If you own a vehicle with a Hemi engine, you may have heard about the “Hemi tick.” It can be scary at first. But there isn’t just one Hemi tick. Several ticking noises or clicking sounds come from different parts of the engine.
Some are normal, and others need fixing. This guide will help you understand the dreaded Hemi tick.
What Is the Hemi Tick?
“Hemi tick” is a catch-all phrase for any ticking noise you hear. It can mean:
- A quick rattle when you first start the engine.
- A steady clicking sound while the engine runs.
- A loud ticking noise happens when the engine is cold and goes away as it warms up.
- A soft ping only when the engine is warm and idling.
All these sounds are the “Hemi tick,” but the cause for each differs. Let’s break them down.
What Causes the Hemi Tick?
Four main reasons cause a Hemi engine to make the ticking noise. Some are harmless. Others need attention.
1. Hydraulic Lifter Rattle on Cold Start
- What You Hear: A quick “rattle-rattle” for a few seconds right after you start the engine that has sat for days.
- Why It Happens: Hemi engines have hydraulic lifters. These lifters have small plungers inside filled with oil. When the engine sits, some oil drains away. At the next start, the plunger sits flat on the metal until the oil pump pushes oil back in. This makes a rattle sound for 2–3 seconds.
- Should You Worry? No. As soon as oil pressure builds, the lifters pump up, and the noise stops. This is normal for many modern engines.
2. Injector Tick (Fuel Injector Clicking)
- What You Hear: A steady “click-click-click” when the engine runs at idle. It clicks at all RPMs but drowns out at higher speeds.
- Why It Happens: Each fuel injector has an electric solenoid. When it opens and closes to spray fuel, it makes a clicking noise.
- Should You Worry? No. This is normal. Injector ticks happen in many cars. If the engine runs smoothly and no warning lights appear, it’s fine.
3. Exhaust Manifold Leak (Cold-Start Tick)
- What You Hear: A loud tick at a cold start that fades away as the engine warms up.
- Why It Happens: Hemi exhaust manifolds are cast steel, and cylinder heads are aluminum. As they heat up, steel and aluminum expand at different rates. Over time, the flange where they meet can warp, creating a small gap. When exhaust gas escapes through the gap, you hear a tick. As heat builds, the metals expand and seal the gap, stopping the noise. When it cools, you hear ticking as the metal shrinks.
- Should You Worry? Yes. An exhaust leak can lower performance and raise emissions. It will not ruin the engine right away, but you should fix it soon.
4. Camshaft and Roller Lifter Failure (True Hemi Lifter Tick)
- What You Hear: A soft, random “ping-ping” at idle—but only when the engine is hot. The sound goes away if you rev the engine.
- Why It Happens: In many Hemis (especially 2009–2019 models), the small needle bearings inside the roller lifters can fail. When a bearing fails, the lifter roller does not turn smoothly. The bad roller chews up the cam lobe, flattening it over time. As this wear grows, you hear a ping at idle and might get a misfire.
- Should You Worry? Yes. This is the “true” Hemi tick. Left alone, metal fragments can circulate through the oil system and damage other parts. On some trucks (6.4L engines), it can force a full engine replacement.
Injector Tick vs. Lifter Tick
It helps to know how to tell an injector tick from a lifter tick. Here are the big differences:
|
|
Injector Tick |
Lifter Tick |
|
Sound |
Steady “click-click-click” |
Rattle on cold start (2–3 seconds) or soft ping when hot |
|
When It Happens |
At all RPMs |
Cold start only vs. hot idle only |
|
Normal or Not? |
Normal |
Cold-rattle: Normal if brief; long rattle: bad; hot ping: bad |
|
Fix or No Fix? |
No fix needed |
Brief cold rattle: no fix; long cold rattle: fix lifter; hot ping: fix cam & lifters |
- Injector Tick sounds the same at idle or higher RPM. It is normal.
- Hydraulic Lifter Tick happens only on cold start and stops in a few seconds. That is normal.
- Exhaust Manifold Tick is loud on a cold engine and stops when warm. You need to fix the leak.
- Roller Lifter Tick is an odd ping only when the engine is hot at idle. You need to fix the lifters and cam.
How to Prevent Hemi Tick
Preventing serious Hemi ticks comes down to good care and aftermarket mods. Here’s how:
- Change Oil Often
Goal: Change oil every 5,000 miles or six months—even with full-synthetic oil.
Why: Fresh oil keeps the lifters and roller bearings well-lubricated. Old oil can’t protect moving parts as well.
