Searched the forums and didn't see anything similar to mine. Vehicle is 2000 Durango, 5.9L with about 127000 miles.

I have a low tapping noise coming from around the front of the engine. I used a hose (as a stethoscope) to try and isolate the sound and it is not coming from the valve cover areas and it is not the injectors (I hear those seperately) but I have not been able to pinpoint it exactly.

It is low enough that you can not hear it in the cab and loudest when you stand right in front of the radiator/tranny cooler or from underneath around the vibe damper. I haven't been able to isolate it more with the hose until I can remove the fan.

The sound does get initially faster with throttle response but goes away as RPM's increase (possible the engine revving just hides the tapping). However when you let off the gas, the tapping is gone for about 30 sec-1 minute before it starts again. I removed the belt and did not notice any loose/worn/damaged pulleys. And when I put the belt back on the sound was gone for quite a while but eventually did come back (very faintly).

Any ideas or experience? Thanks.

 

It sounds to like it is associated with the lubrication of the engine since when yourun higher rpms it will raise the oil pressure thus lubricating the internals better. If it really gets to you I bet a bigger oil pump would be the fix to this. You may want to try dropping your oil pan first though as you may just have some sludge buildup (Doubtful on the 360 but a possibility)

 

I may give that a shot. If anything dropping the pan may provide some peace of mind.

 

Good luck and let us know how it works out kjun.

 

Water pump?

IndyD

 

I have the same problem with my 1999 Durango with the 318 and, get this, 205,000 miles. The car is in better condition then most with 100000 though. I put a high mileage oil in there instead of the normal oil and it helped. I also have heard of putting the middle grade gas in there (89) and I believe it actually went away but I haven't gone any further then that as I rarely hear it. Please let me know what happens when you drop the oil pan. If it helps I suppose I will drop mine.

 

cstradling24, your sounds like it was a lifter ticking. Common on our 5.9s. An oil change makes a big difference as can a oil cleaner (SeaFoam). When the knock comes back, the oil has gone down from the lifter and a change can help it again. If it continues or gets worse, that's a bad indicator for wear and lifter replacement in the future. 200,000+ miles however, not unexpected. A motor well worked and one that has paid for itself already by giving back that milage.

IndyDurango <--- 174,000+ miles on my 2000 5.9L D

 

Have you checked your oil level. Low level or a dirty filter can do this. Very possible to be a clogged oil screen on the pump. Check the oil level first. Also it could be engine PING from the wrong octane.