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Symptoms · 6.7 Cummins 2019+

6.7 Cummins 2019+: ticking, knocking, rattle or whine

3 documented failures on this engine list this among their signs. They are ordered from the most widespread down. Each one shows the signs in its record's own words, how to tell it from the others, the usual fix and any recall or bulletin.

  1. Grid heater bolt and relay failures (2019+ 6.7) Common · 22 complaints · 3 recall/bulletins
  2. Common-rail injector wear (2019+ 6.7) Common
  3. In-tank lift pump failures (2019+ 6.7) Common

Not sure which engine you have, or want the recalls for your exact truck? Check your VIN: it names the engine and lists the campaigns for that model year. Whether a recall is still open on your VIN: nhtsa.gov/recalls.

verified How widespread: Common 22 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 318 checked

How it shows up

  • knocking at speed after the heater's terminal nut or bolt breaks off and is pulled into a cylinder (owners most often name cylinder 6)
Its other signs
  • code P2609 (intake air heater circuit) and P0542; long crank and white smoke in cold weather
  • smoke or fire from the heater grid relay on 2021-2023 trucks (recalled)

How to tell it apart

  • take P2609 seriously: inspect the heater grid terminal hardware before replacing the relay alone
  • check the VIN for the relay recalls on 2021-2023 trucks
  • verify relay operation and voltage drop at the studs at key-on

Usual fix

repair the relay/circuit; reseal or replace the grid heater assembly (retention bolts with the update kit)

Recalls and bulletins

23V-06021V-79821V-163

Root cause, parts and sources →

verified How widespread: Common

How it shows up

  • cold-start rattle and white smoke; uneven idle; rising fuel consumption
Its other signs
  • copper washer blow-by soot at the connector tubes

How to tell it apart

  • balance-rate test per cylinder before replacing a set
  • inspect connector tubes, copper washers and the CP3 inlet for debris

Usual fix

replace worn injector(s); new copper washers/connector-tube seals every time

Root cause, parts and sources →

verified How widespread: Common

How it shows up

  • fuel pressure sag under load on a gauge; hard hot starts; injector rattle from starvation
Its other signs
  • CP3 inlet contamination when the pump sheds debris

How to tell it apart

  • fuel pressure gauge at the CP3 inlet - log hot and under load
  • inspect the water-in-fuel filter element and drain schedule

Usual fix

replace the lift pump/module and the fuel filter; consider a gauge if not fitted

Root cause, parts and sources →

Other symptoms on the 6.7 Cummins 2019+

Hard start, long crank or no-startLoss of power, limp mode or derateWhite smoke from the exhaustLosing coolantDEF, DPF and regeneration warnings

Everything on the 6.7 Cummins 2019+Its recalls and bulletins

Order: how widespread each failure is in its record (near-universal, very common, common, occasional, rare), then the number of NHTSA owner complaints that match its keywords. Complaint counts are keyword matches, not a manual review of each complaint. A symptom listed here means the failure is documented with that sign; it is not a diagnosis of your truck. Tiers: verified, aggregated, contested, data-gap. How we tier and source facts.