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HEMI "Tick" ?

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18K views 14 replies 13 participants last post by  billt 
#1 ·
I started up my new 2015 Grand Cherokee this morning and backed it out of the garage and noticed the engine (5.7 HEMI), was making a slight "ticking" noise. I got scared and right away though it was the infamous "HEMI Tick". The engine was dead cold. My wife took it to the grocery store, and when she got back, no noise at all.

I helped her unload all the groceries, then checked the oil. It showed it a quart low. That didn't seem right because I checked it the day we brought it home and it was fine. The car only has 400 miles on it, and it was showing it at the bottom hole. The dipstick has a bottom hole in it, then has cross hatched lines for about 3/4", then a top hole.

So I went for a drive and everything was normal. No noise at all. I ran the thing until the oil temp was showing 212F, then parked it in the garage for about 3 hours.

I just checked it now and it's showing right to the full line. It might be because my driveway is at a slight uphill angle, or else I didn't wait long enough for all of the oil to drain down into the oil pan. Or a combination of both. Either way the whole thing seems to be a false alarm...... I hope. At least I know it's not using a drop of oil in 400 miles. So that makes me happy. One thing I did do that I usually don't was turn on the A/C as soon as I backed it out. Today it was pretty hot. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I didn't want to revive this old thread, because it's like 3 years old. But I'll keep an eye on everything and see what happens. Has anyone else experienced a momentary ticking sound?

http://www.jeepgarage.org/f108/oil-consumption-16263-3.html
 
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#3 ·
An engine with slight tick is normal. Engines have a LOT of moving parts. I have a '14 Hemi and same thing with the oil. It showed towards the lower end of the hash marks since new. No idea where it's supposed to be within that range, but there are so many variables so I'm not worried about it. I'll check when it gets its first oil change and see where it's at in the hash marks with full oil capacity added.
 
#5 ·
An engine with slight tick is normal. Engines have a LOT of moving parts. I have a '14 Hemi and same thing with the oil. It showed towards the lower end of the hash marks since new. No idea where it's supposed to be within that range, but there are so many variables so I'm not worried about it. I'll check when it gets its first oil change and see where it's at in the hash marks with full oil capacity added.
That's what I'm going to do. As long as it shows it at the top line after sitting overnight, or for a few hours, I'll call it good. I think my garage floor is as level as any. Then, after I change the oil the first time, I'll let drain for a good long time after getting it good and hot, change out the filter, and add 7 quarts.

I'll run it for a while, let it sit overnight, then check it. Wherever it is on the dipstick I'm calling that FULL. If it's over or under the "Full" mark, I'll just scribe a line on the dipstick at that point. All this damn technology, and they can't make 2 dipsticks the same length. :rolleyes:
 
#4 ·
Most Hemi's I've ever been around have a tick. The way I look at it is, the hemi is old. Old tech, old school. Just like the old muscle cars did back in the day, they tick! Kinda what I love about the Hemi. Slightly odd to hear coming from an SUV as refined as the GC though.


"Been muffin stuff up since '92 ✌?️"
 
#6 ·
A lot of hemi owners have talked about the hemi tic when new,my hemi did it,i think under 1000 it went away.
About 2500 ml. i changed oil to 5-20 synthetic
 
#9 ·
Mine just started making this tick yesterday morning. Really annoying.
 
#12 ·
I don't know about this tick, but I agree about exhaust manifold. Most ticks come from exhaust leak. And often as it warms up the leak seals due to thermal expansion.

the other common source is hydraulic lifters that drain a bit overnight. Different brand oils and weight can make a huge difference.

5W20 seems thin for a big old V8.
 
#11 ·
Some oil use is normal...I find I need to add a quart at 4k miles or so. Previous discussion backs this up as normal for the Hemi.
 
#13 ·
I think it is mostly false alarm especially with such a new engine but it's good to monitor it and see if this anomaly occurs again. My experience with ticking only involves engines that require a valve adjustment when they are out of spec and I have to manually do it. Fortunately those days of using shim kits are gone as the Hemi is of a pretty solid almost low maintenance type.
 
#14 ·
Just got my '11 JGC back from the dealership to have the Tick issue looked at. It was driving me nuts and was getting louder. The dealer found broken exhaust manifold bolts and a warped exhaust manifold on the passenger side. After the repair, the tick only lasts the first 5 seconds after startup then it goes away!!
It's worth taking your jeep in and have it looked at by a good dealership, especially if you have any warranty let on your ride.
 
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