Engine ticks and I hate it!!!!

[PeteKach]

ok guys I've only had the truck for a few weeks, but I really want to get rid of this noise. I think it's the timing chain, but it seems to tick more when the A/C, or heater is on. Maybe because the compressor kicks on with the AC, heat, and vent? Does that make sense?

Anyway I remember reading on here about using a double roller chain and gear set. Would this be better than oem? Another question, do you still use a tensioner with a double roller? Thanks for your help, and I would really appreciate any advice.

-Peter

[Ron2k1dak]

Dont know man, but i noticed mine will tick when i punch it trying to go uphill or something.. not a big problem i dont think :help:

[chris4x4]

What year and motor in your truck? What part of the truck is the ticking comming from? I had a ticking that sounded as if it were comming from the passenger side fire wall and it was a leaking exhaust manifold.

[PeteKach]

It's a 97, 3.9auto. When its warmed up I think it's more like a rattle sound, but I can't tell where it's coming from. I'll look closer and check out the exhaust manifold for leaks. Thanks :)

[Slow97dakota]

It's a 97, 3.9auto. When its warmed up I think it's more like a rattle sound, but I can't tell where it's coming from. I'll look closer and check out the exhaust manifold for leaks. Thanks :)
cats usually rattle when there getting old and startin to fail. take a steathiscope and put it up to the timming cover and that will tell u if its the chain or not. other possibilites are the lifters they will tick, and m aybe the rocker arms. if it is the timming chain, get a mopar double roller. the oone from the 318/360 works on the 3.9. do not put a tensioner on it!

[suffolk_mopar]

It's a 97, 3.9auto. When its warmed up I think it's more like a rattle sound, but I can't tell where it's coming from. I'll look closer and check out the exhaust manifold for leaks. Thanks :)



it sounds like the fuel injectors. bothered the hell outta me on my `02 also

[PeteKach]

Starting to think that maybe it's the fan clutch? I'm thinking about removing it just to see what happens. Probably end up going with an electric one anyway.

[TRUCKMAN]

does it click for a minute then come back with in another minute that is normal. It just the clutch that control your A/C pump there all the same I deal with this almost everyday.

[trevor]

Check your tensioner on the serpentine belt

Mine used to rattle all the time, then i replaced the tensioner, then it stopped. Now it's back when you put it in gear while still stopped. Get someone to put it in drive, and watch the tensioner, if it rattles back and forth really quick, that might be your problem.

I still don't know why mine rattles, i was going to replace the belt, but at $7x.xx Canadian, i think i might live with it.

[Dodgerjack]

do not put a tensioner on it! I'm interested in your comment about the timing chain tensioner. I believe the stock 3.9 "chain rattle" is possibly a tensioner noise. Do you recommend leaving the tensioner off the stock one as well, or is this specific to the V8 chain you suggested as a replacement for the stock 3.9?

[Little Blue Guy]

Timing chain rattle is very common on the 3.9's. There is a tensioner you can get from Mopar to cure this problem. There was a Technical Service Bulliten on this noise. What is causeing it is the chain hitting the tip of the oil drip pointer inside the timing cover. Get the tensioner from Dodge, get a new chain & gears (double roller will not work) and new gasket kit for the cover and swap it out. Noise should be gone. Mine is......

Bryan :drive:

[Dodgerjack]

The service ticket on my timing chain replacement at a Dodge dealership said "install timing chain and tensioner kit". Still makes the noise. Maybe they get their parts from J.C. Whitney or something? Makes me mad to hear there is a service bulletin on it and a fix that the dealership apparently didn't bother to do. :rant:

Thanks for the info, though! At least I know what it probably is, and it doesn't sound fatal, just annoying.

BTW Bryan, you actually have a running, driving, Charger Daytona?? :bow:

[Hellfire]

it sounds like the fuel injectors. bothered the hell outta me on my `02 also
it can't be the injectors it don't rattle sound like a bee flying or something. Normaly when it rattle could be the cat.

[Hellfire]

I'm interested in your comment about the timing chain tensioner. I believe the stock 3.9 "chain rattle" is possibly a tensioner noise. Do you recommend leaving the tensioner off the stock one as well, or is this specific to the V8 chain you suggested as a replacement for the stock 3.9?
that what I did on mine but still didn't stop the tick until a bud of mine said its my cat.

[dakhemi]

On the 3.9s its very common for the exhaust manifolds to loosen up a bit and tick at certain times, such as under load or when cold. Try snugging up on the manifold bolts. I used to have to do my 3.9 every few months, until the right front manifold bolt broke off. When I pulled the engine last week I found that a total of 3 exhaust manifold bolts had broken off. Thats on an engine with 80,000 miles. At least the Hemi manifolds shouldn't leak! :mullet:

Jim

[Hellfire]

On the 3.9s its very common for the exhaust manifolds to loosen up a bit and tick at certain times, such as under load or when cold. Try snugging up on the manifold bolts. I used to have to do my 3.9 every few months, until the right front manifold bolt broke off. When I pulled the engine last week I found that a total of 3 exhaust manifold bolts had broken off. Thats on an engine with 80,000 miles. At least the Hemi manifolds shouldn't leak! :mullet:

Jim
You mention hemi did you drop one in your Dakota?? Did it cause your rear wheel to spin??

[dakhemi]

http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21205

Its not up and running yet...hopefully this coming week...but I just bolted it in place for the final time (after several installs/removals for test fitting, measuring, etc.)

Jim