LLY: A few issues after head gasket job

Diesel_Addiction

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Dec 11, 2013
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Recently completed the head gaskets on my 05 LLY. Overall things went back together smoothly but truck has a few issues now that its back running.

1. The truck developed a pretty substantial ticking noise after gasket replacement. It was not that bad during the initial startup, but during test drive when engine was loaded it got worse, almost like it blew a manifold gasket out. It is hardly noticable under 2000 RPMs but anything over that or when the engine is loaded it sounds like a 6.0 Chevy engine with a bad manifold. Sounds like noise is coming from the driver side. Last night we pulled the inner fenders off and checked all the manifold bolts, up-pipe bolts, and v-bands. They were all tight, and there was no signs of soot blowing out of any of the gaskets. The valves were all checked and set up during the re-installation as well. ARP's and everthing else under the valve covers were all torqued to spec. I'm not sure what to check next. Perhaps pull the valve covers off and check things out again?

2. The return lines are leaking in a few spots. Is there any trick to getting these to seal properly? I installed new aftermarket return lines. The old set broke upon dissasemboly. There was alittle bit of rust in the tops of the injectors from them being exposed under the hood. Cleaned them the best I could. It appears that the fittings are pushed down into the injector all the way and the clips are all intact. Could this be related to the ticking noise? Perhaps it's an injector?

3. I'm still getting low coolant level message upon startup on the cluster. Coolant level is fine and system is no longer substantially pressurized... Bad coolant level sensor? Anyone know where I can source a new one?
 
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Diesel_Addiction

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Dec 11, 2013
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Tick is progressively getting worse and now is prevalent at idle and intensifies through the rpm range. Injector balance rates are all within spec both I'n park and in gear. Rail pressure is good. No codes, no engine light. I'll try to get a video uploaded.
 

hopkins_fam

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Oct 18, 2013
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Bump, im also interested in the tick noise. Mine does a similar noise since my head gaskets
 

blitzin247

That didn't sound good...
Feb 9, 2013
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I would check for a bad uppipe bellow, they can be hard to notice. I didnt know mine was bad untill weeks of checking, I would start the motor and very carefully stick my hand around behind the motor around the DP and up pipes and I could feel a leak in my drivers side up pipe. Just my thoughts.
 

Big Block 88

Multiple choice muscle
Nov 3, 2008
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You can spray some starting fluid around the edges ifnthe intake (where u can access it atleast) and see if engine revs. Did you use new intake gaskets? How where the exhaust manifold gaskets? And everything is tight? Up pipes down pipe, pedestal, i would assume it is exhaust related as it is ticking and not a constant hiss or whissle.

Most likely as stated before a bellow has blown out,
 

o4dirtymax

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Dec 17, 2012
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3. I'm still getting low coolant level message upon startup on the cluster. Coolant level is fine and system is no longer substantially pressurized... Bad coolant level sensor? Anyone know where I can source a new one?

You have tried bleeding the air out on top of the t stat housing (12mm)? Sounds dumb but last time I was getting the low coolant message it took a couple of days and about six different times of opening that bleeder to get the message to go away.
 

Diesel_Addiction

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Dec 11, 2013
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I would check for a bad uppipe bellow, they can be hard to notice. I didnt know mine was bad untill weeks of checking, I would start the motor and very carefully stick my hand around behind the motor around the DP and up pipes and I could feel a leak in my drivers side up pipe. Just my thoughts.

Tomorrow going to check this out again. Went back through already and tightened all the exhaust connections, and checked all the gaskets.

Can you grab a piece of pipe and listen through one end of it and try and narrow down the area that is ticking?

It definetly sounds like the drivers side of the engine. I think my friend has a stethascope maybe we can use that to dial in where the sound is coming from.

You can spray some starting fluid around the edges ifnthe intake (where u can access it atleast) and see if engine revs. Did you use new intake gaskets? How where the exhaust manifold gaskets? And everything is tight? Up pipes down pipe, pedestal, i would assume it is exhaust related as it is ticking and not a constant hiss or whissle.

Most likely as stated before a bellow has blown out,

It definetly sounds like an exhaust leak. The intake manifold to heads were scraped of the old silicone, cleaned, and reinstalled with the sealer provided in the Victor Reniz head set. All the exhaust manifold, and up-pipe gaskets were replaced with new. As stated above, I checked and rechecked them all.

You have tried bleeding the air out on top of the t stat housing (12mm)? Sounds dumb but last time I was getting the low coolant message it took a couple of days and about six different times of opening that bleeder to get the message to go away.

Yes, the air was bled from the system through the top of the thermostat housing. I can still hear some in the heating system in the truck but for the most part its all out. I think It's the sensor, which I've learned is part of the coolant reservoir. I think I will unplug the harness and jump the connector for now.
 

Diesel_Addiction

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Dec 11, 2013
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So what I think I will do next is as follows.....

1. Get all the fuel return line leaks fixed.
2. Perform an injector cut out test, my friend has a Matco Maximus Im hoping he can do it on that.
3. If the noise goes away when an injector is cut out. I've found the problem... Inspect the injector, make sure its seated properly, and check the connector.
4. If It's not an injector try to dial in the sound with a stethascope.
5. Check the up-pipe bellows and all exhaust connections again.
6. Check the intake manifolds for leaks.
7. Pull drivers side valve cover off and recheck valve lash.
 
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thunder550

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Apr 2, 2013
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Did you reuse the copper injector seats? I had a leak on one of mine after removing and reinstalling the injector, after replacing the noise went away.
 

o4dirtymax

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Dec 17, 2012
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Please let us know what you find out. I just test drove my truck for the first time after HG job. I'm also getting a knocking sound on the drivers side
 

Bustedknuckles

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Sep 25, 2010
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Mine ticks under load after doing head gaskets but its been that way for 2 years now and I'm pretty sure its injectors. On the low coolant light you might have gotten the AC pressure sensor and coolant sensor connectors switched. I know because I did. Lol
 

Diesel_Addiction

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Dec 11, 2013
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Did you reuse the copper injector seats? I had a leak on one of mine after removing and reinstalling the injector, after replacing the noise went away.

No I did not. I replaced the sealing O-Rings but not the copper washers. If the noise is an injector, this will be worth looking into.

Please let us know what you find out. I just test drove my truck for the first time after HG job. I'm also getting a knocking sound on the drivers side

Will do. Hope to get it fixed this weekend.

Mine ticks under load after doing head gaskets but its been that way for 2 years now and I'm pretty sure its injectors. On the low coolant light you might have gotten the AC pressure sensor and coolant sensor connectors switched. I know because I did. Lol

Lol, I'll have to check this...
 

o4dirtymax

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Any progress with that knock? I've been working and haven't been able to dig into mine. Hoping to start really early tomorrow, or monday afternoon.
 

DIESEL1

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Dec 18, 2011
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It's most likely a injector not torqued to spec or like stated above leaking due to the reuse of the coppers.
 

Diesel_Addiction

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Dec 11, 2013
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Any progress with that knock? I've been working and haven't been able to dig into mine. Hoping to start really early tomorrow, or monday afternoon.

Didn't get a chance to do anything with the truck this weekend unfortunately. Will make sure to update the thread once I do figure it out.

It's most likely a injector not torqued to spec or like stated above leaking due to the reuse of the coppers.

This is what I am hoping.