RAM 2500 Diesel lifter noise

[vjjack04]

So, I have a 2022 Ram 2500 diesel and it runs fine and I've noticed no problems. until recently. I have valve train lifter noise on par with my previous 5.7 liter gasoline engined truck. Do these Cummins diesel have, inherently, valve train noise and maybe I just didn't notice it until now? Oil is 15-40 Rotella. Thanks.

 

[mtnrider]

15w-40??? Did you read your manual? That oil can cause lifter failure. 5w-40 and 10w-30 only per your manual

 

[Choupique]

Wrong oil brotowski

 

[mtnrider]

Straight from the bulletin they put out..

"CAUTION! 15W-40 grade oil CAN NOT be used in any 2019 model year or newer 6.7Lequipped vehicles due to the new designed valve train of this engine. If this oil isused, it will cause deposits to form in the Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters leadingto undesirable noise, and/or engine damage"

 

[vjjack04]

Interesting. I did not see any bulletin. I didn't realize the oil change would be so dramatic. I had previously run 5W-40 until last month when I changed the oil and filter about 3 weeks ago. I will change it back to 5-40 and see what happens.

 

[crash68]

I did not see any bulletin.

There wouldn't have been a bulletin as the 5W40 or 10W30 oil was specified with the redesign of the 6.7 starting with the '19 model year.
The Cummins engines '18 and prior years used a solid lifter which recommended the valve lash to be checked every 150K miles, the '19 and newer use an automatic hydraulic valve lash adjusters.

 

[18CrewDually]

And to boot there is a rash of 2022 with valve train and lifter failure. Running 15w40 will definitely speed the process.

 

[mtnrider]

There wouldn't have been a bulletin as the 5W40 or 10W30 oil was specified with the redesign of the 6.7 starting with the '19 model year.
The Cummins engines '18 and prior years used a solid lifter which recommended the valve lash to be checked every 150K miles, the '19 and newer use an automatic hydraulic valve lash adjusters.

There actually was a bulletin published to remind people since they can't seem to follow their manual.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10178698-9999.pdf

,

 

[Choupique]

And to boot there is a rash of 2022 with valve train and lifter failure. Running 15w40 will definitely speed the process.

2022 year model only?

 

[OLEJOE]

19+. Anything 2019 and newer.

 

[crash68]

There actually was a bulletin published to remind people since they can't seem to follow their manual.

I stand corrected, but I'm guessing people have been running 15W40 in Cummins for so long I'd imagine some buy the stuff by 55 gallon drum.

 

[vjjack04]

Folks, I appreciate the responses (except mtnrider, huhuh); The manual does indicate the two different viscosities for different climates, and the bulletin indicates one can run 5W-40 all of the time if desired. Often in vehicles one can deviate some from the recommended oil SAE rating (not API) based on environment and conditions. Its curious that 15W-40 would cause a problem especially in an environment like where I am (SW desert). On most days it would seem the oil is thicker based on the ambient temperature at start up (not being close to 5 or even 15 probably more like 30). Seems that's little difference especially then since the engine gets hot pretty fast and at operating range the viscosity index improving agent makes it all pretty much equal out. I'd be interested to know more details as to why this small variation was determined to be the problem.

 

[mtnrider]

Folks, I appreciate the responses (except mtnrider, huhuh); The manual does indicate the two different viscosities for different climates, and the bulletin indicates one can run 5W-40 all of the time if desired. Often in vehicles one can deviate some from the recommended oil SAE rating (not API) based on environment and conditions. Its curious that 15W-40 would cause a problem especially in an environment like where I am (SW desert). On most days it would seem the oil is thicker based on the ambient temperature at start up (not being close to 5 or even 15 probably more like 30). Seems that's little difference especially then since the engine gets hot pretty fast and at operating range the viscosity index improving agent makes it all pretty much equal out. I'd be interested to know more details as to why this small variation was determined to be the problem.

Yeah, it doesn't "seem" like there would be much difference but I have seen a couple case's on the diesel forums of 19+ engines that failed because 15w-40 was used, and obviously it's enough of a problem Ram posted a bulletin on it.
I sure wouldn't want to pay for that repair out of pocket (some had to).

.

 

[vjjack04]

Yep. I picked up a new filter and 5W-40 yesterday. So, the oil will be changed this morning. We'll see.

 

[Choupique]

I'm sure the issue is pumping the lifters up on cold starts. Even in hot climates the oil is nowhere near operating temp for quite a while after startup.

I really dislike the changes made to the engine in 2019. The old engine was bomb proof. Sure, noisier and clackier than the competitors but better in every way that mattered.

 

[Truckmike]

So, I have a 2022 Ram 2500 diesel and it runs fine and I've noticed no problems. until recently. I have valve train lifter noise on par with my previous 5.7 liter gasoline engined truck. Do these Cummins diesel have, inherently, valve train noise and maybe I just didn't notice it until now? Oil is 15-40 Rotella. Thanks.

Hello, you should be using Valvoline premium blue full synthetic 5w40
Valvoline oil is made for the Cummins engine as well as Fleetguard filters for
Your Engine the part number is
LF16035. I use nothing but Cummins filters. Also hope that you are considering doing a grid heater delete before you have problems.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Hello, you should be using Valvoline premium blue full synthetic 5w40
Valvoline oil is made for the Cummins engine as well as Fleetguard filters for
Your Engine the part number is
LF16035. I use nothing but Cummins filters. Also hope that you are considering doing a grid heater delete before you have problems.

ANY oil that meets spec will do the job. Valvoline is not made for the Cummins but it is one that is approved by Cummins because it meets spec.
Also the infamous "grid heater problem" is a non factor. It has been greatly exaugurated and overblown.
The chances of the OP or myself or anybody else having that issue is miniscule. No need to worry about it.

 

[ramsare4real]

ANY oil that meets spec will do the job. Valvoline is not made for the Cummins but it is one that is approved by Cummins because it meets spec.
Also the infamous "grid heater problem" is a non factor. It has been greatly exaugurated and overblown.
The chances of the OP or myself or anybody else having that issue is miniscule. No need to worry about it.

Endorsed by Cummins, i.e., Valvoline pays for the endorsement. Any oil meeting the Cummins approval, is approved by Cummins.

 

[crash68]

Also the infamous "grid heater problem" is a non factor. It has been greatly exaugurated and overblown.
The chances of the OP or myself or anybody else having that issue is miniscule. No need to worry about it.

Same can be said about the CP4 HPFP failure, but people make it sound like the meer mention of the pump will cause it to grenade.

 

[ramsare4real]

I suspect the recommendation against 15W-40 is based on the fact that most 15W-40 oils are conventional, or semi-sync with a high dose of SAPS. Those could cause unwanted deposits and eventually lifter failure. The difference in Winter Rating means little unless you start the truck at -30F. Moreover, Winter Rating is not related to deposits formation.

I highly doubt you will get much deposits if you run an ester rich synthetic 15W-40 such as Redline, or HPL. Or a similar oil formulated with low SAPS.