"Mysterious" turbo engine noise...???

[Gary04GT]

Anyone out there looking for a for a fully-loaded 2003 GT in "mint condition" with a [u]rebuilt engine</u>? Well, here it is...



Yesterday I stopped by my dealership, Eastside Chrysler*Jeep, Belevue, WA www.eastsidecj.com (1-800-233-4294) and my former car had just been put out on the lot for sale with full-warranty coverage (both 3/36 and 7/70). Someone will be getting a good deal on this used vehicle. They don't expect it to last long as it is the only 2003 or 2004 GT 5-speed within the surrounding five-state area. If anyone is interested they should contact Brennan Tuttle, Sales & Leasing Consultant.

[Rolo]

quote:Originally posted by 3BarBoost

I think the dealer screwed up on this one. The follower never makes noise, it is always a sticky lash adjuster that makes those funky noises. They should have replaced the lash adjusters, all of them while they had the valve cover off. Takes all of ten minutes.

But that is a cool color...

THANKS, 3Bar! That was the nudge I needed--two pages after I stopped reading in the Service Manual. [xx(]

Should reading the Service Manual be one of the prerequisites for "5-Star"? pg. 9-184 of the Service Manual:

HYDRAULIC LASH ADJUSTER NOISE DIAGNOSIS
A tappet-like noise may be produced from several items...
It has a list and pictures even I can understand. [B)]

I have the same problem and am trying to armchair diagnose it before I call in the dealer-monkeys. [|)] (Gary's experience quantifies my epithet.)

Hmmm...Hydraulic lash adjusters--the DOHC equivalent of lifters, it seems. The rocker arm looks to be just the shape of metal that would make the noise that I am having (tinny but very firm and in the head) as it taps the lash adjuster or the valve stem. [8D]


Gary: I like your 04 better than your 03, that worked out well for ya and, yes, it is different (a good different, that is). The '04 seems to fit you better, and I do not even know you and can say that. [8] I am glad it ultimately worked out for you.

However, I believe you were sharked, depending on how much you had to pay. The GM took the service department's incompetence and turned it to their advantage: they sold a new car and they did not have to spend more time fixing your '03. Two birds, one stone. (hehehe, remembering that joke in that other thread.) Paying "invoice" still yields the dealer a very nice profit, and I would wager that they just buttoned up the '03 and placed it on the lot.

3Bar: The tapping seems to disappear at higher RPM under load, I would assume that increase in oil pressure fills the "lifter" until the car is shut down for a while again. Since the problem only happens when it has sat for several hours, are the lash adjusters bleeding down?

Hell, I may as well look into performance cams while its open, any suggestions?

[3BarBoost]

Sticky lash adjusters can't resist higher oil pressure. Besides it takes time for the oil to leak out, time which isn't available at higher rpm. Load has nothing to do with it.

There is no need to remove the cams while changing the lash adjusters. A valve spring compressor will allow you to pop the rocker arms out to give you access to the lash adjusters without removing the timing drive (which is a pain). However, if you want to - you don't really need an excuse. I think there is a thread on the crane cams in a SRT you might want to read first.

[Rolo]

quote:Originally posted by 3BarBoost

Sticky lash adjusters can't resist higher oil pressure. Besides it takes time for the oil to leak out, time which isn't available at higher rpm. Load has nothing to do with it.

There is no need to remove the cams while changing the lash adjusters. A valve spring compressor will allow you to pop the rocker arms out to give you access to the lash adjusters without removing the timing drive (which is a pain). However, if you want to - you don't really need an excuse. I think there is a thread on the crane cams in a SRT you might want to read first.

Yes, what I have read so far about replacing the cams leaves me wanting to leave well enough alone. The Crane #14's look tempting, but too much re-tooling. I like this engine; it is smooth and I do not want to mess up a good thing. Just gimmie Stage 2 already, hehe.

[Rolo]

quote:Originally posted by 3BarBoost

Sticky lash adjusters can't resist higher oil pressure. Besides it takes time for the oil to leak out, time which isn't available at higher rpm. Load has nothing to do with it.

You mean they can drain even at low RPM? I was thinking they were draining down while it sits overnight, since it never seems to do it when sitting for just a few hours or less-- it only happens first thing in the morning, and when I leave for work if I have not driven it all day (like, to lunch).

I have decided that I will handle this myself. I can get the valve spring compressor and adaptor for $100 and I need to clean and polish the valve cover anyway. This way I know precisely what is happening, know that the job is done right, and get to enjoy my PT even more.

Do you know of aftermarket replacements that may be better? So far, I have only found some for old ('95-'99) Neons.

Thanks for your valuable input, as always. [?]

[rszappa1]

Hey Jabber Jaw....You have described the problem to a tee. I have a 2004 with a turbo and it does the same thing...It sounds like a lifter. Personally as long as i have the 7/70 on it I am not going to worry about it. I hate to see the dealer start replacing things inside the engine and break the factory seal just to have the noise still there. I have purchased chrysler products since 1968 and over the years I have had many mopar engines that have had lifter noise. This one being no exception. As you stated it will not hurt the engine at all and if it does get louder or sounds like more than one lifter I always have the option to take it back to the dealer....But your thread was right on the money.

[wsd0836]

My first post...My wife's '03 GT exhibited this exact same symtom. A "tinking" noise about 3 minutes after startup and disappearing after about 10 minutes. We took it to the dealer for service last week. He service manager remembered seeing a "pending" TCM and called Chrysler. He then told us the the TCM had in fact been issued on this problem and he had the parts to fix it. HE said some of the camshaft bearing caps had been manufactured out of tolerance.
The bearing caps were replace and no more tinking noises.

[rszappa1]

TCM What is that??? If you meant TSB do you know the number? I have lloked at the TSB online and dont see one related to the noise problem...Thanks..

[wsd0836]

quote:Originally posted by rszappa1

TCM What is that??? If you meant TSB do you know the number? I have lloked at the TSB online and dont see one related to the noise problem...Thanks..

How embarrassing. Hey..I guess it's called an TSB. Technical Service Bulletin right? Anyway, I didn't get the number. I can call him tomorrow and let you know then. Now that I know what to ask for.

[rszappa1]

Please do....I know from looking at a lot of ther pt forums this "engine" noise issue has come up...Please post when you get the info....