Pro tip: My son asking about a ticking noise saved a diesel job

I let my boy watch me look over a big rig engine. He kept pointing to a soft tick when it ran. I had gotten used to the sound and did not think it was bad. We checked and found a fuel injector going out. Now I listen for that tick on every engine check.

3 comments

3 Comments

kevink171d ago

In my experience, it's easy to get used to the normal sounds of an engine. I remember hearing from an old timer that a subtle tick can be the first sign of injector trouble. Your story shows how valuable a second set of ears can be, especially from someone who isn't around it every day. It's a good reminder to not let routine blind us to small changes. Now I make a point to actively listen during checks instead of just going through the motions.

piper_coleman1d ago

Try recording your engine weekly to spot changes.

james_barnes1d ago

Totally! I was listening to a car podcast that said the same thing about routine making you miss small changes. They called it "mechanical deafness" where you stop really hearing your own equipment. Fresh ears catch what worn out ones filter out!