[Steny333]

Hey - Hope this is the right place for this question. (my first post!)

I just bought a 2011 Ram 1500 about a week ago. It has 36,000 miles on it. I didn't notice on the initial test drive, but after bringing it home and driving through town at lower speeds, there is a weird clicking sound. This sound only happens when MDS is engaged...and its not constant. it'll be on for 5-10 seconds, and then quit. over and over. Sounds like my old truck when the compressor started to go. Or like my kids bike when he puts a card in the spokes!

When it is doing this, if I sport shift into 5 (cuz I'm sporty like that), it immediately goes away and does not come back until I take it back out of 5.

Anyone have any thoughts? Is it Tranny? Engine? Something I can fix myself or is dealer intervention required?

Thanks!

 

[gonefishin776]

well MDS won't come on when manually over in "5" so that's why it doesn't happen when you are "sport shifting".

other than that I don't know what it could be. Whens the last time the oil was changed? MDS is picky about only having lighter oil. 20 as opposed to 30. When running on 4 cylinders it needs lighter oil.

 

[Steny333]

The dealer I bought it from changed the oil about 600 miles ago. 5W-20 is what their sticker says. So depending on whether or not they're full of it...who knows. Looking at the oil on the stick, it looks like it was dumped in yesterday. Clean as could be.

Thats why I'm wondering if it would be in the tranny or engine. If I manually shift 1-5, I have no problems. Soon as its in auto (and the eco icon comes up on the display) its starts clicking. So its only doing it when its running 4 cylinders. When I hit the gas and all 8 are running, there is no click.

First time Ram owner...lot of new technology I'm not used to compared to my last truck.

 

[gonefishin776]

hmmmm. well atleast uve narrowed it down to a specific circumstance where it happens. good luck, wish I had more insight, I'm sure someone will chime in with some advice

 

[Steny333]

Sticky Lifter...hate when that happens.

Well, I've been to the dealer twice now. First time they did an update to correct a hard shift issue (which was not my problem) but thought they would try it. It did nothing to correct the sound I'm hearing and now it actually does shift hard.

Dropped it off again this morning, they did a ride along and heard what I was referring to this time. Just got a call saying they think its a lifter thats sticking. This noise only happens when in MDS. When all cylinders are running...it runs like a top. So I dont know what to think...wouldn't that lifter always be sticky? Why is it only doing it in 4 cylinders?

They also said they drove it, and when you step on it on the highway there is a blue cloud of smoke that I apparent haven't noticed. and my tailpipes are black. So its obviously loading up at some point.

37,000 miles...normal?

 

[CapeRR]

Could your manifold be leaking? Broken manifold studs is pretty common on our trucks and I just had the passenger side fixed yesterday. Once warmed up, I'd only hear the clicking noise when in MDS...and it was quite apparent. Check your manifold bolts to see if they're all there.

 

[Steny333]

I'm not sure, but I'll definitely check. Thanks for the heads up.
From what I can see under the hood, everything looks clean as could be. I'm gonna bring it out to the shop this weekend and get it up in the air to check things over. The hardest part about identifying this noise is having to be in the truck and moving for it to happen. Once I get it on the hoist I can have someone put it in gear and let it idle. That should help me narrow it down a bit.

 

[CapeRR]

The two rear studs on the passenger side, #7 and #8, were broken on mine. If you get under on the passenger side with a light from behind the front wheel you'd def be able to see if at least #8 was broken. I believe #7 is under the shield.

 

[Steny333]

Appreciate the info CapeRR! Ill check and post my findings soon as i get the time.

 

[CoryBenge]

Had simular issue and it ended up being the MDS failure. Had the noise for a few weeks before it completely failed or atleast enough to damage the engine. I instantly got the check engine light when it did fail, but nothing before except the ticking. After 12 days at the dealer Im awaiting replacment of 1 MDS and 1 HEAD. The #1 MDS failure caused damage to the drivers side HEAD and part is on back order. Will be sitting in the shop for a few weeks now and of course no rental coverage. 2011 5.7 RAM with 48Kmiles.

 

[thebluegoat]

I have had the exact same issue for well over 50,000 kms now. The dealer has replaced the lifters twice, as well as both exhaust manifolds and all related hardware, as well as the torque converter. Still no resolve. There was a guy who had the same problem on the other forum site and said he had it fixed after replacing an mds actuator or some part and I asked him what his paper work said so I could show it to my dealer but he never replied back. Would like this fixed on my truck as well.

 

[Bubba20]

What did you get for a check engine code when this happened? My 09 is doing a similar thing. Missing when in the fuel saver made.

 

[Ns68005]

Hey - Hope this is the right place for this question. (my first post!)

I just bought a 2011 Ram 1500 about a week ago. It has 36,000 miles on it. I didn't notice on the initial test drive, but after bringing it home and driving through town at lower speeds, there is a weird clicking sound. This sound only happens when MDS is engaged...and its not constant. it'll be on for 5-10 seconds, and then quit. over and over. Sounds like my old truck when the compressor started to go. Or like my kids bike when he puts a card in the spokes!

When it is doing this, if I sport shift into 5 (cuz I'm sporty like that), it immediately goes away and does not come back until I take it back out of 5.

Anyone have any thoughts? Is it Tranny? Engine? Something I can fix myself or is dealer intervention required?

Thanks!

I just had this issue, and it would be like a clicking and ticking noise only when the eco-mode was between like 25 to 35 miles an hour coasting. Took it into the shop and it was broken lifters on both left and right side, they ended up replacing the motor, because it was cheaper than replacing all the lifters in the cams. Now they put a remanufactured 5.7 L in and it sounds like a rod taking in the oil pan