Hello,

I'm new to the site here, so sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place or not doing it right.

I have a 01 Dakota 3.9 V6 with a ticking sound. It doesn't sound like a knock or ping (anything like metal on metal). I've taken it to several mechanics who have listened to the engine, and one that was a former dealer mechanic said it was my purge solenoid. He said it was common and was not hurting anything. He also said that many people had come to the dealership he was at trying to get it to go away and spent hundreds of dollars to no avail.

I haven't noticed any performance problems, it just ticks. It starts as I begin to accelerate and then goes away when I hit my 4th(overdrive) gear. If I throw it into neutral, it still does it, so I don't think its a tranmission problem. Also, the tranny was rebuilt within the last 25,000 miles. I replaced the purge valve solenoid, as it was a simple job and only a 32 dollar part. The tick, however, continues. I started checking all the hoses related to the EVAP system, but still can't find the problem.

I've been told it could be an exhaust leak, but I haven't located any black spots that would be associated with that.

As I said before, there doesn't seem to be any performance problems as of now, but I'm wanting to buy a retrax bed cover / new paint job and would like to nip this in the butt before I put that kind of money back into the truck.

Any ideas?

 

Exact same problem in my 03. From what I understand (what another Dakota owner told me) is that it's harmless. Mine completely vanished after changing the tranny fluid/filter and feeding it seafoam in vaccuum/oil/gas. I'm sure the tranny was comPletely unrelated though

 

I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport and when I hit 40-50 miles there is a ticking noise. Went in and they said it was O2 sensors so had them changed. It still does it. Almost sounds like the when I hit that speed it is not getting enough gas or something. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

as the rpms increase does it get louder and quicker

 

Overall, it seams to be more gear related than rpm. Eventhough, the tranny hasn't been giving me any issues. If I put in in neutral with the parking break on, I can rev the engine up and no sound what-so-ever. But if I start to drive off, it does it as soon as i get rolling. I'm starting to think it might me the U joint going to the rear axle, and that I'm just hearing the echo off the pavement up front. I'm going to sheck that out today.

I do use Lucas injector and gas treament regularly, but I'll try Seafoam the next time.

 

the injector cleaners are just about all the same
when checking the u joints just have some one put it in drive and reverse and look at the drive shaft at the joints for movement there should be no movement
could it also be a bearing in the front or rear

 

Ok, so I've done a few things since the last post.

It's not an axle or U-joint.
I had the bearings checked.
And I just got done changing the plugs, wires, distributer cab, and rotor.

The tick goes on.