Hey keith . Actually good point about physically inspecting the repaired Part. To be honest out of complete frustration i never even thought about inspecting the part myself for one to prove it was actually replaced and two most importantly what kinda wear and damage etc. I thought about this Monday and called the.owner ASAP to see if I could get the part or even have a look. Of course they don't have it anymore and honestly the answer I got from the owner was really him still not convinced the timing chain was the issue? But yet I suggested to replace it and so far so good. It's just odd! He tried to convince me that some sort of spring in that area may have been the problem so really from what I gather the chain itself is encased and they failed to inspect it properly. I also wanted to conform with him of chyrsler was contacted to give them a heads as what was done. He said yes. I'll confirm that today. Anyways me not thinking about that last Friday is my fault but my god how much more does a man have to or should I say customer have to do to get his truck properly fixed. I also explained to the owner it's an awful big coincidence that my truck seems fixed with the timing chain replaced and when I mention the recall in the states he wants nothing to do with it or acknowledge it. Basically since my truck dosent bring up a recall when slammed into their computer it's good to go in their mind. I even asked is it possible that some vehicles may slip through the cracks on recalls? I means literally that recall points us in a direction at least and they can't even see straight with that. Anyways the whole dealing with chrysler and the dealer has been nothing but a circus act in my mind. I'm in the process of getting all communication between all three parties sent me. I.e phone calls etc. Really interested in seeing what kind of dialogue was established with dealer and Chrysler. On a final note it will be very interesting to see how this latest massive recall with chyrsler will affect our trucks. I suppose that's a coiecdance as well eh! It's very frustrating to say the least when you pay X dollars for a truck you believe in with extended warranty etc and then be told or have you made feel that they are doing such a great thing for you by just bringing my truck in the shop for the 15th time on a specific issue. They way I see it . The amount of time , mileage, ivestigsting and patience on my part has been second to none. To think it's a chyrsler certified technician that needs to do the maintenance on it!!! Just a damn money grab. Sorry for the rant. Just a different world we live today then when we grew up. A day when good service meant something. Good luck.

 

Some time back I mention in this thread that I spoke with a CDJR technician who with complete confidence told me he had fixed several of these specific MDS rattle on 5.7 Hemi truck engines by changing the timing chain and tensioners. There is at least one poster who stated that his had been replaced and that he would repost a later progress report. Unfortunately, he as yet to do that. It could mean that he'd lost interest now that it's fixed, or sold the vehicle.


I'm guessing that when the MDS switches from four cylinder mode back to eight cylinder mode at around 1100-1300 RPM at coast down, the extra load of the previously non-operating lifters increases the rotational force on the camshaft and any slack in the chain is loaded. I suspect the "rattle" is the chain banging against the tensioners, or the tensioners snapping back against their stops as the camshaft rotates with some excessive slack.


Since we now have someone that has just had the chain replaced (and hopefully the tensioners), time will tell.


Best regards,
Dusty
2014 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP70, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 024090 miles.

 

Indeed, I’d noted your post re the CDJR tech’s testimonial. Anecdotal stuff is ok but it’d be helpful if that tech had provided some details associated with those fixes. What was going on with the timing chain and related components such that replacing the timing chain rectified the rattle/tick? Were any of these components showing signs of impending failure? I’m not averse to the notion that changing the timing chain, tensioner and guide will remedy this rattle/tick issue, however, replacing a part to fix a problem is one thing, understanding why the part you replaced fixed the problem is where any professional tech should want to be.

I’m guessing too. In my case, the cacophony exists only when MDS is active. Nothing associated with this noisy activity leads me to suspect the shift into and out of MDS as a factor. Rather, the common denominator appears to be something unique to MDS system operation. Rattle is an appropriate term to describe the noise at about 1500+ RPM and under light load. This evolves into a noticeable mechanical tick under no load and as RPM is reduced (coasting). Note that in many instances, MDS will stay engaged down to about 700 RPM. Notwithstanding, I’m on the same page in that some characteristic of MDS operation is unloading the timing chain and causing it to rattle along the guide/tensioner at higher engine speeds and to literally slap (tick) these same timing set components at lower engine speeds. And if we’re correct, the condition does not bode well for the long term integrity of the engine.


