Cam and Lifter failure

[Jtblackram]

Going through this forum I hear about this issue a lot, and it definitely troubles me. Ive heard some rumblings about them fixing the issue in 16 with better quality lifters, is this accurate?

 

[RVGuy]

You hear about it a lot on forums because people seek them out where they have issues. Nobody looks for forums to boast about how trouble free their truck is after all.

With the sheer amount of Hemi engines sold and on the road in the huge variety of vehicles they've been putting them in since 2009 I'd be willing to bet that the actual occurrence of issues is pretty small. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[kurek]

I just wish there was something conclusive and authoritative that could rule it out like if you never cold idle 15+ minutes or if you always do 5000 mile oil changes with synthetic or some other sure thing that isn't just somebody's optimistic guess.

 

[RVGuy]

I just wish there was something conclusive and authoritative that could rule it out like if you never cold idle 15+ minutes or if you always do 5000 mile oil changes with synthetic or some other sure thing that isn't just somebody's optimistic guess.

Every engine has potential issues. If someone built a perfect engine they would be smokin rich!
Just enjoy it until something happens and then fix it and enjoy it some more. No sense worrying about something that might not even happen.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

you can do a search regarding problems with any vehicle made and have enough reading for a year.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

If it sets your mind at ease my BIL is a tech who has done the cam lifter swap a few times now. Says he hasn't seen it on trucks that are maintained properly.

Whether that's worth anything or not is out with the jury, but it sets my mind at peace.

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[Jtblackram]

If it sets your mind at ease my BIL is a tech who has done the cam lifter swap a few times now. Says he hasn't seen it on trucks that are maintained properly.

Whether that's worth anything or not is out with the jury, but it sets my mind at peace.

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i hope thats the case, mine so far has been maintained meticulously

 

[Octane]

i hope thats the case, mine so far has been maintained meticulously

I put 130k on a Challenger and so far 128k on a Ram with no issues at all.

 

[CopperheadHemi]

I’ve seen over 10 Hemi valvetrain failures at my work alone. One was a 2013 Ram that had 177k, another was a 2011 Ram 2500 with 90k, and the others were 2013 and 2015 Chargers that had anywhere from 40-110k miles. These are Sheriff’s Department vehicles other than the 2500 which is a public works service truck. My Ram currently has 100k. I do feel like I’m driving a ticking time bomb. Especially when I get those ticking startups after it sits for a couple of days.

 

[RVGuy]

I’ve seen over 10 Hemi valvetrain failures at my work alone. One was a 2013 Ram that had 177k, another was a 2011 Ram 2500 with 90k, and the others were 2013 and 2015 Chargers that had anywhere from 40-110k miles. These are Sheriff’s Department vehicles other than the 2500 which is a public works service truck. My Ram currently has 100k. I do feel like I’m driving a ticking time bomb. Especially when I get those ticking startups after it sits for a couple of days.

A huge amount of the ones I've heard of are law enforcement vehicles. They live hard lives, idling forever, then going full throttle, then idling forever. That's terrible for any engine. I really don't feel like what happens to those vehicles is really reflective on what to expect if you're not doing that.
Comparatively, the person who owns the dealership I work at also owns a Dodge dealership, and previously owned two others in the past 10 years and when I asked him if they'd had problems with them he said no. So take it for what it's worth.

 

[burner71]

my office bought 14 2012 RAM 2500's when that year came out. I bought one of them at 100k miles. My cam failed at around 160-170k miles. Of the 14, 2 had cam failures. I've also see in on one 2011 Durango.

 

[CVX20]

A huge amount of the ones I've heard of are law enforcement vehicles. They live hard lives, idling forever, then going full throttle, then idling forever. That's terrible for any engine. I really don't feel like what happens to those vehicles is really reflective on what to expect if you're not doing that.
Comparatively, the person who owns the dealership I work at also owns a Dodge dealership, and previously owned two others in the past 10 years and when I asked him if they'd had problems with them he said no. So take it for what it's worth.

We have a **** ton of Police Package Chargers(probably a couple hundred units every 2 to 3 years) and you'd be hard pressed to find a new one that didn't tick every time it started.There could be be 10 in the shop getting built at the same time and like I said they tick nearly every time.Could be 10 starts a day easy.If it's making noise it's wearing on something.

 

[Burla]

We have a **** ton of Police Package Chargers(probably a couple hundred units every 2 to 3 years) and you'd be hard pressed to find a new one that didn't tick every time it started.There could be be 10 in the shop getting built at the same time and like I said they tick nearly every time.Could be 10 starts a day easy.If it's making noise it's wearing on something.

From people in the "know" this story is repeated 100's of times, every mechanic knows of the issue, but we all are being lied to by fca. The extent of these problems are a conspiracy IMHO.

