Edin Fernandez – Master Automotive & Diesel Technician | Little Elm, TX
Edin Fernandez is a highly skilled Master Automotive and Diesel Technician with a proven record of excellence in fleet maintenance, heavy diesel systems, and advanced automotive diagnostics. Based in Little Elm, Texas, Edin brings more than a decade of hands-on expertise, blending technical mastery with leadership to deliver exceptional service and operational efficiency. Recognized as an engaging team leader and mentor, Edin inspires colleagues to perform at their highest potential while fostering a culture of precision, safety, and customer satisfaction.... Read more
Rushit Hila is the founder of YOUCANIC and a passionate advocate for empowering car owners through knowledge. With a background in automotive diagnostics and years of hands-on repair experience, Rushit leads the YOUCANIC team in creating practical, easy-to-follow guides and tools that help drivers fix their own vehicles. His mission is simple: make car repair less intimidating and more accessible for everyone.
Issue: The customer brought in their 2020 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins , concerned about a loud ticking noise. While most noticeable at idle, the noise was present at higher RPMs as well. The noise had a slow, rhythmic beat and seemed to be coming from somewhere near the turbo area.
Initial Diagnostics
The check engine light was off. Scanning for DTCs revealed no stored or active codes in any module. Continuing diagnostics, I took the Cummins out for a test drive to monitor noise conditions.
The ticking was present both at idle and under load. As the RPM climbed, the rhythm of the noise matched it exactly—clear evidence that this was tied to engine speed.
From a USA company built by car enthusiasts for car owners.
Back in the shop, with the truck up on the lift and the engine steady at 2,000 RPM, I used a stethoscope to track it down. The sound was most dominant at the rear of the engine, where the bellhousing meets.
Isolating the Source
Following service procedures, I separated the transmission from the engine just enough to pull the torque converter away from the flywheel. The engine was run again—noise still present. That narrowed it: the problem was in the engine itself, possibly the valve train.
Digging In
I dropped the oil pan, expecting to see signs of trouble—metal flakes, debris—but it was spotless. Continuing the inspection, I removed the valve cover, rocker arms, and pushrods to check for any raw mating surfaces from oil starvation. No problem found.
After reinstalling the pushrods and rocker arms, I rotated the engine to inspect proper lifter operation and measured lash—everything was within spec, and all lifters moved as they should.
Main cap bearings came out next—no excessive wear. The camshaft and lifters followed—again, no visible damage…
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