- Use High-Quality Oil & Filter
Oil: Full-synthetic 5W-30 (or 0W-40 for extreme cold weather).
Filter: Stick with the OEM filter or a trusted brand. Cheap filters can restrict flow or let debris through.
- Upgrade the Oil Pump
2009+ Hemi Engines: Install a Hellcat high-pressure oil pump. This raises idle oil pressure by 5–10 PSI and helps lifters stay fed with oil, especially when idling.
Pre-2009 Hemis: Consider a high-volume aftermarket pump. More oil flow means better protection for roller bearings.
- Avoid Long Idling
Why: Sitting at idle for an hour or more makes oil pressure drop. Roller lifters then get less oil. This can speed up wear.
Tip: If you must idle (for work or emergencies), drive gently now and then to keep oil flowing well.
- Watch the Exhaust Manifold
Check Heat Shields: When the engine is cold, feel the heat shield on each exhaust manifold. If it wiggles more than half an inch, the studs are probably broken.
Consider Headers: Aftermarket shorty headers have thinner flanges and cool down faster. They don’t warp like cast steel manifolds. Upgrading headers can prevent leaks in the long run.
- Stick with OEM or Proven Parts
Lifters and Camshafts: OEM lifters last 80,000–100,000 miles before showing wear. Cheap lifters from discount sites can rattle from day one and wear out fast.
Gaskets & Bolts: Use high-quality, factory-style gaskets and bolts. Cheap hardware can fail or leak sooner.
- Listen Closely
Pay attention when you hear a new or odd tick. If you hear a ping at hot idle, check the VVT solenoid screen for metal bits right away.
Following these steps cuts down the chance of a costly repair later.
How to Fix Hemi Tick
Once you know what causes the Hemi tick, you can decide which way to go. Here are the fixes for each tick type:
1. Fixing a Bad Hydraulic Lifter (Long Cold-Start Rattle)
Signs: The rattle lasts more than a few seconds when you start a cold engine.
Steps to Fix:
- Check Oil: Make sure the oil level is full and the oil is clean. If it’s dirty, change the oil and filter.
-
Replace the Bad Lifter: When a lifter’s seal is shot, it won’t hold oil. You need to replace that lifter. The work involves:
- Removing the intake and valve covers.
- Draining coolant if needed.
- Lifting off the cylinder head.
- Swapping in a new lifter and fresh head gasket.
- Reassemble: Put everything back together with new gaskets. Fill with fresh oil and coolant.
2. Fixing an Exhaust Manifold Leak (Cold-Start Tick)
Signs: A loud tick when the engine is cold that stops as it warms up. You may hear ticking after shutdown as metal cools.
Steps to Fix:
- Feel the Heat Shield: On a cold engine, reach under and pull lightly on the heat shield over each manifold flange. If it moves too much, a stud is broken or the flange is warped.
-
Replace the Manifold or Studs and Gasket:
- Factory Manifolds: Remove the old cast manifold, clean the mating surface, install a new manifold with factory studs or better hardware, and add a new gasket.
- Aftermarket Headers: Remove the old manifold and install shorty headers with new gaskets and hardware.
- Tighten Everything: Reinstall all bolts to the correct torque specs.
3. Fixing Cam & Roller Lifter Failure (True Hemi Tick)
Signs: A soft, random ping at warm idle. The engine may misfire if the cam lobe is worn. The ping goes away at higher RPMs.
Steps to Fix (5.7L & 6.1L Engines):
- Inspect the VVT Solenoid Screen: Remove the intake manifold and the VVT solenoid. Check its mesh screen. If you see metal bits, the cam and lifters are worn.
- Remove the Cam & Lifters: Drain oil and coolant. Remove the intake, valve covers, pushrods (if used), and timing cover. Take out the camshaft and lifters.
- Inspect the Cam Lobes: If lobes look flat or worn, replace the camshaft. Always replace all roller lifters. Use OEM or high-quality “Hellcat-style” lifters.
- Upgrade Oil Pump: If you have a 2009+ Hemi, install a Hellcat high-pressure oil pump. It boosts idle oil pressure and helps keep new lifters happy.
- Reassemble: Install the new cam, lifters, and gaskets (head, valve cover, timing cover). Refill oil and coolant. Start the engine and check for any remaining tick.
Steps to Fix (6.4L Engines):
- Check VVT Solenoid Screen: If metal is on the screen, the engine’s auxiliary oil cooler is likely contaminated. Chrysler often requires a full engine swap in this case.
