVBB