Hemi Tick? Not lifters

Discussion in 'Dodge Challenger General Discussions' started by peglegburnout, Jan 23, 2021.

  1. peglegburnout

    peglegburnout New Member

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    Hey guys, new to the group. I have a 14 r/t 6spd that has developed a obnoxious tick. Really noticeable around 1500-2000 rpm. Thought it was the typical lifter issue, installed new lifters. Absolutely no change. Visibly inspected heads, valve springs, rockers and found no obvious issues. Cylinders looked great. Doesn't sound like a exhaust leak as I can't tell for sure what side its on. In the car it sounds like the passenger side. No DTCs or lights. Car runs strong. Any ideas? Can be heard in the video
     
  2. SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    Are you sure that you are not hearing the fuel injectors?

    What oil are you using? I have been using Mobil 1 full synthetic since I bought my SRT in 2009 and have had no ticking noise.
     
  3. peglegburnout

    peglegburnout New Member

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    Not a injector. Doesn't sound like it coming from the top of the motor. Something internal possibly. I've tried castrol edge and pennzoil platinum, no change.
     
  4. 2017 Redline HC

    2017 Redline HC 2021 Durango RT

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    It sounds like valve train noise. Was there lots of oil in the top end when you did the lifters? You may need to get a mechanics stethoscope to try to pin point the noise. How did your lifters look when removed? If they were bad you could have a damaged cam.
     
  5. SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    Are you sure that you are not hearing the fuel injectors? The SRT engineers have identified this as the cause.

    What oil are you using? I have been using Mobil 1 full synthetic since I bought my SRT in 2009 and have had no ticking noise.

    On a Chargers forum, there was a good discussion about the origin of the ticking noise. Here is what was said:

    "We have discussed previously that there are 3 culprits that cause the "Hemi ticking" that is heard at idle and just off idle:

    1) Intake and exhaust valves do not have any kind of cushioning from the fuel. Fuel used to have higher amounts of sulfur and tetra ethyl or tetra methyl lead to lubricate and cushion intake and exhaust valves in the old days. When EPA decided to go to unleaded fuels, hardened valves and seats were produced trying to deal with the lack of lubricant. This was adequate at best, but did allow engines to live longer than if they had soft valves and seats. However, when they went to ethyl alcohol, that all changed. Alcohol absorbs moisture and strips lubricity. That was bad enough, but when they reduced the sulfur content from 130 parts per million (ppm) to 30 ppm, it really produced a perfect storm. Both the intake and exhaust valves are now hitting against the valve seats with no cushioning at all. This causes wear, and then of course....noise or TICK.

    2) Fuel injectors depend on at least 70 ppm of sulfur to stay alive. When EPA went to the ethyl alcohol and less than 30 ppm, they have no cushioning allowing them to click or tick also while building up gum and varnish. This restricts the flow of fuel and turns the vaporized spray pattern into an atomized spray pattern. Atomized fuel doesn't burn as well, and helps wash down into the cylinders and wipes out the detergents and dispersants much faster. This is the second part of the Hemi tick.

    3) Because the Hemi has a very short skirt and thin rings with virtually no land area, the piston wants to rock in the bores. This is another reason for the moly piston skirt coatings. It is designed to cushion the short skirt. The problem is that as miles rack up, the moly is worn off and a louder engine or tapping noise begins to occur. This is the third part of the Hemi tick. This part actually contributes to more aluminum in your oil analysis. An oil analysis is always important to do on any engine you want to take care of as a baseline, and then every 3rd oil change, do one just to be sure nothing is leaking or causing problems."
     
  6. Katshot

    Katshot Full Access Member

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    The only two Hemi ticks I’ve heard of that would require repairs are the lifters/cam and an exhaust leak caused by broken manifold bolts. Since you eliminated the lifters and cam and likely inspected the manifold bolts when you removed the heads, I gotta assume that the noise you’re hearing is one that should be considered “normal”.
     
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  7. Gregory Cooper

    Gregory Cooper Full Access Member

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    As to type of oil being used, i think the question is what weight of oil are you using? You say your car is a R/T so I assume you have the 5.7 Hemi? The 5.7 requires 5W20 oil. If that oil isn't used your engine will tick terribly as if your lifters are about to damage your engine. The 5.7 is cylinder deactivation engine and if you use say 5W30 it won't operate correctly. I found this out after making the mistake of telling the quick lube to put 5W30 in the engine, not remembering that it needed 5W20. After about 150 miles the ticking started loudly. I found the nearest quick lube and had the oil dumped and 5W20 put in. The ticking stopped immediately. After inquiring about this at a shop I call on, they told me about the deactivation of the engine.
     
  8. SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    The 5.7 was built from the ground up to use the thinner weight oil, with tighter clearances and micro-polished surfaces. The MDS (multiple displacement system) also requires the use of 5w20 for the lightening-fast changes between 8 and 4 cylinders. You will actually set a diagnostic trouble code and turn the MIL on if you switch to a heavier weight oil.
     
  9. peglegburnout

    peglegburnout New Member

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    Its a 5.7 6 spd car, No MDS. I've had the car since summer, I didn't notice the noise until about two months ago. Changed the oil twice. Once for regular maintenance then again after the lifter replacement. Used 5w20 both times. The old lifters were in great shape still but I replaced them anyway thinking it could be a internal issue in a lifter. Replaced with mopar lifters. Cam lobes looked perfect. I've used a hose to listen around the motor trying to pin point it, especially around the manifolds but I can't pin point it.
     
  10. SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    When you installed new lifters, did you examine the camshaft? One of the roller lifters could have had its roller freeze up and then chewed up the camshaft lobe on which it rides.