Troubleshooting a 5.7 engine issue

[USMC-ORDO]

Hello everyone,

I have exhausted my "know how" and have decided to see if anyone can assist here. I have a 2013 RAM 1500 5.7 with 106,000 Miles. I took off on a 800 mile road trip recently and about half way I felt my truck start to idle rough (very mild at first) it was only doing it during a traffic jam and only when my speed reduced to about 3-5 MPH. I kept an eye on it and it felt ok the rest of the trip. After I got to my destination I turned it off for about 20 minutes, when I restarted it she threw a code P0307. I looked up the code and did the standard eyeball check for loose plugs etc, but I was staying at a hotel 800 miles from my tools so I was pretty limited. Having been a mechanic for the last 20+ years I really felt like the code was suspect...just had a gut feeling it was a dirty fuel issue. So I added some fuel additive and hit the road for the return 800 mile trip. It ran better all the way home. The next morning I go to start it and it throws the code P1417. After researching this forum it seemed pretty coincidental that this code would pop up when I had my oil changed locally the night before the trip...maybe they had put in a heavier oil than 20W. Called them up and they agreed to change the oil for free incase they screwed up. Still no change in symptoms. So after digging further I realized I had 30K plugs and not 100K plugs so I figured that had to be the problem since I was still running the original plugs from when I bought the truck in 2013. Changed all the plugs and cleared the computer. Ran better for a little while than started doing the same crap...this time it threw the P0300 code. So after some more digging...I changed the 7 cylinder coil pack. Still no good...so now it's still running rough as hell (all levels of speed/acceleration) putting it in tow/haul mode seems to help a little. It also starting squeaking but only under a load immediately prior to downshift...that goes away when I turn off the AC. It is now throwing the code P1416.

So for those keeping track...I have cleared the codes multiple times and it now has (4) active codes...P0300, P0307, P1416, and P1417

For the record...I have NOT performed a compression test, mostly because I don't have the compression tester but I also have no loss of power and my gut says its not the issue.

Can somebody please help me kill this gremlin!!!

 

[crackerjack1957]

The infamous cam & lifter failure, has happened to many.

 

[RysRam]

Pull the valve cover and make sure all the rocker arms are moving when you crank the engine. As you've already determined that it's not ignition related and have the typical associated codes.....you probably have a wiped cam lobe and a ***** lifter.

 

[RysRam]

We seem to have really reached a turning point with these things. 2 or 3 are being reported every week just on this message board. It's not confirmation bias as it's safe to assume only a small percentage of the actual failures are being made known on this board.

Best part is the local dealership has never heard of it being a problem. Meanwhile, the OEM replacement parts are on national back order because supply isn't meeting demand for fixing wiped Hemi cams.

 

[USMC-ORDO]

****...I hope not. Go figure right after the extended warranty ends. I will pull the valve cover and respond after. Thanks for the replies gents

 

[SYKRAMMAN]

****...I hope not. Go figure right after the extended warranty ends. I will pull the valve cover and respond after. Thanks for the replies gents

Good luck bud. I know it sucks trying to figure that **** out!.

 

[69GWC]

Like has been said its probably wiped the cam and lifter.

 

[NCRaineman]

We seem to have really reached a turning point with these things. 2 or 3 are being reported every week just on this message board. It's not confirmation bias as it's safe to assume only a small percentage of the actual failures are being made known on this board.

Best part is the local dealership has never heard of it being a problem. Meanwhile, the OEM replacement parts are on national back order because supply isn't meeting demand for fixing wiped Hemi cams.

Sounds like a good time to go with a mild custom cam.

 

[Fitz-0518]

RysRam point. Dealer script, "highly unlikely, we have not experienced this and,,,not a common problem" My 2018 2500 6.4 back at dealer this week. Seven months trying to locate exhaust leak. When they check the parts inventory they see the parts are "BO" all of them are going to dealers service dept. He is right, these issues are concentrated in a forum format. But,,,,I believe we will see over the next 1-2 years the cam lifter issue actually become a TSB.

 

[NCRaineman]

He is right, these issues are concentrated in a forum format. But,,,,I believe we will see over the next 1-2 years the cam lifter issue actually become a TSB.

That would be nice. My engine and transmission are warrantied to 80,000mi. and given my driving habits and the mileage I bought the truck at I've got about 2.5 years to get there.

 

[Ramnewbie]

RysRam point. Dealer script, "highly unlikely, we have not experienced this and,,,not a common problem" My 2018 2500 6.4 back at dealer this week. Seven months trying to locate exhaust leak. When they check the parts inventory they see the parts are "BO" all of them are going to dealers service dept. He is right, these issues are concentrated in a forum format. But,,,,I believe we will see over the next 1-2 years the cam lifter issue actually become a TSB.

