I think the warpage is a result of the broken bolts, not the other way around. I'd like to see an official response from Chrysler as to true root cause.
Mike Sal

 

Don't hold your breath on FCA EVER admitting there is a problem there. Personally, I think it's just a flawed manifold design that concentrates far too much heat on the back section of the manifold. Folks that have replaced the stock manifolds with some variety of header, even shorties, stop having problems with broken exhaust bolts.

 

Sorry Mike Sal. Not the case. A certain bolt is designed to torque to a specific torque. If no increasing pressure is ever seen...said bolt is good to go.
When the Manifolds warp...being different heated services or what have you...it puts more pressure (torque) on the bolt and SNAP. Common Logical Engineering.
I've replaced Warped Manifolds on Dodge (Ram), Ford and Chevy. Never had a "come back". They must be replaced or resurfaced. Just different bolts won't do.

 

I guess we will agree to disagree on true root cause.....bad screws / bad manifolds / bad exhaust system stress.....each theory has it's pros & cons.

I worked on the original design team with chrysler for the hemi engine from '99 thru '05. We never saw broken exhaust screws during the development work. I remember the biggest concern I had about the engine was the "low" angle of the lifters....I thought over time and lack of keeping up with oil changes, the engines would suffer from lifter ticking. My company left the program during the development of the MDS so I wasn't involved in it.

I've been working on cars for close to 50 years. My goal is to simplify my engine as much as possible (less things to go wrong) when I fix my engine (lifters / cam / exhaust screws).
Mike S

 

 

Hello,

Just bought a second hand 02/ 2104 Ram,it has 52.000 kms on and I just discovered 2 broken studs on rear exhaust manifold passenger side,I think I will try the shorty headers but I'm also hearing a ticking noise while starting the engine cold and just for a few seconds.
The truck has been bought from a dealer,the engine oil was changed but don't know if they put in a good brand in,I have driven on very short distances until now and will be using this truck only this way,very short trips daily so lots of cold starts,runs mildy in temperature range and sits for a few hours until I drive back home on another short trips.

Should I use Full synthec oil only ?
Change oil every six months ?
Change antifreeze now ?
Change thermostat for a cooler one ?
Disable MDS ?

If anybody could help me with these please.
Tigo

 

 

This is still apparently and on going issue that Dodge refuses to acknowledge and do anything about other than to remove this work from their warranty. Now they are saying that the "Fasteners" which are defective are not covered in the warranty. I have a 2019 $75K Loaded RAM 1500 Laramie 4x4 that has less than 60K miles and when I took it in to find out what is causing the "ticking" noise that I am hearing they called and told me that it would cost me $1700 to repair the exhaust manifold due to the bolts breaking off which is a common and known issue. I called Customer Care and argued with them that this should be a warranty repair and they advised me after 2+ hours that even though they are aware this is a common issue, it is NOT part of any recall and "Fasteners" are not covered within the power train warranty. I have had 2 Dodge trucks in the past and never had any issues with them. Not sure what is going on here, but we need everyone that is having this issue to report it and make it clear to Dodge "RAM" that they either need to fix this or we will be looking at other manufacturers for our future truck purchases. Apparently Dodge "RAM" does not care once they have their money for their product, but I see the RAM brand starting to get a very bad name based on everything I am seeing on the internet, in forums and the customer service at Dodge "RAM". I have been advised by my dealer that if this happens again to install quality aftermarket Headers that come with quality bolts instead of putting in Dodge replacement parts for the exhaust manifold and bolts. Not sure if this will void out the power train warranty since Dodge "RAM" will not install aftermarket parts, but at least I won't have to fork out $1700 + dollars every 50K miles.