I know there are many posts to this same issue, but I thought I would share my experience with the forum and see what comments I get back. My truck runs fine and does not have white smoke when it’s started. Fuel mileage is not as good as many of the other threads posted in this forum, 14-15 town and 16-17 highway (no load, 65-70 mph). It has 25K miles. I have the oil changed every 4-6K miles. I change the fuel and air filter every 8K miles. Issue: engine is 2 to 3 times loader than it was new. I know my engine is loud cuz my brother-n-law has the same year, model… and his truck is half as loud as mine and seems to have more power.

First trip to dealer. Engine noise = fuel knock.
Dealer completed a TSB flash. I started filling up at the same fuel station as the dealer (supposedly premium diesel) and started using Stanadyne fuel additive.

Second time to the dealer. Engine noise = to much idle time. When I went to pick up my truck this time (cuz I knew they wouldn’t fix the noise issue), I provided the service manager a copy of the thread were forum member gatf4 (posted 03-04-2005) pulled the injectors out, cleaned them and swapped them around. They were surprised at this tactic, but said they would read what I gave them and would see what they could do if the truck still was loud after working it hard. I pulled my 12K fifth wheel 700 miles and took a road trip (empty, all highway miles) for 1,500 miles. Over

Third trip to the dealer. Engine noise = your stuck with the noise, nothing wrong with engine. I asked the service manager if he read the posts from “Dodge Diesel Resource” forum that I left last time I had my truck in. He did. The service manager then stated the early year 2004s (mine born on 04/04) become louder than the later 2004s, since the injector diagnostics was negative they will not touch the injectors and that is the way it is. This sounds like BS to me.

One of the reasons I bought Dodge is because it was so quite. I guess I was naïve/dumb to think diesel and quite together. Should I try another dealer or is this just a waist of everybody’s time?

Please provide comment. Thanks.

 

These engines do tend to get louder as they break in, so they say! I know mine is louder than when I got it new a year ago, now it has 11000, and is alot louder, louder than a d-max.

 

I have noticed mine gettin louder too although it is an 04 and not 04.5 I have a friend with the 2nd gen and mine is whisper quiet compared to it. I do think Howes addative quiets it down more than stanodyne, lucas, or PS (including PS/MMO mix). Try a couple tanks of Howes and see what you think. No matter what you do, the changes will be very suttle.

 

The pilot shot gets larger on common rail injectors as they break in. That makes the engine louder. The nozzle opening pressure drops too and that makes them earlier and louder as well.

 

You're truck was built April 04, and the SM says this is an early 04? If this isn't a typo, this shoots a big hole in his theory.

My wife thinks my 2,800 mile 05 is too loud now. Think I won't mention it might get louder. I'll just start practicing saying "It's not getting louder. It's just your imagination."

 

I have a 4.5 2500 and it is loud as hell, have to turn the engine off every time i go threw a drive thru so i can make my order have 24000 miles . Cummins just gets louder when they break in, it is annoying some times but it is a diesel, drove a 2005 wow was it quiet big difference not sure if the other brands do the same thing.

 

mine has over 44000 miles, and it ain't no louder than when new, I don't know what you guys are talking about, if you don't like the noise go get a gasser

 

Mine sounds the same as new. It is only louder when it is cold or if do not run power service every other tank. I bought my truck 01/05/04 and it now has approx. 36,600 miles on it. It does seem to run quieter after a full power run.

 

My Dealer said the same thing about to much idle time. I have already had #6 and #5 injectors replaced and now they say " to much idle time no more new injectors." But are we not to let the turbo cool.They told me 45% of the time my truck is at idle. B.S.