Do I have a lifter going out? YES, I DO!!!!!!

[Curmudgeon]

Ok, I'm probably gonna have lots more questions during this teardown and repair.

Should I just post questions adding to this thread, or post as new threads and add the links into this thread??

I was already planning to update the problems found into the first post of this thread and modify the title, so that users can read what the issue/solution was and then decide to keep goung through the multi-page thread for the progression. Kind of to condense the content.

Thoughts??

 

[EdGs]

Ok, not sure if this means anything or not.

2015 Ram 5.7 Hemi Driver side Checking Rocker Arm Play

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2015 Ram 5.7 Hemi Checking Passenger Side Rocker Arm Play

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[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Ed, did you check the rocker arm travel for each cylinder when you crank it over, if you have one with little travel that will tell you if a lifter roller/ cam is worn, now would be a good time to do a compressor test for each cylinder, how do the valve springs look?

 

[EdGs]

Ed, did you check the rocker arm travel for each cylinder when you crank it over, if you have one with little travel that will tell you if a lifter roller/ cam is worn, now would be a good time to do a compressor test for each cylinder, how do the valve springs look?

No, I 've got no one that will sit there ad crank it while I try to determine which rocker moves less than the others.

Valve springs all look fine as well, once the heads are off, they will likely go bye-bye. At least, I can pull them and inspect things closer.

I was surprised that there wasn't one or two that were obviously really loose more so that others.. i did find some small flecks of metal on the VVT solenoid screen, but not very many. There is something happening in my engine for sure.

Pulling the balancer and timing cover and unbolting the rockers and exhaust pipes are the only things left before I can remove the heads to pull the lifters.

I will take some pics of each head to help me make sure of the pushod positions.

 

[Wild one]

No, I 've got no one that will sit there ad crank it while I try to determine which rocker moves less than the others.

Valve springs all look fine as well, once the heads are off, they will likely go bye-bye. At least, I can pull them and inspect things closer.

I was surprised that there wasn't one or two that were obviously really loose more so that others.. i did find some small flecks of metal on the VVT solenoid screen, but not very many. There is something happening in my engine for sure.

Pulling the balancer and timing cover and unbolting the rockers and exhaust pipes are the only things left before I can remove the heads to pull the lifters.

I will take some pics of each head to help me make sure of the pushod positions.

Pull the starter relay and you can jump it,and turn the engine over from under the hood.Couple benefits to doing it that way,nothings on,and the truck will have no power to the coils or injectors,so it won't attempt to start Ed. Easy to make a homemade remote starter switch,or you can buy one.Youtube has lots of video's on how to build a remote starter switch

 

[EdGs]

Pull the starter relay and you can jump it,and turn the engine over from under the hood.Couple benefits to doing it that way,nothings on,and the truck will have no power to the coils or injectors,so it won't attempt to start Ed. Easy to make a homemade remote starter switch,or you can buy one.Youtube has lots of video's on how to build a remote starter switch

That's a good idea, but I'm not sure I'd be able to see any difference, since I'm (hopefully) at the beginning of an issue.

I'm gonna take a look how to do that. I don't want to suck anything into the open intake ports either, or get any wiring pinched in the driver side moving parts.

Plus, I've unhooked the pcm plugs and passenger body plug and unhooked the grounds from the passenger side inner fender and driver side rear of head. Do I have to reconnect?

 

[EdGs]

Made a bit more progress on the beast today.

Waiting on a puller for the balancer.

Went ahead and removed the exhaust manifolds. My gaskets still looked good, but will likely get a set of remflex gaskets.

Did have a minor issue, one of the bolts pulled part of a thread out with it, I was able to run a die over the bolt and I should be able to chase the threads with a tap and clean those up if they are boogered.

Removed the bottom flywheel cover at the rear of the oil pan, drained the oil, pulled the dipstick and tube to remove the exhaust manifold, went ahead and removed my starter. I still haven't changed it, I had that one hiccup a few months ago, and bought a new one.

Will likely pull my block drains too, since I'm balls-deep in it already.

Bear with me, hopefully, the heads will come off in the next day or two, waiting on money so I can start ordering parts as well.

 

[EdGs]

Pics of my exhaust ports, a little carbon on the inside of #1 exhaust valve. Other than that, they look ok to me.

Cylinder 1 and 3

Cylinder 5 and 7

Cylinder 2 and 4
Cylinder 6 and 8

 

[Burla]

They look good but at least one is a little wet, toss some new injectors in this, which I'm betting you already doing.

