Getting 5.7 replaced

[Skrap]

So, I have my 2500 MC but this is about my 2012 1500 SLT company truck. Took it in to the dealer for a tapping noise coming from the engine. Has right at 59k miles. Took about two weeks to "fix". Said they replaced the flex plate and then found "another noise" that was a broken exhaust bolt, so they say. Picked it up drove to one of my jobsites and leave it idling. Get out and hear the same tapping noise. Our company didn't have another truck available for me to drive so I wait for one to free up and took it back a week later.

Noise got much louder but the truck seems to run fine. They have had it for two weeks now and just got a call today from our service writer guys wo said they have completely tore the engine apart and have not been able to find any problems. Said all parts are to spec as far as bearings and whatever else they assess. He then proceeds to tell me they are done throwing money at the engine and convinced Ram to do a full replacement. Said this is the first time in his 30 years that he has had an engine with an obvious problem (noise) and they can't find the culprit and are given the OK to put a new motor in it.

One thing that may have helped is that our company probably has the single largest Ram fleet in the world and uses a company called ARI that manages all our vehicles from maintenance to registration, etc. I've been told they are pretty sharp and don't put up with much BS from dealerships. Anyway, I should get it back in about two to three weeks with a new motor. Didn't think it would play out this way.

 

[smiley]

Well that seems wasteful but if it gets you back up and running sweet for you and the company.

 

[Hootbro]

Probably a tolerance stacking issue. While any one part is not out of the +/- spec, if numerous parts are on the edge of the spec, can cause issue. Given that warranty work pays crap, I can see the dealership going for a new engine.

 

[Kap1]

Skrap,

Thank you for sharing the story.

My ram has been falling appart, i visit dealership once every month or two for Check Engine stuff... so i'm very interested on what it took them to think of replacing this engine.

Could you please provide more info on this story? How many times you took it in? How many times they did these repairs?

How loud is it? Any chance you could record the audio, or maybe describe the noises?

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[Skrap]

Skrap,

Thank you for sharing the story.

My ram has been falling appart, i visit dealership once every month or two for Check Engine stuff... so i'm very interested on what it took them to think of replacing this engine.

Could you please provide more info on this story? How many times you took it in? How many times they did these repairs?

How loud is it? Any chance you could record the audio, or maybe describe the noises?

Thank you very much in advance!

The truck is at the dealership with the engine in pieces so no video of the noise. I will fist state that I don't know a lot about the internal workings of engines. I can replace engine accessories, etc but will leave anything inside to professional mechanics.

The noise was like a loud tapping. It wasn't quite rythmic like a continual tap. Hard to explain but almost in rythem. The tapping was fairly quick and sped up and down with RPM. Could only hear it when idling or very slowly inside and out of the truck. Not at highway speed due to other engine and wind noise but I'm sure it was there.

You read about my first visit to the dealer. On the second trip (current one) I parked about 20 yards from the service office wit the truck idling, on purpose. Walked it and spoke to our service guy whom we deal with and told him it was never fixed and I'm back. He was asking me some questions as we walked out to the truck. I stopped him about 15' from the rear bumper and told him to listen. He loves owed at me with that "oh, damn" look as he realized what the loud tapping was.

Two visits for the noise. Never had a check engine light come on and never felt any loss of performance even when it was at its worst. Like I said, I think in my situation I have the power of our companies fleet management company backing me up and either putting pressure on the dealer and/or Ram to do the right thing. Our company, as I estimate, has probably over 10K Ram trucks in our fleet from 1500s-5500s. This may push them a bit harder to get it done with out much fuss. Probably not but hope this helps a little. When I pick it up in couple week I will try to get more info and post here.

 

[Kap1]

Thank you, this helps.
I'm not really holding my breath waiting Chrysler to start giving out new engines to everybody, but it's something to keep in mind if my issues keep reoccurring after multiple fixed.

Let us know how it turns out!

 

[Saltillo Express]

Mystifying with all of the technology available they couldn't ID what was tapping. Thanks for posting this and definitely looking forward to hearing if they tell you any more on it.