Mine does the same thing. 2018 Durango RT. I’ve been kinda suspicious about it. It’s my wife’s daily driver and she doesn’t pay any attention to it. Hopefully someone chimes in with info. I was planning on addressing it when I bring it to dealership for free first oil change. Only hear it when engine is cold. Doesn’t sound good though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Bump. Anybody have any input?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Mine does the same exact thing as well.

 

Do me a favor. When you start the vehicle next time, have the coolant temp or oil temp gauge displayed. Let me know what temp the engine is at when it goes away.

 

Here's a video I took this morning of my R/T:

This was a cold start after the vehicle had been garaged for 13-hours. Ambient temperature was about 70*F with humidity around 75%

The video starts approximately 2-minutes from engine start up. It idles high for a bit but then as it settles down you can start hearing the knocking/ticking. After it runs for a few minutes the sound lessons until it's undetectable. A warm engine does not produce the sound under any circumstance as far as I can tell. To be clear, the engine does not knock or tick at startup but rather after a minute or two of running.



Good idea and certainly doable. Oil temp is easy but do the non-SRT Durangos read out digital water temperature on the cluster?

 

Well, I'm more concerned with the oil temp and engine RPM when the noise starts than I am with the coolant temp. I've got a scan gauge on mine, so I rarely look at the cluster. You can use the trans temp though....the trans temp and coolant temp are almost identical, as the trans heat exchanger is in the radiator.

From what I can hear in your video, it sounds like lifter noise to me. More than likely what is going on is when you initially start the engine the rpm's and oil pressure are really high. As the rpm's settle, and before the oil has fully warmed up, you're getting that noise from the lifters. As the oil gets to operating temp and flows freely, the noise goes away.

Now, from my experience, DO NOT believe the electronic oil pressure gauge that is in the vehicle...it is WILDLY inaccurate. This is actually a calculated value and a not a true pressure reading. If you actually look at the pressure "sensor" in these, it's just a Hobbs switch (simply on or off). If the oil pressure is low, the switch opens and you get the warning. Your oil pressure actually swings significantly between about 20 psi and 70 psi once the oil is warmed up. At idle, you're around 20. As soon as you come off idle it ramps up quickly. You'd be amazed at how much it varies when you hook up an actual mechanical pressure gauge.

My assumption here is the combination of cold components and cold oil contributing to a little bit of slap....like valves being out of adjustment. This is one of the reasons you adjust valves when the engine is warm and not when it's cold.

 

I'm no engine guy but everything you're saying makes perfect sense to me. The video I linked in my original post ended up being a bad lifter according to the comment on it.

It seems mine has quieted a little. I originally heard the noise easily standing outside the car in a busy parking lot (akin to the first video in this thread). Now, as you can see in my video today, I need to get closer to the underside of the engine. It definitely varies from day-to-day.

Now the big question: Is this something that needs to be repaired? If the dealer gives me the "this is perfectly normal" routine is that the truth and life goes on or is this something I need to insist gets looked at?

Thanks Vice by the way - very helpful post.

 

Ya know, just for giggles, check all the exhaust manifold bolts. This could just be something stupid like a loose bolt.

I don't think that's gonna be your issue, but I always like to check the cheap, easy stuff first.

 

It’s the Hemi tick.


--

2017 Dodge Durango AWD R/T Granite Blacktop

Performance
SRT Air Box, K&N Intake Tube, K&N Filter, Fastman 86mm TB, Ported Intake Manifold, 180° Thermostat, Billet Tech Catch Can, Corsa Catback, Grocery Getter Strut Brace, Diablosport Trinity, Jay Greene PCM/TCM Tune

Appearance/Interior
Performance Hood, Gorilla Black Lugs, Luxe Taillight Tint, Front Windows 15% Ceramic Tint, Yellow Fog Lights, Weather Tech Floor Liners, Mopar Grille Emblem, Steering Wheel AUX Buttons, Tazer

DiabloSport Trinity Times 0-60 5.17, 1/4 13.77​

 

It’s the Hemi tick.

This is perhaps the most interesting topic I've encountered in my days of loving cars: the infamous Hemi Tick.

An issue that many claim to have yet nobody can really define. I've been trying to get information on it from various Mopar-centric forums and there's not a lot of consistency.

