So this is actually a problem with my parent's 1st Gen Durango (2001), not my Dakota but since I've been posting here a lot and have gotten great responses and this only has to do with the engine, I didn't think it was a big deal. So anyway, the truck has a 4.7L and recently it seems like there's a constant metallic ticking noise coming from the engine and I assume it's the lifters. Has anybody else had this problem with their trucks? Is this common among these engines or is it a rare case sorta thing? I was just wondering.

 

Yea, I do. It occurs usually on fresh starts. The lifters are known to stick, but it does go away, for me at least.

 

Yeah I've noticed it with mine.

 

Yeah mine ticks. has done so for about 2 years now...

 

Check your exhaust manifold bolts and see if one has snapped off. Common problem and the escaping exhaust will make a ticking sound.

 

Oh ok, so it is kinda common. I know it's not the manifold, I don't even want to go there lol. That happened to my Dakota and I had to undo the engine mount and jack it up so I could get at the broken bolt at the right angle to drill it out and retap it. I know the Durango already had that done right before we bought it. It's definately the lifters. Oh well, what's more money and another thing to fix eventually.

 

I wouldn't even bother getting it fixed honestly. Mines been ticking for 30,000 miles and still runs fine.

 

My truck does it after the engine has sat all night but after like 5 sec it goes away really I wouldnt worry about it unless its really loud. My beater jeep that I bought back(we owned it since 11 miles then sold at 190,000mi) has a 4.0 l6 and its had a tick since 130,000 miles it now has 216,000 miles on it. Only thing wrong with the engine is it smokes a little bit upon cold start other than that it will cruise at 70mph all day long.

 

Ya I realize now that it only seems to be ticking on cold morning then once it heats up it's gone. I'll just ignore it, i think it's the right choice lol.

 

Mine ticks. Kinda sounds like something is on the bottom of the motor banging when it idles. Started as a slight tick when it was cold and gone when warmed up, but its pretty bad now at idle. It turns out that this engine has a history of no oil pressure (from the guys at my local dodge dealer) and they tear themselves apart inside. Cracked pistons and scratched cranks an all that fun stuff. Everyone they've had in making that noise had the same problem and at least one cracked piston. Mine's been doing it since just after i got it almost 2 years and 40,000 kms ago and despite no loss of power or change in performance, i'm gunna be in a **** ton of money to fix it now. I have to replace the motor almost completely. I'd get it looked at or at least listened to by the dealer in case its the same problem before it becomes a bigger problem than it needs to be. Hope its not though Good luck