Sorry if I’m in the wrong spot or going about this the wrong way, but this is my first post.

I have read through many of the forums about the problematic lifters in the 5.7 engines. Unfortunately, it looks like that is what is going wrong with my son’s 2014 RAM 1500. it had the ‘ticking’ and threw the P308 code when accelerating. Upon inspection, mechanic(not at Dodge dealer) checked plugs, valve spring, etc and decided to pull off valve cover. This is where my question comes in:

He sends me a video to illustrate that cylinder number eight is not pumping up and down with the same range as the other cylinders, which the video illustrated that. Being a mostly ignorant engine guy, are usually don’t try to self diagnose much, but I noticed in the video that there was no oil pumping into that cylinder while the others clearly were being covered. So my questions are:

1. It seems apparent that the oil not coming out with contribute to the problem, but what is involved in making the oil circulate as it should?

2. Any chance that if the oil was circulating properly, that the lifter would start to work correctly again?

3. if given the choice of spending $3500-$4000(12k-12mo warranty)replacing Lifters/Cams etc etc vs putting a $6k reman(36k-3yr)in it, what would you do?

i greatly appreciate any input.

 

Sounds like he sent you a video of the top of the head with the valve covers removed. if so what you are seeing is the movement of the rocker arms..which in turn opens the valves. So if you are seeing less movement in one or a couple rocker arms that pretty much confirms a lifter and camshaft lobe issue. The lubricating oil which you see in the video makes its way there by going thru the lifter (if memory serves me correct). So if you have a lifter issue you may not see the same amount of oil.
None the less the issue sounds like the dreaded cam lobe and lifter failure which requires engine disassembly. Only you can make the decision to fix your engine or replace with a reman. Other things come into play like mileage and condition of truck etc

 

Thanks so much for the reply. I may cut my losses and trade it in on a newer model and front the $6k I would have to spend on reman to trade up....giving them knowledge of mechanical issue of course.