NASTY LIFTER TIC ON MY 17 RAM

[circuitguy]

Got my 17 Ram going to the dealer on Tuesday to have them fix my nasty lifter tic during start up. Was only doing it cold now its doing it hot too. Truck only has 7100 miles on it, very disappointed. Does anyone have a recommendation as to what to say to the dealer about this so it gets repaired the first time? Lmk..

 

[tidefan1967]

As mentioned frequently throughout the Forum it sounds like you have Hemi tick. Redline 5W30 will make it go away for sure. Some other brands may work too. If you are still using non synthetic oil switch to Pennzoil yellow bottle 5W30 and that should help.

 

[69GWC]

Be prepared for them to say its normal, Its NOT a normal noise though or one that should be going on.

 

[chrisbh17]

Be prepared for them to say its normal, Its NOT a normal noise though or one that should be going on.

Im always interested in hearing that its not normal...has anyone ever had FCA actually fix the engine because of it? It doesnt sound like they even know why it does it, for sure. Plenty of stories on Charger/Challenger forums about getting new lifters, etc and the engine still makes the same noise shortly after.

On paper it sounds great....refuse to take "its normal" as an answer, but exactly how does one complain enough to get the thing fixed? I figure if it gets far enough, it would just come down to FCA buying the truck back instead of actually fixing it.

 

[69GWC]

Seems like if they would just replace these lifters it could be a easy fix but they dont want to spend the money on it.
Basically normal means we ain't fixing it with out a big fight..lol

 

[chrisbh17]

Seems like if they would just replace these lifters it could be a easy fix but they dont want to spend the money on it.
Basically normal means we ain't fixing it with out a big fight..lol

I edited my post a little late....look on the Challenger and/or Charger forums for people that HAVE gotten lifter replacements. The noise doesn't go away (or is gone for a very short time) after new lifters.

Some people have theorized its the pushrods...there is no valve lash adjustment, so the pushrods can move around when not under tension. Combined with the fact that they are closer to horizontal than most, you'll get noise as they load and unload against the lifters. Some are better than others (assuming tighter manufacturing tolerances in regards to length of pushrods), but most probably arent.

I think there is a company that makes adjustable pushrods, or you pull the stockers and then measure for a set of custom built that will fill the gap better than the "one size fits all" stock pushrods

 

[huntergreen]

As long as people keep buying the hemi as is, and FCA sells a lot of them, there isn't a reason to fix the hemi tick through a redesign.

Circuit guy, you may want to check out the oil thread. Lots of info on the hemi tick. Many have eliminated the tick by using redline oil, 5/30 weight. No one has thrown a code or had an issue with the MDS when using this oil. Be prepared for the dealer to say, " they all do this".

 

[RamCares]

Got my 17 Ram going to the dealer on Tuesday to have them fix my nasty lifter tic during start up. Was only doing it cold now its doing it hot too. Truck only has 7100 miles on it, very disappointed. Does anyone have a recommendation as to what to say to the dealer about this so it gets repaired the first time? Lmk..

Hi circuitguy,

We're sorry to hear that you have a concern with your 2017 Ram. If you are in need of additional assistance while your truck is in service, please send us a message.

Darlene
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Burla]

Redline 5W30 will make it go away for sure.

Well it has a very high success rate for sure. First try and get dealer to fix it, if not this is the option many of us have done with success. Get a Royal purple filter as well, the package seams to be the best bet. I actually had a different filter leave me with a lil tick, went back to RP filter on the same change and the tick went back away. This is not some type of hype thing, there is serious science behind both items, read oil filter thread and/or synthetic oil thread. The science is solid and has proven beneficial to this group of people with hemi tick due to lifters.

 

[circuitguy]

Thanks for all the great feedback about my lifter problem. I know its not normal for this to happen, I know its repairable. Going with a different oil and filter may work but it seems to only mask the problem. Maybe its a flaw in the design of this engine, sounds like it bay be. My wife drives a 17 Challenger with the same Hemi in it, no noise with her car. Going to the dealer on Tuesday, will let you all know the outcome.

 

[Tach_tech]

The noise is caused by a lifter bleeding down then takes a few seconds to pump back up when started. Both my 14 ram and 17 did it. Even if the dealer replaces the lifters it’ll still happen. Brand new trucks on the lot do it.

Honestly I don’t even worry about it, try a different oil like redline,royal purple etc.

 

[hotrod45]

I remember solid lifters. They required adjustment. Too tight and you could burn a valve seat. No ticking, though. Too loose, and you'd hear it. Properly adjusted, the push rod could turn freely, which it is supposed to do, and the valve lash would be quiet enough and stand as testimony to a competent mechanic. Hydraulic lifters take the mechanic out of the loop. Hydraulic lifters have tolerances. Some take a little more time to pump up to pressure. I respect some of the observations about certain oils helping the lifters perform better. But these are hydraulic lifters. Some will tick a little and some won't. Get real.

 

[69GWC]

Get real ?

Guess you have never heard a 5.7 lifter pounding like a hammer on a anvel.

Yeah alittle ticking who cares but a hammer pounding is not normal and is something that is not right or normal.

 

[Tach_tech]

Hammer on an anvil is a little bit of an exaggeration I’d say.

Just remote start your truck every time before you go out to it and you’ll never hear it again lol.

 

[chrisbh17]

Hammer on an anvil is a little bit of an exaggeration I’d say.

Just remote start your truck every time before you go out to it and you’ll never hear it again lol.

Step 1 - park truck overnight
Step 2 - start truck, let warm up for a minute or so, move truck to other side of driveway, turn off truck
Step 3 - wait 30 minutes
Step 4 - restart truck
Step 5 - lose your **** when you hear the loud rapping noise for 2-10 seconds

This happens without fail on my '17 RAM with Hemi. Truck has 6400 miles on it but its been doing it ever since the first time I ended up doing the above (probably 1500 miles on it).

I think its standard lifter bleed-down exacerbated by something in the programming where the engine *thinks* its warmed up but it isn't.

 

[69GWC]

Hammer on an anvil is a little bit of an exaggeration I’d say.

Just remote start your truck every time before you go out to it and you’ll never hear it again lol.

No not a exaggeration at all , I have heard a few trucks that sould just like that.
Took a buddy to go look at new trucks and the first one we started had a few lifters pounding just like a hammer on a anvil and after 10mins it still had atleast 2 lifters banging.
Like I said I have heard quite a few like that.

If its just some dry lifters from setting clattering when fired up cold IMO thats pretty normal and if it stops pretty fast I would not think anything of it.
But a lifter that is banging hard and just stays like that then IMO is a problem and should not be considered normal.

 

[Tach_tech]

What you likely heard was an aerated lifter, it happens when they sit for to long without being run. Happens to trucks on the lot every now and then. An air pocket develops in the lifter. Holding the engine at 2500rpm or so for a few minutes will get rid of that.

The tick for a couple seconds is just a bleed down lifter.

 

[Firebird]

I've owned 6 hemi Ram's, and not one has ever ticked. I would not consider ticking normal.

 

[chrisbh17]

I've owned 6 hemi Ram's, and not one has ever ticked. I would not consider ticking normal.

5.7, 6.4 or mix? The 5.7 seem to be noisier than the 6.4

And clearly there was something wrong with your engines that didnt tick, bceause my dealer says they all do it!

 

[jmant230]

My 2013 1500 5.7 had multiple broken exhaust studs at 30000 miles or so. That made the ticking sound you describe. That was the only ticking I ever heard. I believe they said there were 10 broken fixed under warranty. Possible so soon ? I do not know