Lifter Noise

HUTCH · 04-26-2007, 09:14 AM

I have an 02 Ram with a 4.7L. When I start the engine cold, I have so much rattling noise, it almost sounds like a diesel. I've been told it is my lifters. Can anyone confirm or make suggestions as to how to make it go away? I tried going to a synthetic oil, but have seen no change.

Thanks in advance for helping an ignorant guy out.

RTR

75K30 · 04-26-2007, 10:33 AM

Usually noisy lifters are from a lifters inability to create enough pressure to stay pumped up, and keep tolerance.
Since you said this occured when it was cold, and I believe you that you are experiencing enough noise to assume that multiple lifters are noisy. Then I might look at the oil pump. It might appear that the pump is not holding pressure after the engine has been shut down, and the pump is no longer turning. The pressure from the open valves is causing the compression if the lifters, and the pump is allowing them to bleed oil out of them. The lifterrs are dry, and make a ton of noise before pressure can be obtained.
I would get a few opinions on this, but it sounds like a pump problem to me.
Hope I explained that well.

HUTCH · 04-26-2007, 10:46 AM

Thanks a ton. I'll check out the pump.

436'd skylark · 04-26-2007, 11:53 AM

you might be experiencing piston slap. Pistons shrink and contract with cold temps. engine wear and extremely cold temperatures maginify this effect. and it will sound just like a diesel until the componenets reach operating temperature, and size. with todays short skirt pistons, its more apparant know then it was in the past.

Ruttel02 · 05-10-2007, 08:04 AM

I have the same truck and motor 62,000 mi on it I have had a little lifter noise for as long as I can remember have talked to a lot of pepole with the same truck even a guy that has a HEMI, at low idle you can hear a little ticking in his motor as well cold or hot. But if sounds like a diesel you could have low oil pressure or pump problem or even a spun bearing.

mrjohnwayne · 05-10-2007, 08:56 AM

Sounds strange but it could be the injectors you are hearing if only at low idle.

04-26-2007, 09:14 AM	#1
HUTCH Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5	Lifter Noise I have an 02 Ram with a 4.7L. When I start the engine cold, I have so much rattling noise, it almost sounds like a diesel. I've been told it is my lifters. Can anyone confirm or make suggestions as to how to make it go away? I tried going to a synthetic oil, but have seen no change. Thanks in advance for helping an ignorant guy out. RTR

04-26-2007, 11:53 AM	#4
436'd skylark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buffalo Ny Posts: 661	you might be experiencing piston slap. Pistons shrink and contract with cold temps. engine wear and extremely cold temperatures maginify this effect. and it will sound just like a diesel until the componenets reach operating temperature, and size. with todays short skirt pistons, its more apparant know then it was in the past. __________________ Joe 89 K2500 Chevy, Wee-Oh-five 285K miles, completly rebuilt needs a motor, bad 1962 IHC Scout All Wheel Drive (Scout speak for locking axles) 152 ci, dana everything else

05-10-2007, 08:56 AM	#6
mrjohnwayne Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,722	Sounds strange but it could be the injectors you are hearing if only at low idle. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

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04-26-2007, 10:33 AM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	Usually noisy lifters are from a lifters inability to create enough pressure to stay pumped up, and keep tolerance. Since you said this occured when it was cold, and I believe you that you are experiencing enough noise to assume that multiple lifters are noisy. Then I might look at the oil pump. It might appear that the pump is not holding pressure after the engine has been shut down, and the pump is no longer turning. The pressure from the open valves is causing the compression if the lifters, and the pump is allowing them to bleed oil out of them. The lifterrs are dry, and make a ton of noise before pressure can be obtained. I would get a few opinions on this, but it sounds like a pump problem to me. Hope I explained that well.

04-26-2007, 10:46 AM	#3
HUTCH Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5	Thanks a ton. I'll check out the pump.

05-10-2007, 08:04 AM	#5
Ruttel02 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3	I have the same truck and motor 62,000 mi on it I have had a little lifter noise for as long as I can remember have talked to a lot of pepole with the same truck even a guy that has a HEMI, at low idle you can hear a little ticking in his motor as well cold or hot. But if sounds like a diesel you could have low oil pressure or pump problem or even a spun bearing.