2022 - 7,000 mile - 6.4l Engine Knock at Startup

Units · Apr 26, 2023

I have a 2022 Ram 2500 Tradesman, bought with 4,000 miles on it in February (valentines day - yes, caught crap for that) got a pretty good deal I felt, dealership re upped the 3yr/36k bumper to bumper since it was so new. Had the truck for 2 weeks and noticed a knock at startup after sitting overnight for a good minute before slowly quieting down. Took it back to the dealer, they had it for a month and after many phone calls, dealer said they have to do a bunch of testing ( oil pump pressure, compression, etc…) Long story short, they ended up replacing all the lifters and tappets, got it back 2 days before my 1000 mile camping trip towing my 7000lb camper (which is why the truck was purchased), still made the noise but took it anyway since we had booked the site in advance. Noise has seemed to get more prevalent since we got back from our trip last week, it now does it not just after sitting overnight night but after it has set for about two hours. Called dealership and scheduled to bring it back in about two weeks. I have the first repair invoice and it says “ partial/incomplete repair - truck still makes knocking on start up, conferring with star to find possible cause”. Not real happy, not a wealthy man. For me, beaucoup bucks spent on this rig. Love my truck and am super happy the dealer did not just blow me off, the truck in my mind obviously has an issue since the dealer took the time to replace the lifters. Has anyone had this noise before, and what was the outcome? Would appreciate any suggestions/ideas if the 2nd visit to the dealership doesn’t go how I want (just fix it). By the way, 1st time Ram owner and first time poster to this site, great information. Start up vid below.

https://youtu.be/Brvt86riqgw

68PowerWagon · Apr 27, 2023

Something isn't right. These Hemi's can be noisy, but it definitely shouldn't sound like that. Stay on them until they fix it right or give you a new engine. Wondering if this is why you got it with only 4,000 miles on it. Maybe the guy before you didn't want to mess with the back & forth with warranty work. Can you look at the oil pressure on your dash or does it just have an idiot light? Did it sound like that when you took it for a test drive for the first time?

SniperDroid · Apr 27, 2023

What kind of fuel are you using?

Units · Apr 27, 2023

68PowerWagon said:
Something isn't right. These Hemi's can be noisy, but it definitely shouldn't sound like that. Stay on them until they fix it right or give you a new engine. Wondering if this is why you got it with only 4,000 miles on it. Maybe the guy before you didn't want to mess with the back & forth with warranty work. Can you look at the oil pressure on your dash or does it just have an idiot light? Did it sound like that when you took it for a test drive for the first time?

Was kind of thinking the same thing about the initial owner. Oil pressure is right around 32psi normal idle and right around 52psi driving, according to dealer after lifter repair the oil pressure was better and I really don’t recall what it was before as the dealer has had it longer than I have. Unfortunately, when I test drove it I didn’t notice any noise, maybe it was there I can’t be sure.

Units · Apr 27, 2023

SniperDroid said:
What kind of fuel are you using?

I run regular but when I first noticed the noise I ran mid grade and did not notice a difference.

Units · Apr 27, 2023

Just to add another thought to my original post, when I bought it the sales guy told me it had a service done before I took it home (that was B.S). Got home and jumped under the truck and it still had the factory oil filter on there, pulled the dipstick and oil was definitely not fresh. I swapped out the oil and filter that day. Could it be possible at 4000 miles the first oil change should have already been done and that’s part of the issue?

Choupique · Apr 27, 2023

It is extremely unlikely that the factory oil would cause any issue at 4k miles or even 10k miles. In all likelihood it could stay in there for 25k miles in most use cases without having any short term side effects. I dont think they recommend a shorter initial oil change interval.

I would be pushing very hard for a new engine. It being ripped into already, put back together with no root cause discovered means they either don't understand the problem or don't want to fix it.

toddmakesamove · Apr 27, 2023

My HEMI is noooooooiiiiiisssssssyyyyyy. The transfer case is crazy loud. It's all loud as heck. My buddy's TRX sounds the same way at start up. All sounds leave after driving and they usually come back at idle or stop. The TRX is the same. My oil pressure is the same as yours - for both - and that's proper. I run the lowest octane gas and always will unless close to GVWR.

I ignore it and drive it anyway I chose. I wouldn't doubt your service was more about making work for the dealership than actually needing it done. I've been wrong before - this is food for thought - but this has happened to me a few times.

RamGuy110 · Apr 27, 2023

SniperDroid said:
What kind of fuel are you using?

I think 89 makes a difference with these 6.4 Hemi's.

68PowerWagon · Apr 28, 2023

toddmakesamove said:
My HEMI is noooooooiiiiiisssssssyyyyyy. The transfer case is crazy loud. It's all loud as heck. My buddy's TRX sounds the same way at start up. All sounds leave after driving and they usually come back at idle or stop. The TRX is the same. My oil pressure is the same as yours - for both - and that's proper. I run the lowest octane gas and always will unless close to GVWR.

I ignore it and drive it anyway I chose. I wouldn't doubt your service was more about making work for the dealership than actually needing it done. I've been wrong before - this is food for thought - but this has happened to me a few times.

