I do not believe a 5w 20 is spec'd for any Dodge engine of this era. I think stev tried it and had a lot of strange noises.

MMO is about a 10 weight oil. (very thin)

I would not waste the oil you currently have in the engine, but remove the filter, fill a new purolator 30001 filter 5/6 the way with MMO, then install it.

That should bring it down to a heavy 10w 30 weight oil. Oils do vary greatly within their SAE classifications. Some can thin a lot more than others when measured at temperatures above 100C. HTHSv ( High temp high shear viscosity) is measured at 150c and is thought of to be a much more accurate method of measuring viscosity when at temperature.

MMO is really heavy on the phosphorus, and if you burn a lot of oil, this will degrade the CATCON quickly.

If this is a concern Use 0w 20 weight oil in place of MMO.

The Rotella you used already has a lot of ZDDP(Zinc Dialkyl Dithio Phosphate), the P being phosphorus.

 

......

 

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I think Ill try the MMO and then thinner oil in about 500 miles.
The tick is getting better. I drove the van around about 20 miles today and the tick was there, but about 70% less noticealbe than before.
I am praying it is going the right way now.

The van dosent use or burn any oil and compression is 125+ on all cylinders. It ran good today.

Ill check back in later -- maybe in 4-5 days...I hope to come back with a clean bill of health

Thanks for you help landyacht and blackvan---

BTW nice speaker setup blackvan!

 

Just thought you all would like an update.

The tapping has disappeared for now. Strange but true but it is running really really good now.
I have been praying to Jesus that it stays this way. I have gone 60 miles and through 6 starting cycles now with no problem.

It may just be fixed now! Time will tell...