Hi all,

My first post here. Thought I would share my experience with this Durango. I bought it used a few weeks back. I didn't know about the ticking noise on a cold start of course, until the next day. It ticks for about 5 minutes and after everything warms up, runs like brand new.

I did some regular maintenance on the truck. i.e.; diff seals, oil, rear brake job, etc. ($1,200 at the dealer). I then changed the plugs myself because a mis-fire on cal. 8 code was appearing (plugs looked like originals), changed the bulging rad hoses, air filter, etc.

Thought I would try this "Sea Foam" treatment, as some reported that it would resolve a sticky valve or lifters?... anyway, I put 40 litres gas in the truck (10 gallons), and made sure it was running at operating temps. I believe the application was good. I definitely notice some improvement in performance but the ticking is still there on cold start. Once it is warmed up, the truck runs like new.

It's the next day that I am posting this thread. Took it out for a drive and when I stop, put the truck in park, it stalls. No doubt, it is because of the Sea Foam still in the oil and tank of fuel... I hope. Anyway, here is my video.

 

I use Seafoam followed by Chevron Techron after every oil change. Put a can in with an nearly empty gas tank. I use Marvel Mystery Oil at every fill up unless it is racing fuel in my Coronets.
FF

 

Thanks for the info fascistfaction. I'll try and find that Chevron Techron.

Well, truck is on a new tank of fuel now. Doesn't stall when I stop anymore. I believe the whole SeaFoam treatment helped a little but there is still ticking on a cold start. Guess I will have to live with it. Adding 1/3rd of the bottle to 40 litres of fuel was not enough; too much fuel in the tank. Should have added at least 1/2 to 3/4 of a bottle according to their site. So adding that small amount to that much fuel was pointless.

I am going to try another product that the NAPA guy said "people swear by this"... I just can't think of the name at the moment.

 

I use a once per gallon of gasoline. You can get the spray bottle to 'inject' into the upper cylinders per their website. I have poured it into the air intake manifold to my carbs on my Coronets, but not to my Durango.
FF

 

OK, been almost a year now and I never did get rid of the ticking on cold start until a couple weeks ago. I took it in to the dealer and $1,700 later. Ticking is gone. Issue was the timing assembly.

I also noticed that the MPG is up. The L/100km use to sit at 21.5 and now, after a few tanks still, it is sitting at 18.5. Thats a 3L per 100KM savings. Not bad if you ask me. In addition, the truck is much more responsive as well.

The Seafoam never really did anything. I don't think that stuff is very much more than a gimmick.

 

Correction... after the timing assembly replacement, I am now getting 17.0 L/100km consistently.

 

Wow! I garauntee your ticking noise was an exhaust manifold bolt or two broken off. These engines are notorious for that and I just changed my bolts due to a ticking noise during cold starts. The ticking would go away after about five minutes. It's a shame but I think you got robbed.

 

LOL... I probably did on the price but not the diagnosis. We checked all the bolts a week or two before it went in and they were fine. Besides that, how would you explain the fuel savings? I don't think that changing the manifold bolts would have anything to do with that.

 

and for the record, the fuel economy is reading 16.3 L/100 KM now. Thats quite a difference from the 21.5 I got prior to the work.

 

i have nothing against Sea Foam. but i have used marvel mystery oil for 30 years. just my idea.