Yes mine was to, but did you listen to his video he posted? That is way too noisy for way too long. It's not oil pressure cause that is on point. And this doesn't sound like a ping from spark knock so that can be ruled out. From what I can hear through the video, it sounds like something in the top end. Generally it is a deeper sounding knock if it was crank bearings. I would definitely stay on them unitl they get it fixed or get him a new motor.

toddmakesamove · Apr 28, 2023

68PowerWagon said:
Yes mine was to, but did you listen to his video he posted? That is way too noisy for way too long. It's not oil pressure cause that is on point. And this doesn't sound like a ping from spark knock so that can be ruled out. From what I can hear through the video, it sounds like something in the top end. Generally it is a deeper sounding knock if it was crank bearings. I would definitely stay on them unitl they get it fixed or get him a new motor.

I did not, because I didn't see the link when I read his post. I did watch it now.

Towards the end, I head a little bit of "knock noise" but I think this is the fuel-trim. OHV engines sound changes as the cams heat up. Every Z06 I've owned does this and those engines are made by one guy and signed.

My Porsche(s) and my STi have all sounded like tin cans at idle. Tink, tink, tink, tink, tink, tink. Any high-end or supercar car that I've owned that didn't have a loud idle -I paid a gas-guzzler tax on that vehicle.

If you gas it under load and it doesn't sound like it's throwing a rod - it purrs up the RPMs - it's fuel-trim. All these new cars have to meet some BS EPA standards for idle and etc. Progressively, this has gotten worse/stricter over the years.

@Units I don't think there's anything wrong with your truck. I'd suggest always turning the ECO Mode off when driving. Start up is loud and I heard what you're talking about - a little towards the end - but idle isn't under load. Moreover, you have a warranty, just use it. When your truck cools off, the cams have to get to temperature again, and that's why it sounds that way at start up after sitting for a couple of hours. Every OHV engine I've owned does this at start up - Chevy (Z06s), Dodge (Vipers), GMC 1500, and now a RAM 3500.

Dusty · May 1, 2023

The 5.7s, at least have a reputation for noisy valve train. Maybe. I don't know. But I agree with others, that seems noisier than I've ever noticed a 6.4. My son's '18 6.4 is much, much quieter than that.

In past experience cold start valve clatter that lasts that long is often attributed to a lifter or lifters not being primed properly and not pumping up, or inadequate oil pressure, or improper oil.

Or, it never received new lifters despite what you were told.

You have it documented, at least, in case of issues down the road.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 88643 miles.

spike42 · May 2, 2023

Perhaps broken exhaust manifold bolts… on cold starts, broken bolts will tap until warm.

Bandit1859 · May 2, 2023

Units said:
I have a 2022 Ram 2500 Tradesman, bought with 4,000 miles on it in February (valentines day - yes, caught crap for that) got a pretty good deal I felt, dealership re upped the 3yr/36k bumper to bumper since it was so new. Had the truck for 2 weeks and noticed a knock at startup after sitting overnight for a good minute before slowly quieting down. Took it back to the dealer, they had it for a month and after many phone calls, dealer said they have to do a bunch of testing ( oil pump pressure, compression, etc…) Long story short, they ended up replacing all the lifters and tappets, got it back 2 days before my 1000 mile camping trip towing my 7000lb camper (which is why the truck was purchased), still made the noise but took it anyway since we had booked the site in advance. Noise has seemed to get more prevalent since we got back from our trip last week, it now does it not just after sitting overnight night but after it has set for about two hours. Called dealership and scheduled to bring it back in about two weeks. I have the first repair invoice and it says “ partial/incomplete repair - truck still makes knocking on start up, conferring with star to find possible cause”. Not real happy, not a wealthy man. For me, beaucoup bucks spent on this rig. Love my truck and am super happy the dealer did not just blow me off, the truck in my mind obviously has an issue since the dealer took the time to replace the lifters. Has anyone had this noise before, and what was the outcome? Would appreciate any suggestions/ideas if the 2nd visit to the dealership doesn’t go how I want (just fix it). By the way, 1st time Ram owner and first time poster to this site, great information. Start up vid below.

https://youtu.be/Brvt86riqgw

You need to demand a new engine something is not right

1SLwLS1 · May 2, 2023

That doesn't sound right to me either. The noise doesn't come in until a few seconds after startup.

Riccochet · May 6, 2023

Man, mine is noisy on a cold start, but that's excessive. That is definitely a mechanical knock/tap. Sounds like bearing failure.

Yardbird · May 6, 2023

Boy....That sounds bad. As OCD as I am about engine noises, I would go crazy hearing that at startup.

crazy jerry · May 6, 2023

a 6.4 in top shape should only have injector click as normal. it sounds nothing like exh manifold leak or tapping lifters or rod knock

crazy jerry · May 7, 2023

videos are hard to diagnos noises as it gets distorted. i would get a second opinion from a knowledgable private mechanic that can listen in real time unfiltered

GTyankee · May 7, 2023

If it was an Exhaust Leak, it would disappear after 20 - 30 seconds

I am not real picky, but that noise would drive me nuts.
When i am working, i drive my Ram around 300 miles a day

2022 - 7,000 mile - 6.4l Engine Knock at Startup

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