As many of you have probably seen, I just changed my plugs for the first time since the truck was new - at 66.5k miles. I bought it new off the lot in 04 with just a few hundred miles on it from where it was driven from another dealer as an exchange with the dealer I bought it from. It's had the hemi-tick since I got it because I remember asking the dealer about it and being told it was normal for the hemi. It's not real loud but others have noticed and suggested I might have a problem until I tell them it is normal. I am so used to it, I don't usually pay attention to it and I really don't know if it does it sometimes and not others but I don't think so. And, I've never really noticed if it does it only after the engine is warm or not.

Anyway, after finishing the plug change, I started the truck up cold and I don't hear the tick. Did the plug change somehow change something? Or should I wait for it to warm up to see if it's gone? I won't even say gone really, maybe just not as noticeable...

 

hmm not sure, with my exhaust I no longer hear the tick really, so after I changed my plugs I didnt notice a difference at all.

 

My exhaust definitely keeps me from hearing it in the truck with the windows closed. But it's not loud enough to cover it up from outside the truck when it is idling. I usually notice it on my own when I'm sitting at a drive-thru or something, at idle with the radio down and the window open, when I'd be next to a wall where the sound echoes off of it. Maybe I should make a big mac run and see if I still hear it. LOL

 

haha! there ya go, heat that engine up and see what happens. Plugs maybe had something to do with it. The tick is a mystery to me, no idea the whys ifs or buts.

 

I could see the plugs maybe having something to do with it if I changed brand or type or if the tick developed after the plugs aged or something. But the tick has always been there and I used the same plugs as stock.

Anyway, just curious. I will definitely listen out for it next time I'm sitting in line at mickey d's.

Wish I could have gone on and cleaned the throttle body. I had 2 of the plugs out before I realized I didn't have any brake cleaner. Something to do another day I guess.

 

I can't hear the tick at all until I get going down the road. Maybe its there, just not as audible while idling?

Did you end up getting those other 2 plugs Greg? I havent checked back in your other thread yet.....

 

Yeh, I knocked the other 2 cylinders out today. A pain but not as bad as I thought. A little light and some patience helped a lot.

I've never heard the tick going down the road and certainly can't hear it now with the exhaust on there. It is/was only at idle and sounds like a fainter version of my old mustang II did when I burned enough oil out of it.

 

If it's any consolation I can't hear a tick fom here either.....nothing lol a little k bye for now

 

The tick is from your valve guides which the plugs have no bearing or effect on. i think it may be because the temperature possibly, but in no way shape or form can changing spark plugs rid or create the hemi tick.
It's a coincidence and more so because you are looking for obvious things to be wrong or not be...etc.. i think your mind is playing games just like 95% of the non mechanics out there when they dip their hands in a little grease.

 

04HEMIGREG, any tips/tricks on changing those plugs you learned?
I gotta do mine soon. 2nd owner and its got 65,000mi on it and I'm assuming they've never been changed.