bphays
Junior Member
When I returned from Afghanistan in December 2008, I purchased a new 2009 Ram Laramie 1500. AWESOME truck!! With the truck I purchased an extended warranty that took me out to 75,000 miles.
In October of 2012 (55789 miles) I started noticing a tapping noise come from the engine that sounded very expensive. I took it to the dealer and was pleasantly surprised when they told me that I had a lifetime powertrain warranty, and hoped that it was covered. After a week they determined that (quoting from the service order) "the roller bearing on cylinder #7 exhaust lifter disintegrated causing the cam shaft and lifters to fail and causing tapping/knocking heard at idle...found almost all cam lobes pitted and second to last cam bearing has unusual wear".
They "installed new camshaft and lifters...new oil pan gasket, reinstalled both cylinder heads, front timing cover, crankshaft rod bearings and main bearings, oil pan, fresh oil and coolant, started engine and monitored idle quality". The knocking was gone and I walked away with a "rebuilt" engine very happy. After a rental for 3 days and all repairs, my charge was $0.00.
Fast forward to July 2014 (74989 miles). We were heading out of town, the extended warranty was almost up, and another knocking sound was discovered at idle until warm. So, as I wouldn't need the truck for the week, I took it in again. Again, quoting from the service order..."Checked and found broken bolt in right side exhaust manifold, removed manifold to get broken bolt out and replaced gasket and all bolts". $1087 worth of work performed and I only paid $202 (oil change, tire rotation, new key fob-the old one just quit working, extended warranty deductible).
I asked the service lady how a "broken bolt" ended up in the manifold and she said she sees them often. Guys...if you've got a tapping, take it in and get it checked out. Those of you with the 2009 Dodge Ram, you have a LIFETIME powertrain warranty as long as you're the original owner. I will drive this thing for the next 40 years and end up giving it to my grandchildren.
In October of 2012 (55789 miles) I started noticing a tapping noise come from the engine that sounded very expensive. I took it to the dealer and was pleasantly surprised when they told me that I had a lifetime powertrain warranty, and hoped that it was covered. After a week they determined that (quoting from the service order) "the roller bearing on cylinder #7 exhaust lifter disintegrated causing the cam shaft and lifters to fail and causing tapping/knocking heard at idle...found almost all cam lobes pitted and second to last cam bearing has unusual wear".
They "installed new camshaft and lifters...new oil pan gasket, reinstalled both cylinder heads, front timing cover, crankshaft rod bearings and main bearings, oil pan, fresh oil and coolant, started engine and monitored idle quality". The knocking was gone and I walked away with a "rebuilt" engine very happy. After a rental for 3 days and all repairs, my charge was $0.00.
Fast forward to July 2014 (74989 miles). We were heading out of town, the extended warranty was almost up, and another knocking sound was discovered at idle until warm. So, as I wouldn't need the truck for the week, I took it in again. Again, quoting from the service order..."Checked and found broken bolt in right side exhaust manifold, removed manifold to get broken bolt out and replaced gasket and all bolts". $1087 worth of work performed and I only paid $202 (oil change, tire rotation, new key fob-the old one just quit working, extended warranty deductible).
I asked the service lady how a "broken bolt" ended up in the manifold and she said she sees them often. Guys...if you've got a tapping, take it in and get it checked out. Those of you with the 2009 Dodge Ram, you have a LIFETIME powertrain warranty as long as you're the original owner. I will drive this thing for the next 40 years and end up giving it to my grandchildren.
