My 103k mileage 2011 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi is in shop undergoing and estimated 5k repair associated with one cause of the Hemi tick phenomenon--suspected poor upper engine lubrication, weak cam and lifters etc. Problem was presented with a check engine light and 303 code-No 3 cylinder misfire, otherwise running fine. I opted for repair as I like the truck, it is configured for much of what I do with it and present time is not friendly to new or used car buyers with regards to prices and availability.

My question is that given the frequency of similar and/or identical problems with these Hemis, has anyone had a similar problem/repair and provide any information as to their experience with the integrity, durability and lifetime of this engine after completion the repairs noted? The shop does provide a post repair warranty but not substantial. Yes, I trust the shop and did not want to go the new or junk yard engine route.

2011 Ram 1500 with156K. Does it every morning on cold start, warms up, and then stops. No engine code. Only engine code I currently have has something to do with fuel evaporation system and gas cap. Panel tells me to check gas cap, replaced it, but light is still on. I can push the trip ticker and the light goes off until the next time I start it.

Sounds have the notorious broken exhaust manifold bolt tick which is no real issue. You can check when engine cold by seeing if there is any play in the shield covering the exhaust manifold. Sometimes you can reach through wheel well for access to do this.

Just went thru this with a 2013 Jeep GC 5.7 Hemi. I am strict about oil change intervals. I usually use Super Tech oil & Mopar filter. Wife complained of a tick for a while. I ignored it. A few months later get a cylinder 3 misfire. I will upload pictures of the ground down cam & bad lifter tonight or tomorrow.

I consulted with a trusted Mopar specialist. He recommended to replace with a Jasper engine due to the labor cost associated with replacing cam & lifters. Jasper has a great warranty if needed.

Stock engine had 163,000 on it. I'm cheap so a buddy & I pulled the heads, replaced all lifters, cam, spark plugs, coil packs etc. Bye, bye engine code & tick. Sold that bad boy for 10K & bought a PowerStroke. That engine should be good to 300,000 with regular oil changes.

All the googling I did showed this to be a very common problem with I think 2010-2015 Hemi's. Most people online say there should be a recall for the lifters. Seems odd that only one lifter goes bad.

While they have it apart, have them install a high CAPACITY oil pump, not a high pressure. It will supply good pressure at idle, and low pressure at idle seems to be what is causing these issues. Also, if you have MDS in that model, tune it out or figure out how to disable it.

How can you tell the difference? I've had the tick for years, and just assumed it was the exhaust manifold. I know at least one of my bolts are broken.

BenTheGoodAg said:

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How can you tell the difference? I've had the tick for years, and just assumed it was the exhaust manifold. I know at least one of my bolts are broken.

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i couldn't since I had both issues--manifold and lifters. The manifold may have been a little louder and the lifter noise lasting a little longer after startup with an intermittent and fading tick. Evidence of the lifter issue came with check engine light and subsequent shop mechanic diagnosis of consistent number 3 cylinder misfire after sparkplug change. Haven't checked with shop today but estimated high end cost includes cam, lifters, timing chain and head machine shop work. Like another poster noted, this is a problem that many online feel needs to be addressed by the manufacturer due to frequency and their pre-knowledge of probable engine issues for relevant model years. I would consider buying another vehicle under normal circumstances but the car market right now ain't normal.

clarythedrill said:

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While they have it apart, have them install a high CAPACITY oil pump, not a high pressure. It will supply good pressure at idle, and low pressure at idle seems to be what is causing these issues. Also, if you have MDS in that model, tune it out or figure out how to disable it.

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Will do and thanks for the advice.

Exhaust tick goes away after the engine gets to temperature. If the tick stays after that it is lifters/both exhaust & lifters.

Yes, if i was going to keep the vehicle I would have deleted the MDS & put a lopey azz cam in for shizzle. Some people are putting Hellcat cam & lifters in regular 5.7s.

I've had two trucks with the 5.7 Hemi. Each one I put over 175000 miles on. Both had the "tick" and both ended up being the crappy exhaust manifold bolts Chrysler used. Absolutely no other issues other than the bolts.

will.mcg said:

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Just went thru this with a 2013 Jeep GC 5.7 Hemi. I am strict about oil change intervals. I usually use Super Tech oil & Mopar filter. Wife complained of a tick for a while. I ignored it. A few months later get a cylinder 3 misfire. I will upload pictures of the ground down cam & bad lifter tonight or tomorrow.

I consulted with a trusted Mopar specialist. He recommended to replace with a Jasper engine due to the labor cost associated with replacing cam & lifters. Jasper has a great warranty if needed.

Stock engine had 163,000 on it. I'm cheap so a buddy & I pulled the heads, replaced all lifters, cam, spark plugs, coil packs etc. Bye, bye engine code & tick. Sold that bad boy for 10K & bought a PowerStroke. That engine should be good to 300,000 with regular oil changes.

All the googling I did showed this to be a very common problem with I think 2010-2015 Hemi's. Most people online say there should be a recall for the lifters. Seems odd that only one lifter goes bad.

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Just talked to the shop and they said cam and lifters looked fine and that the "heads are in the machine shop." Could not get clarification as to why heads needed machine work. Shop estimate was between 4-5K and includes labor involved in engine breakdown, examination and parts --which to this point looks like a new timing chain and previously mentioned machine shop work. This explanation of repair does not fit the online repair narrative associated with the cam/lifter Hemi tick cam and lifter problem. I know why they would replace the timing chain but anyone got any idea as to why the heads need machine work if cam/lifters etc. looked fine? Mechanic says repair problems they have seen with Hemis is due to (understandably) "poor maintenance" but I have regularly serviced this vehicle including regular oil changes with quality 5/20 oil.

To remove/replace a broken exhaust stud?

TexAg1987 said:

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To remove/replace a broken exhaust stud?

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Had not thought of that but would think that could be done without machine work on heads.

Things that help with the lifter tick:
High quality full synthetic - Redline is a popular one
High quality oil filter
Don't stretch oil change intervals
Bump idle to 7-800 rpm if you have a tuner
Don't idle

MDS is probably good to disable but not proven to be tied to the cam/lifter problem. As mentioned people also like switching to hellcat lifters, but not sure that's been a proven difference either.

If the engine is torn down that far I would get new lifters anyway.

Got it back $3600 later.. Engine light came back on. WTF?

Time to see how their post repair warranty is!