Do you guys think all Gen 3 5.7L Hemi engines are doomed for lifter/cam failure?

HEMIMANN · Mar 1, 2021

There's info here that says FCA changed lifter supplier for MY 2017. What was done was never revealed, of course. Nor has there been data whether there's been lower failure rates.

@Tach_tech I believe posted somewhere about his personal experience in their database was ~ 5%, which of course isn't world class quality (which is 6 sigma app. 1 in 1 million), but clearly corporate has priced the vehicles to recoup the warranty costs associated with the 5% that fail. It's called "fix-as-fail" in corporate-speak.

Polecat · Mar 1, 2021

2015 -103k, my only issues were the manifold bolts, but they were under warranty. Use dealership oil changes every 5k.

chri5k · Mar 1, 2021

The question is a bit presumptive. Being a mechanical system subject to wear, yes they will all fail at some point and so will every other engine that uses cam & lifters. Will they all fail prematurely? No. However, "prematurely" is a subjective term, to some it means 100K miles to others 200K and some ??? miles.

Marine Les · Mar 1, 2021

Crusader556 said:
I am asking because I currently have a 2014 Ram 1500 Longhorn that I really like and would like to keep a long time if possible.

Currently it's not my daily driver so it only has 60K miles but that may change because I will be giving my daily driver to my yougest when he starts driving this year.

I have been using PUP 5w20 since I got it in 2016 and on my last oil change, before it hit 60k, I started adding Lubegard. I plan to use PUP/Lubegard on all future oil changes but I have to admit I am still very paranoid about my lifters failing.

At this point my truck has been flawless and runs great. The main reason I started adding Lubegard is in hopes of preventing the lifter issues. Hopefully it will help.

I was going to do a Blackstone UOA but got distracted and forgot I had the kit the last time I changed my oil. So I will have to get it done on the next Oil change.

I would like to get over 200k miles out of this truck if possible but after reading about all the lifter failures I feel like it can happen at any time. What really got me was a coworker with a 2015 Laramie just got diagnosed with lifter failure. His truck is newer than mine but had about 10K more mileage. His truck was also flawless up until it started knocking. I know he was using PUP 5w20 as well but I do not believe he was adding Lubegard.

I am just concerned my lifters will fail once I start using my truck as daily driver. LOL

So, am I over thinking this or is it time to jump ship and trade my truck in while it's still it great working condition?

No!

2012RAM1500RT · Mar 1, 2021

I have a 2012 2500 5.7 with 210000 miles now. It belongs to the company I work for and all they will let me buy for it is 5W 20 made for Carquest. So far no broken manifold bolts or cam or lifter issues. The oil is changed religiously at 5000 miles and it idles probably more than average so I have no idea what causes it or how to stop it. My personal truck is a 2012 1500 5.7 with 136000 miles, change oil every 5000 miles with PUP, no broken bolts or cam and lifter issues so far so I'm hoping for the best!

Octane · Mar 1, 2021

If mine fails I'll turn the truck into yard art for some time before I'll fix it.I have approx. 156 k on mine now with no issues.Anytime from here on out if theres a failure it may be better to rebuild the whole motor.You have to tear it down so far anyway to fix lifters/cam.Then there are other parts that I'd replace anyway since I would have it torn that far down.I'd rather pull it and rebuild.

indept · Mar 1, 2021

Do you guys think all Gen 3 5.7L Hemi engines are doomed for lifter/cam failure?

FYI
Your 2014 is Gen 4 not 3

Docwagon1776 · Mar 1, 2021

indept said:
Do you guys think all Gen 3 5.7L Hemi engines are doomed for lifter/cam failure?

FYI
Your 2014 is Gen 4 not 3

I think you're confusing the generation of the truck with the generation of the engine. He is correct, it's a Gen 3 Hemi.

chrisbh17 · Mar 1, 2021

chri5k said:
The question is a bit presumptive. Being a mechanical system subject to wear, yes they will all fail at some point and so will every other engine that uses cam & lifters. Will they all fail prematurely? No. However, "prematurely" is a subjective term, to some it means 100K miles to others 200K and some ??? miles.

This.

And in addition, even 100K could mean a lot of trouble-free years for some of us....it will take me about 16 or 17 years of my normal driving to get 100K on my truck. So if something fails 14 years from now (Ive had the truck for 3)....I think Ill live. But again it would "only" be 100K miles.

Now if I put 15K or 20K per year and it failed after 5 years, Id be livid. It's all relative, I guess.

And if we didnt need to pull the heads to fix it, Im not sure there would be so many complaints...it would be a much easier/faster/cheaper job to get done.

Ridgerunner665 · Mar 1, 2021

I've not lost any sleep over lifter failure...I hope it never happens, but if it does, I'll get it rebuilt and maybe even spiced up a bit.

Every engine from every brand has its weak spots of possible failure, the very popular LS Chevy engines have a lot of the same issues as the hemi (lifter failure, piston slap, etc.).

The Hemi is very solid design overall... good strong block, reasonably strong crank, pretty dang good stock heads.

If something lets go, I'll just make it better [emoji846]

But do hope it lasts me a good long while before that happens.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

2012RAM1500RT · Mar 1, 2021

chrisbh17 said:
This.

