Cam/rocker issues

[sam hain]

I'm in the market for a low mileage 1500 hemi 4wd, 2017/18 models. Couple years ago my dad owned a 2011 hemi Laramie longhorn, he bought it used with around 110k miles on it. Within a couple months he started getting misfire CEL's and after doing some research found out that is a common problem. He did the work himself and had to replace the cam and all rockers. My question is when/if has RAM addressed this issue? If they have, what model year was it done?

 

[joshuaeb09]

We've been tracking the cam lifter failure for a while in the Syn thread. It's a failure with the lifters that causes them to seize up and then wipe a cam lobe. Only concrete thing I could scare up was some rumors from the car forums that in 15 Melling (OE Lifter provider) superseded the original lifter part number with a new one that supposedly made it into '16 and newer engines. The part numbers check out, but there has never been an official response from FCA as to what the issue truly is.

Those of us running Redline have noticed the engines are smoother and there has been a good track record with UOA's of what oils/weights/blends show good wear numbers from the Hemi, don't tick, etc. That being said we really can't say for sure if running a high quality oil that shows really low wear numbers can prevent or delay the failure.

 

[sam hain]

Ok, so buying a 17 or 18 model "should" put me in the safe zone then in terms of those failures?

What's special about redline oils? I'm not brand loyal per say but I always use synthetics in my vehicles.

 

[MoparBrent]

Ok, so buying a 17 or 18 model "should" put me in the safe zone then in terms of those failures?

What's special about redline oils? I'm not brand loyal per say but I always use synthetics in my vehicles.

The 17/18 and even the 19 trucks can still have the problem.

Unfortunately the safest thing people have determined over years of testing and talk on these forums is disabling the MDS system and using redline 5W30 with a royal purple 10-48 filter or PUP(Pennzoil Ultra Platnium).

The redline oil is considered “Hemi honey” due to it being the oil with the highest molybdenum content out there. That is what seems to save or prevent the cam/lifter issue

 

[sam hain]

The 17/18 and even the 19 trucks can still have the problem.

Unfortunately the safest thing people have determined over years of testing and talk on these forums is disabling the MDS system and using redline 5W30 with a royal purple 10-48 filter or PUP(Pennzoil Ultra Platnium).

The redline oil is considered “Hemi honey” due to it being the oil with the highest molybdenum content out there. That is what seems to save or prevent the cam/lifter issue

In order to disable the MDS you have to swap out the ECM correct? Basically have the truck tuned?

EDIT - I found this:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[HammerHead]

In order to disable the MDS you have to swap out the ECM correct? Basically have the truck tuned?

EDIT - I found this:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

No, just put it in manual mode and your good. No tuner required.

 

[MoparBrent]

In order to disable the MDS you have to swap out the ECM correct? Basically have the truck tuned?

EDIT - I found this:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nope, like hammerhead said. Once your truck is in gear, just hit the Gear+ button until you're in 8th and MDS won't kick in

 

[Burla]

Ok, so buying a 17 or 18 model "should" put me in the safe zone then in terms of those failures?

What's special about redline oils? I'm not brand loyal per say but I always use synthetics in my vehicles.

I don't know that any hemi is safe, I would start doing some uoa's at around 50k miles to see the wear. There are a lot of ideas on the cause, from poor quality cam material to needle bearings issues. The fact that it is usually just one lob wiped it seams like bad lifter/roller/needle bearing is likely the issue.

There are two things, hemi tick and cam lobs wiped out, one doesn't necesserily have something to do with other, and visa versa, it doesn't mean that can't be related. Without zero doubt redline 5w30 is the best at killing hemi tick, the science backs the results the forum has had. Hemi tick is a hot spot from an out of whack lifter, the science of redline esters are polar and resistant to heat, super high moly creates a plate where there is friction, high zddp, and branched chain pao lubrication works in tandom with esters as your base oil. Motul 300v would be the only known "well established" oil similar to redline as far as all of these features. research ester oils, for whatever reason the ester companies have paired esters with high moly, perfect for high performance applications, and just so happens help to alleviate hemi tick where other synthetics don't.

My only thing would be look at the 8 speeds, determine that is what you want. The new trucks mechanically heat fluid, transmision and gears. You may opt to buy a used truck and make your upgrades, some people don't prefer the newer tech, just research it.