did you fire up and look see if every thing as acting like they should ?? ( be prepared for a oil bath)

 

I'm very hesitant to do so for fear of causing any damage.

 

I am thinkin.....damage to....whats all ready damaged ? Or you think running with a valve CVR will hurt it ? (it wont )

 

I'm not worried about running it without the valve covers.

I'm not sure if there IS any damage, just not sure and don't want to cause more damage IF it already has some.

I guess at this point I need to rule out the Head gasket. I haven't yet been successful in finding the Procedure How to do a Compression test though.

"If" the HG comes back ok, then I'll pull the Injectors and have them all cleaned and pop tested.

 

I am thinking bent valve, flat lobe on the cam shaft. check the push tubes, make sure they are still straight, you will know if on is bent. if one is bent than most likely you have a bent valve due to a bad cam shaft

 

I need to do a Compression test.

What's the PSI range for my engine ??

Do I pull ALL the injectors to do a Compression test ? Do I need to get DRY and WET readings ?

 

Most that I've checked run inbetween 300-400.
What's more important is that all the cylinders are within 10% of each other.
You want to test dry, if you squirt some oil in there it will fire.

 

The tester is pretty spendy...I have one here,,If you want to borrow it..most time like said you can run the eng and use a heat gauge on ea cyl and see if there is a dead one / or which is the dead one...I can not get your page to open to hear the noise....so.....
If it were me I would buy a heat sensor get the valve CVR off or loose and do two test @ once Look for a obvious none working valve, bent push rod, ECT and get the heat off ea cyl.
Now you will know whereth the bad one is lurking.......

 

I appreciate the offer. I'll PM you if my buddy here doesn't have one.

I have it on my www.Youtube.com page as well. Search for Username Katmandu2. I can't access Youtube here from work. I'll post up the URL when I get home.

I'm too afraid of firing it back up and causing more damage (if there is any already).

 

Thanks Bill.

 

Here's it is on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaPALmKCJoY

 

ouch that sounds painfull, hope ya figure it out/ gert er fixed soon.

 

Something isn't right there, it isn't a rhythmic noise like a rod or rocker,
I would run it without teh valve covers and watch for funny valve motion, perhaps at some point your engine has had valve seats installed and one is dropping?

Still think it could be an injector though. If it were mine, I would at the minimum pull them and have them pop tested.

 

You know... that's bothering me too.

The engine actually did have the head gasket replaced (3) years/30k miles ago. Happened right after I bought it. Only drove it (75) miles when it blew. Lost Oil Pressure coming off the highway. The Dodge dealership I bought it from did the work. They never mentioned any head work.

BUT, when I was looking at the springs/valves last night, I DID notice a valve guide that had an ORANGE seal. It was the ONLY guide that was Orange.

This is making me suspicious now.....

Anyways, I found a local diesel mechanic and I'm going to have it towed to his shop Thurs. AM. Dude has an 1800HP Cummins towing beast so I think he is a good person to work on it!

I'll update this thread accordingly.

 

Make sure he listens to it and does some basic diagnosing before he rips it apart.

That sounds like the basics, but you would be surprised at how many supposedly good mechanics just start ripping her apart.