Hi Everyone,

I went to go start my 2004 Dodge Durango 5.7L Hemi today, and it had a horrible noise as soon as it started. I had heard nothing like this before; it had been sitting approximately a week since last running. Any have an idea based on my video of it?


It sounds really bad - I immediately turned it off, and only started it again to get this video.

There seems to be no obstruction of the fans, which was my first guess.

Thanks,

Will

 

I'd say either an exhaust manifold leak or a bent pushrod. but if it had been sitting a week with no starts it could just be the lifters have no oil and you need to let it run a bit longer. it's your call but you could let it run a while to see if the noise goes away or you could do a compression test to see if there's a bent pushrod. Or, just wait a bit longer to see other thoughts here.

 

I thought about the exhaust manifold as well before I read azcromntic post.
FF

 

So, I had it towed to the shop (didn't want to make it worse, have AAA so I didn't have to pay out of pocket). They confirmed it was not the exhaust manifold, and is seemingly in the bottom end. The theory is a connector rod that is breaking/coming apart from the specific location the sound seems the loudest. I was told it is "probably terminal".

They gave me a couple options, and would like your opinions.

First, they could tear it open and see exactly what's wrong. There would be the labor of tearing it apart, and then if fixable, the actual fix and putting it all back together. His concern was they'd open it up and find it's damaged beyond repair. Then I have the labor of tearing it up to confirm the guess that it needs to be replaced.

Second, replace the motor. He gave me a "worst case scenario" price, which included replacing things like exhaust headers which could almost certainly be reused, labor, all consumables, gaskets, etc. That was $5800, and he guessed it be more like $4800. That is for a remanufactured engine with three year, 100,000 mile warranty. Used with warranty was just about the same.

What are your thoughts on there statements and options? I'm torn because it's probably worth about $7k with a new engine, so potentially spending close to $6,000 is hard to stomach. That being said, we kinda need a larger vehicle, so we'd have to replace it...

 

Ewwwww....that sucks.

I've been in a similar situation. Fortunately for me my engine just had bad rings and the name Toyota was on it so it was easy to sell it off (because people think Toyota's will last until their grandchildren retire).

Anyway...

The bottom line is this could cost you some money. Either the amount to fix it or you'll lose about the same amount in resale value. Basically no matter which way you go you are out $4800 to $5800. If you could do the work yourself, even some of it, there would be pretty big savings.

How about your insurance? Any way it could be proven to be claimable on insurance?

If you could drop the oil pan yourself then you could look in and see what you can see. Are you able to do that? Reason I ask is because with all the posts here about water in the intake and judging by the noise I'd almost bet it's a bent push rod.

I had a bent pushrod in a Ford Ranger and I talked with a buddy of mine about it. He said just change the oil and drive it, eventually the knocking will go away. Usually rod bends as a result of water in the cylinder.

So, you could try and just change the oil and run it. I fixed the Ranger because it would only cost me $16 and some fluids.

 

I can tell you right now based off of the noise in that video that theres a connecting rod in at least two pieces and its going to be on either cylinder 8 or 7. Have you washed your Durango or hit any puddles prior to this noise? Water likes to sit on the intake due to a bad cowl design that leaks water on the engine combined with worn intake gaskets that allow the engine to suck up the water that pools on the intake & heads level with the gasket surface.

Poor thing probably hydro locked. Hemi engines are built to last and to waaay higher standards than nearly any engine today, the rods are 10x stronger than a small block Chevy, the fatal flaw is the intake gaskets failing due to old age or cold weather not allowing a perfect seal and thus its easy to suck water into the engine and lock.

On 3 Hemi's that I've seen throw rods that I've helped tear apart, they have not damaged the cylinder walls or smacked a valve with the broken piston/rod assembly, the worst I seen was the side skirt on the inside of the block hit hard needed a small weld to cover a dime sized crack/chip. One guy opted to buy a $100 piston/rod off of ebay and throw it in the engine to replace the broken one without rebuilding the rest of the engine....so far in 3 years he says the engine is still going strong!. There are options, but the most cost effective would be to search Craigslist or ebay. Local yards want upwards of $2500 IF they have one.

 

Josh has a good point: it could be broken connecting rod (push rod). Probably better to drop the pan and look first. Where do you live? If you are close to me I could help you out and get the pan off to look.

 

My sister-in-law's caravan had that same sound... Dropped the pan and the oil was full of metal shavings. Needless to say, her caravan has a new motor.

I know it's not a hemi like yours, but my guess is you're in for a rebuild or replacement.

Best of luck. Let us know what you find.

 

When I say connecting Rod I mean the rod that connects to the crank shaft and piston :P That's my bet, its got a dead cylinder. Sounds just like the 3 motors I've seen with a broken rod from hydro locking.

 

Yes, the rod that connects the piston to the crank, that is what I am also refering to, just to confirm we are refering to the same thing. I don't know the official name of that rod; I've only heard it called push rod.