Hello all, new to the Dodgeforum so forgive me if I'm posting wrong. Anyways, has anyone ever noticed more engine noise after an oil change? I have 2001 Dodge Ram Sport with the 5.9 360 and I noticed after I changed the oil the ext day at idle when warm it had like a "Hemi tick" noise coming from the passenger side bottom end, almost like in the oil pan/bell housing. It happens to me after every oil change. And as the oil ages the noise goes away? As odd as that sounds. I run the 10W-30 conventional Valvoline and switch between a Mopar and K&N high flow oil filter. Noise still present with both filters. I'm stumped. I have good oil pressure as well. And as soon as I touch the gas the noise goes right away. Any input on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

With the engine running and ticking, lift the hood and put your finger against the top of the vapor purge solenoid hanging from the passenger side fender. (It's got some hoses and an electrical connector on it.) If you feel the solenoid actuating in time with the tick you hear, unplug the electrical connector to see if the ticking noise stops. Then plug the thing back in, of course. You may get a CEL with a code related to purge system failure -- you can just reset it, since you know that unplugging the solenoid is what caused it.

If the noise goes away with the solenoid unplugged, you're in fine shape. If it doesn't, well... keep looking?

 

Hmm I will have to give that a try. I should post up a video of the noise as well. Best way I can describe it is a low "knock". Using the word knock lightly because it isn't the typical knock noise people think of in an engine. Very faint but present, and intermittent like it'll knock with the idle then skip a few beats then pick back up then go away then come back But I will give your idea a shot and see if it makes a difference.

 

Did you switch to synthetic oil by any chance?

 

May just be a noisy lifter. With fresh, thin, new oil it will be more noticeable than older, thicker, used oil. Try using 10w40 Maxlife next change. Made a world of difference for my 318 and cured a noisy lifter at startup. That was around 60k miles ago. I'm at 197k+ now.

 

Tried unplugging the purge solenoid and it didn't make any difference. No it is conventional oil not synthetic, I know that synthetic can cause more engine chatter due to less resistance. I may try a heavier weight. What is a safe heavy weight I could run? I've always just done 10W30. Drove home from work tonight and got out to have a listen and still could hear the noise at idle. What is recommended to help free a lifter if it is in fact sticking?

 

I've posted a clip of the noise. I had just previously started the truck maybe 3 minutes prior to filming

 

Sounds normal. Just idle noise. I wouldn't give it a second thought. Re-read my post above for oil recommendation.

 

Will do Ramman! Planning on changing the oil out tomorrow with some 10W40 and doing plugs and wires (oh the lovely pinging)

 

Running some seafoam thru it will also help with the pinging. (helps remove carbon deposits in the cylinders.)