Curious. As well


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That video sure sounds like a valve train noise.
What does the inside of the valve cover look like through the oil filter cap opening? Is it sludged up?

 

Looks pretty good to me!

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipONyBAx7NLO7YByOfjQzvKyt4MjoUNw4pYddtTvpuXzPKiF2zT-ckG7mQx9qaDwEQ?key=V2xOWnV3RjNsNGs0eGdqdC1CMmhxc2huWFJ2cF9B

Should probably mention I got new heads under warranty (oil consumption) around 70k miles if memory serves me correct.

 

What I'm seeing is a very clean plastic baffle not the inside of the head, But very clean just the same.

That happens, somethings you can't get a clear view without pulling a cover off.

PS: I edited your post to get the pics to show, I hope you don't mind.

 

Don't mind at all. Think pulling a valve cover would help tell a better story?

 

You might be able to see wear on the rocker shafts or a bent push rod...

 

I think you're right, actually. It seems noisy in the rocker arm assemblies.

 

The noise sound very much external, and louder on passenger side... Perhaps the alternator de-coupler pulley.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...8,grand+caravan,3.8l+v6,1441238,electrica l,alternator+/+generator+pulley,2448

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6404949&cc=1441238&jsn=440

 

Thanks to all for your thoughts. Think I'll pick up a stethoscope on the way home from work tomorrow and see if I can narrow it down. I'll let you know what I find out.

If it's rocker shaft or push rod, am I dealing with a ticking time bomb, or should I just turn up the radio?

 

Worn rocker shaft/rocker or bent pushrod is what you WANT it to be, as these are very easy to replace. The lifters would require pulling the heads off. :angry:

 

So, I'm no expert at this, but I poked around with the stethoscope. The loudest sounds were coming from the fuel rail. Not sure what that means... time to do some Googling and digging in the manual. Is this a possibility? What could it be?

So confused...

 

The injectors tick when opening and closing and the fuel pulsing in the rail makes a noise too.

 

Could that be the noise I'm hearing above the rest of the engine noise?

 

Sorry for the overrun of posts... just updating as I think of and try more things.

Went back out with the stethoscope thinking I wanted to check the rear injectors, but can't reach them with the stethoscope. What I did find was that the ticking is loud on the injector, but if I go to the lower intake manifold (below the injector) the sound is significantly quieter. Above, it is a harsh, mechanical, tick... below it is much more muffled. Thinking this indicates the noise is above the o-rings on the injector and the o-rings are isolating the sound from the rest of the engine.

Sound reasonable? I have noticed a drop in fuel economy lately, but attributed it to the wife idling the van while picking up the kiddos.

Now... how to diagnose further? Wanted to disconnect one injector at a time, but can't get to the rears with the upper manifold in place...

 

All injectors tick, its just how they work.
I've never had to (or heard of anyone else) replace one for a noise issue.

 

My son just replaced all four out of his Mitsubishi because one was ticking louder than it should.

If you can only hear one out of six, then something is not right, better replace it, other more problematic sound may develop and you will ignore it and blame the ticking injector.

 

It can sound louder at the fuel rails as they sit above your valvetrain. Injector ticking noise is very slight, and quite normal. The loud "cluck cluck cluck" diesel like rattle noise is definitely of mechanical nature emitted by the engine.

Can you capture another video while gradually increasing engine rpm?

 

Requested video, two sides of the engine:

 

Well, the van got me to and from Florida safely, but the ticking remains. Especially noticed it this cold morning. Have a few more things to try out and I'll get that video, but I'm guessing I have a clogged lifter.

More to follow.

 

Forgot to mention - averaged 21.5mpg (per the computer) and tripped a P0420 code once on the way there and once on the way back. Had one REALLY bad trans shift in traffic, but that's a different issue entirely

 

Sounds like piston slap my Malibu had, but not sure if this engine suffers from the same issue.

 

Yeah it still sounds like valvetrain noise, camshaft bearings, etc... Are you up to removing the valve covers to inspect? At 121,000 miles, you engine may have suffered from long term oil breakdown and/or starvation. It's pretty much at the end of its serviceable life.

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2013/10/quieting-down-chryslers-versatile-3-3l-and-3-8l-engines/

 

I'll try to get at least the front valve cover off this weekend, but there are a ton of other projects on the list...

Any tips on what to look/listen for?

 

Did you get it fixed what was the fix

 

Also curious if this was ever diagnosed and fixed? I’m having the same issue.