Dreaded cold start lifter tick

[Musky Mike]

Hello, I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Hemi with 21K miles, I have not started it in about a month. This morning I went out to start it and got the dreaded cold start lifter tick for about 3 seconds. I use redline 5w-30 and have never had a loud cold start lift tick like I had this morning. Guess I need to start it for a few minutes every other week, even if I'm not driving it.

 

[farmallboy]

I think that's it. Too much sitting. But I would be getting it to a dealer?

 

[crackerjack1957]

Hello, I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Hemi with 21K miles, I have not started it in about a month. This morning I went out to start it and got the dreaded cold start lifter tick for about 3 seconds. I use redline 5w-30 and have never had a loud cold start lift tick like I had this morning. Guess I need to start it for a few minutes every other week, even if I'm not driving it.

Idling is bad for the Hemi.........next time you know it may sit for a while....rev to 3000 and hold for about 30 seconds before you cut off
Also let us know what filter you are using.

 

[kurek]

I wouldn't worry about a little tick on start up after sitting a while, that's like any vehicle with hydraulic lifters ever. The oil filter has a drainback seal which helps with that but oil is going to leak if it has any opportunity at all.

After the system builds oil pressure, give it a little rev to get the oil flowing through everywhere. Sitting and idling forever isn't great on any engine but apparently extra not great on these.

 

[Musky Mike]

I'm using Purolator Boss, and I know long idle time is not good, but starting it up every few weeks and letting run for 3 or 4 minutes to build pressure back up shouldn't kill the engine. I would take it to the dealer, but I know it would be a waste of time and I have the Max Care Unlimited Warranty, so if it eats a lifter, I'm covered. I was just surprised it did it, because it had never did before.

 

[Burla]

Idle is not bad for the hemi, low rpm idle is bad for the hemi. Nothing saying you cant hit 3,000 rpm's for 30 seconds before shutting it down, is that still called idle, dunno. Sad we have to think of such things, but it is what it is. So what temp was it when you turned on the truck? Some trucks are susceptible to cold piston slap on 5w30 redline, thus why for at least a year now we have been recommending 0w30 for cold places. I believe this can happen as low as 40f in some places or should I say in some trucks that seam to have looser tolerances. It is louder the lifter tick, and **** all annoying, but way less harmless then lifter tick. I hate typing these threads brothers, we are were we are with this. Worst case if you have a truck with cold piston slap, all you can do is try different redlines to see which one keeps both lifter tick and cold piston slap at bay. Options, 0w20, 5w20, and 0w30 for piston slap. Burla

 

[Burla]

BTW Mike, my Hemi only lifter ticks when it sits like that. I've been tick free on 5w30 redline but for that condition when the truck sits usually over two weeks. I never tried the foot to the floor thing, anyone have a theory if it would help? I don't think it will, but if you depress gas pedal to floor before starting I think the engine turns but wont gas or start. Couldn't hurt to try it next time it sits for a month, again I kinda doubt it would help but I can't really think about much else other then don't let truck sit for a month w/o starting.

 

[Richard Kim]

I got rid off of the cold start tick by using the Kreen (Kano Labs) treatment. I have 96K on my Hemi; I think the Kreen cleaned my lifters. Each situation is different; just my experience.

 

[Burla]

Whatever works is what we should use, as long as we stay away from bad additives. Kreen most certainly isn't a bad additive, great engine flush, I just wouldn't leave it in for too many miles as it is a very strong solvent.

You can just imagine how much crud can build up in that lifter cavity while it is in heni tick condition. For sure heat builds on on any spot where you have banging metal like that, it will carbonize oils, especially inferior oils. In theory new oil detergentcy can clean that, but often I'm sure it doesn't, in theory and sounds like in practice Kreen would be a good choice.

 

[Cableman]

My 2016 has 14k miles and dont think i could make it sit a month not started! (Demanding kids, gym and hd runs) How the hell do you have 21k on a 19 at that rate?!?!

 

[dale197338]

Do they rams have the same programming as the Challengers. As in press gas pedal to the floor then push the start button or turn the key and engine won't start? It gets the oil flowing before engine fires up. Maybe this is a option for folks.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[Burla]

I think most fuel injected engines do that, I know my 2010 does.

 

[wgreggking]

I do that after a two week sit, on my late model vehicles. Crank for 4-5 second, pause let off gas then start. more often when I park on a steep hill.

 

[PoMansRam]

Yep, I believe it's called clear flood mode when you floor the go pedal and crank the engine over. That started to become a thing when port fuel injection was here for good.

 

[Musky Mike]

Just to be clear, I have never had cold start up tick before, this was the first time and it was not piston slap. It was around 55-60 out today when I started it, I have started it with Redine 5W-30 as low as 25f with no noise. I just won't let it sit for a month without starting it again.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

the lifters that are on the high side of the cam lobe will bleed down, 3 seconds does not sound bad for pump up.

 

[ChevySlayer69]

Just to be clear, I have never had cold start up tick before, this was the first time and it was not piston slap. It was around 55-60 out today when I started it, I have started it with Redine 5W-30 as low as 25f with no noise. I just won't let it sit for a month without starting it again.

The press in the gas pedal and let crank before starting trick absolutely works. I wouldn't bother starting it up when not in use unless you actually take it for a drive.

 

[PoMansRam]

Mike, I wouldn't worry about that 3 sec worth of noise at all given those circumstances.

That's a LONG time for a daily driver type vehicle to sit with no activity. Did you have a battery tender on it? I'd think just the parasitic electronic loads with kill the battery over that time period. Maybe not. Regardless, that's tough on a battery.

Pretty much any engine is going to make noise on cold start after sitting that long. My pentastar sounded like crap on very cold starts, so did my Subarus and this was just sitting over night.

I keep hearing conflicting information in regards to the hemi lifters, but supposedly the 2018's or 19's are "different" or "improved" in some way. Sorry if I swung and missed on that..

 

[Wild one]

Just to be clear, I have never had cold start up tick before, this was the first time and it was not piston slap. It was around 55-60 out today when I started it, I have started it with Redine 5W-30 as low as 25f with no noise. I just won't let it sit for a month without starting it again.

If the truck has a block heater,plug it in for an hour to pre-warm the engine some .It'll still have lifter tick,but it should help miniumize it some

 

[Jimmys1]

better check with the dealer. I have a 2012 ram Hemi (80000) miles)that has a check engine light, took to the dealer (2) now thry want to replace ther cam and lifters $5000 worth. both service depts say they have seen this before so it must be semi common. Doesnt seem right to me. Not sure what to do about it tho.