Engine Making Fluttering and Vibration Noises

[ShawnS604]

Hey, I have a 2017 Ram 1500 with a 5.7L Hemi. Just recently had noticed, everytime I accelerate, the engine (I believe) is making a fluttering noise that last about a few seconds then goes away as I gain momentum. Once I start gaining momentum, around 60km/hr, I feel like there is a vibration noise coming from underneath which last about a few seconds as well. Has anyone else experineced anything like this before ?

 

[Ken226]

Hey, I have a 2017 Ram 1500 with a 5.7L Hemi. Just recently had noticed, everytime I accelerate, the engine (I believe) is making a fluttering noise that last about a few seconds then goes away as I gain momentum. Once I start gaining momentum, around 60km/hr, I feel like there is a vibration noise coming from underneath which last about a few seconds as well. Has anyone else experineced anything like this before ?

Do these occurrences happen to coincide with the ECO light on the instrument cluster coming on, or going off?

 

[ShawnS604]

Do these occurrences happen to coincide with the ECO light on the instrument cluster coming on, or going off?

No, I have that ECO light option turned off for years now.

 

[Ken226]

No, I have that ECO light option turned off for years now.

Having the ECO light turned off only deactivates the light, it does not deactivate the ECO mode or MDS.


I'll rephrase,

If your ECO light were turned on such that you could actually see when your engine enters or exits ECO mode, would there then, be a correlation?


Because what you are describe sounds an awful lot like what happens when the you enter or exit MDS mode.

The PCM temporarily unlocks the torque converter, then the MDS solenoids open and allow oil pressure to collapse the MDS lifters, then the PCM re-locks the torque converter. This occurs on MDS trucks regardless of whether you have the dash indicator turned off or not.



To test this theory, drive in tow/haul mode and see if the situation changes. tow/haul actually deactivates MDS mode.

 

[ShawnS604]

Having the ECO light turned off only deactivates the light, it does not deactivate the ECO mode or MDS.


I'll rephrase,

If your ECO light were turned on such that you could actually see when your engine enters or exits ECO mode, would there then, be a correlation?


Because what you are describe sounds an awful lot like what happens when the you enter or exit MDS mode.

The PCM temporarily unlocks the torque converter, then the MDS solenoids open and allow oil pressure to collapse the MDS lifters, then the PCM re-locks the torque converter. This occurs on MDS trucks regardless of whether you have the dash indicator turned off or not.



To test this theory, drive in tow/haul mode and see if the situation changes. tow/haul actually deactivates MDS mode.

Ok, I will definitely test this theory to drive in tow/haul mode. If this is the case, would the fix be to change out the MDS solenoids ?

 

[Ken226]

Ok, I will definitely test this theory to drive in tow/haul mode. If this is the case, would the fix be to change out the MDS solenoids ?

No. If that is the case, then it is operating normally.

Even though this is likely the normal operation of the MDS system, if it really annoys you enough that you are willing spend some money to fix it, then you'll Need to replace the camshaft with a non-mds cam, replace the lifters with non-mds lifters, and use a tuner to shut off the mds programming.



You'll be wanting something like this:

HEMI MDS Delete Kit by MOPAR

HEMI MDS Lifter Delete Kit by MMX/MOPAR - Components Listed

www.modernmusclextreme.com

Do a search on this forum for "MDS Delete" and you'll find alot of reading material.

 

[ShawnS604]

No. If that is the case, then it is operating normally.

Even though this is likely the normal operation of the MDS system, if it really annoys you enough that you are willing spend some money to fix it, then you'll Need to replace the camshaft with a non-mds cam, replace the lifters with non-mds lifters, and use a tuner to shut off the mds programming.



You'll be wanting something like this:

HEMI MDS Delete Kit by MOPAR

HEMI MDS Lifter Delete Kit by MMX/MOPAR - Components Listed

www.modernmusclextreme.com

Do a search on this forum for "MDS Delete" and you'll find alot of reading material.

Thanks for the information, much appreciated.

 

[David H]

Ok, I will definitely test this theory to drive in tow/haul mode. If this is the case, would the fix be to change out the MDS solenoids ?

This will not tell you anything. Tow/haul does not deactivate MDS. Manual selection of gearing is what you want.

 

[Adamcr68]

This will not tell you anything. Tow/haul does not deactivate MDS. Manual selection of gearing is what you want.

Everything I’ve seen both tow/haul & manual selection will shut off MDS, at least on the 4th Gen’s.

 

[crackerjack1957]

This will not tell you anything. Tow/haul does not deactivate MDS. Manual selection of gearing is what you want.

Why would you want to tow with 4 cylinders in tow/haul mode with MDS on???
Think about it..........LoL

 

[David H]

Why would you want to tow with 4 cylinders in tow/haul mode with MDS on???
Think about it..........LoL

Just the messenger. Tow/Haul deactivates MDS on the 6, but not the 5.7 In this video the guy actual demonstrates it on the road as well as how it works with manual gear selection.

What is MDS? Multiple Displacement System: How to Disable MDS Temporarily

For More Info visit us at: https://1aau.to/h-ct9What is MDS? You might wonder that if you own a Dodge or Ram truck with 6 or 8 cylinders! It stands for multi...

www.youtube.com

 

[crackerjack1957]

Just the messenger. Tow/Haul deactivates MDS on the 6, but not the 5.7 In this video the guy actual demonstrates it on the road as well as how it works with manual gear selection.

