Another lifter failure, not where I expected.

[Hemp62]

Replace it all. Add a cam and have the MDS deleted through a programmer. And those who have the MDS and havnt had problems, save yourself $3500 and buy a programmer or have it programmed to delete the MDS. Not needed for the engine just some emissions crap.

 

[NCRaineman]

For that kind of cash outlay unless you REALLY like the rest of the truck and have money laying around for a major rebuild. Go ahead and trade it.

 

[madweazl]

Our 1500 was in the shop for lifter(s) a few weeks ago (covered under warranty). I cant remember what exactly was done off the top of my head but our cam was reportedly OK. They did replace the water pump, tensioner, new belt, etc.. I think the receipts totaled $3800. If I start to hear another tick, I'll get a new vehicle if it's out of warranty. I don't like any vehicle enough to deal with internal issues and I'm sure as hell not spending $6k on a 6-7 year old vehicle. With that said, a reman certainly seems like a smarter and less expensive route long term.

 

[Dusty]

2012 Ram 1500, Vararam Intake, Magnaflow exhaust, unknown tuner (previous owner).

I've been nervously waiting for the day that the lifter failure would come, but finding some solace in the fact that it seemed more prevalent in 2011's. Add that with an intermittent CEL over the last year or so pointing to an fuel evap sensor (not sure if that is the right name... something about air leaking from the fuel tank or cap).

Then I had a light that wouldn't turn off after a new tank of gas... P0306. Took it into the shop, hoping for plugs, coil, or injector failure... nope. Cylinder 6 was holding 50-60 psi, while I think the others were around 110. No word on the cam yet, but the mechanic wants to replace both head gaskets, timing cover gasket, machine the heads, and replace both lifters on the right side. $3,119.

Quote seems high, but I'll shop around.

My question stems from this thread https://www.chargerforums.com/threads/firing-order-of-5-7-hemi.132390/

Firing order for the 5.7 is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 and w/ MDS 2-3-5-8. If 1, 4, 6, and 7 are deactivated, does it makes sense that the #6 would fail? Is it BECAUSE it is deactivated?

Last question, is it bad to hope for a worn cam so I can justify dropping cash on a new one? Any recommendations?

I've diagnosed a number of low cylinder pressure engines and it's never been a lifter causing it. it was almost always bad valve sealing or a bad head gasket. In theory a hydraulic lifter would need to pump up and not release oil for the lifter to hold the valve open during the compression stroke. The MDS feature of these engines should have no bearing on poor valve sealing. That technology is much older than the current generation 5.7 Hemi motor.

I would caution about milling the heads. First, I'm not aware of 5.7 heads warping to any degree unless the engine was over heated. In addition, the push rod length is critical. Moving the head closer to the deck of the block means shortening the push rod and/or resetting valve stem height.

Replacing lifters if not necessary is only going to affect your wallet, but then again there's no price tag on piece of mind. Current mileage could be a consideration. If anything I'd check the screens on the MDS solenoids and replace if necessary.

Keep us posted.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 May 2018. Now at 017934 miles.

 

[Garce421]

For that kind of cash outlay unless you REALLY like the rest of the truck and have money laying around for a major rebuild. Go ahead and trade it.

I see what you’re saying but is it even worth anything if it’s outside of warranty and has a bad cam and lifters?

 

[buddy guy]

Put a bunch of thick oil in it and sell it! lol.

 

[NCRaineman]

Everything is worth something. A dealer could easily drop a remanufactured engine in the truck then take it to auction... send your engine back as a core to be rebuilt.

Even if you end up owing more on it than what it's worth, you'd be amazed at some of the things dealers will do to make a sale these days, and interest rates on new vehicles are pretty darn low.

Find yourself a left-over '18 on the back lot that has been sitting for a while, they'll deal if they want to move something.

 

[NCRaineman]

Duplicate

 

[Garce421]

I think my plan is to wait until my warranty is out next April and then maybe send the truck to one of the Modern Muscle Xtreme shops and have a cam and lifters put in. If I have catastrophic damage then maybe a crate Hemi from them would be a good option. My trucks paid off so I can use whatever a new truck payment would be to use as a motor insurance policy for myself. A new engine would probably be cheaper than buying a new truck for me. Sucks you have to deal with that

 

[ScubaSteve42]

The more I think about it, the harder it is to drop $10k in a truck that i can trade in for $10k today. If I were to do the swap, it might add $3-5k in value, and something about losing 70% of my investment is not sitting well.

We're not in a great position to buy a new (used) truck, but I've got my eye on some 2014 and 2016 sports. I haven't seen the same issues reported there. If nothing else, I am going to trade in and drive a beater for a few months until we get right to buy a new truck.

 

[slacadjuster]

2012 Ram 1500, Vararam Intake, Magnaflow exhaust, unknown tuner (previous owner).

I've been nervously waiting for the day that the lifter failure would come, but finding some solace in the fact that it seemed more prevalent in 2011's. Add that with an intermittent CEL over the last year or so pointing to an fuel evap sensor (not sure if that is the right name... something about air leaking from the fuel tank or cap).

Then I had a light that wouldn't turn off after a new tank of gas... P0306. Took it into the shop, hoping for plugs, coil, or injector failure... nope. Cylinder 6 was holding 50-60 psi, while I think the others were around 110. No word on the cam yet, but the mechanic wants to replace both head gaskets, timing cover gasket, machine the heads, and replace both lifters on the right side. $3,119.

Quote seems high, but I'll shop around.

My question stems from this thread https://www.chargerforums.com/threads/firing-order-of-5-7-hemi.132390/

Firing order for the 5.7 is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 and w/ MDS 2-3-5-8. If 1, 4, 6, and 7 are deactivated, does it makes sense that the #6 would fail? Is it BECAUSE it is deactivated?

Last question, is it bad to hope for a worn cam so I can justify dropping cash on a new one? Any recommendations?

There's NO WAY I'd be only replacing just 2 lifters and leaving the rest.

That'd be like replacing just the brakes on 1 side, or just replacing 1 tire. WRONG!!!

 

[TomB 1269]

One other thing to think about with these motors. From what I have read is the cam is being destroyed by the lifters because the needle bearings fail. If this is the case, whether the cam is damaged or not. If there is needle bearing damage then you have to wonder what metal is floating in the oil system that may have gouged or stuck in something else. Is there someone out there that is reman-ing these engines and revising the problem out? I know Jasper likes to make changes to "fix" the factory problems, i.e. Ford tranny front drive drum redesign, melling oil pump to correct the "over" wheeping/oiling off the factory pump at high rpm, etc.?

 

[Tim Garceau]

90% have just replaced necessary cam components, changed oil/filter, maybe a little oil in passages need a coolant flush but I have not heard of any ill-effects following up.

Some have suggested replacing the oil pump, makes the job quite a bit more cumbersome.

 

[James OBrien]

Not sure if it'll get the right attention here, but do the hellcat lifters fix the needle bearing issue? I've read that those lifters are the mopar 'performance upgrade' option, do they have better durability and longevity?