I have an 07 ram trx4 off road big horn edition, and I have recently began to notice an audible tick coming from my engine. It only comes up when started after sitting overnight or for a fair amount of time. The tick increases in sound and speed with acceleration, but after about 20 feet it goes away and doesn't come back until the engine is off for a fair amount of time and then starts all over upon start up. I've heard a few theories on this subject which lead me to change my oil and put some oil treatment in it, but I would like to hear what others have to offer and would ultimately like to know if this could be a serious issue!

Also, my truck will go into 4 lock, but when I switch in to 4 low the indicator continues to flash like it never locks in. What could be causing that?

Thanks for the help!

 

i have a 04 hemi..i have the same nosie at the exact same time..i brought it to the dealership and they told me all the hemi's have been getting that nosie once they get over about 40 to 50k miles..i shouldent say all cause there are a few lucky people that dont get it at all..but the dealer told me its not gonna do any damage or get worst..but they didnt tell me what exactly makes the nosie..if you fine out let me no id appreciate it..

 

The ticking sounds like the lifters. They are hydraulic and can make noise if they are sticking. As the oil pressure builds up and gets hot it finally loosens up the lifter and the ticking goes away. You could do an engine flush using Seafoam as many recommend and then change the oil. It may also be the fuel injectors. First try cleaning the system by using Redline S1 Fuel system cleaner. About $10 a bottle and run it with a tank of Shell or other Top Tier gas. That would eliminate injector noise. If it is the lifters then it will not do any real damage in the short term. Over the years though its not good.

 

I have a 09 ram 5.7 hemi with the same noise an only have 11000km brought it to the dealer and also called dodge its been over a week and still no answer as to whats going on but will wait to here the dealers line of BS. i no this is commen with these engines but you figure that after so many years of having this noise problem they would have figured it out and remedied the problem

 

Is it a ticking sound or a knocking sound? The knocking sound comes from the lower half of the engine and is due to the thinner oils not sticking to the parts as long so when starting up after a couple of days or when cold the pistons will make a slaping or knocking noise until the lubrication reaches them. Chevy was notorious for this in the 5.3 until 05 when they fixed it by ( I believe )Teflon coating the pistons. Chevy said it was harmless. The ticking sound from the upper half. would be the lifters or injectors.

 

I just took my '06 in for that same problem. It had an audible "tick" when in a drive thru, or at idle. They told me I was crazy when I said it sounded like a valve train tick, so they replaced the exhaust manifolds (under waranty). They then pulled the valve covers and, I guess, stood there and looked at it for 3 days. After a week they told me that they have found the problem and my truck was ready to go....
The TSB was for the dampners on the valve springs. Aparently, according to the TSB, it causes no damage and shouldnt be replaced. the new springs have no dampner.

I did notice that the tick is significantly quieter after they replaced the exhaust manifolds, but I can still here it.

 

I wonder if trying a heavier weight oil like 5w30 or 40 for a couple of weeks would help with the tick. Then you would know if it is the valve train or lifters.

 

i have an 07 also 5.7 and mine has a small tick and my roomate has an 07 5.7 also and its the same thing and im using full syntetic and hes using base oil so???

 

Synthetic or Base but what weight? My 2010 says to use 5W-20. Are you using 5W-30 or 40?

 

if your hemi has mds and you dont use 5/20 it should set a code and turn MIL on.