I totally understand and agree about the tsb however I don't think it will happen. What would the tsb say, run 5/30 oil in the 5.7? I doubt that, EPA would have a fit. Run only PUP, Amsoil, Redline? Probably not as that would require all dealers to actually stock PUP in other than 0/40. I'm thinking the only possibility is an extended engine warranty and they'll fix the ones that fail. I'm thinking that's the reason I get emails on a weekly basis trying to sell FCA lifetime warranty, at least that way they recover about $ 2000 or better of their repair costs. JMO.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Fitz-0518]

I totally understand and agree about the tsb however I don't think it will happen. What would the tsb say, run 5/30 oil in the 5.7? I doubt that, EPA would have a fit. Run only PUP, Amsoil, Redline? Probably not as that would require all dealers to actually stock PUP in other than 0/40. I'm thinking the only possibility is an extended engine warranty and they'll fix the ones that fail. I'm thinking that's the reason I get emails on a weekly basis trying to sell FCA lifetime warranty, at least that way they recover about $ 2000 or better of their repair costs. JMO.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Good point. Not a practical business expectation for a TSB. I think a dealer alert that allows the dealer to face the cam/lifter issue and repair with out approval is more realistic. But I do believe we will see expansion of accepted oils. Fitz

 

[TXCOMT]

Wow...I guess I'll be switching over to 5W-30 oil at the next change, then! I sure don't want to be in the OP's shoes when I get to his mileage. I hope the thicker stuff helps!

TXCOMT

 

[NCRaineman]

Wow...I guess I'll be switching over to 5W-30 oil at the next change, then! I sure don't want to be in the OP's shoes when I get to his mileage. I hope the thicker stuff helps!

I'm due for an oil change here in the next few weeks, will probably go 5w-30 fully synthetic myself... this 5W-20 stuff is like water.

 

[TXCOMT]

I'm due for an oil change here in the next few weeks, will probably go 5w-30 fully synthetic myself... this 5W-20 stuff is like water.

True...since I don't really tax my rig, I never considered switching until I started reading up on the modern Hemi and owner oil choices.

TXCOMT

 

[USMC-ORDO]

Ok Gents...here is an update.

Turned out to be the lifter/cam...as suggested above. Dealer here in Columbus GA quoted me $4200 to repair...I said NO. I could buy a completely rebuilt engine for $2800. After some thought...I decided not to pick it up while I complained to corporate in the hopes they would at least discount it. My initial contact with FCA customer support wasn't good...they basically told me that they couldn't "make" the dealer do anything with the price. To which I replied...ok drop ship me the parts and I will do the work. She said...nope. The best offer was to pay the $4200 to the dealer and then submit the invoice to her for a "possible" reimbursement of 200-500 dollars. This conversation included her explaining to me the warranty definition and the fact that it was expired not once...but twice. After some additional thought...I fired off an email to the CEO (tracked down his email address in a business journal). His office called me the next day and they are currently working with the dealer to see if they can do any better on the cost. I will update when I know more.

 

[USMC-ORDO]

Update #2

So the dealership was far more amicable to the “goodwill offer” when asked by the FCA CEOs office. They suggested a full engine replacement and quoted me $8400...as the steam began to exit my ears, the lady goes on to say that they are willing to cover it under some “other” warranty but I would have to pay $2000 deductible. So let’s recap...initial estimate was $4200 for new lifters and cam, then increased to $8400 for brand new engine, but are now willing to cover under a warranty as long as I pay a massive deductible. I asked if the deductible would be the same regardless of repair and she said yes. Now I’m working on a different angle to get some of the deductible covered. If I was to order lifters, gaskets, cam, etc...it would cost a pretty penny. Add to that special tools and anything else (fluids) required to do the job myself, not to mention my own labor...I would likely be in the hole more than $2000 so I am going with the offer. At least then it will come with a MOPAR warranty. The end result of estimate for the new engine is:

Engine: $7100
Labor: $1500
Tax: $650

Total $9250!!!

Question: for $7100 does this engine come complete? As in new starter, alternator, etc?? Anyone know?

 

[RysRam]

Update #2

So the dealership was far more amicable to the “goodwill offer” when asked by the FCA CEOs office. They suggested a full engine replacement and quoted me $8400...as the steam began to exit my ears, the lady goes on to say that they are willing to cover it under some “other” warranty but I would have to pay $2000 deductible. So let’s recap...initial estimate was $4200 for new lifters and cam, then increased to $8400 for brand new engine, but are now willing to cover under a warranty as long as I pay a massive deductible. I asked if the deductible would be the same regardless of repair and she said yes. Now I’m working on a different angle to get some of the deductible covered. If I was to order lifters, gaskets, cam, etc...it would cost a pretty penny. Add to that special tools and anything else (fluids) required to do the job myself, not to mention my own labor...I would likely be in the hole more than $2000 so I am going with the offer. At least then it will come with a MOPAR warranty. The end result of estimate for the new engine is:

Engine: $7100
Labor: $1500
Tax: $650

Total $9250!!!

Question: for $7100 does this engine come complete? As in new starter, alternator, etc?? Anyone know?

I expect that price is for an undressed longblock. I.e. no accessories, intake, coils etc.

 

[OCDTech]

I expect that price is for an undressed longblock. I.e. no accessories, intake, coils etc.

^^^^^ I concur.