Here are the characteristics of Hemi Tick that I've found so far:

Clattering immediately on startup which diminishes in less than 20 seconds
Tapping noise present at startup which diminishes slowly as the engine reaches operating temperature
Tapping noise present at startup only when vehicle has been sitting for a significant amount of time (>24 hours) and then diminishes
Tapping noise that develops within minutes of startup but then diminishes as engine reaches operating temperature
Tapping noise present at startup which is persistent during a broad temperature/RPM range (i.e. normal operation)

And the causes presented over different forums/posters as fact:

Exhaust manifold and manifold bolts
Fuel injectors
Lifter(s) bleeding down
Pushrods too short
Valve(s) out of adjustment
Damaged lifter(s)
Less than desirable oil performance
Oil filter without a check valve

My point is, to me, this is just a loose term that gets thrown around whenever one of these engines makes a sound that even remotely resembles a tick or a knock.

So spoke too soon.
Decided to get out of my '14 and listen during a cold start near the front wheel while parked in the garage...same knock noise as the '18 R/T video.
I'd say normal.

Thanks for following up Chase. That's very interesting. I haven't heard from the dealer yet but I'll report back with what they say about mine.

 

Could be. Injector solenoid tick tends to remain though, regardless of time or temp.

 

This is my video of noise I’m hearing. You will hear it immediately from cold start and than stops and than continues again. What do you think?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=JBycJRJvjS4


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Update to my issue:

Yesterday I called the dealer and asked if I could drop off my R/T early for my Monday appointment. It was easier for me to do it yesterday and I figured it would give them a few extra opportunities to listen on a cold start.

I started the Durango in the garage yesterday and then got caught up in something (toddler wrangling). I didn't think to shut the engine off so it sat idling for 15-20 minutes

This morning, this is what I discovered on the floor where the Durango had been idling. Almost certainly engine oil. The center has less deposit from wiping it to try and identify.

Just to be sure I wasn't looking at AC condensation I poured some water in the same area this morning and that has since evaporated. The spot in the picture remains unchanged. Unfortunately the Durango is at the dealership so I don't have a way I can inspect the underside.

From where the spot is in relation to where the it was parked, it would had to have been coming from the rear of the motor. This is interesting because this is the same Durango which underwent a rear main seal replacement at 1300 miles. The selling dealership swears they did not notice an oil leak when it was in their care as a demo (for approximately 700 miles).

Is it possible there is something out of tolerance at the back of the engine and it's eating rear main seals? Would that explain the tapping sound I'm hearing? Obviously I have the cart way ahead of the horse here but I'm shocked to see the large oil stain this morning.

 

I have the same noise and it starts immediately, AND had gotten more pronounced since this video was taken. Mine is a 2015, but the dealer stated this was "normal" until the oil was pumped to the lifters. They had the truck 4 days to tell me that.

I have a lifetime warranty, but I think it's goign to go back since it is getting worse now.

Chris

 

I think you have a manifold bolt situation going on there both from the way it sounds and the fact it's audible immediately at startup. I'm assuming once the engine warms up a little the noise goes away?

Concerning the "it's normal" thing. Maybe it is. If that's what I'm told then my dealer and I are going to cold start a couple other Hemi-equipped cars on the lot. If they sound like my Durango then it's job done. If they don't, then it stays there and they can try again.

I am very curious to know where the oil is coming from (again). This is very reminiscent of when the rear main seal went bad. It doesn't leak until the engine is running (i.e. oil pressurized) and warm. Then it not only leaks but leaks quite a bit.

I don't mean any disrespect but at this point, my wife and I are hoping we are on the path to somehow ridding ourselves of the Durango. On paper I still think it's the closest match to being the vehicle I need (AWD family hauler) while being the vehicle I want (burbling V8 muscle car) but that only goes so far. The number of issues we've had in only 3000 miles of ownership has really put of off of wanting a future with this thing. And yes, I am completely willing to accept that mistakes happen and sometimes things need a little tweaking after the fact. I think we're beyond that.

Maybe we've just been lucky but the Subaru's that normally occupy our garage have all been problem free. We have a 100K mile '03 which occasionally has a minor issue (i.e. fixable by me in the driveway). The new Subaru's we've purchased have needed oil changes and tire rotation. That's it.

My guess is I'm not going to hear anything about the Durango until Monday. I'll keep the thread updated as I hear more.

 

So spoke too soon.
Decided to get out of my '14 and listen during a cold start near the front wheel while parked in the garage...same knock noise as the '18 R/T video.
I'd say normal.

