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rdmcphe
Dodge Dakota
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8/05/2004
06:02:38

Subject: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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I have a 2001 QC with a 4.7 with 87000 KM (55000 miles) on it. The engine has developed a very loud ticking noise immediately after a recent run over a mountain pass. I was not towing anything.

It's at the dealer. Initial diagnosis was valve train (driver's side). After pulling valve cover things look OK on top. The noise seems to be coming from deeper in the block.

The dealer is getting a scope to drop in the spark plug holes to have a look for scoring on the cylinder walls. The next step will be to pull the head.

Has this happened to anyone else?

The truck is still on powertrain warranty. Does anyone have any thoughts/tips on dealing with Chrysler?

I have limited net access as we are on the road - and enjoying our Yukon rental :(

Thanks,
Russell



Justice
Dodge Dakota
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8/05/2004
12:48:10

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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exh. manifold to head leak? If heard some that sound like valve to piston contact before. LOUD.



dealer
Dodge Dakota
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8/05/2004
20:25:12

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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How often and what kind of oil and filter did you use,have the receipts? If oil was changed per manual and approved oil and filters were used with receipts your all set. If not don`t say anything,if they want receipts ask why. If they say because the motor was sludged up pretty bad your screwed. They may not push it if they don`t find any obvious signs of neglect.



rdmcphe
Dodge Dakota
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8/05/2004
23:59:33

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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I went to the dealer for oil changes for the first 2 years. I have done the last year myself as the dealer was too inconvenient. I have receipts. I have followed schedule B - the 3000 mile change interval.

The oil was changed last week in preparation for the trip.

Todays update... The service manager has called Chrysler Engineering. He expects to hear back tomorrow.

Thanks,
Russell



GraphiteDak
GenIII
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8/06/2004
01:04:21

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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That sucks dude. Haven't heard too much bad about the 4.7 but everything breaks.

The exhaust leak idea is correct. A slight leak (like a blown exhaust gasket) can make a LOUD ticking noise. But I think I heard these don't have gaskets, or do they? My bro in laws 5.2 has no gaskets.

Oh. An indicator of the exhaust leak would be ticking LOUD when you are on the gas, almost quiet when you even out at a steady speed.



silverbullit
Dodge Dakota
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8/06/2004
09:22:35

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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One thing to add to GraphiteDak's tip: does the noise seem louder with a cold engine vs. hot? I've heard lots of exhaust leaks that are LOUD when the engine is cold, but almost stop once the engine is up to temp. The metal parts expand and seal any small cracks. Just my 2 cents.



rdmcphe
Dodge Dakota
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8/06/2004
20:25:48

RE: 4.7 Ticking - the dealer found something
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Thanks for the suggestions on the exhaust leak.

The noise does not change with engine temperature. At engine startup the ticking is VERY loud. Once it builds oil pressure it becomes a little quieter - but not much. It varies with engine RPM and is quite noticeable at highway speeds with the windows rolled up.

Today's update...

The dealer has found 2 problems:

1. A loose motor mount - a good thing to find but not the cause of the noise.
2. A bolt in the oil pan. It is metric (M8 I think he said) and about an inch and a half long. There were no shavings in the oil pan.

So the mystery of the day is....

Where did the bolt come from?

I confirmed with the service manager that no work, other than regularly scheduled maintenance as prescribed by Chrysler, has been done to this motor.

He wanted to confirm this before they started taking things apart to look for the source of the bolt - and presumably the noise.

Having never worked on a 4.7 and my factory service manual is at home (I am on vacation remember) I do not know where this could have come from.

My thoughts are - connecting rods, main bearings or oil pump. Can someone with access to a service manual have a look and see where such a bolt may have come from?

When they find the location of the bolt they will likely replace it and the noise will likely go away.

My concern is that the noise is an indication of abnormal wear and I may have problems with the engine after the warranty has expired. I am thinking I should hold out for a new short block under the powertrain warranty - depending on where the bolt came from.

Thanks,
Russell



rdmcphe
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
14:05:06

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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I spoke to the dealer yesterday. He found scoring in #1 cylinder. This is enough damage to warrant replacement of the motor.

The bolt in the oil pan and the exact cause of the ticking is still a mystery.

A new short block is on order under the powertrain warranty.

Russell



venom800
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
22:35:52

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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rdmcphe, just in case, if the noise is still there after short block replacement, I work in a DC service department, have seen a few 4.7 that the lash adjusters have colasped on one cylinder, these are adjusted by oil pressure and make loud tapping when they colaspe, just a tought if problem is still there




rdmcphe
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2004
20:18:15

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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I picked up the truck this past friday. Good news... the tick is gone. The motor sounds great.

Looking over the work order I am *really* glad that the repair was covered by the powertrain warranty. It looks like about US$3000 in parts alone and it was at the dealer for 2 1/2 weeks. I shudder to think what the repair would have cost if it was done out of warranty.

I have put over 300 miles on the new motor. It runs great but all is not perfect...

1. The motor has a faint smell of burning oil.
I occasionally get a whiff through the window
at a stoplight and comes in through the HVAC
outlets when backing up. I am checking
fluid levels regularly - I suspect a
small leak.
2. AC performance is greatly reduced and the
compressor cycles a lot. There was nothing
listed on the work order re: AC but in looking
at the engine bay they must have had it apart.

I have already booked a followup appointment at my home dealer to deal with these issues.

It's not over yet.

Russell



Jag
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2004
21:13:22

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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Russell - Glad to hear they took care of you. Sounds like you lost a little freon during the engine removal...sounds like they didn't vaccuum out the AC system before they charged it. Complain about it soon while it is still fresh on their minds.

I would keep watching for oil leaks/smells but you are probably getting a little break-in burn. Nothing to worry about...just keep an eye out.



rdmcphe
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2004
19:29:08

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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I found the cause of the burning oil smell. There is a leak at the back of the passenger side valve cover. It is dripping onto the exhaust manifold and burning immediately. There is a small amount of smoke rising up on that side of the engine compartment when idling.

It' down about 1/2 quart in 500 miles. It goes into the dealer in tuesday. At least they will have something to work with.

Russell



rdmcphe
Dodge Dakota
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9/01/2004
19:33:14

RE: 4.7 Ticking - it looks major
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I took it into the dealer. They fixed the oil leak in the passenger side valve cover and the AC was low. It turns out that the AC was disassembled when the motor was replaced. They recharged the AC and added UV dye to the system. I am supposed to take it back in 3 weeks so they can look for leaks.

This morning a new (and potentially worrysome) problem has emerged. The check engine light came on while driving to work. When I dumped the codes it came up with P0420. I called the dealer and the service advisor said it was an evap leak. I should clean the gas cap, make sure it is tight and bring it in in a few days if the light does not turn off. I think he is confused with P0440.

P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Below Required Level

I fear this code could be serious. It could be a bad rear O2 sensor or more likely a bad cat.

A bad cat after such a major repair is too much of a coincidence.

Could reduced cat efficency be caused by burning oil or coolant? The motor has about 700 miles on it and the strange smells are not going way yet.

Russell



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