And in addition, even 100K could mean a lot of trouble-free years for some of us....it will take me about 16 or 17 years of my normal driving to get 100K on my truck. So if something fails 14 years from now (Ive had the truck for 3)....I think Ill live. But again it would "only" be 100K miles.

Now if I put 15K or 20K per year and it failed after 5 years, Id be livid. It's all relative, I guess.

And if we didnt need to pull the heads to fix it, Im not sure there would be so many complaints...it would be a much easier/faster/cheaper job to get done.

You're right about the old ones being easier, I remember the big block mopars, 8 bolts and 2 minutes you could pull the intake, no water to drain and change cam and lifters in a couple hours, not because they were worn out but because you just wanted to try a different performing one! 4 bolts would remove the water pump and 4 or 5 bolts to remove the external oil pump on the front side of the block. I sure miss those days myself!

CYSTemrebel · Mar 2, 2021

2008 5.7 hemi stick 6. Lots of hard work. Over 330,000 km. Towing. Hauling heavy loads. Oil changes prolonged with filter change halfway from oil change. 10W 30 but going 10W 40 next change. Any synthetic good quality oil is used. I am not convinced the failures are caused by an oil issue. i have owned many vehicles both motorcycles and trucks. I NEVER exceed 1000 rpm on start up until engine gauge shows engine is warm to first mark then hold at max 50 mph until engine is fully warmed at which time I drive fast as I want to. Run in period after purchase was very long and gradual as were all vehicles. Own vehicles as old as 1976 still in service in work application. That one has had engine replacement in space of 24 years but was bought used. Trans replaced from auto to 4 stick after purchase as automatic could not take the heavy loads, snow ploughing, trailering. I was raised in the era when break in periods were mandated by owners manual and have not deviated but also instituted my "easy driving" methodology until fully warmed engine. I expect to get half a million miles or more from this truck. No issues yet. Just usual maintenance/replacement of worn out parts. Same original engine and trannie.

Crusader556 · Mar 2, 2021

indept said:
Do you guys think all Gen 3 5.7L Hemi engines are doomed for lifter/cam failure?

FYI
Your 2014 is Gen 4 not 3

The 5.7 Hemi in the 4th Gen Ram 1500 is the Eagle Gen3 5.7 Hemi engine. I guess, I could have worded my title better.

jack67 · Mar 2, 2021

Good info here... I didn't know about the lifter/cam failures as I have a 2014 SLT 1500 with almost 60K miles. Running good so far. But isn't 5K miles between oil changes too soon for oil change? What's normal?

2012RAM1500RT · Mar 2, 2021

jack67 said:
Good info here... I didn't know about the lifter/cam failures as I have a 2014 SLT 1500 with almost 60K miles. Running good so far. But isn't 5K miles between oil changes too soon for oil change? What's normal?

Not sure the correct answer to that but that's when I change mine and I see nothing wrong in changing it then or earlier trying to prevent issues. Never heard of changing to soon ever causing a problem but I'm sure you'll get many different opinions. The percentage rate of it happening is very low but it's 100% to the one's it happens to and I feel bad for them because it's a very expensive fix to me. Nice looking truck by the way!

jack67 · Mar 2, 2021

2012RAM1500RT said:
Not sure the correct answer to that but that's when I change mine and I see nothing wrong in changing it then or earlier trying to prevent issues. Nice looking truck by the way!

Your spot on as my manual does say:
Ram recommends getting your 2014 Ram 1500 oil & filter changed every 3,000-5,000 miles

Here is the website on my Ram, it starts & ends with a real live Ram:
https://moskovita-photography.com/2014_Ram_1500.html

ramffml · Mar 2, 2021

jack67 said:
Good info here... I didn't know about the lifter/cam failures as I have a 2014 SLT 1500 with almost 60K miles. Running good so far. But isn't 5K miles between oil changes too soon for oil change? What's normal?

I sent off my used oil to blackstone for analysis, I had 7500 miles on the oil and they said I could try run longer (8600). Redline 5w-30 with Royal Purple oil filter. YMMV.

3000 miles seems very wasteful unless you're towing/working it hard or lots of idling.

2012RAM1500RT · Mar 2, 2021

ramffml said:
I sent off my used oil to blackstone for analysis, I had 7500 miles on the oil and they said I could try run longer (8600). Redline 5w-30 with Royal Purple oil filter. YMMV.

3000 miles seems very wasteful unless you're towing/working it hard or lots of idling.

Not disagreeing with you but can't something go wrong in the next 1100 miles and isn't it to late if it does? I say what works for us all is what we should do but oil has always been cheaper than metal, I'm just not willing to risk it and I will always have my own comfort knowing I did my best.

indept · Mar 2, 2021

Crusader556 said:
The 5.7 Hemi in the 4th Gen Ram 1500 is the Eagle Gen3 5.7 Hemi engine. I guess, I could have worded my title better.

Docwagon1776 said:
I think you're confusing the generation of the truck with the generation of the engine. He is correct, it's a Gen 3 Hemi.

My mistake, guess I'm not used to seeing engine gen used.
:cheers:

CYSTemrebel · Mar 2, 2021

Oil changes early will not delete/erase damage caused by other things such as high revving when cold, brutal usage, (overloading) etc Sub standard parts on the assembly line can also be the root cause.

Do you guys think all Gen 3 5.7L Hemi engines are doomed for lifter/cam failure?

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