I did a search but all I saw was issues about "Hemi tick". I have a 2003 Durango with the 4.7 and she ticks when you start her in the morning or if she's been sitting for a few hours. Sounds like a lifter dying but I was just curious if this is a common issue with the 4.7's. Initially I was thinking if I have to change a lifter, I might as well change them all. Now I'm thinking if I'm going to do all that, I might as well upgrade the rockers while I'm at it. I'm not planning on modding the drive train much, if any, but if I have to tear into the top end, it might be worth while to go to the next size ratio rockers for an easy HP increase. Any thoughts on my issue would be appreciated. Thanks,
Ralph

 

the ticking you are hearing is normal on the 4.7 for the first few minutes in that situation, as long as it goes away on its own relatively quickly there is nothing to worry about.

btw mine with 93k miles on it has done this since NEW

 

I've had my Durango for 4 years and put 100k on it and it never made any noise until recently. It's not a low level noise like injectors.

 

have you made any changes to the maintenance, changed oil grade or interval or anything else like that? because every 4.7 that i have worked on has done this, and its relatively well documented that they do this.

 

I had/have this too. It can be caused by 2 things. One a lifter(s) may be going bad (this was my case). The exhaust manifold if the car is cold can cause this too and just need to replace the exhaust mainifold gaskets. #5 intake was the only one on mine ticking and I just replaced that. Note also get new rods too as the old rods may not sit right on the new lifters. Might look into replacing the cam and timing chain while at it if you want to as a general maintenance. The last two aren't needed but just suggested.

 

1999 Durango SLT, you have the 5.2l v8 he has the 4.7, so in your case it was a problem that needed looking at, his is much more likely that its nothing.

 

It could be a faulty check valve in your oil filter that is allowing the oil to flow all the way back into the oil pan after it sets for a while. Try to replace your oil filter with one that does have a working valve. Also Full Synthetic oil has been known to quite it down.

 

I had a ticking also at startup that went away after warmup, it was my rear 2 exhaust manifold bolts on driver side. Replaced, no tick, runs great. Only place i could find bolts was dealership, 10 bucks for both with new heatshield nuts. I do have the 4.7 with 77,000 miles on it.

 

the above post is absolutely correct....

9.9. times out of 10 "ticking" is due to the exhaust manifold studs failing...

search for a recent post on my user name and I gave detailed instructions on what to do

Chris