meubin10
Junior Member
Hey all. Bit if a long post, but I'm trying to add as much relevant info as possible. I have a 2012 RAM 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI and 129K miles. I bought it used in Sept 2021. I knew ahead of time about the possibility of the lifter/cam failure in particular. I work remotely, and I have to drive very little, and it's mostly within a mile or two of home. I put no more than about 6K miles per year on my vehicles, so I figure it isn't a huge deal if I eventually drop some cash to fix that problem.
My question is, is there really a good explanation of the lifter failure noise? Currently, I hear a very subtle tick at idle when first starting the truck. I have to stick my head in the driver side front wheel well to barely hear it. However, when at operating temp it's very noticeable from anywhere near the front of the truck (can't hear it inside with windows up though). It does indeed sound like a sort of metallic thud, in a stable rhythm, and as far as I can tell it becomes much less noticeable (goes away?) as the engine revs a bit.
No decrease in performance, no check engine light, no apparent misfire, etc. The oil pressure gauge sits around midway at idle, and gets up around the 3/4 mark if revving enough. I did look at the oil (via the dipstick) and I didn't see any obvious signs of bad quality (e.g. normal color, proper level), no metal shavings that I could see.
I'm aware that there is no one definition of a lifter tick noise. Without hearing it, and only my explanation, should I get it to a shop to check lifters ASAP? I'm also aware of the possibility of broken exhaust manifold bolts or whatever it is related to exhaust, but those apparently usually go away as temp goes up? Anything else that I should be aware of, aside from CEL, misfire, worsening noise, etc?
My question is, is there really a good explanation of the lifter failure noise? Currently, I hear a very subtle tick at idle when first starting the truck. I have to stick my head in the driver side front wheel well to barely hear it. However, when at operating temp it's very noticeable from anywhere near the front of the truck (can't hear it inside with windows up though). It does indeed sound like a sort of metallic thud, in a stable rhythm, and as far as I can tell it becomes much less noticeable (goes away?) as the engine revs a bit.
No decrease in performance, no check engine light, no apparent misfire, etc. The oil pressure gauge sits around midway at idle, and gets up around the 3/4 mark if revving enough. I did look at the oil (via the dipstick) and I didn't see any obvious signs of bad quality (e.g. normal color, proper level), no metal shavings that I could see.
I'm aware that there is no one definition of a lifter tick noise. Without hearing it, and only my explanation, should I get it to a shop to check lifters ASAP? I'm also aware of the possibility of broken exhaust manifold bolts or whatever it is related to exhaust, but those apparently usually go away as temp goes up? Anything else that I should be aware of, aside from CEL, misfire, worsening noise, etc?