Hello:

So, I've had a VERY slow coolant leak, that I've been attributing to either my TBH bypass connection, or the reservoir/cap (there's a little crud in both places). But then today I got home from the store and left it running while I unloaded, and... tick, tick, tick, tick. This is a 2003 D2 S by the way. I bought the truck with a blown motor/cracked block, so I'm always paranoid about a repeat. So, before I drive this thing off a cliff.. IF it were a cracked block, leaking coolant behind a liner that finally gave way, my thinking is that the combustion gasses would pressurize the coolant system almost immediately, right? Or, is that not the case? If that is the case, and I go out there, fire her up, and squeeze the top hose after a minute or so, if it's not rock hard, am I probably okay? Oh, and no white/sweet exhaust, but it's really not that significant of a coolant loss (knock on wood).


Nick

 

Could be a few different things but a cracked block is not where my mind would head as first case

 

I'm trying to get to a headspace where eminent disaster isn't my knee-jerk reaction haha, but it's a long road. My major concern that lead me down that road is the combination of coolant loss and ticking. That being said.. Any thoughts on my theory?

 

I would be looking into the exhaust, it can make a ticking noise.

Also your rocker shafts. The little holes get clogged and the valves start clapping.

Many a fool has swapped motor and money for a little issue...makes me laugh.

 

I'm hoping it's exhaust. It's a little dark to check tonight, but I'll dive under there tomorrow. Maybe just a rattling cat.. fingers crossed!

 

Coolant temperature your running ??
If it’s 210-230 your going to tick
get a 180 and get below 200 degrees

 

That's my next project actually! I'm usually 195 or so unless I'm stuck in traffic or really under load, then it'll run 215-225. So I definitely need to address it. What ticks with the higher temps (just curious)

 

Mine ticks...even did it after I did heads and replaced all top end.
My sleeves were fine when I did the hg job.

I run royal purple 15-40 and it seems to quiet it down a little bit. But most of the time, the “ticking” sound is injectors cycling and is normal.

When the sound gets gets louder than that....then, MAYBE there is an issue.

Also I ran between 210-230 temps even with a 180 degree thermo. I then switched to an in-line 170degree and the truck is definitely happier. I am in Texas. Traffic and the external heat here is no help

 

With motor cold and off, duct tape a shop vac to your tailpipe and turn on the vac. Now go listen for where you hear the suction. Easy to find exhaust leaks fast this way.

Next, check that you aren't a quart low on oil. low oil level can tick.

Add some Turbomaxx to your engine oil to see if the tick goes away.

Check your coolant temp while running with something better than the dash gage. High water temp can tick.

With motor off and cold, test your coolant for exhaust gasses with the AutoZone kit.

 

These will also tick with thin oils, especially thin synthetic oils. What oil are you running?