6.4 Lifters Cold Start

[Ds66]

I have 1500 miles on my 2019 2500 6.4, I’ve noticed when starting the truck in the garage or a parking deck I hear what sounds like lifter tick. Last for a second so I’m thinking as soon as the lifters fill with oil the sound immediately disappears? Is this normal on these 6.4’s? Any concerns I should have. This is my first RAM with the 6.4 and I don’t think it’s injector noise since it clears pretty quick. Thanks for any info!

 

[tidefan1967]

Yes it is a common thing on pretty much all HEMI's whether it be a 6.4 or a 5.7. Do a search on HEMI tick and you'll find plenty of information on it.

 

[olyelr]

Yep. They are embarrassingly noisy on start up.

Fwiw, I have always put Amsoil in my 6.4 and it made it noticeably quieter than what it sounded like from the factory. Still has a little tick on startup, though.

 

[canadian_bacon]

and if you have the noise, probably a good idea to start saving for the lifters and cam....

 

[Fitz-0518]

DS, it is in fact common on some 6.4 HD at start up. Some member's have eliminated the noise by using Mobil 1, Red Line, Amsoil etc oils. Some have ignored the 0-40 spec and are using 5-40 or 10-40. The synthetic oil thread has 1000's of posts that help understand what others are experiencing. I had a morning dry start valve train noise in my 6.4 2500. I mix 0-40 and 5-30 PUP. No noise. Fitz

 

[wgreggking]

DS, it is in fact common on some 6.4 HD at start up. Some member's have eliminated the noise by using Mobil 1, Red Line, Amsoil etc oils. Some have ignored the 0-40 spec and are using 5-40 or 10-40. The synthetic oil thread has 1000's of posts that help understand what others are experiencing. I had a morning dry start valve train noise in my 6.4 2500. I mix 0-40 and 5-30 PUP. No noise. Fitz

Fitz, What ratio mix? To the OP: I had that more often when it was new, now every couple of month's only when sitting a few days. Been using PUP 0w40 since new. Did a Blackstone oil analysis at 30K showed no issues.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Fitz, What ratio mix? To the OP: I had that more often when it was new, now every couple of month's only when sitting a few days. Been using PUP 0w40 since new. Did a Blackstone oil analysis at 30K showed no issues.

Yep not an issue on "all" 6.4 2500. And I have the same issue if the truck sits for more than 1 day. Short dry start lifter noise. I mix 4 and 4. I change oil and filter every 4k. I now use the NAPA platinum or RP extended length filters. I found that the design of the two valves in these two filters are helpful to this problem. Now that we are in the 105*+ weather I am monitoring hot run noise. If I detect any, I will go to a mix of maybe 6 5-30 or I may go to 8 5-40. I do not believe that the 0-40 manufacture spec has anything to do with wear, heat or long term service. I believe they spec that for the little bit of CAFE benefit they get.

 

[RamCares]

I have 1500 miles on my 2019 2500 6.4, I’ve noticed when starting the truck in the garage or a parking deck I hear what sounds like lifter tick. Last for a second so I’m thinking as soon as the lifters fill with oil the sound immediately disappears? Is this normal on these 6.4’s? Any concerns I should have. This is my first RAM with the 6.4 and I don’t think it’s injector noise since it clears pretty quick. Thanks for any info!

Hello Ds66,

Are you thinking you'd like to get this inspected by your Ram dealer? Send us a direct message if we can be of any assistance with the servicing process.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Ds66]

Thank you everyone for the information, I’m thinking I would like to perform the oil changes myself, using Redline or Amsoil... been several years since doing my own oil changes. I like the idea of attempting to quite the cold start ticking noise this way. If I take it to the dealer I’m not sure which synthetic they use. I have some reading to do, a lot of good info on this forum.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Thank you everyone for the information, I’m thinking I would like to perform the oil changes myself, using Redline or Amsoil... been several years since doing my own oil changes. I like the idea of attempting to quite the cold start ticking noise this way. If I take it to the dealer I’m not sure which synthetic they use. I have some reading to do, a lot of good info on this forum.

Ds66, you may find this helpful. Amsoil and RL are as you know Tier 1 quality oils. However the base in Amsoil is thinner than RL and both of these oils have a base that is thinner than PUP. There is some good information in the archives under synthetic oil. I have been studying and reading up on the oil issues, pro and con etc for over a year. I for one, am convinced that our 6.4 HD engines want and need a heavier oil than 0-40. Fitz

 

[wyo2track]

I've run PUP and Castrol Synthetic in 0w-40 and the noise was prevalent on start-up if my 6.4 sat for more than a couple days. The last two oil changes I've used Mobil 1. I can honestly say that I have not heard the loud clatter upon startup even after my truck has sat a full week. I'll probably stay with Mobil 1 just because now. Just my $0.02.

 

[Ds66]

Taking the truck to the dealer for a noisy belt, mentioned the tick on cold start service dude said not normal. I asked for a loaner and he said they have Enterprise onsite and I have to rent a car. WTH is this RAM customer service? Warranty work on a brand new truck and I have to get a rental? Sounds strange to me.

 

[olyelr]

Taking the truck to the dealer for a noisy belt, mentioned the tick on cold start service dude said not normal. I asked for a loaner and he said they have Enterprise onsite and I have to rent a car. WTH is this RAM customer service? Warranty work on a brand new truck and I have to get a rental? Sounds strange to me.

The rental car sounds about right. The knock at cold start not being normals sounds wrong. Have him go start any of the trucks sitting on the lot.... almost guarantee they will all knock.

 

[wgreggking]

Just developed hot idle tick at 5800 miles on this oil change interval. Pretty pronounced on the top end. This 6.4 truck has 37k mi. on it. I usually change at 4500 to 5000 miles, always with the PUP 0w40 and a Wix 57060XP.The last oil analysis was great,at 31K miles. Just Changed the oil, same PUP 0w40 and switched to a RP 1048 extended life filter. The tick went away after 30 seconds after refill. It's been several days and is sounds smooth as butter. No start up chatter as of yet, which I only get after sitting a few days nose down. Sent off another Blackstone sample. I think the oil had sheared down to 30 weight or less, with that many miles on it. Has been hot now in AZ. Was 111 degrees,going up a grade when I first heard it. Repeated same trip, yesterday same temp , sounds good now.
Still have RL in the back of my mind.

 

[Ratket]

Taking the truck to the dealer for a noisy belt, mentioned the tick on cold start service dude said not normal. I asked for a loaner and he said they have Enterprise onsite and I have to rent a car. WTH is this RAM customer service? Warranty work on a brand new truck and I have to get a rental? Sounds strange to me.

Ram cares chimed in a few post back, hit them up... see how much they “ Care”, maybe they can reach out and assist with a Loaner. ROFL... sorry had to, some dealers are great with loaners, some are not. fyi, the dealer is going to give you a bucket full of reasons why not to run any oil other than their oil. Best of luck.

 

[Ds66]

Ram cares chimed in a few post back, hit them up... see how much they “ Care”, maybe they can reach out and assist with a Loaner. ROFL... sorry had to, some dealers are great with loaners, some are not. fyi, the dealer is going to give you a bucket full of reasons why not to run any oil other than their oil. Best of luck.

Lol yea I figure there is no care when it comes to warranty work. Good to know what the dealer may tell me. Man I understand what people are saying when they want the dealer to perform oil change service while in warranty, however I don’t trust dealers. I really like the truck, I just don’t want to go back there lol.