Dreaded lifter failure

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Jr82murray

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Silver springs,nv
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2011
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5.7
Well it finally happened,started getting a ticking/tapping noise. Ended up being lifter failure and wiped out my cam.
Luckily had a aftermarket warranty and getting a new engine put of it.
If you here a tapping at operation temp take it in, more than likely going g to be a lifter problem
 

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HEMIMANN

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Needle bearings failed

Did they seize? Rollers skidding? Can you send in for analysis?

It would be good to know after 20 years of these things why these fail. Lack of lubricant and / or needle bearing quality. Some members had their rollers and cams tested for hardness post-fail, and they were plenty hard.
 

Burla

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Needle bearings failed
That may indeed be the case, but that is not needle bearing damage but rather long term slow wear. Needle bearing failures pit the cam lob. I would wager the needle bearing failed because of this issue rather then the cause of it. You had back pressure on that lifter that is what causes that kind of damage, plus it is also very hard on needle bearings. What was your oil you used and filter and miles, plus oil interval if you dont mind saying, thanks...
 

Burla

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Oh hell, no telling what was done to it prior to you purchasing it at 128k miles. If I ever set out to purchase another 4th gen Ram, I'm going to just assume it needs lifters and a cam.
It's a hard call, because of supply and demand guys are selling rams for top dollar, but we know with rams there are some major issues that can follow them. I certainly wouldnt pay the cost for the artifical pricing out there right now, I would go in another direction personally. I still like the 90's Fords pre 97 or if you can find a 12 valve or even 24 valve cummins. These may not be the "performance" choice, but certainly are the reliable choice. Even if you have to fix them you can count on them, fix a hemi and you go right back on the same cam/lifter clock.
 

Burla

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HO Rams, a have a soft spot for the HO Cummins. Likely will cost similar as 4 gen gasser, but they are sweet, I had 3 in my immediate family and I owned one of those myself.
 

Lyle Longboat

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I’m going to grab a pic of my camshaft I replaced last year. You can see where the lifters started to hit the lobe, however switched to redline 5w30 and RP filter, and didn’t chew up the cam. I believe I can say the RL 5w30 honey and RP filter possibly saved me from having to switch out the cam sooner. Now I switched as I Desired to upgrade and just came into a load of play money. Glad I got it switched before disaster hit out of no where. Give me a few mins as the cam is hanging on the shed wall.
 

Lyle Longboat

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Don’t mind the little rust, she was sitting in the shed, anyways here a couple shots of the lobes that started to rub. A few lifters hand some Loose needle bearings. Started using redline/RP filter after a suggestion by Burla. Took roughly 7000 miles for the engine to quiet down. I even took a Oil test with black stone and they were surprised at how good the results where.
 

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Ram Night

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How many miles does the engine have, and what year is the truck?
I have read a couple articles on cam failure and lifter issues that are caused when the engine idles a lot due to lack of low rpm lubrication.
My old Honda V-65 had the same problem, which was a manufacturer design flaw.
 

Lyle Longboat

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The engine had 135K miles on when I switched out the cam. Now, the switch to redline/RP filter was around 90K miles I believe, may have been less, forget, but less then 100k miles for sure. She’s a 2011 5.7.
 

Lyle Longboat

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The original owner used Pennzoil oil/filter. Bought it in 2013 and I switch to K&N Gold filter and PUP. I stayed with that until the switch to RL/RP filter.

I forget to mention the engine started ticking (faintly), why I tried the which to RL/RP filter. Have to say it worked and she quieted back down.
 

lazer

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Would adding zinc to the oil help with the hemi tick? I know you use it for some cam break-ins.
 
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