Ram hemi engine tap

daugen · Oct 2, 2017

My 2015 Ram 1500 is at the dealership now where it has sat all weekend. It has an intermittent tap/tick at startup which in the past went away within a few seconds.
Then I went on vacation and let the truck sit for ten days. This time the tap took a full ten minutes to go away. Ten minutes...I let it idle, revved it slightly, no change, drove slowly to the barn, and just after ten minutes on my watch the noise went away.

The dealership's response to this, and I have brought this up to them three times already, so it's on file, is that this engine needs to be started regularly. Really?
And does that explain ten minutes of tapping? Of course not.

I know they will call me today and tell me NPF, no problem found. There are lots of posts about hemi tap/ticks online. None seem to say the engine blows up, and if this was only for a few seconds, I would just ignore, despite not liking it. But ten minutes tells me I have a blockage I believe of some sort that finally cleared. And of course there are no codes thrown off to tell anyone anything.

This hemi is electronic, has variable valves, cylinder shut down, lots of complexity that adds to this issue. I was told the older hemis did not have this problem at all, so I think it's something in the new valve train that is causing the problem. A plugged oil orifice perhaps. But there is no way I'm pulling my rv with this truck wondering if some part is not getting enough oil.

What would you guys do if this was your truck? I love the truck, air bag suspension, very comfortable, powerful, and had intended to keep it.
I had a VW Golf diesel once and boy am I experienced in having dealers lie to me. VW is the worst, lied to me twice, this is a company without morality.
So I'm not confident FCA/Ram would fess up here if they had a problem until they had to.

Do any of you with late model hemis have this problem?
Can you suggest a solution other than selling the truck?
I'm about ready to go buy a new F150 with no other solution.
thanks
Drew

Spiros · Oct 2, 2017

Sounds like a hydraulic lifter acting up.

daugen · Oct 2, 2017

Spiros said:
Sounds like a hydraulic lifter acting up.

I agree. What causes that and how do you fix it?

Msamt · Oct 2, 2017

I'd ask the stealership to show you in the owners manual where it states that you should start it "regularly" and to find that definition in writing of how frequently that "regularity" is.

I do not have the hemi in my ram (v6 pentastar) but am going through something similar with my GPS - call Chyrsler customer SERVICE and ensure the service calls are written up on your national VIN records as well...

Rock Crawler · Oct 2, 2017

If you are okay with keeping the truck factory stock, I would call Tom and get the FCA factory Max Care Lifetime Service Contract with $250 deductible. This way you are "bumper to bumper" (not including normal wear items like bulbs, brakes clutch disk) for lifetime of the vehicle out to the point that a single repair exceeds the remaining value of the car/truck. At that point, you are paid by check the remaining vehicle value and the policy is terminated. You decide, use that check and add cash to fix it.... or use that check as a down payment for the next car/truck/SUV and start over. I have 2 vehicles with the Max Care Lifetime. It's a FANTASTIC option if you do not mind leaving the car factory stock and you plan to marry it until death due you part.

Tom is the cheapest way to buy this contract in the United States. Call him. Or go buy a V-8 powered F-150 if you want anvil reliability. Sadly...Jeep/Ram/Dodge is not known for reliability. I have a 2017 Ram Rebel Hemi with the Max Care lifetime and a 2016 Cherokee Trailhawk with the Max Care lifetime. My 2014 Wrangler is modified to the hilt, so it's warranted by my wallet. My daughters 2003 Grand Cherokee was bought used... so again... my wallet.

The fellow you all want to talk to is:
Tom Winkles
Finance Manager
HAYES JEEP
3718 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI. 49008
269-488-2080

RBLapham · Oct 2, 2017

Yes the infamous Hemi Tick, I have a 06 Jeep Commander 5.7 Hemi and the tick forever. If you think the problem is the MDS,Multi Displacement System with 4 of the cylinders shutting down you can turn that off by shifting into a gear like 5 or anything other than D. On mine I have a "Tow Haul" button that also will shut off the MDS. I towed a lot of times but only a boat and utility trailer with no problems. The tick seems not related to the MDS. No one seems to have a cure for the TICK and say not to worry as all of them do it. Another tick like sound is an exhaust leak from the exhaust manifolds bolts breaking, but it is famous on the 4.7 V8s more than a Hemi. I have a lifetime power train contract so I'm not worried.

Ford850 · Oct 2, 2017

I wonder if the dealer starts all the vehicles on their lot regularly.
Was this always a problem? Did you notice it after an oil change? Have you had an oil change after you started hearing it?

RedNeckRacin · Oct 2, 2017

My Hemi tick is caused by two broken exhaust manifold bolts on the driver side at the rear of the manifold (towards the cab). 2012 2500 5.7L 180,000 miles

LD1 · Oct 2, 2017

Was going to mention that it could be an exhaust leak.

Many times people mistake a exhaust leak as a lifter ticking. Wouldnt hurt to double check

daugen · Oct 2, 2017

Since it would normally go away, and then this time didn't, for ten minutes, but then did go away, doesn't sound like an exhaust issue or it would keep making the noise, right?

Dealer just called back, said they started it up late morning, made "normal 5.7 tick" (normal huh?) and then allegedly the mechanic heard "something else". So they are taking the
"silver heads" off tomorrow. Hmmm, meaning valve covers? Hard to believe they would take the head off first but...

I use the recommended oil and it ticked on dino oil and then it ticked when I switched to full synthetic, so not the oil.
I'm glad they are at least looking into it. Ten minutes tapping is nonsense.

