Bought this truck last week (2015 Ram 1500 BigHorn 4X4 5.7) and it has a whole 166 miles on it. Three times now, during start up there is a loud clicking that lasts for about 2-5 seconds and then it goes away. It's almost like piston slap. It's not cold yet, so I wouldn't think oil thickness would be an issue. Oil level is good. Oil pressure is good.

I've researched this and have found two 'common' issues. One is what is being called 'the Hemi tick'. The other is defective/loose/incorrect manifold bolts. I'm going to be contacting the dealer about this, but I wanted to see what you all thought.

 

That's not good. No one else has ever heard this noise?

I'm up to 210 miles now and I started it three times today. Didn't do it at all today.

 

My 2014 Ram 1500 Sport has ~5k miles and will do this when I let it set for several days. It has all the characteristics of a lifter bleeding off. The first time it still had the original oil/filter and it had set for a couple weeks. I changed the oil/filter to Mobil 1 Super Synthetic (Mobil 1 website recommendation) and didn't hear it again till last night when I started it after setting for about 10 days. Again all the characteristics of a lifter bleeding off. Being a motorhead that's a hard noise to just ignore, but kinda understandable with the variable valve timing....

 

So if this is in fact the case, it's nothing to worry about? I haven't got to the dealer about it yet. It hasn't happened at all except for that one day. It did it three times in one day.

Thanks for the info.

 

Oh I wouldn't let the dealer off the hook. Certainly three times in one day is not anywhere near normal. I would get it on record in case you develop a valve train problem later. my $.02

 

Are we sure this isn't just new steel components being heated? You should have heard my diesel the first time it went into regeneration - sounded like lake ice crackling and pinging. Even though I knew exactly what it was, it still made me feel uneasy...

 

No My noise was most definitely lifter noise and only after I let it set for several days without being started.

 

I have 200000kms on my hemi and just recently in the past 2 months I have been hearing this ticking sound as well. It is coming from the exhaust manifold.


ARGGGGGG!

 

I've been driving mine everyday and it still hasn't made that noise since. I'm not sure what was going on. I still haven't made it to the dealer yet. They aren't super close to me. I just need to find a good weekend to get up there.

 

You have a sheared bolt head, my friend...