- Clean VVT Screen: If it is clear, proceed with cam and lifter replacement like a 5.7L/6.1L.
How Much to Fix Hemi Tick?
The cost to fix a Hemi tick can range from $0 to over $10,000+. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Normal Injector or Lifters Rattling Briefly: $0. These are normal noises that need no fix.
- Hydraulic Lifter Replacement: $2,000–$4,000 if a lifter seal fails.
-
Exhaust Manifold Leak Repair
- OEM Manifolds: $500–$1,000 per side.
- Aftermarket Headers: $2,000–$2,500 for both sides.
-
Camshaft & Roller Lifter Replacement
- 5.7L & 6.1L Engines: $4,500–$6,500.
- 6.4L Engine Replacement (if needed): $10,000–$13,000.
Injector clicks and quick lifter rattles cost nothing. Manifold leaks are a few hundred dollars. Roller lifter and cam repairs can be in the thousands.
How to Prevent Hemi Tick
Preventing significant repairs is easier than fixing them. Here’s how to keep your Hemi quiet and healthy:
- Change Oil Every 5,000 Miles
Fresh oil keeps lifters and roller bearings lubricated. Don’t wait 7,500 or 10,000 miles between changes.
- Use Good Oil & Filters
Stick with full-synthetic 5W-30 (or 0W-40) and a reputable filter.
- Upgrade the Oil Pump
2009+ Hemis: Get a Hellcat high-pressure pump. It raises idle oil pressure by 5–10 PSI.
Pre-2009 Hemis: Get a high-volume aftermarket pump.
- Avoid Long Idling
Long idling lets the oil pressure drop. If you have to idle for work or traffic, drive gently now and then.
- Check the Exhaust Manifold
Check the heat shield every 15,000–20,000 miles. If it wiggles too much, fix the manifold. Consider aftermarket headers to avoid warping.
- Use Quality Parts
Pick OEM lifters or proven “Hellcat-style” lifters. Cheap lifters often rattle from day one.
- Listen for Early Warnings
If you hear a soft ping at hot idle, check the VVT solenoid right away. Fix small issues fast.
Take these steps to cut down the chance of big, expensive repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hemi Tick
Q: What is the Hemi tick?
A: It’s any ticking noise from a Hemi engine. It can be a normal lifter rattle, injector click, manifold leak, or roller lifter failure.
Q: What causes the Hemi tick?
A:
- Hydraulic lifter bleed-down (normal on cold start)
- Fuel injector clicking (normal)
- Exhaust manifold leak (needs fixing)
- Roller lifter bearing failure (needs fixing)
Q: How do I tell injector tick vs lifter tick?
A:
- Injector Tick: Steady click at all RPMs. No repair needed if the engine runs smoothly.
- Hydraulic Lifter Tick: Short rattle for 2–3 seconds only on a cold start. Normal.
- Exhaust Manifold Tick: Loud cold tick that stops when warm. Fix the leak.
- Roller Lifter Tick: Soft, random ping at warm idle. Fix cam and lifters.
Q: How to prevent the Hemi tick?
A:
- Change oil every 5,000 miles.
- Use high-quality oil and filters.
- Upgrade to a Hellcat or high-volume oil pump.
- Avoid long idles.
- Check and fix the manifold heat shields early.
- Use OEM or proven aftermarket parts.
Q: How to fix the Hemi tick?
A:
- Hydraulic Lifter: Replace the bad lifter.
- Exhaust Leak: Replace manifolds or performance headers.
- Roller Lifter: Inspect VVT solenoid screen, then replace cam and lifters.
- 6.4L Engine Replacement: If metal debris enters the oil cooler, a full engine swap can be costly.
Q: How much to fix the Hemi tick?
A:
- Normal ticks: $0. No need to fix anything.
- Lifter replacement: $2,000–$4,000.
- Manifold leak: $500–$1,000 per side.
- Roller lifter/cam rebuild (5.7L & 6.1L): $4,500–$6,500.
- 6.4L engine replacement: $10,000–$13,000.
The Wrap-Up
Now you know what causes the Hemi tick and the difference between injector tick vs lifter tick. Follow correct maintenance steps to keep your Hemi engine running strong and quiet.
- Listen Closely: Early detection is key.
- Maintain Oil & Filters: Don’t skip oil changes.
- Upgrade Wisely: A better oil pump and good parts pay off.
- Fix Small Issues Fast: A quick manifold repair can prevent larger problems.
Keep your Hemi healthy; it will reward you with many miles of smooth, powerful driving.
