Still Ticking?

Tiny
BRANDON_05
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 DODGE RAM
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Hey, good day. I have the truck listed above 1500 single cab short bed with a hemi in it. It’s my pride and joy. A couple months ago, during march specifically, I replaced the lifters and cam since it had the famous “hemi tick”, both of them were terrible but I changed it all new, and obviously all new gaskets, cleaned the surfaces up a little, new pushrods, new oil pump, new timing chain, new water pump, new timing chain tensioner and guide, and I replaced most of the pulleys too! And I also blew air with my compressor through the bolt holes on the block to blow out any dirt or water/coolant. I made sure everything seemed good and great. Once I turned it on after the job, and after breaking into it, it still kept ticking except even louder. So, after a couple weeks of it driving me nuts, I opened it up again in the first week of April. I checked absolutely everything. Lifters were in perfect shape and so was the camshaft. I replaced every gasket obviously, and I made sure everything was perfect and everything was good. I turn it on again and it still kept ticking the same. And now it’s June and I want to open it up again and this time make the sound go away. But I don’t know what it is. But whenever I go above 20 mph or so and the “Eco” mode turns on (MDS I believe) the ticking goes away, and it sounds quiet and smooth but then I slow down and it starts ticking again. I get around 30+ psi on the oil pump and all fluids are changed properly. I don’t idle the truck much either. I genuinely need some help. The crankshaft pulley does seem to wobble just a tad bit, but I don’t think that explains the reason why it stops ticking when it enters Eco mode. I don’t know, it’s driving me insane. I don’t know if I should replace the oil pump for a hellcat one as well as the lifters for hellcat lifters, which I have no clue if the will both fit in directly. Does anyone know why my engine is doing this? Do I need to clean up the oil galleries? Like I said, I have good oil pressure but I don’t know. Is it the crank pulley? If anyone knows why this is happened may you please tell me what it is or how to fix it. Send a video or recommend a YouTube video or something, I'm desperate at this point. Please help. Thank you for your time.
Friday, June 7th, 2024 AT 6:52 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

This could be caused by a few things. Oftentimes, it is an exhaust leak at one of the exhaust manifolds. So, if you haven't already, check that.

Next, the lash adjusters could actually have air in them. I attached the directions below to purge air from them.

Let me know if you have checked these things. Also, keep in mind that with 200,000 on the engine, it could be worn valve guides, worn rocker arms, and so on.

Take care and let me know your thoughts.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, June 7th, 2024 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
BRANDON_05
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I will make sure to do this with the lifters when I open her up soon. And yeah, I totally understand too, it’s old and has a ton of mileage so it won’t purr like a kitty after a simple lifter and cam change! I appreciate your response, thanks. I also had another question, when I do the job again, should I use those “break in “ oil additives or just use conventional oil? I heard that when doing a cam swap it is bad if you use full synthetic. I just wanted to know. And don’t get me wrong, the truck runs great, it accelerates to 100+ mph like nothing and runs like new, it’s just the noise driving me insane. But thank you very much, appreciate it!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, June 8th, 2024 AT 11:39 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
I'm a lot like you. It would be driving me crazy as well. As far as the oil is concerned, use what the manufacturer recommends. Conventional oil is fine. Just make sure if you do anything with bearings, such as the cam bearings, I always use something like STP oil additive to cover the bearing surfaces.

Let me know how things turn out for you.

Take care,

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, June 8th, 2024 AT 10:28 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links