 

[EdGs]

They look good but at least one is a little wet, toss some new injectors in this, which I'm betting you already doing.

Yeah, planning on cleaning all the injectors individually, along with intake, throttle body, and the heads once I have them off.

And since I'm gonna be replacing the valve springs, I'll be able to clean any crud on the valves and seats if need be.

 

[Wild one]

Yeah, planning on cleaning all the injectors individually, along with intake, throttle body, and the heads once I have them off.

And since I'm gonna be replacing the valve springs, I'll be able to clean any crud on the valves and seats if need be.

View attachment 567416

Tip the heads on their sides and pour some laquar thinner or acetone in each port to check the valve seats ,if any leaks through,the seats will need some touch up hand lapping

 

[EdGs]

And, I forgot to add:

The play that I found in those couple rocker arms on the passenger side head that I showed in my previous video, I could not duplicate today.

Go figure.

I guess the meat and potatoes will be once the lifters and cam are pulled.

I feel like a Billy Mays infomercial..... "But wait, there's more!".......lol

Stay tuned.

 

[EdGs]

Harmonic Balancer pulled, timing cover off.

Oil pan bolts out, but pan is stuck like chuck
At least gasket to pan is. Gotta quit here, go home and smoke some baby back ribs.

 

[Ken226]

Harmonic Balancer pulled, timing cover off.
View attachment 567441
Oil pan bolts out, but pan is stuck like chuck
At least gasket to pan is. Gotta quit here, go home and smoke some baby back ribs.

Which balancer puller did you get? How well did it work?

 

[EdGs]

Which balancer puller did you get? How well did it work?

I got the cheaper one you suggested.

Amazon.com: Harmonic Balancer Damper Pulley Remove Extractor Kit Compatible with Ford, GM, Chrysler, Cadillac, Chevy Trucks, Mitsubishi, Upgraded Version 3 Jaw Puller : Automotive

Amazon.com: Harmonic Balancer Damper Pulley Remove Extractor Kit Compatible with Ford, GM, Chrysler, Cadillac, Chevy Trucks, Mitsubishi, Upgraded Version 3 Jaw Puller : Automotive

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I used the second set of jaws (the ones with the thinner tips), and turned them facing outward in the smaller holes on the balancer, along with the longest push rod.

It was about 1/8" from fully screwed on when the balancer came loose. Worked fine.

 

[EdGs]

More progress.

Rocker arms and pushrods out,
Pushrod locations, 1, 3, 5, 7
Exhaust: Left side of intake valve spring
Intake: Right side of intake valve spring

Pushrod locations, 2, 4, 6, 8
Intake: Right side of intake valve spring
Exhaust: Left side of intake valve spring

 

[EdGs]

......Heads are pulled, lifters are out:

Cylinder 2 and 4: No issues, slight side to side play on roller, shiny roller surface.

Cylinder 6 and 8: No issues, slight side to side play on roller, shiny roller surface:

Cylinder 1 and 3: No issues, slight side to side play on roller, shiny roller surface:

Cylinder 5 and 7:

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!!!!!

#5 intake roller shows scuffing and lots of play. Roller has not flattened yet, but I'd wager it wouldn't be long. #7 no issues, shiny roller:

Just realized my pics dont show the shine on the 2nd set of lifters., sorry. I will edit in better pics later.

Video to follow shortly, then on to checking the cam for damage.

So, so, so glad I heard the sound and stopped driving it.

 

[Wild one]

More progress.

Rocker arms and pushrods out,
Pushrod locations, 1, 3, 5, 7
Exhaust: Left side of intake valve spring
Intake: Right side of intake valve spring
View attachment 567721
Pushrod locations, 2, 4, 6, 8
Intake: Right side of intake valve spring
Exhaust: Left side of intake valve spring
View attachment 567718

View attachment 567720

View attachment 567724

View attachment 567725

Can't see all the pushrod ends,but while they're out,look the ends of them over close for wear/chipping etc. Ed,also look through them to make sure they're clean and straight.Good job on taking your time,that helps mininiumize alot of issues.

 

[EdGs]

Can't see all the pushrod ends,but while they're out,look the ends of them over close for wear/chipping etc. Ed,also look through them to make sure they're clean and straight.Good job on taking your time,that helps mininiumize alot of issues.

Pushrod ends look nice and shiny, but will give them a closer look.

 

[EdGs]

Video of #5 lifters, will post a complete video later.

Do I have a bad lifter? Yes, I do.

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