2001 Dodge 5.9 tapping

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joey400ex

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2001
Engine
5.9
Just bought a new hunting truck with 165k miles on it. Sounds like its got a lifter tap. This thing taps all the time cold or hot. Runs great, good power and oil pressure, does not smoke or burn oil. I bought it from the forestry department and the ranger said it didn't get driven much and suggested a engine flush (which I never heard of doing and really rather not). I only paid $1400 bucks and I'm trying to weigh out if I should replace the lifters or just give it a new oil change and run it and see what happens. These 5.9 engines seem more work intensive vs the small block v8's when changing out the lifters. Just trying to weigh out my options. Any help or advice would be great. Thanks.
 

Bigtman07

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Cummins 5.9
Congrats on the new rig! That's a pretty good deal. Little known fact the 5.2 and 5.9 are basically the same engine. Only difference is the stroke and I believe some external balancing. Other than that pretty straight forward to work on. I'd say change the oil first with a little heavier and see if it quiets down a bit.
 

dudeman2009

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2001 1500 Sport with enough electrical modifications to make my brain hurt
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Does it tick when its warmed up? Or just from a cold start? The hydraulic lifters will leak over time if regular oil changes are not performed, or the oil pump is starting to go. That was the first sign on my old engine, lifter tick started getting worse. Then the pump gear shattered and I lost an engine.

If its only ticking on cold start, put some 10W-30 in, see what it does. The 10W is the cold weight of the oil, when it warms up it will still be 30 weight just like a 5W-30 would be. So if its ticking when warmed up, you'll want to try 5W-40 for a little bit. Just keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge, if it goes too high then you have poor flow through the engine. It shouldn't really go above 60-70 on a cold start in 80 degree weather.

Changing the lifters isn't that bad. It's a pain in the ass to change them without taking the heads off, but it is possible. And you'll need to take the intake off anyway to perform the plenum repair if it hasn't already been done.
 

dapepper9

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Flushing an engine can be as simple as changing the oil and adding a half quart of Marvel Mystery Oil to it thenm running it for 4-500 miles. Change again but as you would normally. Chances are good that oil comes out black as night if it was a forestry truck. Im a big fan of doing a 500 mile MMO oil change on new to me vehicles. Stuff really cleans up the inside well
 
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joey400ex

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Changed the oil already with Lucas and 10 40 oil. It’s a little quieter but taps all the time cold or warm. Oil pressure is good.


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pacofortacos

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10-40 is too heavy and heavier oil will not fix a lifter tap in most cases.

My choice is usually 1 quart of Rislone and the rest of 5-30, just run till the next oil change and it will often clean the sticking lifter - if that is what it is.
 

dapepper9

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+1 regarding 5w40. 5w30 or 10w30 only based on climate. 0w30 if it really dips into the negatives where you live
 
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joey400ex

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Update:

No lifter tap now with cold starts and then starts tapping once warmed up. I see used motors for 7-800 bucks. Really don’t want to tear into it, truck runs great but taps. I have ran mmo through gas also for a couple hundred miles with not improvement. Actually heard a truck same year doing the same thing in town the other day. I will just hunt out of it until it goes then swap the motor. I used thicker oil which did not help and the motor has a ton of sludge.


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dapepper9

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Mmo should've been used in the oil to clean out sludge varnish and debris. That's what i was talking about when i mentioned it before. Anywhere from 1/2 to a full quart
 

dapepper9

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But you're comfortable with putting thicker oil the engine isn't designed for an a tackifier additive to thicken it further?
 
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joey400ex

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Lol, you got a point. I’m actually gonna change it with regular oil and new filter.


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dapepper9

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I don't run MMO long myself. I just use it as a flush and it has more lubricity than most advertised engine flushes and is more capable. 500 miles of highway driving or so and i change it out for my usual fill again
 
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joey400ex

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I’m curious how long it will last. Just know once I get into it it’s gonna be more than a lifter. Used motors going for 8-9 hundred. Toss up


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