Well, hard to say, but this bulletin sounds more like a condition I had with the 2010 Ram, which a noise that sounded like a loose exhaust pipe or some type of sheet metal. This would only occur at the threshold point where the MDS switched over to eight cylinder mode. Usually this occurred on very slight uphill grades. I found that using 89 octane eliminated the noise. I have not heard anything like that on my 2014.


Bests,
Dusty

 

The rattling/ticking issue is distinct from the drone. They're related though in that they both occur during MDS operation. I had the drone long before the rattling/ticking nonsense and it has become exponentially worse as of late. Odd though that in my case it's unobtrusive at highway speeds. At lower speeds and down to the point where MDS disengages, the whole truck is literally vibrating. Therefore I had to wonder if the TSB would even help in that instance. Turns out I'll likely never find out. The service mgr at the local dealer, who's been going above board trying to help me out, went knocking on some doors at corporate to determine if the TSB could be applied to the 09s. They (corporate) came back and said no. No reason why. Just no. Could I put a 10 PCM in my 09? No! Why can't I apply a fix to my 09 for an issue that appears to affect 09 thru 13 trucks but is only applicable to 10 thru 13 trucks? No! Sigh...

I'm not feeling a whole lot of love for this automobile company these days.

 

Dusty,

If you scour the CJDR forums for drone issues related to the 5.7, there's plenty of angst going back more than a few years. It's apparent though that the drone appears to be nothing more than unruly exhaust resonance. And many folk who've installed aftermarket exhaust systems have discovered just how unruly that resonance can become. What's not clear is the mechanism that is producing that resonance and why identical vehicles from the same MY can be so different.

The octane thing make no difference in my case. However, similar to your experience with your 10, the resonance is frequently most intense immediately after MDS engages or just before it disengages.

I'm starting to feel like I'm doing this:
Keith

 

I heard a late model Ram a while back that had an altered exhaust. I don't know if it was open or not, but when the thing went into MDS it sounded terrible. Reminded me of a leaned-out Wright R-1820 Cyclone on a B-17 trying to start (although that sound may not be familiar to most of you).


Yes, slight acceleration on very slight upgrades would produce the sound you're talking about on my 2010. Not only did using 89 octane make a difference, but so did temperature. There were periods when I didn't hear it all using 87 octane. Strange thing. That noise started at around 17,000 miles and after I got to about 85,000 it never did it again.


Bests,
Dusty

 

I feel you there, when I went to my local dodge dealer and talked to their head technician (I'm in Wichita, ks so its no small town dealer) his only suggestion was to replace the camshaft because he's had to do it before on the 4th gen rams. When I asked him why they replace that part I expected something along the lines of it not getting sufficient lubrication and causing the lobes to wear prematurely or maybe the part was found to be defective off the assembly line, but the honest to god answer I got from this big shot master technician was "I don't know, we just replace it" really...

 

LOL... I twisted wrenches on the 1820-82 (little more poop than the engines in the Forts). Starting the beast provided a bigger rush than a strong cup of java. Its clackety-clackety-clack is burned into my grey mass from a former life when Trackers were taxiing by on a daily basis. Yep, I know that music.

Yes, temperature and... relative humidity. Cold and damp - obnoxious! Warm and dry - not so bad.

Keith

 

That's nuts! How can any self respecting mechanic, technician etc tackle a job as extensive as replacing a camshaft without knowing why he/she is replacing the camshaft. Ya, it's great to fix things but fixing mechanical things (professionally) without knowing what you fixed is borderline negligence.

Keith

 

Don't know if everyone has simply lost interest or if people are just sort of watching over this thread, either way I wanted to make it known that I am going to figure out if the timing components are to blame for this issue. I currently have my truck torn apart in the driveway and am awaiting parts to slap everything back together and see what happens. I wish I could say that the probl was obvious as soon as I cracked open the timing cover but that wasn't the case. Both the timing chain and guides still look 100% intact. I cant say for sure yet because I want to have my new parts before I get the timing components off and inspect them but I do have some pictures, even if this does fix the issue I'm going to buy a computer to shut down mds for good because its never done anything but cause trouble.

 

Noooo, I for one have not lost interest! I’ve become rather obsessive in attempting to nail down a solution to this annoying bovine excreta. But I’m running out of leads, which leaves me pondering the extent of the next engine teardown. Yep, the engine will be coming apart again in the not so distant future but it’d sure be nice to have a better handle on where to take this next exercise. Chrysler’s pathetic “it’s a normal operating characteristic of the MDS system” (‘too bad-so sad’) is so full of it that I’m starting to wonder if they build vehicles with shovels. I can’t sell it the way it is – it’s junk!

Nevertheless, my hat’s off to ya for diving into this TC theory but I suspect that, judging by the appearance of the installed components, that once you get the tensioner and guide out you’re gonna find the same as I did - minimal wear and tear. BTW… I mighta missed it but what year is the truck? Mileage? Is that residual Amsoil I see in there?

Looking forward to a view of the parts once you get them out. Not sure if on your parts replacement list but I’d be awful tempted to replace the phaser as well.

All the best,

Keith

 

The one thing you may not be able to get a good judgement on is the cam phaser. I don't remember where I read that it is the cause of the ticking while coasting. May want to replace it while you have the access to it