On these Hemi engines the valve lash isn't adjustable, that's what the hydraulic lifters are for. But if they bleed down too much it creates excessive clearance causing damage.
This is correct, however there is "pre-load" which would tend to be a highly suspect IMO with as new a motor as ours. The 3000 mile range is just past or right at what in the old days would be considered the break-in period. It is one of the reasons I just like "whitestar" changed the oil in the motor. My question is did we do something that should not have been done (my was done by dealer at my request). Is it possible that the oil in the engine at delivery has additives that provide better impact protection and allow particularly the valve train more time to break-in and become "heat-treated" thru operation? I have only heard this a handful of times on my 2019 classic, however it the very 1st time was just after having the oil changed. I am wondering if there is some preload deviation, along with minor leak down and possible slightly higher wear that is causing some to experience this issue.
PS, up until mid-May I had to actually use the key to start as I did not have a remote starter, and can be absolutely sure the engine never "ticked" at startup.
I hope that RAMCAREs is really taking note and that something will be done. I got this truck with the intent of having it the next 10 plus years, and well over 100K on the clock. However, I did pick it up under a lease deal as they were giving them away IMO. So I will see how she ages over the next 3 years/36K. I like her an awful lot, but I just came off of owning Fords and have gotten tired of paying to make repairs that were in all reality factory defects, 2005 F150 trany & spark plug extratraction, 2006 Freestar torque converter, 2002 ranger synchronizer, rear shackles, fuel pump. All occurred in the 120 to 130k range. I do not expect a vehicle to last forever, but we all know that today's engines are more than capable of making 150K without issue and only normal maintenance, i.e. oil changes, spark plugs, air / fuel filters, brakes.
RAM let us see a better more proactive customer service response, verse the inevitable class action methodology Ford uses.