RedNeckRacin · Oct 2, 2017

The "going away" is from the metal in the manifold and head expanding temporarily resealing the leak.

dodge man · Oct 2, 2017

Yeah I致e owned 4 5.7 hemis over the years. Like has already been said it痴 a common complaint. It bothers some people but not others. I have a Dodge Challenger that I store over the winter. If it sits for over a month it will tick like crazy for a couple of minutes. It takes several weeks of sitting for this to happen.

The question is what you hear 渡ormal hemi tick which won稚 hurt anything. On the other hand it might be a bad lifter or something else more serious.

LightningCamaroGuy · Oct 2, 2017

Agreed. It sounds like you have a lifter not wanting to move correctly to me. Maybe a little gummed up or something.

This might sound stupid but try some "GOOD" oil and I'm not talking about your typical over the counter synthetic like Mobil 1 or Vaveline, or whatever but something like Amsoil or Redline. Personally for my pushrod motors I prefer that Motul 5W30 Eco-Nergy oil. Right now in my LS1 I got some Vaveline synthetic and I can't wait to go back to my Motul. Valvetrain is whisper quiet with it and unlike other 5W30 's in my LS1 I don't notice any oil burn off between oil changes. It's sold in Liters instead of quarts BTW.
Amazon.com: Motul 7229 81 Eco-nergy 5W-3 1 Percent Synthetic Fuel Economy Gasoline and Diesel Lubricant - 5 Liter: Automotive

In my Modulars I usually run Pennzoil Ultra. I actually prefer it to both Amsoil and Redline although all are excellent oils.

I don't want to over-simplify a fix for a problem but you never know. OHV motors can be kind of loud especially before they reach operating temps. Without tearing into the motor finding an oil your motor seams to run happier on is the easiest/cheapest way to try and quiet it down in my experience.

KubotainNH · Oct 2, 2017

Not a Dodge but my FIL's Chevy had a lifter noise that sounds similar to this. He read online to put an oil additive in, maybe it was Lucas? Using it the issue went away within a week and never came back. That was at least 5 years ago.

daugen · Oct 3, 2017

I found it interesting that Dodge/Ram looked at me like I was nuts two years ago when I asked for synthetic oil at my first oil change. They only had dino oil at the dealership. The dealer thought synthetic oil was unnecessary. (!)So it started to tap with regular oil, thinking full synthetic might help, and I used Pennzoil Ultra too. No change at all. Viscosity or oil variables not at play it seems.

This truck is still under warranty. I don't believe any engine should tap for more than a second or two. Let's face it, how long should it take for the oil to get to where it's needed?

I'm hoping it's a bad lifter and I hope they can identify it and change it out. If not I will sell the truck.
I maintain 26 engines (3 vehicles) and not one knocks or taps other than this one. Not going to own an engine that does this.
again, two or three seconds, I can just wait and be patient. I get the "hemi tick". Ten minutes of tapping tells me I have a problem.
Yet the next day, started without a sound.

I am not going to keep this truck and have it grenade on me out of warranty. I thought I had bought a keeper for retirement.
Maybe not.
And this truck will sit a lot, I drive my Outback normally and only use the truck for, well, truck stuff.

RandyT · Oct 3, 2017

When looking at oils for my 2011 hemi so time back, I discovered that almost all oils do not meet the Chrysler oil specifications. And at the time none of the synthetics. It calls for like, some SAE classification with some Chrysler spec number, and most oils with that classification don't list the Chrysler spec.

daugen · Oct 3, 2017

RANDYT said:
When looking at oils for my 2011 hemi so time back, I discovered that almost all oils do not meet the Chrysler oil specifications. And at the time none of the synthetics. It calls for like, some SAE classification with some Chrysler spec number, and most oils with that classification don't list the Chrysler spec.

this is why despite the jacked up price I like to let the dealer put their oil in when they do the change, if they stock it and put it in, must be ok, right?
I hear you, surprising info. Strange oil, 0-40 or something like that.
Part of the challenge is the engineers looking for max efficiency may spec something that does indeed operate more efficiently
but has side effects that they must consider acceptable.
Like using more than a quart of oil between oil changes that has some cars on an avoid list.

I wish I could trust FCA to be honest here but I can't. The dealership thankfully is outstanding. If they come back and say we put a new lifter in, or whatever...,
I will be satisfied until the next time it taps for more than three or four seconds. And I guess I have to start it once a week.

daugen · Oct 3, 2017

KubotainNH said:
Not a Dodge but my FIL's Chevy had a lifter noise that sounds similar to this. He read online to put an oil additive in, maybe it was Lucas? Using it the issue went away within a week and never came back. That was at least 5 years ago.

Now that kind of elixir would certainly rate the name of
Magic Mystery Oil

:thumbsup:

truck has 22k miles on it, like new, has towed a trailer, worked hard, but not too hard, does not burn oil at all,
gas mileage has dropped a little but I have a heavy foot. So it's not like I'm driving it around like a little old man all day.
It started tapping around 5k miles. Minimal at first. Intermittent, not sure if directly related to days parked. Apparently
it must be.

One immediately wonders if some high detergent additive might flush out some gunk that is clogging an oil line.
Something caused that ten minute tap. And then it cleared up totally, so it sounds like a blockage went away.
Pure speculation. Intermittents can drive you nuts.

Btown · Oct 3, 2017

RANDYT said:
When looking at oils for my 2011 hemi so time back, I discovered that almost all oils do not meet the Chrysler oil specifications. And at the time none of the synthetics. It calls for like, some SAE classification with some Chrysler spec number, and most oils with that classification don't list the Chrysler spec.

Yes, that is because the oil company did not test their oil which cost them big $$$. Just to get the blessing from the auto company. Most oil companies test their oil and they usually surpass the manufacturers specs.