What is MDS? Multiple Displacement System: How to Disable MDS Temporarily

For More Info visit us at: https://1aau.to/h-ct9What is MDS? You might wonder that if you own a Dodge or Ram truck with 6 or 8 cylinders! It stands for multi...

www.youtube.com

He doesn't prove it doesn't deactivate on the 8-speed though.....only says it.....he demonstrating with a 6-speed.
I have the 6-speed so I can't prove it.
I remember before my tune the eco light always had to be on before MDS would activate.
In tow/haul mode there was no eco light so no MDS.

Maybe someone with an 8-speed can shed some light on this.
I would think if tow/haul locks out 8th gear there would be no eco light so no MDS.
Find it hard to believe tow/haul would allow the 8-speed to run on 4 cylinders while towing.

 

[David H]

He doesn't prove it doesn't deactivate on the 8-speed though.....only says it.....he demonstrating with a 6-speed.
I have the 6-speed so I can't prove it.
I remember before my tune the eco light always had to be on before MDS would activate.
In tow/haul mode there was no eco light so no MDS.

Maybe someone with an 8-speed can shed some light on this.
I would think if tow/haul locks out 8th gear there would be no eco light so no MDS.
Find it hard to believe tow/haul would allow the 8-speed to run on 4 cylinders while towing.

Yeah, he is demonstrating with the 6 . I missed that. He is correct about the 8 however.

I have the 8 and tow a 2 place sled trailer. In tow/haul the MDS is very much alive below 65 on a flat stretch or downhill. Half of the 5.7 is more than enough for those situations. To deactivate which I do for faster speeds I have to select gearing manually.

I think the disconnect is the 6 speed acts slightly different from the 8 and we...(I) forget there are a lot of 6 speed trannies out there.

 

[crackerjack1957]

Yeah, he is demonstrating with the 6 . I missed that. He is correct about the 8 however.

I have the 8 and tow a 2 place sled trailer. In tow/haul the MDS is very much alive below 65 on a flat stretch or downhill. Half of the 5.7 is more than enough for those situations. To deactivate which I do for faster speeds I have to select gearing manually.

I think the disconnect is the 6 speed acts slightly different from the 8 and we...(I) forget there are a lot of 6 speed trannies out there.

In that less than 65 or downhill..... is the eco light on & what gear is it in with MDS on in tow/haul mode?

 

[David H]

is the eco light on & what gear is it in with MDS on in tow/haul mode?

Yeah, as I recall the Eco light comes and goes like always. Couldn't tell you what gear. Unless I've selected gearing manually, (MDS off) the dash doesn't display what gear it's in...not that I've noticed anyway. I'll play with it some today. See if I can find a gear display in the DIC.

 

[crackerjack1957]

Yeah, as I recall the Eco light comes and goes like always. Couldn't tell you what gear. Unless I've selected gearing manually, (MDS off) the dash doesn't display what gear it's in...not that I've noticed anyway. I'll play with it some today. See if I can find a gear display in the DIC.

Should be able to determine gear by rpm at a set/certain speed

 

[David H]

Should be able to determine gear by rpm at a set/certain speed

I wouldn't know about that. Confirmed with tow/haul selected, Eco comes and goes and MDS shutter does as well. That shutter is not something that bothers me but it is noticeable.

 

[crackerjack1957]

I wouldn't know about that. Confirmed with tow/haul selected, Eco comes and goes and MDS shutter does as well. That shutter is not something that bothers me but it is noticeable.

Easy.....set gear in 6th & hold speed at 50 to 60mph or your speed of choice.....check rpm at that speed.
Next drive leave gear select alone while in tow/haul mode and check rpm at the same speed above.
If its the same than tow/haul mode locks out 7-8 gears.
If not the same try 7th gear.........and of course out of tow/haul mode 8th gear can be seen at that set speed with rpm.

 

[Marshall]

I have not used tow/haul much in this truck, and i have a real hard time feeling it go into eco mode if I am not looking at the light. I have it come on in town quite a bit , lots of slopes.
On the hi way on a good flat road with no head wind ( rare in this country) I have had mine go into eco mode at 120-125 km , normally on at 115km if conditions are right,
I never feel it , and can't hear it if windows are up, ears are old as well.

Also, how many miles, have you checked for exhaust gasket leak? That could sound like a flutter.
hi miles maybe time for trans fluid change and spark plugs, I may have missed the mileage, if you stated it.

 

[ShawnS604]

I have not used tow/haul much in this truck, and i have a real hard time feeling it go into eco mode if I am not looking at the light. I have it come on in town quite a bit , lots of slopes.
On the hi way on a good flat road with no head wind ( rare in this country) I have had mine go into eco mode at 120-125 km , normally on at 115km if conditions are right,
I never feel it , and can't hear it if windows are up, ears are old as well.

Also, how many miles, have you checked for exhaust gasket leak? That could sound like a flutter.
hi miles maybe time for trans fluid change and spark plugs, I may have missed the mileage, if you stated it.

It has about 141k kms. Did get checked for exhaust leaks and didn't appear to show any. Did also have all 16 spark plugs changed recently too. Haven't done a trans fluid service yet, should get on that.