There have been other threads about the infamous Hemi valve tap. Some saying this is normal. No it isn't. I have an '09' RT with 30,000+ miles on it. Never had any problem with the car. I just had a 1800 mile round trip from Philly to Birmingham, Ala. (Before the disaster down there). While down there the motor developed a bad tapping sound. Now I was sounding like a 10 year old Mustang. I took it to the dealer(obviously had no choice). Service manager said it might be an exhaust leak, but they would have a look at it. Just to be on the safe side, I brought along a copy of all my maintenance records (since I do all my own work), just so they couldn't say it was maintenance (or lack of) which caused the problem. Also a letter mentioning that outside of a few parking lot dings, the sheet metal had no damages. Just to cover my a*s. Anyway, a day later I got a call from the service dept saying that one of the lifters went bad. He was ordering a new set and replacing all of them. Thankfully I didn't have to go through a whole dance routine with the dealer that it was normal, or it's my fault, etc. I haven't gotten the car back yet, but I hope that everything goes well and I don't have any issues with the service dept. I sure like the Lifetime Powertrain warranty with the '09's. I'm sure that I may have to pay for some fluid replentishment. But that should be all. Oh yes, Mr Service Manager also expressed surprise that I changed oil with Mobil One. He asked why, since the car required Semi-Synthetic at best. I really didn't want to get into it with him on that statement. And this is the same dealership that told me there was nothing in their computer about plug changes at 30,000 miles.
Valve tap
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How is it running now?
valve tap
The problem was the tappet(s). Apparently one or more wasn't pumping up properly. The mechanic replaced 8 of them, and also the battery and cables (which had already been done a year ago). Topped up oil and coolant, replaced gaskets (naturally). I believe that this problem was covered by a TSB or something. Anyway the bill came to $0.00. Gotta love the Lifetime powertrain warranty for the '09' RT's. It's running nice and quiet now.
The problem was the tappet(s). Apparently one or more wasn't pumping up properly. The mechanic replaced 8 of them, and also the battery and cables (which had already been done a year ago). Topped up oil and coolant, replaced gaskets (naturally). I believe that this problem was covered by a TSB or something. Anyway the bill came to $0.00. Gotta love the Lifetime powertrain warranty for the '09' RT's. It's running nice and quiet now.
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Glad ya got it fixed, the valve train in these mills are not their best point! But the "Hemi Tick" is real not tap tho! Synthetic oil does make it tick less, but still does little sometimes. Made them bring ANOTHER Hemi to listen to back in 04, cause I thought it strange then, ticked just like mine! Drivers side allways, just one them things guess makes em "special"! Wait till U start modding the exhaust trying to get it "old school", you'll meet "Hemi Tick"s brother who's kinda soprano, names "Hemi Crack", LOL!:werd:
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I agree. My Ram had it about the same as the Challenger until I went synthetic with Lucas synthetic oil stabilizer. It runs much quieter now. I will probably run the same thing in the Challenger.
On a similar note - I had a 97 Dakota 318 that I blew a motor up in. I replaced it with a Jasper long block. It came with a bad hydraulic roller lifter that would every now and again tap horribly loud. Loud enough to echo off of houses. It sounded like I had a wooden cylinder filled with marbles. I used Lucas oil stabilizer one day and it just about went away until the oil broke down and was time for a change. So every oil change after I used it. I drove that motor hard (red lined daily) with a bad lifter and all for about 50,000 miles before I got rid of it and never had problems.
Although, if that happened to my Challenger I would just give the dealer a bunch of parts to use instead - aftermarket cam and what not.
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2,719 Posts
If they were right THERE why didn't they do all 16?
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I experienced the 'hemi tick' on my new Mopar 10. But after 2000 miles and Mobile oil, it is barely noticeable. Every hemi I've heard has some 'tick', the new ones, seem to tick and settle in.
Your problem was definitely a bad set up and I'm glad you got it fixed.
Cheers,
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