 

[CVX20]

From people in the "know" this story is repeated 100's of times, every mechanic knows of the issue, but we all are being lied to by fca. The extent of these problems are a conspiracy IMHO.

They need to stop the oil bleeding down when stopped.Change how the filter is mounted on the cars maybe.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

My opinion on this issue is probably in the minority. The vehicles have engines built to perform a purpose but are not designed to be trouble free. They are also not designed to last hundreds of thousands of miles in a variety of situations which the manufacturer has little to no control once the engine leaves the production facility.

I agree, a cam lifter failure at 40 to 100k is not good but it's also not outside the realm of possibility. A cam and lifter failure at 125 to 175k should be an expectation as NOTHING last forever.

My 11, which is considered one of the high failure years is at 138k. I drive an avg of 600 to 750 miles a week in various conditions, temps and speeds. I do not baby my truck and expect it to perform, however I also know that if it breaks I have two choices, either fix it or replace it. As being without a truck is not an option for me.

I hope it never happens to anyone and I hope it does not happen to me but if it does I just going to make the decision at that time and move forward.

I do not expect that any vehicle will be trouble free the entire time I own it.

Happy holidays

 

[Octane]

My opinion on this issue is probably in the minority. The vehicles have engines built to perform a purpose but are not designed to be trouble free. They are also not designed to last hundreds of thousands of miles in a variety of situations which the manufacturer has little to no control once the engine leaves the production facility.

I agree, a cam lifter failure at 40 to 100k is not good but it's also not outside the realm of possibility. A cam and lifter failure at 125 to 175k should be an expectation as NOTHING last forever.

My 11, which is considered one of the high failure years is at 138k. I drive an avg of 600 to 750 miles a week in various conditions, temps and speeds. I do not baby my truck and expect it to perform, however I also know that if it breaks I have two choices, either fix it or replace it. As being without a truck is not an option for me.

I hope it never happens to anyone and I hope it does not happen to me but if it does I just going to make the decision at that time and move forward.

I do not expect that any vehicle will be trouble free the entire time I own it.

Happy holidays

My 13 has 126k on it but if the lifters/cam fails it'll not be repaired.At whatever mileage it's at there will be a new engine installed by me. With the labor rate I charge myself,lol I can afford it and I have the tools.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

My opinion on this issue is probably in the minority. The vehicles have engines built to perform a purpose but are not designed to be trouble free. They are also not designed to last hundreds of thousands of miles in a variety of situations which the manufacturer has little to no control once the engine leaves the production facility.

I agree, a cam lifter failure at 40 to 100k is not good but it's also not outside the realm of possibility. A cam and lifter failure at 125 to 175k should be an expectation as NOTHING last forever.

My 11, which is considered one of the high failure years is at 138k. I drive an avg of 600 to 750 miles a week in various conditions, temps and speeds. I do not baby my truck and expect it to perform, however I also know that if it breaks I have two choices, either fix it or replace it. As being without a truck is not an option for me.

I hope it never happens to anyone and I hope it does not happen to me but if it does I just going to make the decision at that time and move forward.

I do not expect that any vehicle will be trouble free the entire time I own it.

Happy holidays

I agree with everything you said, but to me a cam and lifter failure at the mileage being reported is something that should not even be a blip on the radar because there should be so few of them. That's a major failure. To some that's an end of life failure for that vehicle. There's no reason it should be as rampant as it is. Water pumps, things like that- yes. Those are expected failures at that mileage. Not the top end of the engine.

Just my $.02. Definitely not trying to be argumentative at all.

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[Bigskyroadglide]

I agree with everything you said, but to me a cam and lifter failure at the mileage being reported is something that should not even be a blip on the radar because there should be so few of them. That's a major failure. To some that's an end of life failure for that vehicle. There's no reason it should be as rampant as it is. Water pumps, things like that- yes. Those are expected failures at that mileage. Not the top end of the engine.

Just my $.02. Definitely not trying to be argumentative at all.

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I also agree with your assessment. I don't want to see unnecessary failures at any level. Lots of variables in this equation and one size definitely does not fit all.

 

[4airstreamer]

It can be such a major shock. I had a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT with a 5.3. From day 1 I had disabled AFM because of all their reported problems. Ran Amsoil and changed the oil at 30%. Did pull a TT at 6,000 pounds occasionally. Lifter went at 103,000 miles, GM would not even share expense. $10k and I’m rounding down, for new engine, radiator, fluids, oil pump, etc. Had it fixed and gave it to my son. Replaced it with Ram 2500 Cummins. I will never buy another AFM or DOD engine.

 

[burner71]

I would assume the problem lies somewhere in the cam phaser.
Considering I don't really hear much about these failures on anything before 09.