 

Hemi ticks and Hemi farts... at least these engines have a little personality!

 

Could you please tell me how to get to display those, and maybe other, instruments ?

Thanks

 

They're on the center dash display. Scroll up/down to the vehicle info and then left/right gives you different gauges.

 

Update:

The dealership called and said the sound they are hearing is "Hemi Tick" and "it's normal". They said they tried a couple other Hemi-equipped cars on their lot and they made the same sound as well.

 

Tried to get a video of mine whole driving. You can hear it as I pull out of the driveway. It no longer goes away. I am going to try a different dealer since I need an oil change anyway soon. We'll see what THEY say. It has gotten much louder and more frequent on my 2015.

Chris

 

So is it a loud ticking when cold that goes away once truck is warm???
It sounds to me like you have an exhaust manifold leaking...most likely the passenger side.

Dealer won't hear it unless its started with engine cold.
But if you point out that its leaking they should be able to check to see if any of the exhaust manifold bolts are broken, which apparently is quite common especially the passenger side.
Covered under 5/100K powertrain warranty BTW.

 

I specifically asked the dealership if they inspected the manifold bolts and they said they did. Now whether they actually did I can't say.

My R/T still ticks on a cold start but once the engine is warm it runs very quietly and smoothly. I've decided, for the sake of my own sanity, to just enjoy the Durango; ticks included. In the summer, between family duties, neighborhood gatherings, work, etc. there is precious little time left and I'd prefer not to spend it with my head in the wheel well of a Dodge Durango

I do have a detailed, date-stamped work order which clearly states I complained of ticking. Should it worsen I can always go back to the dealership and revisit the conversation.

 

Look on the back end of your rocker arms...there is an adjusting stud and jam nut. That's how you adjust valve lash.

They say that these valves don't need adjusting....but, as a halfway intelligent person, I know there is nothing mechanical that never needs adjustment.

 

You have to remove the heat shield to see all the manifold bolts...silverunicorn's video certainly sounds like an leaking exhaust manifold to me.

 

And when you start your vehicle and people at work ask "what's wrong with your car" you know it's not "normal"

Chris

 

This is the problem and this video shows perfectly what is happening.
I'm experiencing the same issue silverunicorn.

 

I called a different dealer today. I explained what I thougth was the issue and the service manager stated "That sounds right". Is covered by the powertrain warranty., and I will get a free rental car while they have it.

I told them how the closest dealer said it was normal issue and the guy said, and I quote.." What kind of BS is that?" I said they stated it was normal, to which he said "Common, yes. Normal, no. We'll make it right". If this comes to fruition, I will have a new dealer even though it is 18 miles further than the one I have been using.

Will post once they do the work. It is scheduled for the 27th. Tnanks for all the input.

Chris

 

I go in next Tuesday....

 

Please let me know how you make out. It sounds like the new dealer I called is far more competent than the original one I wen t to. I just hope they can still note the issue since I have to drive 21 miles to get there. By then it's usually quieted down alot. Hopefully they will allow it to cool down before they start up the truck.


Chris

 

Pretty much the same boat I'm in. Closest dealer is <6 miles from me and would only take me about 10 minutes to get too... The one I use is about 12 miles away, takes 20-35 minutes, depending on traffic and how many lights I hit, but it's totally worth it.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

Sounds like the 5.7 in my wife's 2007 Aspen. I always wrote it off as just exhaust noise. The MDS lifters were replaced at about 168K miles (truck ran fine, just no MDS mode) and it still sounds the same. We picked up an '18 DDSRT about a month ago. I was going to test drive an R/T. Salesman fired it up and the thing sat there with a lifter tick for about 5 minutes. The DDSRT has a unique tick from the bottom end but I'm not worried about it right now.

 

All fixed...surprising how much quieter it is now...guess I got use to the increase noise even after things heated up and the cold start Tick was gone.
According to the paperwork, the mechanic found the rear two studs broken...on both Left and Right exhaust manifolds and replaced all studs and gaskets.
Service Advisor has seen this more on the Ram trucks..but probably as most of those are 5.7L and there are fewer JGC and Durango's with 5.7's running around.
Also note they don't see this issue on the LX cars..Charger/Challenger.

 

I can't wait! Mine goes in tomorrow. How long did they need the vehicle?

Chris