Well I think I got er a little hot. Was driving down the interstate one night and didn't know it but one of the vaccum lines to my exhaust brake got partially melted through and my exhaust brake was partially shut. I was runnin er pretty hard for a few miles when I noticed my water temp. gauge was almost in the red and exhaust temp. was about 1300 post turbo. Ever since I can here a little ticking noise that sounds like its coming off of the head of the engine, also have been noticing more blow by. Truck is not using or making oil. I changed the oil the other day to make sure there was nothing in the pan and I also split the oil filter in half to see if it caught anything and everything looks good. Does anyone have any ideas.

 

I would check the back lash on the valves frist to see if they are out of adjustment.Exhaust brakes play H@ll on exhaust valves.Maybe a leak down test to make sure none of them were bend under the heat and load.Keep us up to date if you find out what it is .

 

#6!!! Especially if it starts getting louder.

 

check to manifold to head and manifold to turbo gaskets a blown gasket can sound like it is in the head

 

Wow thats hot. Your looking at 1600+ degrees pre turbo. I would be worried about the pistons.

 

Well I adjusted the valves, they were a little out of adjustment but not bad. I also got a new set of billet push rods that I installed. A few pushrods were a little bent. The truck is still making the noise, I think it may be coming off the #6 cylinder is where I can hear it the most. I was concerned maybe about having a messed up valve or a messed up tappet or lobe on the cam. It puzzles me what else it could be cause the truck runs great. There is maybe a little blow by but I don't think its bad cause you can barely see it.

 

For you to here a tapping sound out of a cummins there is a valve train problem I would say a exhaust valve or valve guide.Did you do a leak down test?Try the screw driver method .Hold your ear is up to the screw driver while the other end is on the valve cover and see if it get louder as you more it,plug your other ear off.My 02 have a tap problem when I brought it used,one of the aluminum pistons broke a piece off ring included and went throught the exhaust valve and bent it and trashed the guide.

 

I think too it is a valve problem but how would it still run so good. I can still build 48psi of turbo boost, which I know I'm pushin it doin that! But she runs like crazy. I held the screw driver up too it and listened at all cylinders and I think I could hear the most noise off the #6 cylinder. I haven't done the leak down test. How do you do that, or iguess I could look in the book and it would tell me.

 

The first place is exhaust leaks at the manifold. Known for working loose not to mention you've added heat and more back pressure with the brake on. I would look at a manifold leak before digging too deep!

 

I have felt and looked at all manifold gaskets and manifold to turbo gasket and can't find any leaks or cracks anywhere.