I'm thinking there's another engine tear-down in this pickmeup's future...

Cheers,

Keith

 

Hi Keith,


My apologies for being a little too brief with this.


My conversation with the aforementioned tech. occurred a year and a half ago, so my somewhat aging memory has lost some of the conversation. However, I do recall that the tech. mentioned that the malady was the result of premature wear on the tensioners in combination with an amount of slack that I think he said would normally be considered minor.


He did not comment on the exact technical cause, unfortunately, probably because techs in general are too busy to worry about metallurgic deficiencies, or maybe he didn't even know. What surprised me a little is that he stated he did not open a Star case on this problem because he felt "everyone should know this" as a cause. This gives me the impression that he was reacting to something he knew prior to fixing any of these Rams.


Dealers are suppose to send their techs to incremental training events held throughout the year. The dealers are suppose to pay the expenses for the training, transportation, and housing. I know others in the past have remarked that they did not receive training updates. Maybe that's why this issue seems to be a mystery to many, especially this problem as the frequency seems very, very low.


Anyway, we do know from this thread and others that lifters, MDS solenoids, cylinder heads, push rods, and camshafts don't fix the problem.


Best regards,
Dusty
2014 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP70, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 024411 miles.

 

I can sincerely empathize with the memory thing.


I’m seriously pondering the potential that replacing the timing chain and related components may remedy this severely annoying malady that could negatively affect the engine’s life cycle. Stopped by the dealer recently for an estimate on replacing the chain, tensioner and guide. It took very little time to compile that estimate and the nice service writer didn’t even ask why I wanted to replace said components – hmmm…

Nevertheless, the job was estimated to be round about $1500 CDN – ouch! Parts/shop supplies come to $350 and the rest of course, labour. More pondering to do!

All the best,

Keith

 

As mentioned earlier. It's now been over a month since I have told.the dealer to replace my timing chain. At least that's what I think they replaced cause I asked them to save part so.I could I could inspect. They didn't. Needless to say after the 15th time or so going there , yes I had to tell them what to replace based on info I was getting online. As for.now truck has not made the noise. All is good and I suspect we all have the same issue. It's the timing chain. Good luck.

 

alright mine went in this morning for the ticking noise between 30kms/h and 60kms/h when coasting and eco mode on, it sounded like there was a old 1986 diesel vw fallowing me. would go away when tow mode was on when ever I would just accel or ender 20km/h when the eco would go off.
here is what they have done.
found a bulletin 18-050-145 rev.A flash drone or vibration present during MDS operation
old # pcm 05187930AD
new # pcm 05187930AG


not covered by powertrain warranty obviously 80$ to me ...


but I have to say I am not able to hear the noise anymore... will keep an eye on it for the next couple of days to make sure it those not come back.


anybody here had this done what are the chances that this was the final fix... hard to believes a reflash of pcm would take away a knocking noise


I have my dough's...

 

What year is yer truck? 1500 I assume?

 

2010 RAM 1500 SLT crew cab, 5.7hemi
notice the noise for the first time about 2 months ago.

since yeterday I have done lots of kms listen for it and it really seems to be gone.

still I cannot beleive a flash of pcm would take away a knocking noise... but it seems so this time...
hope its not just a plaster over the actual problem...

 

After about 30,000 miles my 2010 developed a drone best described as a sound like something loose in the exhaust system or when you load down a truck in top gear at a very low ground speed. As a test I had a person ride in the bed and they felt it was not in the exhaust but very loud outside the vehicle. It in no way resembled the tick-tick-tick sound of a hydraulic lifter or a slapping timing chain.


My 2010 would not do this consistently. It seemed sensitive to slight acceleration, especially on very, very slight grades, and always just at the point where the MDS would go into ECO mode. The drone would never appear when using a 89 octane fuel.


I suspect the sound was being caused by the driveshaft. They were one piece from 2009-2012. After that they went to a multi-piece driveshaft with a slip-sleeve.


Frankly, I don't see any relationship to the lifter-type noise I think you're experiencing to what the computer flash was designed to fix. But maybe the symptom descriptions are not well understood. For your sake I hope this solves your problem.


Best of luck,
Dusty